It's a very good review. Both car companies are well known for their respective AWD systems. The VW is the better looking vehicle while the Subaru is more on utility, comfort and long term reliability. Thanks Sofyan for this review.
Great comparison, the VW is the better looking vehicle but the Subaru is probably more reliable. Being an old man, I would probably prefer the Subaru. Also, I love the brown metallic exterior and the brown leather interior.
I like this kinda comparison video. Thanks. I really enjoyed! I prefer outback over VW since VW interior material feels way cheaper. That's one of reasons I purchased 2019 outback limited 2.5. it's LITTLE(!) slow but acceptable. Most favorite part is the practicability that you pointed in the video. I like XT model, in same time, I would see the outback hybrid version which has higher output + better gas mileage. Something like VOLVO SUVs, not crosstrek hybrid.
@Jonathan Losito "...Subaru’s 5-10 year cost of ownership cost jumps up more than most mainstream automakers according to a study by Consumer Reports (by subscription). Consumer Reports looked at data from 25 car brands by asking car owners how much they paid out of pocket for total maintenance (oil changes, etc.) and repairs over the past 12 months. The average cost for a 5-year-old (2015 model) is $200. The average cost for a 10-year-old (2010 model): $458. Subaru vehicles incurred total out of pocket maintenance costs of $267 in year 5, and $500 in year 10 according to the survey. Of the 25 car brands, Subaru ranks number 17 highest in repair costs. Subaru’s 5-10 year cost of ownership Is higher than all but one other mainstream brand; Volkswagen." Torquenews
@@normt430 so roughly 50 bucks a year, for maintenance, its not really that bad if you can't handle 50 bucks perhaps someone shouldn't be buying a vehicle......I'd bet most of that cost is just routine maintenance like oil change or tire rotation....
@@truckercowboyed2638 True lol wtf it's that person even talking about:))A car isn't a phone,you don't just buy it and use it..it's a big pile of mechanical stuff that can't run forever
@@normt430 Subaru's are worth repairing at the 5 and 10 year mark. Actually doing the preventive maintenance instead of the brand deferring it past the power train warranty is what makes a Subaru a Subaru.
I have a 4th gen outback, and even that first version of their CVT really isn't too bad! I love the different look, that it fits the whole family, and the roof rack system has been a life saver a few times! LONG LIVE THE WAGON!
@Jonathan Losito it really depends on the engine. The 2.0’s are notorious for their problems, but the 2.5 engine is known for great reliability. My own Outback is a 2.5 fourth gen and it’s still quite solid despite being a 2012 and with 92,000 miles. (Knock on wood)
@Cole Chapman .. The 2020 Subaru Outback range has a new engine range; 2.4l normally aspriated and 2.4l turbo charged. . The Outback XT reviewed has the 2.4l turbo engine; . 265hp/260 torque w/ CVT gerabox.
Funny, these are the two vehicles I personally own. If you read the Outback owner forums, new owners are hating the Outback's automatic engine start/stop system. I've read that the system is very rough and abrupt, and the disable function is buried three steps into the on-screen menu. There is no physical disable button in the Subaru. Some new Owners have even said they regret buying the Outback because the start/stop system is so poorly executed. Seems like an important feature to compare and review. More important than the sound of the door closing.
It’s funny that Forester owners haven’t been complaining about theirs nearly as much, considering the same 2.5 engine. Do you think the issue is a different starter or that most of the complaints are coming from XT owners?
My wife's 2021 has a disable button on the screen to the left of the home button. Apparently it was something they just added as her salesman didn't even know about it.
@@Kd_rise .. +1. . Good news. . You are talking "update" regarding the newer 2020 and beyond Outback models correct? . The 2020 OB XT stop/start feature is at times an annoyance . . An easy "stop/start" defeat is to turn the steering wheel towards 9 o'clock or 3 o'clock when stopped. . Easy peasey .....
I am owner of a 2015 3.6R Outback and making this decision between these two cars. As a 6’4” person with 3’ legs, I notice a big difference in comfort as a driver. The Tiguan is much more comfortable and adjustable. Also the Tiguan has a button to turn on and off the automatic stop-start feature, which is much more convenient than diving into layers of the Subaru menu. In city driving the Tiguan engine is fine. On the highway, especially one where passing puts you in oncoming traffic, the Tiguan puts you in the mode of planning far ahead when to pass, while the Subaru in XT trim is right on top of things. The Tiguan definitely makes you feel closer to your passenger than the Subaru. The steering is very very light giving you a toy car feel, while the Subaru feels substantial. And in everyday driving the Tiguan leans more on turns and feels like it is on springs, kinda bouncy, which I find off-putting. So while I do not like the Subaru command interface, I’d vote for the Subaru over the Tiguan. However, I’m still looking for something better than both.
Subaru just selling like hot cakes from crosstrek to ascent,the most customers tho are the older ppl if you pay attention which confirms the utility,trust and practicality!i like the vw (design),but will put my money on subaru!:)
@@carlkwasnjuk9518 but it’s an R “line” right? Which means it’s just visual packages. Just like Audi S-line, Mercedes AMG line, BMW M sport packages. These aren’t supposed to add more power at all. But I get where you are coming from. Car manufacturers shouldn’t introduce these “fake” performance extras. Thing is, consumers love them and it maximizes car manufacturers’ profits
I wouldn’t say VW has fallen - I would say it was a conscious decisions because when VW was #1 in premium materials the American buy didn’t want to pay more for the premium materials. So VW gave the cheap American buy more plastic in inconspicuous areas in order to lower the price and sell cars to American buyers. So if you want to say VW “cheaped out” let’s point out that VW gave the American buyer what they wanted. VW was nimble and listened to American buyers. That’s why other American car makers like Chevy and Ford include lots of cheap plastic in their cars too. Less expensive cars sell in larger numbers.
@Joshua Rutter...good point....the RV industry went thru the same economic issues during the last recession...and now we have cheap, good looking interiors, etc., that are suspect' long-term. thanks.
Darrell Borland well I think VW replacing someone soft touch materials with more hard plastic may be beneficial. I don’t think any suspect longevity will be an issue. The hard plastic is durable and easy to clean and weighs less than soft touch rubbers or synthetics. In place of premium material we trade off for safety technology that could save our lives instead of fluff that was there before. All in all not a bad trade off.
Yet brands like Hyundai and KIA offer better quality interiors at the same if not cheaper price, made in Alabama. Seems like a poor excuse for VW, who makes their vehicles in Mexico. Brands that haven't sacrificed quality for price such as Honda also still seem to be doing just fine in sales. And Toyota, Hyundai, and Honda offer more standard equipment for the price. And then there's Mazda...
I think you are wrong. I worked at VW/Audi/Subaru (all in one) dealership in New Zealand. And I must say, the Tiguan has that poor quality even in the German built one. Plastics are good quality, but on the touch, they don't use much soft materials, everything is hard to touch. Now is very common to see soft touch around central console, so your legs don't touch anything hard, VW still put hard plastics there, no matter if its a German car, or some other market.
Baltazar Campos Nieto I think you are wrong. I also worked for the combination Audi dealer. If you go read my comments I admit that VW uses hard plastics down low: as does the new Audi E-Tron I leased. You said VW used hard plastic everywhere except console. That is not so in the USA version. The area above the glovebox is all a soft synthetic rubber, and doors have soft armrests and where you rest your arm on the window still is soft. That is equal or better than Rav-4 & CR-V and all the rest: for $24k for my SE I think it’s plenty luxurious with heated seats, leatherette, great 8” touch screen and Apple CarPlay, heated outside mirrors and great back seat with air vents and USB port as well as armrest and sliding & reclining 40/20/40 split bench. Struts instead of a prop rod under the hood and a nicely finished cargo area with lights and power sources and a even a CD Player in my glove box
Got the Tiguan SE for my mom and she loves it, power isn’t all there but it’s enough for her and the driving is so smooth and feels luxurious to ride in it lol.
