Imagine sitting in your Focus ST crying after getting beat at a traffic light by a Dad in a turbo outback with his kid in the back...

Went from an early 2016 2.5 Limited to a late 2017 3.6r Limited, to a 2020 Limited XT, to now a 2022 Wilderness. The 2.4 turbo is OK, but I really miss the 3.6r flat six. Shame that this engine has gone to history…

I think the 3.6 was a bit of an underappreciated powerplant. It was quick, but certainly no speed demon. I think its biggest advantage was its more refined experience that may be more expected from the Limited/Touring trims. I always found it to be quiet and smooth, but willing to play with a good sound if you wanted it to.

My mom was recently in the market for a new Outback, her first brand new car. She has always had the H6's since 2004, an '02 LL bean for about 15 plus years, then a '13 3.6R. for about 5-6 years. She tested a 2021 XT, and she was not impressed with the smoothness of it! She ultimately went with a 2019 3.6R Touring with 14k miles. She was more than impressed with the power, loved how silky smooth it was, and wanted to stick with the reliability that was proven to her with her H6's over the last 20 years. Thanks for the great video Tyler!!

I also wish that Subaru should have added a turbo to the 3.6r engine instead of discontinuing it

2011 3.6R Premium with 5EAT here. After a Takeda intake and 93 octane fuel, I'm at 5.5 to 60 at sea level. Properly quick and easy to outrun the suspension and tires into corners, lol. 170k miles without any trouble. TURBINE smooth. No 4 will ever be this smooth. Can't feel the transmission shift. Driven it across the country twice. Once towing a trailer.

Awesome video! I picked up a 2020 Limited XT about a month ago, and love it. The power is enough for me, especially on the highway while passing. I was coming from a 2015 Legacy with the 2.5 engine. I knew I wanted the extra power, so I didn’t even consider getting the 2.5 on the Outback.

This is far and away the best Subaru Outback review video on the internet. Thank you.

First off, you do awesome videos! Detailed specs and impressions with a little humor thrown in. I currently drive a 2016 3.6 Limited with 80K. It's been great needing only tires, brakes and a new battery. (I think of the Outback as the SAAB 900 Turbo of the 2000's. Great performance with great versatility.) However I'm ready for a technology bump and since I'm not wanting go backwards on performance I've ordered a 2023 XT. Having driven lots of turbos over the years I believe I'll be able to enjoy the XT/CVT combo.

Thanks for the great review/comparison. I hope this channel gets more recognition soon!

I'm glad I found your video on the Outback! Great job! You answered all of my questions so I just need to see the '23 models at an auto show and I'm good to go!

I have an older 3.6. I like how smooth it is and feels really comfy. It is great for highway driving. Also runs on standard fuel as opposed to premium and it’s a lower stress engine.

Thank you, I know this is an older review but I found it extremely helpful.

Just got a 2022 Onyx Edition and have put about 14K miles on it on road trips to Colorado, New Mexico, Mississippi and all over central Texas cause I'm based in Austin. I love the car. it's super nimble at low speeds, the AWD works great on snow and ice, it gets up and GOES when I want it to. If you can spare the money get the XT. These cars are going to be more and more rare and it won't lose its value.

I cannot thank you enough for the comparison of the Outback Limited and Outback Touring XT. Currently I'm driving a 2017 Outback Premium, and looking to trade next spring. The Subaru Outback Touring XT (Green!) is the one for me. Again, I appreciate the review!

Thanks for the comparison , it was exactly what I was looking for. I've been idly cross shopping the 3.6 and XT trims. Coming from a manual 2.5L Subaru, I think I'd need the power to make up for the lack of fun of the transmission. Because of the shortage prices are insane, so I'll probably hold on to my old subaru for a while. The model trims in Canada must be different as the Touring is the second lower trim.

I’ve been following your channel. I just got a Touring XT yesterday. Traded in my 2016 Limited. Absolutely love the XT touring.

I’ve got a 2001 Subaru 2.5rs with the 5 speed and well let’s just say getting to 60 is a chore...advertised with right around 160hp but with age and mileage I doubt it’s still up there. Great video!

One of the nicest reviews on Outbacks out there.

