Alternatives to Subaru Outback

[Anonymous]

Do you need the capacity and awd? Most people don’t use their vehicles as they are intended. If you need the clearance (I did) and awd then maybe a 4Runner? We drive to ski and rock climb and no car performs better. If you’re a city dweller who just needs a car - the world is your oyster - what impression do you want to signal - that seems to be the most important thing for many here

I’m not a lesbian btw, but I don’t care if people think I am. And I support their rights too.

[Anonymous]

Kia Niro looks a lot like an Outback

[Anonymous]

First, congratulations on surviving nearly a decade as a Subaru owner. You’ve done your time. You’ve earned your fleece, your roof rack, and your quiet confidence driving in snow while judging everyone else.

You’re not wrong about the new Outbacks. Subaru has fully committed to the “angry Tonka truck with cladding” aesthetic. It’s like they designed it for people who might camp once but definitely want everyone in the Whole Foods parking lot to think they do.

Ex-Subaru owners usually migrate to:
• Volvo XC60/XC90 – same safety smugness, better interiors, fewer plastic crimes. Subaru but make it Scandinavian.
• Toyota Highlander / RAV4 Hybrid – practical, reliable, still screams “I compost,” just without the granola cosplay.
• Mazda CX-50/CX-90 – for people who realized they like driving and looking at their car.

You can leave Subaru, but you’ll still slow down in snow, feel superior about AWD, and reflexively nod at other wagons. It’s a lifestyle. You never fully escape.

[Anonymous]

I had a 2015 Subaru and loved it. Got a 2025 in February and love it a little less. Not a fan of the huge screen and too many electronics and touchscreen replacing real buttons and stupid driver assist tech. But there rest is still awesome. I love the wagon type trunk and the hauling ability and it fits the kids and their stuff and it's lower to the ground for me for ease of getting in and out as a 45 year old.
I tried a Mazda (felt so plastic and cheap and loud inside). BMW 3 and 5 (too fancy and precious for me), Highlander (felt too big).
Lots of people love those, but the is my observation after a decade of Subaru driving.

[Anonymous]

Mazda cx50, VW Tiguan, and honda Passport.
Toyota RAV is boring and you will be disappointed with the performance. CRV same as toyota.
Toyota Highlander again boring

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Mazda cx50, VW Tiguan, and honda Passport.
Toyota RAV is boring and you will be disappointed with the performance. CRV same as toyota.
Toyota Highlander again boring

DH just went from a 2013 Outback to a 2025 RAV4 hybrid and is thrilled with the new car. Not sure how you could find the RAV4 boring compared to an Outback, and I’m not sure why you’d complain about the performance either. I’ve had one for years and love it.

[Anonymous]

We just started thinking about trading in our 2016 Outback. We're looking at the mid-sized SUV from Volvo and Audi. We really love how our Subaru does in the snow (we're skiers) so not sure.

[Anonymous]

My relative just went from a 2014 (?) Subaru Crosstrek, so not quite an Outback, to a 2025 Mazda CX-5. He's happy with it.

[Anonymous]

What a weird thread. People are weird. Especially about cars.

Amazing how people still think the lesbian comment is funny.

Less than a year ago my 2017 Outback became too troubled to deal with and I bought a 2021 Tiguan with nearly 80K on it. I drive a lot and now it has almost 95K on it.

I am very happy with it, but I suppose it could start falling apart before too long.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What a weird thread. People are weird. Especially about cars.

Amazing how people still think the lesbian comment is funny.

Less than a year ago my 2017 Outback became too troubled to deal with and I bought a 2021 Tiguan with nearly 80K on it. I drive a lot and now it has almost 95K on it.

I am very happy with it, but I suppose it could start falling apart before too long.

Not sure going from a Subaru to a VW was a good move. Time will tell.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Currently driving a 2017 Outback 3.6, full trim. Typically replace cars at the 10 year mark, so still two years off. Had long assumed I'd roll into the newest Subaru equivalent. However, the new Outbacks are ugly beyond belief. I will not buy it unless they redesign the car significantly.