I really like my fourth gen Outback. The cvt isn’t that bad and I like the range my tank gets and that it’s very easy to maneuver and look out of. I find in parking lots and in tighter city streets it’s easier to steer and park too because of its short turning radius. If you drive with fuel economy in mind its quite fuel efficient as well. Antoher benefit about it is it’s ground clearance too. I live in the northeast and sometimes head to upstate NY where there are massive snow storms and I usually avoid the bigger snow storms but never felt like my car wouldn’t make it if it snowed a lot. I also liked it’s cargo capacity too. I was actually able to move all my kitchen boxes and non collapsed office chair to my college dormitory with some space left over. What my fourth gen Outback lacks in power or style, it makes up for with ground clearance, mpg, good steering, great practicality, and a reliable engine
The biggest deal breaker for me and the Subaru is their stupid start/stop system. The boxer engine design just shakes the entire car every time you take your foot off the brake and for what, the littlest amount of gas you'll save??? If you could turn it off permanently, I'd be fine with it but I had a 2020 Legacy Limited for a few days and you have to dig through menus every time the car starts to get to it. It just wears out your starter and engine faster, something the 2019s didn't have. My other gripe with the Subaru is that new touchscreen can be laggy, Apple Carplay is smaller on it compared to the 2019s, and the backup camera looks lower resolution and worse frame rate than the 2019s. I also didn't realize that Subaru got rid of hood struts underneath the hood for this new generation, something once again the 2019s had. Volkswagen I would never consider for anything being what electrical nightmares they are.
Noah Mascarin that’s why I would only go with a 2019 Outback or older. Even the Subaru salesman I talked with agreed with me that the start/stop is a fail.
Kevin Wright yes there were times in my testing with the 2020 Legacy I forgot about the system and it actually startled me when I was getting ready to pull out into traffic. As far as the Outback I personally like the look of the 2019 better mostly because it doesn’t a ton of unpainted plastic like the 2020. There’s really nothing the 2020 does better than the 2019, and some things it does worse.
There is no car review professional on any media format who comes close to Redline's knowledge of the vehicles reviewed, the technical/engineering issues involved and the presentation skills employed in car videos. You have set the bar in this field, and it is a marvelously high bar, indeed. You are a soothing balm in very troubled times. That, good sir, is a treasure.Thank you. RHenry, M.D.
I prefer the Outback. That's because I like station wagons more than crossovers or suv. The Outback has more power and better mileage. I think the Subaru has enough room for my family (wife and two kids)
That's 31 years ago. I was sure that was the only reason why he was going to get away with that comment but you went ole school. I figured everyone else would be too young, but you went and got your old Road and Track, Auto Week or Motor Week. Great memory.
I prefer the Subaru Outback because the interior is nicer and I love the look of it. And we have a white 2020 Subaru Outback XT Onyx edition. We got it in September 13th of 2019. To replace my moms 2011 Toyota Venza V6 AWD. We sold it before we moved out of Illinois to South Carolina.
Good for you. I'm jealous! IF 3db quieter than the previous generation i will forfeit the Foresters moon roof for the Outback. Would be a home run if equipt with the moonroof!!!
There is less air resistance on the Outback. Both cars have similar weight and similar horsepower, but the VW being taller means more drag. The Outback is a bit more svelte
Picked up Volkswagen also, love the way it drives. I've owned many brands over the years including Subaru. My Subaru was super reliable and served me well.
Best upgrade to the Outback, Falken Wildpeak A/T trails. Went back to spots I was spinning the all seasons with x mode on to not even needing to use x mode. And they are 3 peak snowflake rated also
How dare you calling the Outback "boring." ??!! This vehicle is not boring at all. We just bought a new 2022 Subaru Outback Limited and this is a great car. Way above its class and the reliability is superior. Subaru has come a long way and is currently is Toyota's big competitor. Subaru, also, holds resale value way better than a VW. Hands down, Subaru over VW any time of the day.
Subaru was a great car back in the 90s when no AWD cars were available except Subaru and much more expensive Audi Quatrro. I am myself been driving Subaru Impreza WRX back in 1997. I have no idea why anyone would buy Subaru nowadays when every vendor has AWD SUVs. Also, you can't really compare a German vehicle vs non-luxury Japanese. It just feels very different and it's either important for you or not. Think about VW Tiguan as a slightly stripped down version of Audi Q5. Subaru Outback is on another end of the Universe.
Mocking declarations and questionable taste often go hand in hand. The brown is the second best color in the lineup, but you'd have to be an Old Person with kids and a house in the woods to understand that.
He comes off like the little snot living rent free in the basement but whines about everything! CVT whines, hopefully loud enough to drowned him out... maybe just maybe not everyone is trying to tree everyone at every intersection & grenade the engine keeping it at 6K everywhere. The CVT is designed to eliminate gears/steps in the power curve & keep the RPM as low as possible given throttle position and the subsequent load its under... hence the FANTASTIC MPG TWERP
I drive the Outback XT three times now and love the drivetrain--the power--effortless. The VW I drove once and found it a little burdened by the weight. For the price the Subaru XT is a much better value.I do like the appearance of the VW with the RS package, but looks are not everything.
I don't know about "value" but Subaru (even with new interior design) is an extremely dull vehicle. Coupled with whizzy CVT it's a torture to drive (and 95% of Subaru's buyers go with a standard non-turbo engine).
Test drove the Tiguan last year and the lack of power was a deal breaker for me. I know it’s not a sports car, but you really have to plan ahead when passing on the freeway. I went for the CX-5 gt reserve. Less space, but drives soooo much better!
Anyone looking to buy one of these for a family car should avoid anything VW makes. They have the worst reliability rating in North America across their entire line up. Plus VW's resale value is abysmal. While the subaru has mid to top tier reliability and excellent resale value.
We are sick and tired of Depressing Grey and Death Black interior colors which became popular in 1990. I’m glad we have warm Ivory interior in our Outback.
Sofyan, interesting and very useful comparison review. My family was looking at the VW Tiguan, but once again, the Outback pulls us back. One item that I'd like to see added to your reviews: how obnoxious is the cursed Start/Stop system in each vehicle? For example, The Outback's is pretty rough on restart, and you have to go through three steps in the infotainment screen to shut the &*^%$$%$!! thing off!
The Subaru is a much better vehicle. Better pricing a onyx 2.4t runs around $33k. The Volkswagen still uses 2004 halogen headlights. The bigger touchscreen in the Subaru its also a nice plus. The vw is behind in many categories by a few years. Needs a desperate refresh.
We owned a 2018 Tiguan SE for about 6 months. On test our drives, the power seemed adequate, but in real world everyday driving it was not. The engine was loud and buzzy, it felt underpowered, the trans shifting was vague, and the auto start/stop was abrupt and shook the whole car at each restart. We traded it off because the driving experience was poor. Agree with the points in the review here. The drivetrain is the shortfall of the VW. Everything else is pretty decent. If the driving experience is important to you at all, you will definitely not like the Tiguan.
The next time you think something is "weird", maybe do some research? For example, there is a VERY good reason VW and other manufacturers are adding third rows to SUV's and crossovers. It's all about emissions. When a vehicle has a third row or AWD, the US government considers it a light-duty truck. This changes the CAFE requirements for the manufacturer. That is why all 2WD MQB Tiguans have a third row - all of them - and why the AWD models have them as optional. If there is a way for a manufacturer to shoe-horn a third row in their car, they're going to do it. See Title 49, Section 523.5. ecfr.io/Title-49/Section-523.5
Not sure how it is in Sofyan's country, but in Montreal it is mostly older white woman driving Subaru. Correction if I may at 29:32: I believe Subaru introduced their first CVT in North America in the 1989 Justy? Really using one of these for off road trails in mud, rocks and roots? Most of the SUV's in my neighborhood have never even seen a gravel road, much less a muddy trail.
Subaru owners are white and in their 60's, according to J.D. Power. Then there are these...www.slate.com/blogs/outward/2014/01/02/lesbians_and_subarus_why_do_lesbians_love_outbacks_and_foresters.html
Thanks! Excellent, thorough comparison. The 2020 Outback Limited XT is my fourth Outback. Easily the fastest, safest, best handling, best riding, most comfortable of the 4. My wife has a 2016 Legacy 3.6R - quick off the line but hard-to-modulate gas pedal and the ride is way inferior to the Outback. The CVT slowed the Outbacks down (my 2012 was slooooow) but this turbo ... man like wow!
I appreciate the reviews, but I have a problem. I am 6' 3" and I want to know why the automakers don't put a limitation on size of person for their vehicles? I can not fit in a lot of vehicles because of my size and height. That's why I have to stay with larger vehicles to drive. I would love to have a car that gets great gas mileage and doesn't cost me an arm and leg to buy. You always have someone that reviews the car that the car "Fits" them with room to spare. How about using a guy my size once and awhile so people my size could see how they would fit in the cars you are reviewing. Thanks!