Been waiting 3 months for my 2022 XT Limited. I test drove both and I couldn't imagine getting the base engine. The difference is night and day.

I have a 2020 Limited XT now. I call it my Outback WRX (LOL) and I say all the time “No one expects a fast Outback! I had a 2019 Limited 2.5 and it was weak. Only kept it for a year. I love my XT!

I bought a new 2021 touring xt… love it & 16,000 miles later no issues at all .. to get the best performance, use “manual” mode with the CVT to hold the lower gears up to 4500 rpm .. I’ve measured 0-60 at 5.7 seconds .. not bad for a station wagon ! Use voice controls for the aircon control .. The touring is fully loaded and with ventilated leather front seats was a must for desert living .. No regrets for this super versatile and fun to drive vehicle

Great video comparing the two models!

I actually bought the 2020 model XT because of the turbo and at the time there were a lot of rumors of the 2.4 motor being in the upcoming sti and wrx. While only half of that came true I'm still excited about it and I use it quite often for car meets and scaring people on car cruises that I can keep up with all these sports cars and track cars

I purchased my Outback Onyx XT in March of 2020, the power of the 2.4 and increased towing capacity were factors in my decision. I had looked at the previous generation 3.6, but its fuel consumption had me concerned, I have driven the the 2.5 a couple of times when my unit was in for service and it just reinforced my choice of the 2.4. The added horsepower and torque add to the driving experience for me. Six months ago we moved to eastern Tennessee and I really can't complain how the Outback works in the mountainous roads here.

I bought a wilderness edition and it's lower gear ratio gives it really good jump off the line and a more consistent power band. I like it a lot.

I ended up going for a used 2012 3.6R Outback with a regular automatic transmission instead of the CVT. I'm happy with it and the pull off the line, especially in S# mode just makes you smile every time.

Old 06” 2.5XT Forester was around 7seconds with Automatic. For a 2.4 Outback XT is impressive with 5.8 seconds.

i have two outbacks, a '19 2.5 and a '19 3.6. I test drove the XT with the turbo and it has more power than my 3.6. But for me, the 3.6 smoothness and quietness wins.

I bought the Outback Touring XT back in 2020 and have had no regrets. I came from a Honda CRV so wanted something that would provide the same utility with the bonus of the turbo and better cabin features/comfort. The turbo really sold me since I need it for highway driving pulling out into traffic or passing power. The touring model had all the features I wanted while the others seemed to have one or two but none had them all. I was fortunate to be able to test-drive my choice which was on the dealer's lot.

I had the 3.6R V6... Loved it! Then got the 4Cyl Turbo. I hated it from the beginning because where I live, we have roundabouts everywhere. It would lag when you're entering and people are speeding around... then by the time the turbo hits you're speeding into a crosswalk. It made no sense. Then, we took the turbo to CA and back and it was a different experience. If you're going touring around the country with two 6 year olds... I recommend an Outback for comfort and driving performance. You nailed this in depth review. Key word *Passing. When she hits the car hauls ass. As far as the roundabouts... Just a little different experience and you learn how to manage that turbo so you don't boost into crosswalks. So, I finally returned that 2021 4cyl. and was in a position to buy. Having two 7 year olds now, I bought a 2022 Ascent. Never driven or been in one. I knew it had the engine, the Subaru quality and finish... and it was a blacked out Onyx. I ordered it from Glenwood Springs Subaru. OTD $40k (No moonroof) ... no dealer markup. Got it in 2 months and I couldn't be more stoked. It's just perfect and has captains chairs instead of the bench. Driving it is practically identical and there's more room. Does not feel like a crossover. Anyhow, I was always curious about the performance differences in these models. Thanks for the articulate and thorough review! I'm subscribing. Oh, I forgot to mention... when I left the dealership with my new Ascent for 40K, there was a used 2021 Touring Ascent with low miles for $48K! I was shaking my head. I just felt like I had made the right choice for once in my life. We'll see! Cheers!

