Review: 2024 Subaru Outback XT

I spend a week with the 2024 Subaru Outback XT Touring to see how this generation of the Outback has aged over the last 4 years. While it continues to be a comfortable cruiser with lots of practicality, it's underwhelming in other ways and Subaru's EyeSight safety system can be downright annoying still, especially with the driver monitoring feature. Plus, there's a strong new competitor coming this year, the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe, which will not only offer bold styling, more interior space and more luxury features and more power, but it will also offer hybrid and plug-in hybrid options for those looking for better fuel economy, something Subaru still refuses to offer with the Outback. For some, the 2024 Outback will be good enough, but for those looking for the best in the segment, the Outback isn't it in my opinion. What do you think about the 2024 Subaru Outback? Thanks to Subaru for providing this vehicle to review.

Time stamps:
0:00 Exterior
1:41 Interior
3:28 Initial impressions
5:58 Acceleration
7:40 Ride and handling
10:08 AWD system and towing
11:16 Highway driving and safety tech
15:05 Fuel economy
16:51 Pricing and competitor comparisons
21:12 Final thoughts

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[nintendoatarikiller]

Subaru still powering their HVACtainment system with a Ti-86 graphing calculator I see.

[Ryan-cflc]

"Guessing game with the throttle response" perfectly sums how I felt after a test drive. I can't live with that, so hard pass for me.

[mikegordon]

I have zero issues with my 24 OBTXT. I would buy again without hesitation.

[mrdpwr]

I just bought a pristine 2023 touring XT, with about 8, 400 mi on it. I'm set to pick it up next week. It had almost all the options and I had them add the factory remote start and factory trailer hitch. So it is officially fully loaded. Compared to a 2024 and the same options, it was about a $10k difference. Yes, it's used, but I let the first buyer take the hit I suppose.
The big screen, I like, but I wish it had more physical buttons. I have a 2014 ram 1500 Laramie crew cab, it has an 8.4-in screen but plenty of buttons. This is what I would have preferred them to have done.

[thatoneotherotherguy]

We have a 2023 Outback Premium, 2.5L. We live at 4500' elevation and routinely see 7000', sometimes 9000+ on camping trips. The motor definitely isn't punchy at these altitudes, but it's livable. With the (excellent) cruise control set to 80mph, it'll reach for 4000RPM during some 6%ish interstate grades. Stellar vehicle. It sleeps two adults with legs fully extended very comfortably. Long live the affordable wagon. Premium trim is the way to go, unless you think you can live with the Base and the things it omits. It's also the only way to not have the huge screen, but then you get an absurd-looking cheapo two-screen setup.

[george-nggj]

Big, cheap, capable - we love our wilderness outback. E46 M3 for the weekends.

[Matt-kitw]

Have wrx w the same screen. Absolutely love it for CarPlay as maps is huge and same w music.

[im_an_alvani]

My dad went from a CRV to one of these and LOVES it. He's terrible with tech so I feel for him having to deal with that screen, but he seems to manage and the safety on these things is top tier. Neighbor acros the street has two of them as well, so they're doing gangbusters with these cars.

[javion]

Only problem I have with my outback is the infotainment system and maps, I lose my signal

[TraceNoOne]

Can you compare with Outback Limited XT

[javion]

I just purchased a 2024 semi used Subaru outback premium, which is great on gas I only have to fill up once a week

[Wrang]

I dont have any issues with my 21 2.4. I can stand the 2.5 in the gfs 23. Really fun when we have stop signs to get on the interstate. Crazy price now i payed under 35 when i ordered my xt toring in 2020.

[Accostu]

The tablet screen kept my GF out of getting another crosstrek. Now she’s driving a CX5 and happy.

[KastkingAngler]

I just picked up my 2025 Touring XT. I love it but the backup camera is worthless at night. Subaru should be ashamed. Are there any upgrades for the front and rear cameras?

[ES-nyvk]

It would have been nice if Subaru would make the turbo available on the lower trims like the premium. Cloth seats with the more powerful engine much like Honda did by making the hybrid engine available on a mid-level CRV sport with cloth.

[Kenjis]

I have a 2024 Limited XT and man I have so many complaints with it but one of the biggest is the side mirrors. It is the ONLY car where I just cannot get them adjusted right and feel blind in them, and mine has the stupid auto dimming side mirrors which turn completely black at night so I can't see to safely change lanes unless I turn that off. I've driven 16ft box trucks where I could see more out the mirrors.

Beyond that. The infotainment is abysmally slow and glitchy and several times has for example taken the hvac out with it. The seats put horrific pressure on my arthritic joints and it's horribly uncomfortable for me to drive. I hate the steering feel. I hate the CVT. The eyesight system is just annoying, not useful or helpful or even something I can trust to warn me of something I don't see. It idles really rough when cold until it warms up. The seat memory doesn't work great and to change it for the face recognition thing is like a 10 step submenu to get at.

When you start the car it will turn on the radio at a really high volume if you use android auto and half the time I can't adjust the volume or even turn it off because of the laggy infotainment. If this was my first experience with any infotainment stuff I would totally swear off any of it ever again because of how BAD this system is. Also the screen isn't in reach for me and isn't visible in the sun

The fuel economy is miserably bad. I get around 18mpg too which for a turbo 4 is just.. Bad.


It's very utilitarian is how I describe it. Like a road going tractor.

[twotrackjack]

Great review Matt. I'd take this over the Santa fe most likely because I still don't trust a hyundai to last 15 years.

[lyndahammel]

Since I typically keep a car for 10 plus years basically as long as it's still running well with few repairs I don’t need to have a new/updated look every few years.

[JKL]

I appear to live in a different universe. My Touring XT rewards small, smooth control inputs with reasonable acceleration and almost exactly EPA-estimated mileage, a level of handling in the curves and hills that most drivers will never push their cars to without even having to push the engine or brakes very hard, and effortlessness and composure at all times. I’m not a power user so the screen works fine for me. Safety tech is a plus. When AMC launched their Eagle wagon in 1979, it set my course for my ideal car. I’m fortunate that Subaru carries this vision on because I don’t particularly care for driving traditional SUVs. I never bought a WRX because it lacked the size and clearance I utilize. This was finally the WRX I wanted. Cheers.

[Nub_J]

When I was showing a customer the Touring XT today, they were very happy that it had that CD player accessory installed. Ended up going home in that Outback. 🙂