I'm 6'6" & currently drive a 2013 Outback soley due to leg room. It's the deciding factor on what cars are in the running. Just sat in a 2020 Tiguan today. Same amount of front left room (isn't fully extend my legs) the seat has to be put back all the way and lowered. The seat behind the drivers seat had more leg room than my Outback or the huge 2920 Atlas/Atlas Cross Sport, the salesman couldn't believe it.
You have reinforced our decision to add a new 2019 Sportwagen S to our 2019 Outback 3.6, as the family sharing car. The 1.8 and 6 speed DSG is so entertaining, especially compared to the cushy Subaru. The Tiguan needs more power. (we love the 3.6 though). The Type R is dad's car.
Not all Subaru CVT's are equal. The CVT in our old 2016 forester premium pushed us away from Subaru, but the paddle shifters in our 2012 Legacy made the CVT much more enjoyable. The forester would decelerate when you stood on the throttle until it figured out where to be. Nearly caused us several accidents.
A couple of more thoughts on the Subaru; the heated steering wheel only heats 2/3 of the wheel, anything between the 10 and 2 position is unheated. Because the infotainment system is actually three different screen stacked together, the car play screen is really small. It is also really slow, quirky and has problems like; won't easily connect with car play, reboots for no reason, too many menus and sub menus make it distracting, when you hang up the phone it quite often shows that you are still on a call and therefore cannot make another call without disconnecting and reconnecting the phone. There is apparently a patch for some of the issues, I am getting it done in a week. Subaru dealer says that they need the car for the entire day to download the patch because "it sometimes does not want to accept the changes". On the transmission, if you boot the car it sometimes jerks around for 3-5 seconds looking for the right ratio, not really smooth.
Down with this more casual, opinionated format. Many of your videos come off more as a sales pitch which is all good but you can definitely tell you’ve spent a bit more time behind these vehicles.
The VW looks slick with the R-line package, but looks totally cheap in almost every other trim. Even the base Outback looks more substantial. It'd probably be hard to go wrong with either, though.
My wife has a 2016 Subaru Outback 3.6r. I wish we could trade it in for a '21 XT Limited (we're not a fan of the saddle brown leather in the Touring), but we're enjoying not having a car payment! I'm curious how the throttle tip-in on the XT compares to the 3.6r. I can't stand how sensitive it is in my wife's OB. If you don't feather the throttle from a stop, you get whiplash. Love your reviews by the way. When you enable x-mode, throttle tip-in is perfect.
I'm a VW guy but I prefer the smaller traditional sunroof over a panoramic sunroof. I think long run that the large sunroof will be expensive to fix and also too many seals will detonate from the sun's rays. I do agree that when VW badges any of their vehicles as an "R" line that this should be considered a performance package similar to the Golf R.
The Subaru on a wagon chassis will make your auto insurance much, much lower. Love the Subaru. VW looks outdated. From the back it looks like mini van.
Just a side note: VW came out with apple car-play and Android auto in 2016 in every trim except for S in some models. By 2019 EVERY volkswagen except the Beetle came with standard Apple Carplay and Android Auto. The 2018, 2019, 2020 Tiguan has Apple Carplay and Android Auto standard in all trims.
I would take the VW...because its not extremely ugly...add the engine power from the Subaru keep the 8 speed or with some modification after market at least get it up 50 more horses and 50 more torque. Then its worth it.
Had a 2016 Outback. Great car all around, except the CVT crapped out at 50,000 miles. I'm going to avoid Subaru until they decide to go with a different transmission set-up.
For me the Vw I just don't care for a Subaru, I live in Subaru country so to many and too boring. The Vw just feels better to drive than a Subaru and its like it has spirit vs a bloated, cross-eyed and in this color combo turd.
@@timjantz3591 Tiguan 4Motion is a great AWD it is very close to the Subaru symmetrical AWD in term of performance, watch videos done on rollers and off road. I have a Tiguan myself it kept safe in many icy winters.
I think VW might have given you wrong information. My wife leased a 2020 Tiguan S and it has the 6.5 radio with Apple CarPlay. It’s the feature that sold her on going for a base model over upgrading to the SE. Also the taillights on her Tiguan are full LED. My pricier Grand Cherokee doesn’t which is a shame. Also for being an 8 speed it’s kinda jerky and likes to hang on gears. My Jeeps ZF is a dream.
while the outback does look like a third cousin to the station wagon, the Volkswagon more closely resembles a minivan than a crossover. this mom is buying a touring, and most certainly not in poop brown.
This is a rather odd comparison considering that the Tiguan's main competitor is the Subaru Forester not the Outback. The Tiguan is fairly obviously a compact crossover, 185" in length, the same as the Nissan Rogue and 3" longer than the Forester. The Outback, on the other hand, is 191.3" long, a full 6" longer than the Tiguan and longer than a Honda Passport, a Hyundai Santa Fe, a KIA Sorento, and the same length as a Jeep Grand Cherokee. Further, I'm not sure where Sofyan is getting his information about the relative weight of the Tiguan and the Outback. In fact the Tiguan does not have a curb weight of "slightly over 4000 lbs." a figure that isn't even borne out by his own graphic. (3847 lbs at 18:25). Nor is it more than the Outback. Sofyan's graphic for the Outback gives the weight at 3887 lbs. But that's for the non-turbo XT version. In fact, the curb weight of the Subaru XT he's reviewing comes in a 3937 lbs., significantly more than the Tiguan. As far as performance is concerned, there's no question that the stock Tiguan is relatively lethargic, especially considering that it uses a version of VW EA888 2.0L turbo used in a variety of VW's including the GTI, GLI, and the Golf R. But with a 9.1 second 0-60 mph time, it's a stronger performer than the Forester (9.7 seconds) with its non-turbo 4 banger, the same engine and drive train in the non-XT Outback. and only 0.4 seconds slower than the non-XT Subaru. Furthermore, the Tiguan's engine can be easily upgraded with a 30 minute Stage I APR tune at a relatively modest cost ($800) that transforms the vehicle's performance. (BTW, contrary to a common misconception, a Stage I ECU tune does NOT invalidate a VW's warranty coverage unless the modification can be shown to have resulted directly in a warranty covered component.) The Outback is an impressive vehicle in many ways but the particular comparison of a Tiguan to an Outback XT is like comparing apples to pineapples. And the result is determined. A more appropriate comparison with the Forester, much less so.
Stephen Hendricks I think it’s because they both cost around the same price, if you compare Forester with Tiguan, a fully loaded forester would cost less than fully loaded Tiguan. It makes sense to compare a Fully loaded Tiguan with fully loaded outback because they both cost around 4K.
@@blackwhirlwind1245 I think that's probably the best rationale for this particular comparison. (Though I'm sure you meant $40K.) Still, I'm fairly sure that at least here in the Pacific Northwest the real world price of a top trim Tiguan can be had for around $35K or less. (According to Autotrader.) Top Trim Outback XT's , on the other hand, are typically offered at MSRP of about $41K. Likewise, top trim (Touring) Foresters are offered for about $33.5K to $34.5K. Those prices aren't surprising considering the popularity of Subies here in the Northwest so the comparisons may not hold elsewhere.
As I’ve stated here before my wife and I are HUGE Subaru fans but we will never buy a new one because of the CVT. The rev hang with a CVT would drive me nuts. We’ll stick to buying used Subaru’s as far as the review goes I’ll personally take the VW. Admittedly I liked the smaller version of the Tiguan. As a avid hiker I’ll take your comment about a hiking boot as a Complement LOL
Rev hang is when the computer makes the engine rev for a half second after a manual clutch is depressed to burn unused fuel in the intake and reduce emissions, all the while preventing a quick shift. A CVT isn't manual and doesn't "hang." It keeps the engine in the power band, and the engine just revs, continuously applying power without losing RPM. That singsong low-to-high tone of gear shifts you hear in an clutchpack auto is the sound of your engine falling out of the power band and then climbing back in after switching gear ratios. The only reason a CVT ever falls out of the power band is to fake shift points to simulate the tonal climbs that customers grew up with. Subaru makes it worse by putting "shift paddles" in cars with no gears. You know what pisses me off? Listening to a CVT drop power for a simulated "shift" to match the aesthetic of a completely different machine. It's like putting a VW soundaktor in an electric car.