When my wrx was getting fixed, I got the XT as a loaner car and I had no idea how quick it was, so when I pulled out of Subaru, I gunned it because there was car coming and the power was so strong it shocked me. I would for sure trade my WRX for one

I got a 22 Outback XT, but came from a Volvo V70 2.5T (overseas) and really wanted another turbo wagon. I live in Colorado and visit the mountains frequently so a naturally aspirated engine was a no go (the 2.5 makes more like 150 hp and takes around 10 seconds to accelerate due to the altitude making it dangerous). I also wanted the added capability all of that torques provides in slippery conditions. Absolutely love it and blown away by the traction with winter tires. The crazy thing is that the car is so refined and quiet that you don’t realize how fast it is. 😆

We looked at an XT for 2 years then just decided to get the regular 2.5 because it's a great, peppy engine but it's not worth the $10k price difference you have to pay. It's simply just not worth it. We love our Outback and I'm glad we didn't spring for the XT. I could not in good conscience pay $10k more just to waste more gas.

I’ve owned 3 Subarus. I currently drive 100 miles a day straight, level highway. I love the Outbacks because I have a very nice road vehicle, awesome in the snow, (I’m in the snowbelt), and I can take it mild off-roading. I go back and forth bw MPG and fun quickness. I also love the amazing safety ratings. Seriously thinking about making my 4 the XT limited

I upgraded to a 2019 3.6R limited, from a 2017 3.6R limited. This is my 3rd Subaru. The 2019 was much quieter that the 2017. Love the extra power when needed. IMO the 8" HUD display is the perfect balance. I like the tactile feel of knobs and buttons. The city MPG is 18ish. Highway, a little better that 25 MPG. Not a fan of DFI. No issues yet, but another needles periodic expense. Biggest bummer about the car, is no full size spare. If Subaru wanted to save weight, they should have left the space for a full sized spare, and thrown in a can of "fix a flat". Left the full size spare as an option. This will most likely be my last Subaru, I detest the 11" touch screen. Reaching for a button or knob is much safer that using a touch screen. Gas mileage vs turbo reliability. Reliability hands down!

We bought a 21 Outback Onyx XT. We took it to Moab, UT trip shortly after buying it, I just couldn't see us with 4 people, rooftop box loaded with gear, and full hatch in mountainous terrain with only a 182 hp less than my Hybrid Sonata sedan. Also, the Onxy XT was only trim at the time that came with a Full Size spare tire, and love the seat material.

the 2.4 motor is a lovely sleeper. drive it normally its fine. then sometimes you just want the power. this thing just flies. .so glad i got the turbo. . the ride and feel is so good .have had other subaru cars . this is the nicest one. outback xt 2023 model

I've owned a 2020 touring 2.5, a 2021 onyx 2.4, and now a 2022 wilderness 2.4 my favorite is the wilderness. The lower geared rear end really does change everything off the line. We also have a 2019 ascent. The turbos have been fabulous. Our ascent has 90k and the wilderness 35k. Of the 4 subes only 2 issues. The ascent needed a catalytic converter which sube did for free and the auto closer in the winderness hatch went out.

Actually, in a "drag race", the 3.6 will in fact pull away from the 2.4 turbo from midrange to top-end speeds. This has been proven in several tests. One thing, is that the 2.4 Turbo is a slightly heavier car than the 3.6 was. Unfortunately it's gone now and Toyota and Mazda offer far better powerplants, than Subaru, so Subaru is much more conservative. I'm looking forward to the new BRAT, or small pickup to be released in 2025, that I believe will be a gas/electric, with the heavy duty CVT..

I test drove both and ended up with the non XT model, the engine in the XT is amazing, but the pairing with the CVT was awful, at low speed the CVT kept hunting for gears and felt relentless, the pairing between the non turbo engine and the CVT is definitely a lot smoother. having said that, what the Outback needs is an 8 speed automatic, it will truly transform the car into perfection.

I get closed to 40mpg in my outback in the summer driving at 55-60 miles per hour, which is all the driving I do. Super comfortable, can put a ton of stuff in them. I will always have an outback

i am sold on the xt after watching this.