What would you recommend for an ex-Subaru driver?

I mean, did you also stop being a lesbian?

What, why the question? Is it supposed to be funny? I do t get it

Subaru is well known to be loved by lesbians.

And if someone drives and Outback and didn't know that, you know what that means.

Not that there's anything wrong with that...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:First, congratulations on surviving nearly a decade as a Subaru owner. You’ve done your time. You’ve earned your fleece, your roof rack, and your quiet confidence driving in snow while judging everyone else.

You’re not wrong about the new Outbacks. Subaru has fully committed to the “angry Tonka truck with cladding” aesthetic. It’s like they designed it for people who might camp once but definitely want everyone in the Whole Foods parking lot to think they do.

Ex-Subaru owners usually migrate to:
• Volvo XC60/XC90 – same safety smugness, better interiors, fewer plastic crimes. Subaru but make it Scandinavian.
• Toyota Highlander / RAV4 Hybrid – practical, reliable, still screams “I compost,” just without the granola cosplay.
• Mazda CX-50/CX-90 – for people who realized they like driving and looking at their car.

You can leave Subaru, but you’ll still slow down in snow, feel superior about AWD, and reflexively nod at other wagons. It’s a lifestyle. You never fully escape.

Subaru drivers are just born that way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:First, congratulations on surviving nearly a decade as a Subaru owner. You’ve done your time. You’ve earned your fleece, your roof rack, and your quiet confidence driving in snow while judging everyone else.

You’re not wrong about the new Outbacks. Subaru has fully committed to the “angry Tonka truck with cladding” aesthetic. It’s like they designed it for people who might camp once but definitely want everyone in the Whole Foods parking lot to think they do.

Ex-Subaru owners usually migrate to:
• Volvo XC60/XC90 – same safety smugness, better interiors, fewer plastic crimes. Subaru but make it Scandinavian.
• Toyota Highlander / RAV4 Hybrid – practical, reliable, still screams “I compost,” just without the granola cosplay.
• Mazda CX-50/CX-90 – for people who realized they like driving and looking at their car.

You can leave Subaru, but you’ll still slow down in snow, feel superior about AWD, and reflexively nod at other wagons. It’s a lifestyle. You never fully escape.

NP with an elderly Forester here. The Highlander will probably be my next car, so no hate intended, but let's admit a Highlander is 1) significantly larger than either the Outback or the RAV4, and 2) not for composters so much as harried moms driving too fast because they're late getting from work to sports pickup.

As for the plastic cladding on newer Subarus, yes it's hideous ... but I long for plastic bumpers and chrome rails and other pieces that served a similar protective function. A painted bumper or running panel gets scratched by road dirt and other regular use.

[Anonymous]

OP here. I ignored the thread initially given the juvenile comments on the first page. Makes you realize high school kids post here.

I like Subaru wagons. They've always been good to us. Never had issues with them.

I would rather have a wagon than a SUV. Too bad Audi is phasing out the A4 Allroad as I'd be tempted in that direction. The A6 is too rich for my blood.

I don't drive extensively, probably no more than 8k a year, typically between 6 to 8 k a year these days. I like the acceleration of the 6 horsepower engine though it is probably wasted on me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Currently driving a 2017 Outback 3.6, full trim. Typically replace cars at the 10 year mark, so still two years off. Had long assumed I'd roll into the newest Subaru equivalent. However, the new Outbacks are ugly beyond belief. I will not buy it unless they redesign the car significantly.

What would you recommend for an ex-Subaru driver?

I would recommend keeping the car you have longer.

Yes, if it needs some huge repair, then replace it. Until then, if it just needs routine maintenance and maybe a minor repair, just keep it. If it lasted this long, it is very likely to last another 5 years.

We keep all of our cars until they need a huge repair. Generally, we get 15-18 years, but less if someone actually runs into our car and totals it.