I personally think you are nitpicking on some features such as the door slamming?!?.... I don't really care how the door sounds when it closes.... just as long as it closes and stays closed!!.... Highly doubt that the way a door sounds is going to be a deciding factor on buying a car.... also if you are going to talk about the reclining feature on the outback it would be nice if you approached it properly by actually showing how it reclines because it is a very unique feature... Some thing that the over priced Volkswagen doesn't have..... overall for what you get standard on the outback much exceeds what you get standard on the Volkswagen especially for the price that you pay..... Focus more on the things that really matter not a door clicking sound that really doesn't Amount to anything whatsoever
Biggest knock against my Forester XT is that it is a capable off-road car but the CVT is not up to snuff when off-roading. It goes into safe mode and doesn't allow any wheelspin or revving of the engine. I've gotten stuck in sand before because the CVT just won't rev at all. It is quite frustrating. On road though it's a nicely tuned transmission and the XT is very quick for a brick on wheels.
After owning the Outback for as long as you have now, have you gotten used to the infotainment system? Not just you, but I've seen plenty of reviews that call the system slow, laggy, and in come cases unacceptable. How has it been in real world use, is it something people can get used to?
Daniel Feldman in my opinion, 2019 outback has a better screen, I can’t accept the fact that I have to adjust climate control though a screen, also, the screen that uses Apple carplay is so small.
In 2019 was"...the biggest recall Subaru has ever seen. Some 1.3 million Subaru Forester SUVs, Impreza sedans and wagons, WRX and STI sedans, and Crosstrek SUVs were recalled in March for an issue apparently stemming from contaminants in common household products such as cosmetics, fabric softener and car polish that could cause a brakelight switch malfunction. Word to owners should have been passed along starting in late April, but if you still haven’t repaired your Subaru, know that dealers only have to replace the brakelight switch as a fix." Cars dot com "...70 percent of new Subaru vehicles are now the object of recalls or service campaigns within two years of being purchased, noting that the “permissible limit” should be around 10 percent." Thetruthaboutcars.
the VW interior looks like the flashy screens were all retrofitted so they can charge extra the money. Its so basic. the Subarus interior is way more appealing.
Not so much in real life. The screens come off as tacky & low rent, and the general build of the Subaru both externally and internally is of a Lower caliber
Excellent review and agree the Suburu is the better choice. VW looks and feels better, but it's kind of confusing with a poor engine and the vehicle class car/SUV/off roader? Suburu is more defined on safety and ruggedness. The interior seems outdated and lacks luxury. I prefer the Forester, but the Outback is easily the better of these 2 vehicles.
The Tiguan has full LED rear tail lights the only incandescent light on the entire car is the fogs. Also CarPlay is standard on all Tiguan models you only lose Sirius and HD radio on the smaller display standard trim car.
Another error - the key fob recognition system that adjusts driver settings based on the key in use. The review said Sube had facial recognition, didn't mention the VW version of essentially the same feature.
Neither is the most reliable. I've seen a lot of Subarus on the road sounding like absolute garbage, but I know VW maintenance costs are through the roof. You pay more for repairs when you're not going for the more standard option of Toyota/Honda. I do agree about Subaru's AWD though - you can't do much better.
Dennis Xu I know they sound different. I mean like BAD sounds. Engine knocking, etc. Granted, this could be lack of maintenance, though I’ve seen it a lot more than other cars.
Ummm...In 2019 was"...the biggest recall Subaru has ever seen. Some 1.3 million Subaru Forester SUVs, Impreza sedans and wagons, WRX and STI sedans, and Crosstrek SUVs were recalled in March for an issue apparently stemming from contaminants in common household products such as cosmetics, fabric softener and car polish that could cause a brakelight switch malfunction. Word to owners should have been passed along starting in late April, but if you still haven’t repaired your Subaru, know that dealers only have to replace the brakelight switch as a fix." Cars dot com "...70 percent of new Subaru vehicles are now the object of recalls or service campaigns within two years of being purchased, noting that the “permissible limit” should be around 10 percent." Report Outlines How Subaru is Coping With Quality Control Issues - The Truth About Cars Report Outlines How Subaru is Coping With Quality Control Issues - The Truth About Cars Subaru was one of the few automakers experiencing growth going into the Great Recession. When the financial crisis struck in earnest, Subaru’s volume briefly dipped to pre-recession levels before resuming its climb. Thanks largely to an enviable publ
Happy Friday guys! Today we have an interesting battle of crossover vs station wagon. Let us know below which body style you actually prefer more!
It's a very good review. Both car companies are well known for their respective AWD systems. The VW is the better looking vehicle while the Subaru is more on utility, comfort and long term reliability. Thanks Sofyan for this review.
My biggest concern is reliability. So I’m gonna lean towards the Subaru.
I'm from Europe, so the Subaru is weird for my eyes. VaG without hesitation
Great comparison, the VW is the better looking vehicle but the Subaru is probably more reliable. Being an old man, I would probably prefer the Subaru. Also, I love the brown metallic exterior and the brown leather interior.
I like this kinda comparison video. Thanks. I really enjoyed! I prefer outback over VW since VW interior material feels way cheaper.
That's one of reasons I purchased 2019 outback limited 2.5. it's LITTLE(!) slow but acceptable. Most favorite part is the practicability that you pointed in the video. I like XT model, in same time, I would see the outback hybrid version which has higher output + better gas mileage. Something like VOLVO SUVs, not crosstrek hybrid.
Our family just bought a 2020 Forester, and I have to say, Subaru has seriously stepped up there interior game. Damn near luxury.
@Jonathan Losito "...Subaru’s 5-10 year cost of ownership cost jumps up more than most mainstream automakers according to a study by Consumer Reports (by subscription).
Consumer Reports looked at data from 25 car brands by asking car owners how much they paid out of pocket for total maintenance (oil changes, etc.) and repairs over the past 12 months. The average cost for a 5-year-old (2015 model) is $200. The average cost for a 10-year-old (2010 model): $458.
Subaru vehicles incurred total out of pocket maintenance costs of $267 in year 5, and $500 in year 10 according to the survey. Of the 25 car brands, Subaru ranks number 17 highest in repair costs. Subaru’s 5-10 year cost of ownership Is higher than all but one other mainstream brand; Volkswagen." Torquenews
@@normt430 so roughly 50 bucks a year, for maintenance, its not really that bad if you can't handle 50 bucks perhaps someone shouldn't be buying a vehicle......I'd bet most of that cost is just routine maintenance like oil change or tire rotation....
@@truckercowboyed2638 True lol wtf it's that person even talking about:))A car isn't a phone,you don't just buy it and use it..it's a big pile of mechanical stuff that can't run forever
@@normt430 Subaru's are worth repairing at the 5 and 10 year mark. Actually doing the preventive maintenance instead of the brand deferring it past the power train warranty is what makes a Subaru a Subaru.
I have 2018 Subaru Outback as family car and I am totally satisfied with this baby.
I have a 4th gen outback, and even that first version of their CVT really isn't too bad! I love the different look, that it fits the whole family, and the roof rack system has been a life saver a few times! LONG LIVE THE WAGON!
@Jonathan Losito if you got the money why not but the outback is the better value.
Expensive cars keep people poor.
@Jonathan Losito it really depends on the engine. The 2.0’s are notorious for their problems, but the 2.5 engine is known for great reliability. My own Outback is a 2.5 fourth gen and it’s still quite solid despite being a 2012 and with 92,000 miles. (Knock on wood)
@Cole Chapman .. The 2020 Subaru Outback range has a new engine range;
2.4l normally aspriated and 2.4l turbo charged. . The Outback XT reviewed has the 2.4l turbo engine; . 265hp/260 torque w/ CVT gerabox.
Funny, these are the two vehicles I personally own. If you read the Outback owner forums, new owners are hating the Outback's automatic engine start/stop system. I've read that the system is very rough and abrupt, and the disable function is buried three steps into the on-screen menu. There is no physical disable button in the Subaru. Some new Owners have even said they regret buying the Outback because the start/stop system is so poorly executed. Seems like an important feature to compare and review. More important than the sound of the door closing.
It’s funny that Forester owners haven’t been complaining about theirs nearly as much, considering the same 2.5 engine. Do you think the issue is a different starter or that most of the complaints are coming from XT owners?
