Top 10 Good & Bad: 2023 Subaru Outback XT (2.4T)

00:00 – Intro
00:15 – 10. Heritage of 30 years (Good section starts)
00:42 – 9. The original crossover wagon
01:49 – 8. New flagship 2.4 turbo engine
02:16 – 7. Quality interior
03:27 – 6. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
03:59 – 5. Big touch-screen
04:52 – 4. Boot convenience
05:35 – 3. Full-size spare wheel
06:03 – 2. Off-road capability
07:18 – 1. Safety
07:55 – 10. Consumes oil (Bad sections starts)
08:57 – 9. Service intervals
09:31 – 8. Fuel consumption
10:36 – 7. Boot volume
11:19 – 6. No 7-seat option
11:51 – 5. CVT transmission (includes 0-100 test)
14:10 – 4. Engine specs
15:59 – 3. Soft handling
16:36 – 2. Overwheming display screen
18:11 – 1. Intrustive lane-keep and active safety systems
20:17 – Conclusion

2023 Subaru Outback XT Sport specifications:

183kW (249PS) / 350Nm, 2.4-litre turbo flat 4-cylinder
CVT auto transmission with all-wheel drive
Claimed 0-100km/h: N/A
Official average fuel consumption: 9.0L/100km
Boot space: 522L/1267L
Price: AU$52,190 (not including on-road costs, at time of upload)

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[sunsetworms]

Have a 23 model in Europe, so no Turbo. Excellent drive, no cvt issues at all, behaves like a normal transmission. Good video, thanks mate

[mattheviewer]

Thanks for helpful info. Wrt CVT, my '24 Outback XT CVT is aware of hill climbing and descent and adjusts for either better performance or braking. Earlier Outback XT CVT's tended to lug a lot and lacked "smarts". Infotainment bagginess remains a problem. Also, in the USA the 2.4 runs fine on 87 octane fuel, which is 50 cents a gallon less than the premium fuel the Mazda turbos request.

[garageblitztv]

Brilliant review … could not agree more with power/torque and fuel economy on the outback. I got to drive an X3 M40i and regularly achieved low 7 and even witnessed high 6lt/100klm on the highway, in a vehicle that’s got way more power and torque and is bigger and heavier. Also loved the fact it had a “real button” to quickly turn off all the driver assistance.

[dingus]

Absolutely love the Outback. The over a mid SUV any day of the week m8

[tonycoz]

Perfect family vehicle. Practical, functional & peace of mind if the going gets a little tough. Looking forward to the XT making a comeback in the next generation Forester.

[petergiffin-zf]

Had the Subaru Outback XT touring for a few months now and LOVE IT! Why does no one complain about the very hard to get at phone connections.

[robertceroli]

Now Subaru needs to drop that eng in the Forrest

[xiaofengliu]

Best review of Subaru Outback I have ever seen.

[AmboscottUK]

Having driven an XT Sport Outback for the last few months he is on the money for most of these points. Good car with a few quibbles. Can anyone answer why has it got less power than the WRX? Is there mechanical differences or is it just software? The motor could make more than 350 Nm but I think that is the limit for the CVT.

[skycop]

I’ve owned two Outbacks. They are very reliable, comfortable to drive and sit in, very safe, and very practical. And they are a bit lower priced than comparable vehicles.

[josephhalwagy]

Thank you. I subscribe to your channel because of your valued and fair honest assessment of vehicles. This was one such great clip.

[longdang]

not a mechanic but any chance the performance to fuel ratio is bad due to the boxer design engine? none other companies offer this engine and they all have better performance to fuel value.

[markgrondek]

Regarding the performance & CVT…yes, in day to day driving it can feel a little lazy or just easy to drive, I assume it’s meant to be a fuel saving thing. It’s sits around 1, 500rpm so will feel a little slow if you give it the boot quickly, but so do a lot of turbos. I have the WRX wagon & it’s a nice comfortable daily car, but selecting alternate drive modes or engage the paddle shifters & it barely feels like the same car. Our other car is a CX5 & I find the Subaru CVT seems a smoother, classier feel. The RS Octavia’s DCT was had good points & bad points too. The DCT was really nice with enthusiastic driving, not that different freeway driving, but a little annoying in traffic getting back to the dealer in heavy traffic. But the acclaimed TC in the Mazda was least favourite.

[onetimer]

interesting list of vehicles that get better / similar gas mileage vs. power. Most of those cars cost 2x or more the price of the OB though.

[b.deslashdriver]

Excellent review, I will have one please.

[MaxFromSydney]

8.4L per 100kms? In my dreams.

In town, my 2023 XT Touring is drinking 11-12 Litres/100kms. IMO, this car is not a great city commuter due to fuel consumption. Would-be buyers should keep this in mind.

[Sith_Lord_Hodor]

Those intrusive safety features are what is keeping from getting an Outback unfortunately. On top of the simulated gear shift cvt. Can a cvt work as intended please? Or offer a different transmission?

[lorenschwiderski]

It is a very safe station wagon, with great ground clearance and comfort. Same length as a mid-sized sedan. So not a typical SUV.

[lennyvalentinoSchiaretti_lvs]

What a great review, thanks! I own an old Outback 2008 with a manual gear box, no disturbing safety systems and a panoramic roof! Well...this is exactly what I would like to have in a new Outback! I would accept a automatic 7-speed gear-box but not a CVT and not a open roof from the 80s and not all those bips and messages from the car as soon as I move my face. I guess they have lost many customers with those choices (especially due to the CVT...). I would like a new Outback but I guess I will have to look for something else.

[younghifi]

The whole "I know that they misclassed this as a full-sized SUV instead of a mid-sized one, but I'm gonna compare it to the full sized competitors anyway" pretty much invalidates most of the "bads" on this list.