Hey, I watched a lot of reviews (probably hours worth - ha) before I got my Outback and the comment at 5:20 was the most important comment ever! After that, who would be satisfied with the 2.5 (besides those who only drive six miles a week to play bingo at the community center)? So, yeah, there's an XT in my garage and I love it - still nerdy but with an on-demand, very respectable attitude. Thank you for your reviews. Only suggestion: work out a slightly better front-facing, road view (the a-pillar is annoying when travelling in a sweeping left hander) and your videos will go from 98% to 100%. THANK YOU!!!

I have a 2021 Legacy Touring XT (mechanically the same as the Outback and same cabin) and just putting around town and trying not to burn much gas it can be driven very leisurely. Doesn't feel like it could be fast at all. But, when I floor it from a stop it takes (as you said) about a second or two to wake up and then it pushes you back in the seat and hauls ass. I've take it for a brisk drive on mountain roads and when it already has its revs up its properly quick and quite fun. Oh, and it has really comfortable seats. I'm 6'3" also and the thigh extender and seat comfort is probably what sold me on the car.

My wife drives a 2017 touring 3.6r and about to turn it over to an adult kid and replace with a 2023 touring XT. The 3.6 is very smooth and quiet…to me like a Buick! Only 30k miles on the 2017 but looking forward to the new Turbo and the many little upgrades. I drive a 2014 BMW 328 AWD sportwagon and although it’s more fun to drive, the Subaru is much more practical and feels safer. A lot bigger all around. In 2017, my wife test drove both engines and thought the 2.5 was “buzzy” and that the 3.6r was “luxurious.”

I noticed that the Subaru you have is the Cinnamon Brown Pearl. That’s the color my wife chose with the Ivory leather interior. We both really like the Crimson Red but it only comes with 1990 Death Black interior color, so when she saw the brown with the contrasting Ivory interior, she fell in love with it, so that’s what I bought for her. I’ve also had it pin striped in tan / gold metallic. It really looks nice now.

Had a 2014 outback with the 3.6. It ran great and had enough power but was a major pain to replace any of the lights on the front, took 7 quarts of oil every oil change and like mentioned in the video wasn't a comfortable car to sit in. I am glad I was in it when I wrecked it though because my other cars probably would have killed me.

I had a 2013 Outback Limited with the 2.5. Then a 2016 Legacy Limited with the 3.6. Now I have an 2022 Outback Limited XT. That turbo is one beautiful engine. I really notice the power when driving on 2 lane secondary roads with few places to pass so when I want to pass another vehicle I hit the gas hard, the turbo kicks in and I go from 80 km/hr up to 130 in no time. My old Legacy 3.6 drove well too but I find the XT seems to be a smoother ride. I like my Subaru!

I test drove a2.5XT and a 3.6R before settling for the 3.6 as the lag off the line was noticeable on the turbo. I am really happy with my decision

We have a '21 Onyx XT. We moved up from a Crosstrek, which had "adequate" power, as long as it was just you and maybe one other person in the car. But load it up with camping gear and hit the highway, encounter some long uphill grades-- forget even keeping up with traffic, let alone passing anyone. For this reason I set my sights on the turbo when we were moving to the Outback. Really happy with it. Two downsides: 1) we get nowhere near the EPA mileage (and I've never struggled so hard to meet or beat the EPA numbers in anything else). Maybe if you are cruising down flat country highways at 55mph all day. 2) not a fan of the huge screen / lack of physical controls. I prefer hard controls in general but the seat heater control is absolutely infuriating, there is an icon on the home screen that looks exactly like a seat heater button, but you press it and it opens up ANOTHER menu, with another icon that looks exactly the same and that's the one that will actually let you turn the seat heater on / adjust it. Why is there an extra layer?? Additionally, big ol screen, but Android Auto is very cramped and does not make good use of all that real estate. Both Google and Subaru point the finger at each other, and since it doesn't hurt either of them in the long run, I'm sure it will never get upgraded for my model year.

Great review to compare the XT (2.4L turbo) not only to the weaker 2.5L, but also the previous generation 3.6R 6-cylinder. As well, I appreciate hearing about how quiet this modern version is and how nice the interior is (seats), though you could have mentioned the excellent sounding Harmon Kardon 12-speaker system. And... that the 2.4L reaches its maximum torque near 2000 RPM and all the way up to near 4800, whereas the old 3.6R engine only reached peak torque after approx. 4000 RPM; so quite a beneficial improvement when needed.