My wife's 2021 has a disable button on the screen to the left of the home button. Apparently it was something they just added as her salesman didn't even know about it.
You can disable it quickly in home screen after Subarus recent update.
@@Kd_rise .. +1. . Good news. . You are talking "update" regarding the newer 2020 and beyond Outback models correct? . The 2020 OB XT stop/start feature is at times an annoyance . . An easy "stop/start" defeat is to turn the steering wheel towards 9 o'clock or 3 o'clock when stopped. . Easy peasey .....
Instead of new BMW's Ive just replaced my BMW X3 and X5 with a Forrester & Outback at half the price feature for feature and a massive grin on my face
I am owner of a 2015 3.6R Outback and making this decision between these two cars. As a 6’4” person with 3’ legs, I notice a big difference in comfort as a driver. The Tiguan is much more comfortable and adjustable. Also the Tiguan has a button to turn on and off the automatic stop-start feature, which is much more convenient than diving into layers of the Subaru menu. In city driving the Tiguan engine is fine. On the highway, especially one where passing puts you in oncoming traffic, the Tiguan puts you in the mode of planning far ahead when to pass, while the Subaru in XT trim is right on top of things.
The Tiguan definitely makes you feel closer to your passenger than the Subaru. The steering is very very light giving you a toy car feel, while the Subaru feels substantial. And in everyday driving the Tiguan leans more on turns and feels like
it is on springs, kinda bouncy, which I find off-putting.
So while I do not like the Subaru command interface, I’d vote for the Subaru over the Tiguan. However, I’m still looking for something better than both.
For a family car, should also mention how comfortable the back seat is for a tall person.
I love this kind of review ... packed with good info yet never boring. Great job.
Subaru just selling like hot cakes from crosstrek to ascent,the most customers tho are the older ppl if you pay attention which confirms the utility,trust and practicality!i like the vw (design),but will put my money on subaru!:)
Older people are wise people
I prefer the looks of the Volkswagen. It always catches my eye whenever I see them on the road
Yellow Circle I drive the same color and love it
Yellow Circle only the R-Line package looks good the lower trims look cheap
how VW can catch eye ? i didnt see police in Germany when they drive in VW just bruh...
Jazenkow In North America, Volkswagens are much more rare than Europe.
@@afcgeo882 you mean it looks like Redhaired guy in Arabic countries ?
im a vw fan and i think the tiguan did great. i just wish vw gave it more power
Exactly! If it's an R line it should have some performance differences than a standard VW.
@@carlkwasnjuk9518 but it’s an R “line” right? Which means it’s just visual packages. Just like Audi S-line, Mercedes AMG line, BMW M sport packages. These aren’t supposed to add more power at all. But I get where you are coming from. Car manufacturers shouldn’t introduce these “fake” performance extras. Thing is, consumers love them and it maximizes car manufacturers’ profits
Get the APR upgrade for 50 more horsepower.
Much love and respect for the loads of content you have been giving us even with everything going on. You haven’t slowed down a bit!
Loads is an apt summary
I wouldn’t say VW has fallen - I would say it was a conscious decisions because when VW was #1 in premium materials the American buy didn’t want to pay more for the premium materials. So VW gave the cheap American buy more plastic in inconspicuous areas in order to lower the price and sell cars to American buyers. So if you want to say VW “cheaped out” let’s point out that VW gave the American buyer what they wanted. VW was nimble and listened to American buyers. That’s why other American car makers like Chevy and Ford include lots of cheap plastic in their cars too. Less expensive cars sell in larger numbers.
@Joshua Rutter...good point....the RV industry went thru the same economic issues during the last recession...and now we have cheap, good looking interiors, etc., that are suspect' long-term. thanks.
Darrell Borland well I think VW replacing someone soft touch materials with more hard plastic may be beneficial. I don’t think any suspect longevity will be an issue. The hard plastic is durable and easy to clean and weighs less than soft touch rubbers or synthetics. In place of premium material we trade off for safety technology that could save our lives instead of fluff that was there before. All in all not a bad trade off.
Yet brands like Hyundai and KIA offer better quality interiors at the same if not cheaper price, made in Alabama. Seems like a poor excuse for VW, who makes their vehicles in Mexico. Brands that haven't sacrificed quality for price such as Honda also still seem to be doing just fine in sales. And Toyota, Hyundai, and Honda offer more standard equipment for the price. And then there's Mazda...
I think you are wrong. I worked at VW/Audi/Subaru (all in one) dealership in New Zealand. And I must say, the Tiguan has that poor quality even in the German built one. Plastics are good quality, but on the touch, they don't use much soft materials, everything is hard to touch. Now is very common to see soft touch around central console, so your legs don't touch anything hard, VW still put hard plastics there, no matter if its a German car, or some other market.
Baltazar Campos Nieto I think you are wrong. I also worked for the combination Audi dealer. If you go read my comments I admit that VW uses hard plastics down low: as does the new Audi E-Tron I leased. You said VW used hard plastic everywhere except console. That is not so in the USA version. The area above the glovebox is all a soft synthetic rubber, and doors have soft armrests and where you rest your arm on the window still is soft. That is equal or better than Rav-4 & CR-V and all the rest: for $24k for my SE I think it’s plenty luxurious with heated seats, leatherette, great 8” touch screen and Apple CarPlay, heated outside mirrors and great back seat with air vents and USB port as well as armrest and sliding & reclining 40/20/40 split bench. Struts instead of a prop rod under the hood and a nicely finished cargo area with lights and power sources and a even a CD Player in my glove box
Just drive what you like and be happy 🤷🏽♂️
Got the Tiguan SE for my mom and she loves it, power isn’t all there but it’s enough for her and the driving is so smooth and feels luxurious to ride in it lol.
I really like my fourth gen Outback. The cvt isn’t that bad and I like the range my tank gets and that it’s very easy to maneuver and look out of. I find in parking lots and in tighter city streets it’s easier to steer and park too because of its short turning radius. If you drive with fuel economy in mind its quite fuel efficient as well.
Antoher benefit about it is it’s ground clearance too. I live in the northeast and sometimes head to upstate NY where there are massive snow storms and I usually avoid the bigger snow storms but never felt like my car wouldn’t make it if it snowed a lot.
I also liked it’s cargo capacity too. I was actually able to move all my kitchen boxes and non collapsed office chair to my college dormitory with some space left over. What my fourth gen Outback lacks in power or style, it makes up for with ground clearance, mpg, good steering, great practicality, and a reliable engine
Sofyan, just a correction. You can get CarPlay and android auto on the base Tiguan
I love my outback.
The biggest deal breaker for me and the Subaru is their stupid start/stop system. The boxer engine design just shakes the entire car every time you take your foot off the brake and for what, the littlest amount of gas you'll save??? If you could turn it off permanently, I'd be fine with it but I had a 2020 Legacy Limited for a few days and you have to dig through menus every time the car starts to get to it. It just wears out your starter and engine faster, something the 2019s didn't have. My other gripe with the Subaru is that new touchscreen can be laggy, Apple Carplay is smaller on it compared to the 2019s, and the backup camera looks lower resolution and worse frame rate than the 2019s. I also didn't realize that Subaru got rid of hood struts underneath the hood for this new generation, something once again the 2019s had. Volkswagen I would never consider for anything being what electrical nightmares they are.
Noah Mascarin that’s why I would only go with a 2019 Outback or older. Even the Subaru salesman I talked with agreed with me that the start/stop is a fail.
Kevin Wright yes there were times in my testing with the 2020 Legacy I forgot about the system and it actually startled me when I was getting ready to pull out into traffic. As far as the Outback I personally like the look of the 2019 better mostly because it doesn’t a ton of unpainted plastic like the 2020. There’s really nothing the 2020 does better than the 2019, and some things it does worse.
The Outback is sexy too in its own way. I take the 18 inch wheels over the 20 inch ones anytime.
Same
There is no car review professional on any media format who comes close to Redline's knowledge of the vehicles reviewed, the technical/engineering issues involved and the presentation skills employed in car videos. You have set the bar in this field, and it is a marvelously high bar, indeed. You are a soothing balm in very troubled times. That, good sir, is a treasure.Thank you.
RHenry, M.D.
Are you his husband
I prefer the Outback. That's because I like station wagons more than crossovers or suv. The Outback has more power and better mileage. I think the Subaru has enough room for my family (wife and two kids)
Actually Subaru was the first automaker to incorporate a CVT transmission in the 1989 Justy AWD! You just made me remember that.
