Subarus weren't always ugly. My dad had a 2000 Legacy Wagon that was really nice. Yes, they also made an Outback that was wrapped it in gaudy silver cladding at the time. The Legacy wagon had a cleaner and fresher appearance. My dad got sick a year later and I had to take his keys away. I gave it to my sister who drove it for another 15 year or more. I bought my wife a 2005 impreza RS with a 5 spd (she picked it out and enjoyed driving manuals as well!). It then went to one of my sons who eventually traded it in on a WRX. We could not pass up the amazing trade-in value we got at the time. Loved the RS. It wasn't fast ( was torquey), had great handling, nice to drive on long trips, and got decent mpg. Thought it looked good as well! Wife wanted another Subaru so I go her a 2012 Impreza liftback. It was the first one with a CVT. That car had what I thought was a small station wagon look. It was surprisingly roomy and had a nice compliant ride. While the CVT didn't bother her, it drove me nuts as it was a poor choice for mountain driving ( was OK for "flat" road trips) so I traded it a few years later for a Mazda 6.
2026 Subaru Outback looks hideous
- Thread starter PWMDMD
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4wd
$50 site donor 2026
You start with Tacoma - then rope GM in …
The Colorado is a better looking truck than Taco. Period.
The Silverado looks better than Tundra. Period.
The Chevy 2500 is the oddball … No Toyota exists …
wemay
Site Donor 2023
I owned a "bug-eyed" WRX for a while. Those were criticized for their looks all the time. This new Outback isn't my cup of tea either but Subbie fans are dedicated and loyal.
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Not terrible to look at but starting to look like every other suv in their line up looks very similar to the redesign forester and their ascend.
Eyesight equipped Subarus have windshields with a special curvature to accommodate the eyesight system. Their track record is that they are far more susceptible to cracking extensively even from something that starts out like a small rock chip.
Wheel bearings are another sporadic issue that is more commonly seen in many Subarus.
It's so funny because the bug-eyed WRX is one of the most coveted cars Subaru has ever made now. Even the Subaru Baja is lusted after by many even though it was lamented as a joke for a long time. I remember seeing this with the SVX in the past and other random models that went from being duds or heavily criticized to being an enthusiast darling.
Styling doesn't really bother me much with cars. I just want a reliable vehicle that is quiet and comfortable. What is a big turn off for me are things like no remote start on the FOB, smart phone only that turns to a subscription later on. Headlights, HVAC controls etc that are buried deep into the screen.
Meh, while not good looking to my eyes, it’s definitely not ugly IMO. I could live with it.
FWIW I bought a subscription to Subaru!s starlink system that includes things like remote start using your smartphone and I actually really like the system. The app is very straightforward and easy to use, I actually prefer it now to having a key fob remote starter like I had on my previous Honda because the key fob is range limited whereas you could literally remote start, lock or unlock, or use any of the other smartphone features so long as you have a cellular data connection and it can reach the vehicle effectively anywhere that has a similar cellular data connection.
I remember having a customer one time who had this feature unlock their vehicle that was parked in an airport parking lot for one of their relatives who needed to get something out of that vehicle for them while the owner was traveling on the other side of the country. The vehicle got unlocked and locked using their smartphone while they were thousands of miles away.
Automotive subscription models are getting out of hand. Pay to start your car. Pay for heated seats. Pay for a little extra horsepower? Those remote start by smartphone only systems don't work for squat in many areas of the USA and Canada.
I like it for the most part. Looks better than the aging grampa wagon its replacing. Its platform brother the Legacy sedan is toast.
Folks around here appear to want boxy, fake-ruggedised, SUV "lifestyle" looking appliances. Compare sales of the Ford Bronco Sport with his sister the Escape. Same powertrain and underpinnings - just differing style. I see five Bronco Sports for any one Escape. Escapes must be all at Alamo RAC.
But, I am wondering if Subaru really even need a car to slot between the Forester and the Atlas?!
I just hope undue toyota influence doesn't continue to erode and ruin the Subaru brand. Our '23 crosstek is not as rugged feeling as the '17 and has a feeling that it has been bean counted to death. The new base Impreza floats and steers like a pig. They previously had been fun little scrap abouts with a little bit of that rally feel even in the base cars. Is this Toyota's fault or all the good engineers and test drivers retiring?
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I actually think it looks great.
The “global” chassis has not made friends with Subaru loyalists. If we wanted cookie cutter, we’d buy something with an H or T on the grille, not the Pleiades…
I like the fourth gen BL/BP models the most, especially in wagon form.
But, like the old red block Volvos, they weren't attractive due to their styling, but their utility and durability, at a reasonable price.
Sorry folksvagon aficionados, meant to say, '... slotted between the Forester and the Ascent.' I am always confusing the "A" - game suvs.
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You don't believe me???
My neighbor owns local Subaru dealer still have not seen one roll into neighborhood.