I love my 2012 Outback 3.6R. The best part is the VTD AWD system, which is Subaru's second most sophisticated AWD system after the DCCD on STI only. Unfortunately the VTD was gone since the 2015 generation of OB.

I have the 21 base 2.5L I love it even though it's the smaller double screen, I recently took a trip where it got 40 mpg doing 65 mph.....it's really quiet too

I really like Outback. Contemplating all of them, and if I happen to pull the trigger on one, but it's turbo in wilderness trim. I currently have the Legacy with 3.0R 6 cyl engine, and it's a gem! Not a rocketship, but plenty of power when needed, and that sound once in second half of the rev range... mmmmmmmm!

I'm on my 7th Subaru now (normaly turbo models), now I own a 2015 3.6R, Outback it's a great car, plenty of pace and space, it sounds good and has an awesome 12 speaker Harmon Kardon sound system. Nicest car I've had.

Funny to hear you talking about "bad" road where in my country it used to be a part of highway :)

When Edward Snowden gives vehicle reviews.. people watch ! Personally I love the Wilderness and Onyx edition aesthetics ... but REALLY love the (projected increase in) longevity and reduced maintenance costs of the 2.5 over the 2.4 Turbo. I wish the Wilderness came in a 2.5 option - this would be a no brainer for me. I'm seriously looking at the 2023 Onyx/2.5 options right now.

I'm hittin the dealerships next week to buy (or probably will have to order) a 22 Outback XT. I'm 6'4" and fluffy and was surprised how comfy I was driving my friends 19 Forester sport on a long trip. I feel the 2.5l engine not bad in forester but I want alil more pepp and the slightly wider seats in Outback look so inviting. I have no interest in the Wilderness, I think the bigger 18" black wheels on the Onyx look better, plus the better mileage. Great vid thanx!

Ive always liked subaru wagons. My Dad had a 2011 Outback, 2017 Forester. Im going to Downsize from My ‘05 Yukon soon but still need something w a V6 that can tow a small travel trailer. Prolly going w a Grand cherokee or Midsize truck like the Canyon. I thought about keeping my Yukon for towing and getting an Outback for daily run arounds but having two vehicles to insure doesn’t Make sense. Great video comparison.

If you look at the Limited trim with a few options - And then look at the Limited XT trim price, you’ll find you can get the options you wanted in the Limited trim but also get the XT engine for nearly the same money.

Reading this as a Brit who grew up with imperial mpg, living in Australia with litres per 100km, with an American wife… 10 litres per 100kms = 23 US mpg 10 litres per 100kms = 28 UK mpg And 30 US mpg = 36 UK mpg. UK gallon is 1.2x bigger than US gallon. I’ve a 2011 2.5 auto Forester, now considering a used manual (Legacy or OB). I have lots of hills and tricky minor roads with big trucks, occasional gravel, soft shoulders, lots of winter wet leaves. Will share with my learner son, so must be manual. I get around 9 litres / 100km (26 US, 31 UK mpg) on my 2.5 NA Forester. Tending to a late 2000s 6 cylinder for the extra torque. I’ve been used to my dying auto 3L diesel Jeep which is 160 kW and a phenomenal 510Nm at 1600rpm. After that my current NA 2.5 feels very exposed trying to accelerate going up anything worse than a 1:10 gradient.

Yes I have the 22 XT touring. For me - incredible ride and smooth powerful acceleration.

I have a Forester XT. It’s quick af. Leather seats, pano sunroof, front hood lift, and so on. Its nice.

I have a 2020 Legacy Limited and the seats are my favorite; the thigh extender is amazing!

Starting for 2023, the Onyx will be available with the 2.5. Subarus CVT does not like to be floored from 0, nor does it like doing the brakestand start. I picked up a 22 Legacy XT Limited that JUST happened to be in transit and delivered in a few days back in October and he's definitely quick. Subarus CVT has liked medium throttle from a stop then you can floor it after you're rolling. It just bogs when you floor it from 0.

Just bought an Outback Limited 2023 with 2.5 natural… enough power for everyday normal use.