That's 31 years ago. I was sure that was the only reason why he was going to get away with that comment but you went ole school. I figured everyone else would be too young, but you went and got your old Road and Track, Auto Week or Motor Week. Great memory.
Yep, the Justy. I was thinking that when he mentioned Subaru and CVT's.
Wrong. Daf 600 was the first.
I prefer the Subaru Outback because the interior is nicer and I love the look of it. And we have a white 2020 Subaru Outback XT Onyx edition. We got it in September 13th of 2019. To replace my moms 2011 Toyota Venza V6 AWD. We sold it before we moved out of Illinois to South Carolina.
You love the outback because you have it its that simple
South Carolina is a nice place to move to. I live in Maryland, but I want to move to SC as well.
How’s the Interior? That’s that new interior material. Does it feel like leather?
Why does everyone keep moving here. Our infrastructure already sucks and it keeps getting more and more crowded. T.T
Aryrix 1 One word: cheap.
I just purchased a 2020 Subaru Outback and I love my grocery getter!
Good for you. I'm jealous!
IF 3db quieter than the previous generation i will forfeit the Foresters moon roof for the Outback.
Would be a home run if equipt with the moonroof!!!
We don't care how much you love your wife. How do you like the Subaru?
I totally agree!
Lol I’m not married! I call it a grocery getter because it reminds me of a station wagon! Subaru Outbacks are amazing!
32:14 I agree with the color, the Green Outback you have looks better
I move my new Tiguan. Such a beautiful car!
Diana Oborna where do you move it to ? 😹
Yankee Doodle what’s that supposed to mean?
Panasony MicroOled watch Scotty Kilmer talk about that car.. he knows something about these cars
I ended up buying the VW Tiguan and I totally agree with your assessment on the lack of power on VW.
There is less air resistance on the Outback. Both cars have similar weight and similar horsepower, but the VW being taller means more drag. The Outback is a bit more svelte
Picked up Volkswagen also, love the way it drives.
I've owned many brands over the years including Subaru. My Subaru was super reliable and served me well.
Hey, if noone noticed yet, the outback is the car to buy. Didn't realize how nice that car was until seeing this, I mean those leather seats alone🙏
I think the VW Tiguan is the better looking vehicle for my money.
WV looks bold, while the Subaru have a more conservative look
Subaru has more of a feminine look imo
Congrats guys. You have really come a long way!!!! You are doing truly a great job. Glad to see you succeed
The VW isn’t nearly as reliable as the Subaru & the Subaru is the safest vehicle on American roads today.
meh, I'll keep my Outback
Pasq Marabella I too like my car not losing 40% of its value in 3 years, like that VW would.
George T. It doesn’t.
@@afcgeo882 You're lying...…......…..
George T. only the masses that make up what value one car has
Best upgrade to the Outback, Falken Wildpeak A/T trails. Went back to spots I was spinning the all seasons with x mode on to not even needing to use x mode. And they are 3 peak snowflake rated also
How dare you calling the Outback "boring." ??!! This vehicle is not boring at all. We just bought a new 2022 Subaru Outback Limited and this is a great car. Way above its class and the reliability is superior. Subaru has come a long way and is currently is Toyota's big competitor. Subaru, also, holds resale value way better than a VW. Hands down, Subaru over VW any time of the day.
love the vw looks but the powertrain is a bit of a dud. no upgrade in engine unlike the subbie.
Can't really go wrong with either vehicle, but I suspect the Subaru would be cheaper to fix and maintain ..........
DAVID Y less expensive probably
Neither is a great choice in the reliability dept. Look how many recalls Subaru is having lately...
Agreed just look at the residual values of the Outback. Also look at the miles on some of these cars, in Canada they will have 300,000 km on them.
Colin Goldthorpe that’s when I would buy a wagon.
Subaru will probably have the better depreciation too.
Subaru was a great car back in the 90s when no AWD cars were available except Subaru and much more expensive Audi Quatrro. I am myself been driving Subaru Impreza WRX back in 1997. I have no idea why anyone would buy Subaru nowadays when every vendor has AWD SUVs.
Also, you can't really compare a German vehicle vs non-luxury Japanese. It just feels very different and it's either important for you or not. Think about VW Tiguan as a slightly stripped down version of Audi Q5. Subaru Outback is on another end of the Universe.
Tiguan with 8 speed A/T this is what we in Europe dream of...
Ikr!!
Poop brown? Man, stop. That's a good looking spec on the Outback.
Big fan of the Magnetite Gray. It goes great with the Java Brown interior.
Mocking declarations and questionable taste often go hand in hand. The brown is the second best color in the lineup, but you'd have to be an Old Person with kids and a house in the woods to understand that.
He comes off like the little snot living rent free in the basement but whines about everything!
CVT whines, hopefully loud enough to drowned him out... maybe just maybe not everyone is trying to tree everyone at every intersection & grenade the engine keeping it at 6K everywhere.
The CVT is designed to eliminate gears/steps in the power curve & keep the RPM as low as possible given throttle position and the subsequent load its under... hence the FANTASTIC MPG
TWERP
I drive the Outback XT three times now and love the drivetrain--the power--effortless. The VW I drove once and found it a little burdened by the weight. For the price the Subaru XT is a much better value.I do like the appearance of the VW with the RS package, but looks are not everything.
I don't know about "value" but Subaru (even with new interior design) is an extremely dull vehicle. Coupled with whizzy CVT it's a torture to drive (and 95% of Subaru's buyers go with a standard non-turbo engine).
Test drove the Tiguan last year and the lack of power was a deal breaker for me. I know it’s not a sports car, but you really have to plan ahead when passing on the freeway. I went for the CX-5 gt reserve. Less space, but drives soooo much better!
Anyone looking to buy one of these for a family car should avoid anything VW makes. They have the worst reliability rating in North America across their entire line up. Plus VW's resale value is abysmal. While the subaru has mid to top tier reliability and excellent resale value.
We are sick and tired of Depressing Grey and Death Black interior colors which became popular in 1990.
I’m glad we have warm Ivory interior in our Outback.
The Tiguan actually comes standard with full LED tail lights, even on the base trim level!
Love the two tone color of the Subaru interior.
Test drove both of these. 2020 Outback hands down no competition at all.
Sofyan, interesting and very useful comparison review. My family was looking at the VW Tiguan, but once again, the Outback pulls us back. One item that I'd like to see added to your reviews: how obnoxious is the cursed Start/Stop system in each vehicle? For example, The Outback's is pretty rough on restart, and you have to go through three steps in the infotainment screen to shut the &*^%$$%$!! thing off!
Tiguan is better looking then the Outback!
than*
The Subaru is a much better vehicle. Better pricing a onyx 2.4t runs around $33k. The Volkswagen still uses 2004 halogen headlights. The bigger touchscreen in the Subaru its also a nice plus. The vw is behind in many categories by a few years. Needs a desperate refresh.
Now, if VW had a power-train that matched the Subaru's...I'd be driving a VW again after all these years...
Reliability and that brown leather all over the interior win my vote.
What reliability? CVT will fail. Oil consumption as well.
We owned a 2018 Tiguan SE for about 6 months. On test our drives, the power seemed adequate, but in real world everyday driving it was not. The engine was loud and buzzy, it felt underpowered, the trans shifting was vague, and the auto start/stop was abrupt and shook the whole car at each restart. We traded it off because the driving experience was poor.
Agree with the points in the review here. The drivetrain is the shortfall of the VW. Everything else is pretty decent. If the driving experience is important to you at all, you will definitely not like the Tiguan.
what did you buy after selling this?
If you have a family and isn't financially stable then get the subaru. It's way better in snow, off roads, more reliable, and better resale value.
The next time you think something is "weird", maybe do some research? For example, there is a VERY good reason VW and other manufacturers are adding third rows to SUV's and crossovers. It's all about emissions. When a vehicle has a third row or AWD, the US government considers it a light-duty truck. This changes the CAFE requirements for the manufacturer. That is why all 2WD MQB Tiguans have a third row - all of them - and why the AWD models have them as optional. If there is a way for a manufacturer to shoe-horn a third row in their car, they're going to do it. See Title 49, Section 523.5. ecfr.io/Title-49/Section-523.5
Not sure how it is in Sofyan's country, but in Montreal it is mostly older white woman driving Subaru. Correction if I may at 29:32: I believe Subaru introduced their first CVT in North America in the 1989 Justy?
