2021/2022 Subaru Outback reliability

I wish I could drive one. Dealers near me only have a few 2.5's so it isn't worth the test drive for me. If I decide to go with an Outback it will be a Touring XT. Will have Nappa (probably crappa) leather and all the tech there is to offer. I am glad to hear that Subaru's CVT is doing well. I only drove one CVT car. It was a loaner when my car was in for warranty work. A Nissan Sentra. I only had it one day and hated the CVT. I was accelerating normally and the engine got to and stayed at 2500 RPM even though I was going faster. Very strange. Hoping that the fake shifting of the current CVT will help in that area. I probably will not buy until new car prices stabilize again. The closest Subaru dealer to me marks up new cars 3000 over MSRP. That will only work if they also mark up my trade in the same 3000. Otherwise I can wait. I currently have a 2018 Mustang Ecoboost that I bought new in 2019 and it only has 10500 miles on it. So definitely no rush. Thanks for the info folks. Keep it coming. I would really like if someone has some bad news about these cars as I want to make sure to make an educated decision. This will be the first time I am doing my due diligence before buying a new car. I always buy an a whim. My other car options will be either a CX30 turbo or a CX5. Thanks

Don
 
Dadillac said:
. I was accelerating normally and the engine got to and stayed at 2500 RPM even though I was going faster.
Click to expand...


That is the learning curve that new CVT owners have to get through. The CVT keeps the engine at the optimal rpm’s for better fuel economy.
 
Dadillac said:
I wish I could drive one. Dealers near me only have a few 2.5's so it isn't worth the test drive for me. If I decide to go with an Outback it will be a Touring XT. Will have Nappa (probably crappa) leather and all the tech there is to offer. I am glad to hear that Subaru's CVT is doing well. I only drove one CVT car. It was a loaner when my car was in for warranty work. A Nissan Sentra. I only had it one day and hated the CVT. I was accelerating normally and the engine got to and stayed at 2500 RPM even though I was going faster. Very strange. Hoping that the fake shifting of the current CVT will help in that area. I probably will not buy until new car prices stabilize again. The closest Subaru dealer to me marks up new cars 3000 over MSRP. That will only work if they also mark up my trade in the same 3000. Otherwise I can wait. I currently have a 2018 Mustang Ecoboost that I bought new in 2019 and it only has 10500 miles on it. So definitely no rush. Thanks for the info folks. Keep it coming. I would really like if someone has some bad news about these cars as I want to make sure to make an educated decision. This will be the first time I am doing my due diligence before buying a new car. I always buy an a whim. My other car options will be either a CX30 turbo or a CX5. Thanks

Don
Click to expand...
Drive the 2.5 anyways, as it runs basically the same as the turbo at small throttle inputs while running a few hundred more rpm. I had an Ascent 2.4T as a loaner for half a day and it drove essentially the same as my car until you started using more throttle, then its much much quicker and can hustle around pretty good at low rpms just using the torque from the turbo.
Our 2.5 with the normal CVT does protect the CVT at launch from excess torque until the torque converter locks up, then snaps off fake shifts so well most people would have no idea its a CVT. The 2.4T with the high torque CVT launches better but not as hard in the first 20' as a geared automatic would, but after that most people would never know what trans is in it either. It shifted so similarly to my car I just assumed it had the same CVT until someone here pointed out that it was the HTCVT. The CVT is good at getting good fuel economy if you want it too as well.
My main point is that the 2.4T and CVT is unlikely to be a deciding factor if you like the car or not, it has enough power and is quite responsive to the throttle pedal.
The Outback's niche is that its based on a midsize car, unlike the other 2 row SUV's, so its wider and bigger inside than the CRV/RAV4/CX-5/Forester which come from compact car roots.
 
PimTac said:
That is the learning curve that new CVT owners have to get through. The CVT keeps the engine at the optimal rpm’s for better fuel economy.
Click to expand...
The reason some (if not many) of those opposed to CVTs is for this reason exactly: it is different than an ordinary slush box. Doesn't matter if performance is similar, it is just different and they do not like it.
 
After having worked at a Subaru dealership as a service manager as well as owning a 2021 Outback myself, here are some things I would be wary of as a new car buyer considering this vehicle:

1. Weak windshields that crack frequently and usually require not only a windshield replacement but also eyesight system recalibration which are normally covered under an insurance claim.