I love my 3.6 plus I got the best color combo with Navy blue over orange brown leather

I have a 2022 Subaru Legacy XT Touring sedan that I ordered. I haven’t really had to mail it yet but I’m impressed with the 0-60 times you got!

Most Outback owners prefer fuel economy over performance. I’m a car enthusiast. I ride sport motorcycles and love a day in the canyon. My 2.4NA Outback doesn’t provide thrills, but it does provide class leading comfort, sure-footedness with unbelievable fuel economy for it’s size and drivetrain. The car is brilliant.

I got the sibling car (Legacy) 2.5. Deciding factors for me were reliability and gas mileage. Would have bought a hybrid version if they had one. I drive a lot of miles and need something decent on gas.

What were you using to track 60 mile an hour times? I've been looking to get a touring XT for a while now. Today I was able to score a 2023 touring XT with 8,000 mi for cheap money. Fully loaded as well. I'm pretty excited to pick it up next week.

Nice review, I get so sick of all the same spec reading/talking head reviews. Your depth and smart comments are welcome. We need more of that. The "press" magazine type reviews really need to hire better writers and editors especially.

Great info !

You asked, and YES.... I'm so into the 2023 XT - I would prefer the extra power vs. the few miles per gallon I would save overall. I can't wait to sit in those seats - sounds like butter. I'm coming from a 2020 Toyota Camry who's seats have awful seats....

I've had a 2014 Outback 2.5, a 2016 Outback 3.6, and now a 2018 Outback 3.6 (I generally don't use the "R" in the name since the "R" in 3.6R just means "Liters" as the Japanese word for liters begins with R, at least that's what my research revealed). Something not mentioned here is the Direct Injection the newer engines use and how dirty the valves can get in a short amount of time. Toyota fixed this by adding a port injector that switches on at certain times, but the new Subaru engines have no fuel and detergents flowing over the intake valves to keep the deposits down. The WRX crowd is a good place to look for information related to this, like walnut shell blasting as they are much more sensitive to engine performance than the Outback or Forester owners. Regarding the comments about driving comfort and body roll; one of the most transformational changes that makes the Outback (and pre-2019 Forester) drive 1,000% better is adding a 19mm rear sway bar. It still rides fantastic, but there is almost no body roll in corners. I discovered this on my 2016 and when I ordered my 2018 I had the new sway bar sitting in my office months before I even had the car (I wanted to get the last of the naturally aspirated 6 cylinders). There are even some dealerships online that sell kits with the correct size bushings along with the sway bar. It's definitely worth $100 to try it out. Back to the subject of this video; another thing I noticed in my 2018 versus 2016 was that it feels as though they detuned the engine to make it more manageable at lower speeds. My 2016 used to go like a rocket as soon as I let off the brake (without touching the accelerator) and it just seemed to pull hard all the time (don't get me started on how screwed up they made the suspension in the 2018 to make it ride softer). It would be interesting to see a comparison of these 2 years just to validate whether Subaru was messing with the engine programming on the newer car (but it still sounds so great idling through the neighborhood in the morning when it's nice and quiet). One final comment; the fake shifting definitely slows down these cars. My 2014 properly held the RPM in the torque band while accelerating at full throttle, but whining customers made Subaru add those fake shifts. So I have found that if I keep the RPM at around 3,000 while accelerating there are no fake shifts and if nothing else it feels like the car is accelerating faster. It's also interesting that under most circumstances (because of the way the CVT determines the drive ratio), pressing the accelerator more than you need momentarily then letting up slightly will actually accelerate the vehicle faster (and use less gas, I presume, because of the lower engine speed) than just leaving your foot down.

I rented a Outback 3.6R, 2019 model on a family trip. I then went searching for a used one. Driving the 2019 back to back with a 2017 I found the 2017 quite a bit quicker and more responsive. Its not night and day but my sense is they tuned 2018-19 more for fuel economy. The 2018-19 was quieter and had a much better Screen and Android Auto/ Apple car play. Love the 3.6R its one of the best performing and sounding engines I've had and nobody expects an Outback to move out like it does. if your more than 2 people with gear in an outback its pretty much a no brainer to go 3.6R. I like the new model but I'm a Legacy wagon/ Levorg kinda guy so I own the Premier with low roof rails and less cladding which would be 3X better with a manual.... Until Subaru gets over its plastic cladding obcession and listens to its enthusiasts customers by bringing us a manual performance wagon I will hold onto my 2017 Outback or look elsewhere.