Really using one of these for off road trails in mud, rocks and roots? Most of the SUV's in my neighborhood have never even seen a gravel road, much less a muddy trail.
Subaru owners are white and in their 60's, according to J.D. Power.
Then there are these...www.slate.com/blogs/outward/2014/01/02/lesbians_and_subarus_why_do_lesbians_love_outbacks_and_foresters.html
Thanks! Excellent, thorough comparison. The 2020 Outback Limited XT is my fourth Outback. Easily the fastest, safest, best handling, best riding, most comfortable of the 4. My wife has a 2016 Legacy 3.6R - quick off the line but hard-to-modulate gas pedal and the ride is way inferior to the Outback. The CVT slowed the Outbacks down (my 2012 was slooooow) but this turbo ... man like wow!
I'm a die hard Volkswagen guy, but this outback would be better choice
I appreciate the reviews, but I have a problem. I am 6' 3" and I want to know why the automakers don't put a limitation on size of person for their vehicles? I can not fit in a lot of vehicles because of my size and height. That's why I have to stay with larger vehicles to drive. I would love to have a car that gets great gas mileage and doesn't cost me an arm and leg to buy. You always have someone that reviews the car that the car "Fits" them with room to spare. How about using a guy my size once and awhile so people my size could see how they would fit in the cars you are reviewing. Thanks!
I'm 6'6" & currently drive a 2013 Outback soley due to leg room. It's the deciding factor on what cars are in the running. Just sat in a 2020 Tiguan today. Same amount of front left room (isn't fully extend my legs) the seat has to be put back all the way and lowered. The seat behind the drivers seat had more leg room than my Outback or the huge 2920 Atlas/Atlas Cross Sport, the salesman couldn't believe it.
I put a performance chip in my 2020 tiguan....what a difference!!!! Highly recommend...
You have reinforced our decision to add a new 2019 Sportwagen S to our 2019 Outback 3.6, as the family sharing car. The 1.8 and 6 speed DSG is so entertaining, especially compared to the cushy Subaru. The Tiguan needs more power. (we love the 3.6 though). The Type R is dad's car.
Not all Subaru CVT's are equal. The CVT in our old 2016 forester premium pushed us away from Subaru, but the paddle shifters in our 2012 Legacy made the CVT much more enjoyable. The forester would decelerate when you stood on the throttle until it figured out where to be. Nearly caused us several accidents.
The 2019+ forester doesn't have that issue. They really stepped up the tuning of the cvt on the newer global platform.
@@serenityinsilence God I hope so. We have been considering buying another one with the current fuel prices climbing. V6 Jeep getting 14mpg
Your center camera was tilted down too much. Watching full screen on phone made it hard to view. Wish you can angle up a bit
A couple of more thoughts on the Subaru; the heated steering wheel only heats 2/3 of the wheel, anything between the 10 and 2 position is unheated. Because the infotainment system is actually three different screen stacked together, the car play screen is really small. It is also really slow, quirky and has problems like; won't easily connect with car play, reboots for no reason, too many menus and sub menus make it distracting, when you hang up the phone it quite often shows that you are still on a call and therefore cannot make another call without disconnecting and reconnecting the phone. There is apparently a patch for some of the issues, I am getting it done in a week. Subaru dealer says that they need the car for the entire day to download the patch because "it sometimes does not want to accept the changes". On the transmission, if you boot the car it sometimes jerks around for 3-5 seconds looking for the right ratio, not really smooth.
Down with this more casual, opinionated format. Many of your videos come off more as a sales pitch which is all good but you can definitely tell you’ve spent a bit more time behind these vehicles.
Outback is more sporty, outdoorsy looking. The VW looks like something a college professor would buy.
The VW looks slick with the R-line package, but looks totally cheap in almost every other trim. Even the base Outback looks more substantial. It'd probably be hard to go wrong with either, though.
My wife has a 2016 Subaru Outback 3.6r. I wish we could trade it in for a '21 XT Limited (we're not a fan of the saddle brown leather in the Touring), but we're enjoying not having a car payment! I'm curious how the throttle tip-in on the XT compares to the 3.6r. I can't stand how sensitive it is in my wife's OB. If you don't feather the throttle from a stop, you get whiplash. Love your reviews by the way. When you enable x-mode, throttle tip-in is perfect.
second review ive seen on the subaru, why is the carpet on the back of the rear seats so saggy? and no taut.
Are you super excited about the Subaru operating system update with portrait view? Getting mine updated Thursday.
I'm a VW guy but I prefer the smaller traditional sunroof over a panoramic sunroof. I think long run that the large sunroof will be expensive to fix and also too many seals will detonate from the sun's rays. I do agree that when VW badges any of their vehicles as an "R" line that this should be considered a performance package similar to the Golf R.
Great intro on this one! Cool angles/shots/perspectives.
Both are boring but if I were to choose one, Outback cuz because of I’ll be driving it 10 years later with same engine and transmission.
vw engines and transmissions do fine, its the o2 sensors and water pumps you gotta worry about
The Subaru on a wagon chassis will make your auto insurance much, much lower. Love the Subaru. VW looks outdated. From the back it looks like mini van.
In my opinion, Tiguan is my choice under a warranty. Outback is my choice after a warranty.
which means the Tiguan is actually a better car.
Just a side note: VW came out with apple car-play and Android auto in 2016 in every trim except for S in some models. By 2019 EVERY volkswagen except the Beetle came with standard Apple Carplay and Android Auto. The 2018, 2019, 2020 Tiguan has Apple Carplay and Android Auto standard in all trims.
I would take the VW...because its not extremely ugly...add the engine power from the Subaru keep the 8 speed or with some modification after market at least get it up 50 more horses and 50 more torque. Then its worth it.
Had a 2016 Outback. Great car all around, except the CVT crapped out at 50,000 miles. I'm going to avoid Subaru until they decide to go with a different transmission set-up.
I have a 2016 Legacy with over 70k miles and It still drives like new! I guess you were unlucky with your CVT
CVT’s are their future, so I guess no Subaru for you.
We had a 2015 Outback with 100k on it and the CVT never had any issues.
We have a 2011 outback with a cvt. No problems and it's over 120,000 miles.
Well, if I'm stuck with "CVT-only" options, I'll go with Honda or Toyota next time.
Many thanks Sofyan! I love your reviews and find them more informative and entertaining.
For me the Vw I just don't care for a Subaru, I live in Subaru country so to many and too boring. The Vw just feels better to drive than a Subaru and its like it has spirit vs a bloated, cross-eyed and in this color combo turd.
OK... logoff mommy's PC, and go to bed.
@@eskieman3948 Mommy's pc is 1200 miles away with her and its not my bedtime, try again I'm nearly 30 years old man.
How does the Tiguan do in the snow ?
@@timjantz3591 Tiguan 4Motion is a great AWD it is very close to the Subaru symmetrical AWD in term of performance, watch videos done on rollers and off road. I have a Tiguan myself it kept safe in many icy winters.
I think VW might have given you wrong information. My wife leased a 2020 Tiguan S and it has the 6.5 radio with Apple CarPlay. It’s the feature that sold her on going for a base model over upgrading to the SE. Also the taillights on her Tiguan are full LED. My pricier Grand Cherokee doesn’t which is a shame. Also for being an 8 speed it’s kinda jerky and likes to hang on gears. My Jeeps ZF is a dream.
while the outback does look like a third cousin to the station wagon, the Volkswagon more closely resembles a minivan than a crossover. this mom is buying a touring, and most certainly not in poop brown.
This is a rather odd comparison considering that the Tiguan's main competitor is the Subaru Forester not the Outback. The Tiguan is fairly obviously a compact crossover, 185" in length, the same as the Nissan Rogue and 3" longer than the Forester. The Outback, on the other hand, is 191.3" long, a full 6" longer than the Tiguan and longer than a Honda Passport, a Hyundai Santa Fe, a KIA Sorento, and the same length as a Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Further, I'm not sure where Sofyan is getting his information about the relative weight of the Tiguan and the Outback. In fact the Tiguan does not have a curb weight of "slightly over 4000 lbs." a figure that isn't even borne out by his own graphic. (3847 lbs at 18:25). Nor is it more than the Outback. Sofyan's graphic for the Outback gives the weight at 3887 lbs. But that's for the non-turbo XT version. In fact, the curb weight of the Subaru XT he's reviewing comes in a 3937 lbs., significantly more than the Tiguan.