2. Infotainment system issues, Subaru has simply not figured this stuff out yet and it frustrates a lot of people. To date I have not had any issues and I have found it very easy to use, however, it is not entirely intuitive for everyone. The systems can be very glitchy as well.

3. Maintenance issues with a 2.4L turbo engine: it is a TGDI engine and prone to having carbon buildup as well as being very hard on motor oil. If you get this engine, strongly consider changing your oil every 3,000 miles, period.

4. Factory tires are 💩. If you can get more than 30,000 miles out of the factory tires consider yourself lucky, they neither perform well nor wear well.
 
Dadillac said:
I wish I could drive one. Dealers near me only have a few 2.5's so it isn't worth the test drive for me. If I decide to go with an Outback it will be a Touring XT. Will have Nappa (probably crappa) leather and all the tech there is to offer. I am glad to hear that Subaru's CVT is doing well. I only drove one CVT car. It was a loaner when my car was in for warranty work. A Nissan Sentra. I only had it one day and hated the CVT. I was accelerating normally and the engine got to and stayed at 2500 RPM even though I was going faster. Very strange. Hoping that the fake shifting of the current CVT will help in that area. I probably will not buy until new car prices stabilize again. The closest Subaru dealer to me marks up new cars 3000 over MSRP. That will only work if they also mark up my trade in the same 3000. Otherwise I can wait. I currently have a 2018 Mustang Ecoboost that I bought new in 2019 and it only has 10500 miles on it. So definitely no rush. Thanks for the info folks. Keep it coming. I would really like if someone has some bad news about these cars as I want to make sure to make an educated decision. This will be the first time I am doing my due diligence before buying a new car. I always buy an a whim. My other car options will be either a CX30 turbo or a CX5. Thanks

Don
Click to expand...
if it makes you feel any better that Nissan has one of the most pos cvt's out there...albeit probably improved from the previous gens....
 
Thanks for the info all. I will widen my search area and see if I can locate one. I really want to drive one and I also want to see and feel the nappa leather. If the leather isn't up to par than a less expensive model will do. My wife had a 2013 Kia Optima with nappa leather and the leather in that car was really nice and worth the extra money.

Don
 
I’m a Subaru tech. Really the only issues I’m seeing are recalls like fuel pumps, radios, coils and air bags right now on certain models. I hate they all have push button start and CVT in them now but gotta get used to it manufacturers aren’t cutting back their use of either one. One thing I will say is when I was a Toyota tech I replaced a ton and I mean a ton of push button starts but in Subaru I’ve yet to replace one so I feel they have worked out their issues pretty well. CVT I haven’t done much work too nor have any of my coworkers if we are pulling anything it’s the engine not the transmission. It’s important on these to do the timing components right at 100,000 though not any later. Other than that no real common or major issues from the ones I’ve worked on. Honestly work is so slow for Subaru right now we have had to work on other brands and used cars that my dealership has too keep us busy if that tells you anything. Part of it is probably winter and the other stuff but they say it always gets slow during winter.
 
So I found a white Wilderness about 45 miles from me. Went and saw it today and fell in love with it. The CVT in this car is well mannered. Most of the time I really couldn't tell it was a CVT. The engine has plenty of power. Not gonna win any races with it but it has ample power. The vinyl seats are really nice too. Much nicer than any other I have experienced. So the nappa leather wasn't an issue. Happy with the amount they gave me on the Mustang too. It definitely offset the ADM of $3000. Not gonna lie I will miss the Mustang. Wish I could have them both. But that isn't in the cards.

Don
 
earthbound said:
if it makes you feel any better that Nissan has one of the most pos cvt's out there...albeit probably improved from the previous gens....
Click to expand...
Opinions certainly vary on that as mine has been flawless for over 8 yrs/88k miles now. Apparently early on there were issues with some of their CVT line, but I can honestly say I have no regrets having mine. Had I read some of the comments on this forum before buying I might have briefly reconsidered (although I rarely pay mind to reviews from others), but truth be told it's been fantastic. No lagging, no rubber band effect, no simulated shifting unless 'sport' mode is engaged and even then I shift manually most of the time. People can dog CVTs all they want, but it gives my car a unique driving experience everywhere I've taken it. I definitely don't miss the days of the lame typical automatics doing the upshifting/downshifting searching for a decent powerband range when being pushed.
 
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It's dirty and the back scenery sucks. But here it is.

Don
 
Very nice car sir. I’m a Subaru tech haven’t seen one like this I like that. The black and white go great together and I dig those white letter tires too. You got a good one.
 
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