Driving impression of subaru outback driver#
Driving impression of subaru outback upgrade#

That's an adequate amount of power not overwhelming, but the Outback also never felt underpowered, even off-road.

'Providing torque for all of that trail riding is a new standard engine: A 2.5-liter Boxer four-cylinder engine - borrowed from the Forester - that makes 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque.

Driving impression of subaru outback driver#

The CVT does its job just not with any joy.' - Car and Driver On steep hills or leaving a stoplight, it does more of an impression of stepped-on chewing gum-streeeeeatch, and there we go, we're moving now. It's backed by a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), which does its best to pretend to be an eight-speed but can't always maintain the illusion. 'Under the hood, the Wilderness comes standard with the turbocharged 2.4-liter flat-four making 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque.It feels pretty pokey and slow until about 3,000 rpm, and then bam, the turbo kicks in.' - Autoblog That said, the turbo engine is also a bit old school in its power delivery. These attributes remain in the turbocharged XT, but are at least mitigated by the more powerful engine that doesn't have to work as hard. Though it attempts to create a more traditional driving feel by simulating upshifts, it does so at unusual times that doesn't exactly mitigate the unusual feel and sound of a CVT. Push it, however, and this engine quickly loses steam and wails as the CVT does its best to keep revs beneficially high. 'The base engine provides sufficient power, and the CVT helps keep revs relaxingly low at dawdling, around-town speeds.Some critics blame the transmission for these hiccups. The available 2.4-liter turbocharged engine provides more authoritative acceleration, though it still feels laggy at times. The Outback's base 2.5-liter engine shuttles the wagon around with adequate verve, but it tends to buzz loudly under hard acceleration, and its passing power is limited. Transmission: continuously variable automatic (CVT).Available engine: 2.4-liter turbocharged flat four-cylinder with 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque.Base engine: 2.5-liter flat four-cylinder with 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque.

Driving impression of subaru outback upgrade#

Again, we like the base engine and we really like its impressive fuel economy numbers, but the turbo is a worthwhile upgrade for anyone who loves driving.' - Autotrader (2020)Įngine Options, Horsepower, and Acceleration If you want a wagon that's a blast to drive both on the street and on the trails, a turbocharged Outback could be perfect for you. The XT models have some serious muscle and are more exciting behind the wheel than you might expect an Outback to be. 'The base engine is adequate for most drivers, but the driving enthusiast will really appreciate the new turbocharged engine.Its longer wheelbase also helps provide a smoother, more composed ride.' - Autoblog (2021) That's a good thing for those of us who prefer the feel of driving a car and being a bit lower to the ground (even if at 8.7 inches, the Outback has more ground clearance than most SUVs). '… it's lower and wider than the small SUVs it's bound to be compared with.Although its power delivery is slightly smoother than lesser turbocharged Outbacks, the Wilderness' turbo-four and CVT can still feel surge-y in city traffic.' - Motor Trend The CVT is quick to virtually ‘kick down’ and puts the engine in the meat of its powerband, and it's smart enough to hold an appropriate amount of revs when driving aggressively. 'Thanks to the turbocharged flat-four, the 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness is among the rare modern-day Subarus that don't feel underpowered.