As far as performance is concerned, there's no question that the stock Tiguan is relatively lethargic, especially considering that it uses a version of VW EA888 2.0L turbo used in a variety of VW's including the GTI, GLI, and the Golf R. But with a 9.1 second 0-60 mph time, it's a stronger performer than the Forester (9.7 seconds) with its non-turbo 4 banger, the same engine and drive train in the non-XT Outback. and only 0.4 seconds slower than the non-XT Subaru. Furthermore, the Tiguan's engine can be easily upgraded with a 30 minute Stage I APR tune at a relatively modest cost ($800) that transforms the vehicle's performance. (BTW, contrary to a common misconception, a Stage I ECU tune does NOT invalidate a VW's warranty coverage unless the modification can be shown to have resulted directly in a warranty covered component.)
The Outback is an impressive vehicle in many ways but the particular comparison of a Tiguan to an Outback XT is like comparing apples to pineapples. And the result is determined. A more appropriate comparison with the Forester, much less so.
Stephen Hendricks I think it’s because they both cost around the same price, if you compare Forester with Tiguan, a fully loaded forester would cost less than fully loaded Tiguan. It makes sense to compare a Fully loaded Tiguan with fully loaded outback because they both cost around 4K.
@@blackwhirlwind1245 I think that's probably the best rationale for this particular comparison. (Though I'm sure you meant $40K.)
Still, I'm fairly sure that at least here in the Pacific Northwest the real world price of a top trim Tiguan can be had for around $35K or less. (According to Autotrader.) Top Trim Outback XT's , on the other hand, are typically offered at MSRP of about $41K. Likewise, top trim (Touring) Foresters are offered for about $33.5K to $34.5K. Those prices aren't surprising considering the popularity of Subies here in the Northwest so the comparisons may not hold elsewhere.
As I’ve stated here before my wife and I are HUGE Subaru fans but we will never buy a new one because of the CVT. The rev hang with a CVT would drive me nuts. We’ll stick to buying used Subaru’s as far as the review goes I’ll personally take the VW. Admittedly I liked the smaller version of the Tiguan. As a avid hiker I’ll take your comment about a hiking boot as a Complement LOL
Rev hang is when the computer makes the engine rev for a half second after a manual clutch is depressed to burn unused fuel in the intake and reduce emissions, all the while preventing a quick shift. A CVT isn't manual and doesn't "hang." It keeps the engine in the power band, and the engine just revs, continuously applying power without losing RPM. That singsong low-to-high tone of gear shifts you hear in an clutchpack auto is the sound of your engine falling out of the power band and then climbing back in after switching gear ratios. The only reason a CVT ever falls out of the power band is to fake shift points to simulate the tonal climbs that customers grew up with. Subaru makes it worse by putting "shift paddles" in cars with no gears. You know what pisses me off? Listening to a CVT drop power for a simulated "shift" to match the aesthetic of a completely different machine. It's like putting a VW soundaktor in an electric car.
Station wagon sounds like your dad’s station wagon vs SUV used for skiing or snowboarding, more youthfulness.
I have the 2020 outback and i love it. I.
A bit tired of repeated "wagon", "wagon"... while both cars are obviously "wagons" (same as most of SUVs are), and both cars are SUVs.
I personally think you are nitpicking on some features such as the door slamming?!?.... I don't really care how the door sounds when it closes.... just as long as it closes and stays closed!!.... Highly doubt that the way a door sounds is going to be a deciding factor on buying a car.... also if you are going to talk about the reclining feature on the outback it would be nice if you approached it properly by actually showing how it reclines because it is a very unique feature... Some thing that the over priced Volkswagen doesn't have..... overall for what you get standard on the outback much exceeds what you get standard on the Volkswagen especially for the price that you pay..... Focus more on the things that really matter not a door clicking sound that really doesn't Amount to anything whatsoever
I like the brown palette on the Outback. That interior would also look good with an exterior done in something like a British Racing green.
Mark Villano gross are you serious ? Well to each his own.
Biggest knock against my Forester XT is that it is a capable off-road car but the CVT is not up to snuff when off-roading. It goes into safe mode and doesn't allow any wheelspin or revving of the engine. I've gotten stuck in sand before because the CVT just won't rev at all. It is quite frustrating. On road though it's a nicely tuned transmission and the XT is very quick for a brick on wheels.
After owning the Outback for as long as you have now, have you gotten used to the infotainment system? Not just you, but I've seen plenty of reviews that call the system slow, laggy, and in come cases unacceptable. How has it been in real world use, is it something people can get used to?
I heard it’s one of the worst stock infotainment systems on a car.
Daniel Feldman in my opinion, 2019 outback has a better screen, I can’t accept the fact that I have to adjust climate control though a screen, also, the screen that uses Apple carplay is so small.
Vw missed it by the mark had they put the gti engine and the matching 6 speed manual would been perfect. Car enthusiasts dream
In 2019 was"...the biggest recall Subaru has ever seen. Some 1.3 million Subaru Forester SUVs, Impreza sedans and wagons, WRX and STI sedans, and Crosstrek SUVs were recalled in March for an issue apparently stemming from contaminants in common household products such as cosmetics, fabric softener and car polish that could cause a brakelight switch malfunction. Word to owners should have been passed along starting in late April, but if you still haven’t repaired your Subaru, know that dealers only have to replace the brakelight switch as a fix." Cars dot com
"...70 percent of new Subaru vehicles are now the object of recalls or service campaigns within two years of being purchased, noting that the “permissible limit” should be around 10 percent." Thetruthaboutcars.
the VW interior looks like the flashy screens were all retrofitted so they can charge extra the money. Its so basic.
the Subarus interior is way more appealing.
Not so much in real life. The screens come off as tacky & low rent, and the general build of the Subaru both externally and internally is of a Lower caliber
@@tuolumne9 still looks better than the basic looking vw interior. the Subaru will have a longer shelf life
Excellent review and agree the Suburu is the better choice. VW looks and feels better, but it's kind of confusing with a poor engine and the vehicle class car/SUV/off roader? Suburu is more defined on safety and ruggedness. The interior seems outdated and lacks luxury. I prefer the Forester, but the Outback is easily the better of these 2 vehicles.
The Tiguan has full LED rear tail lights the only incandescent light on the entire car is the fogs. Also CarPlay is standard on all Tiguan models you only lose Sirius and HD radio on the smaller display standard trim car.
Another error - the key fob recognition system that adjusts driver settings based on the key in use. The review said Sube had facial recognition, didn't mention the VW version of essentially the same feature.
Subaru will have less problems. And it's all wheel drive system is the best you can get.
Neither is the most reliable. I've seen a lot of Subarus on the road sounding like absolute garbage, but I know VW maintenance costs are through the roof. You pay more for repairs when you're not going for the more standard option of Toyota/Honda. I do agree about Subaru's AWD though - you can't do much better.
@@lukeheffernan
They probably just sound like that because of the boxer engine layout.
Dennis Xu I know they sound different. I mean like BAD sounds. Engine knocking, etc. Granted, this could be lack of maintenance, though I’ve seen it a lot more than other cars.
Ummm...In 2019 was"...the biggest recall Subaru has ever seen. Some 1.3 million Subaru Forester SUVs, Impreza sedans and wagons, WRX and STI sedans, and Crosstrek SUVs were recalled in March for an issue apparently stemming from contaminants in common household products such as cosmetics, fabric softener and car polish that could cause a brakelight switch malfunction. Word to owners should have been passed along starting in late April, but if you still haven’t repaired your Subaru, know that dealers only have to replace the brakelight switch as a fix." Cars dot com
"...70 percent of new Subaru vehicles are now the object of recalls or service campaigns within two years of being purchased, noting that the “permissible limit” should be around 10 percent."
Report Outlines How Subaru is Coping With Quality Control Issues - The Truth About Cars
Report Outlines How Subaru is Coping With Quality Control Issues - The Truth About Cars
Subaru was one of the few automakers experiencing growth going into the Great Recession. When the financial crisis struck in earnest, Subaru’s volume briefly dipped to pre-recession levels before resuming its climb. Thanks largely to an enviable publ
Another great head to head review Sofyan. BTW good choice on the Roots jacket. 😁🇨🇦
Outback wins 😎👍🏻