I have a 2012 Outback Limited 2.5i. I recently had the chance to get into a newer Subaru Outback XT. That car sounded a lot quieter and felt like it had way more power. I think it's a great car. I would still get the 2.5i however since I always prefer to buy my cars so reliability and how cheap it is to repair the car is a concern of mine. The bigger engine would mean more costly repairs if something were to break. It would also mean more things could go wrong, since the more power, the more complicated it gets. I prefer dignified driving anyways, so going fast never was really a problem for me in my slow Outback. It passed decently, and going up to the mountains it felt like it had a lot of power to climb steep hills. The one thing I did not like about my 2012 2.5i was the buzzy CVT when accelerating. In the XT, it was more subdued

We have the 3.6 and really like it.

I just picked up my Touring XT a week ago. I was absolutely amazed at how fast it is. I'd only been able to drive the non-turbo in test drives. I wanted the Turbo because I visit Colorado every year, and naturally aspirated at elevation is not fun. I live in the Midwest and am anxious to see if the AWD is a good as I've read. BTW: waited 10 weeks exactly from order to pickup. Nice video

Own a 2011 3.6r with 5 speed automatic transmission, before the cvt. 185,000 km on it. I love that car, burns a litre of oil between oil changes, but that's ok. They apparently all did. A little highway noisy, and very uncomfortable seats especially on a trip over 2 hours....purchased and also now own a 2022 Wilderness.......welcome to comfort!!!!..when I get back into the 2011, I immediately notice how old that car feels. The Wilderness feels so nice.....I'm afraid to drive it! 😆

I love my 3.6 It cruises at 80 on hilly interstates with the AC on at 1700 rpm. I also have an Ascent that's been much less reliable with wobbling hood failing tailgate and much poorer fit and finish compared to my 18 3.6

I just bought a 2022 Outback with the 2.5 , I bought it to haul groceries and my dogs . Don’t car how fast it is , if I want to go fast I drive my C6 corvette convertible

Outback wilderness here. The 2.5 was anemic to me. If I’m spending that much money anyway, I’ll spend a few k more to get a car that is definitely not anemic. No buyers remorse to date at all. Very happy with the car.

Subarus made their name as ski cars and they have not strayed far. My first Subaru was an 88 GL wagon which served me well. Now I have a 2018 outback 3.6r. Great mountain and foul weather vehicles!

I owned the 3.6 Outback, the engine and transmission worked great together. The only reason I sold it was that it had an engine oil burning problem. So bad that I had to sell it! It became I known issue with the 3.6 engine. Love the XT!

I didn't hear you mention the centre of gravity advantqge, or is it just less bourolll..of having horizontal pistons- that effect very pronounced in our forester xt, was such a surprise on the test drive! Edited: great review otherwise. Mentioned alot of things I've always saw myself and haven't heard others report.

Thank you for sharing this video l have a Forrest 2017 XT l enjoy very much l like I a lot for a in my life before this one l had several muscle cars in my lifetime

I got the 2018 3.6r because I live in a more rural area of pennsylvania now and I might need to use its extra torque allows it to tow more, I havent used that aspect of it yet but we're thinking about getting about a ton of wood pellets for the stove this winter. I like the outback because of the ride height (area floods not uncommonly) and the comfort level but the 3.6r offers enough GET UP AND GO for very quick passing at about any speed. I've tried 0 to 60s and get about the same as you did about 6-7 seconds but even if its rolling at 3-5 that lowers to about 3-5 seconds to 60 so I think the initial latency has something to do with the CVT thinking about what it wants to do with all the power it now has and less to do with the engine wanting to move.

I had a 12 3.6 Outback & now have a 21 Outback XT. The turbo 4 is way faster, deceptively fast at passing on Hwy & going up steep mtns. I’ve often bet people are like man that Subaru is quick

I got my 2022 limited xt with it's turbo engine and it rides smoothly. Compared to my previous 2019 where turbo was not available at the time it's take off is a lot faster although I'm not one of those that likes to use the pedal to metal. The big difference is in gas consumption. I only have mine for two and half months now and I have only been able to barely make it to 22 miles per gallon on an average tank. The regular engines gives a much better mileage all around. If I had the opportunity again to choose, I would go with the regular engine since I don't need that extra torque and I drive mostly in the city where 100% is flat pavement. Haven't tried the 0-60 yet since gas is still quite high.

I drive a 2019 3.6 touring and your cannot floor it off the line for the best acceleration. You have to give it just a little bit of gas to make the CVT gear ratios shorter, otherwise they will stretch all the way to 50 mph in first “gear” if you just tap the gas and roll into it slowly it will do 0-60 in 6 seconds and the quarter in the 14’s. The 3.6 also pulls way harder from 100 mph and will go to its limiter at 140 with ease. Would definitely hit 150 with a proper automatic transmission. As some 3.0l Outbacks have in the past.

We’d LOVE for Subaru to bring back the 3.6 , 6cyl. A naturally aspirated engine will Always last longer than any turbo. We Love my wife’s Gutless 2.5 Outback, but again it IS GUTLESS and the CVT robs the engine of power and fuel economy. We Love my Rav 4WD Limited with the 269 hp 3.5 V6. Now that I’ve retired I drive only 5-6K miles a year, so we’re thinking about replacing my Rav with an Outback Touring XT. I get 25mpg on my Rav on the freeway with the cruise set on 75mph. Our Outback only gets 28-29mpg on the freeway, so I’m quite sure that the turbo will only get about 20-22 mpg on the freeway. Perhaps I’ll buy a Lexus NX hybrid instead.

Thank you for this comparison. I have been curious about the older 3.6R vs the new XT. We recently purchased a ‘22 Limited XT and after a 3 month wait, it finally arrived. Due to the limited availability, we weren’t able to test drive the turbo engine before ordering our new Outback - nobody within CA, OR, or NV had one in stock. So I was basically going off of Subaru’s reputation and my husband assurance that a turbo engine would be almost as good as a V6 (which is what I really wanted, but it’s nearly impossible to find right now for a reasonable / comparable price). As awesome as the Wilderness trim looks, I’m glad I went with the Limited. The Wilderness has almost a full inch more of ground clearance, which changes the suspension, and living in the mountainous windy roads of Yosemite, I definitely feel the difference in handling. The Limited also has more sound proofing in the cabin, which I am a huge fan of. 😃 Overall, I’m glad I listened to my husband when he assured me I would be happy with a 4 cylinder turbo engine and I appreciate that I can get almost the same power as a V6 without sacrificing fuel efficiency, especially with gas prices skyrocketing in CA (more than $6 per gallon right now). I like this car more than I thought I would! Thanks again for this informative video. ☺️

I went from a 2012 Outback Limited 2.5 to a 2020 Outback Limited XT. My first two (1999, 2005) had a manual transmission: slow. My 2012 with CVT: sloooow. I love everything about the XT, except the infotainment (at times) and the correlated lack of cabin storage. My wife got a lightly used superlow mileage 2016 Legacy 3.6R. Nice, but as CR said, "touchy throttle". For me the XT is the clear winner here.

Current 2014 XT love it. Will be trading on Outback turbo when available here in Australia. And sale price of 2014

2022 ONYX XT owner and lover! Was the wife's idea. I fought it. Now glad that she was persistent.

I have a 2018 Outback 3.6R Touring and it will be my last Subaru since they dropped the 3.6R. I do a lot of long-distance driving and my Outback is a near perfect car re: performance. It’s unfortunate how a poor economy is impacting car buyers.

I had a 21 outback xt limited and it is WELL worth the extra money for the turbo over the non turbo model.

Tried to buy an Onyx XT Outback last year but I couldn't find a dealer that wasn't marking them up. My local dealers were all adding at least 10k to the asking price. I tried the 2.5 and the 2.4 back to back and the 2.4 is definitely the way to go. The extra oomph makes passing a breeze, you don't feel like you have to push to motor to the max just to get around.