Take a look at our petrol comparison between the Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium and the Forester 2.5i-S ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-rZORmL-kyr0.html
Amazing review. Critical. Honest. Straight to the point. So refreshing to see a journo like this. Bonus points for talking about lithium tech. Even your critique about the wheel design is on point. Hopefully the manufacturer takes onboard your advice in regards to transition from electric and electric motors adding to the available power
Excellent review although Subaru may disagree! RAV4 hybrid clearly is better in every way. I got a RAV4 AWD Hybrid and the trip computer is displaying 5.6L/100km living in the suburbs. The Hybrid system is silky smooth and quiet but is noisey only when driven up steep hills and when pushed hard. The RAV4 interior looks so much better then that Forester, what a mess! Toyota has a 20 year head start on Subaru with Hybrid technology, I thought Toyota being a stakeholder in Subaru that they would’ve helped with the Hybrid tech but clearly they’ve kept a few secrets from them.
It is just a different design using parts from Toyota. The point of that car is different - AWD performance with some EV benefits. It makes much sense for some markets where the tax breaks are big - like Japan and EU.
Don't agree with the consumption. I have one and the claim of 8.1l/100km is spot on. Easily manage doing sub 8 and do a lot of long distance highway but also mixed driving.
I purchased a new Outback in 2017, had RAB and many electrical problems from the start. After only a couple of months I had the car in the deanship for repairs, . The dealer only deleted the PC history, did nothing to fix the problem, and does not supply the needed paperwork to prove I was there. This practice is still going on today. The service tech brags, "as long as I work here, no one will ever qualify for Lemon Law protection " Problems got MUCH worse. In for repair 10 + times, towed in 4 times. After contacting Subaru customers support, they said because the dealer refused to supply paperwork for your visits, they refused to refund my money for the Lemon they sold me. I could almost hear Subaru saying " GOT YA SUCKER " Car was traded in, because it would not work, still under warranty, still not fixed because they didn't know how to fix it. Lost well over $14,000 because Subaru does not stand behind their cars, or the customer.
I love Subaru and I am planning on purchasing a new Forester shortly when things get tighter and sales potentially improve however, that's a big disappointment for Subaru. Shouldn't have bothered. I'm pretty sure a lot of people would have preferred a turbo charged model.
Drive it first. I've read completely opposite reviewers. The presenter also seems to be missing some hybrid science details - like Toyota offers more powerful electric motor but the battery cannot deliver enough power anyway. I do not defend Subaru though. I think the engine should offer more power, although torque is around 30% of what the gasoline engine has.
There’s a battery where there’s normally a full size spare, is commented. So where is the full size spare? AWD have to run same size wheels and tyres, hence no space saver wheels as spare in Subaru.
Buying a car is not about saving money but yes, the electric motor just needs to be upgraded to overcome the 4WD drivetrain drag to deliver any meaningful benefit
I’m surprised a CarAdvice journalist can actually roundly criticise a car - I’d given up bothering with CarAdvice reviews once 9 bought them out - appeared to me that ‘damning with faint praise’ was about as far as they could go now (let’s hope Curt still has a job on Monday). Really suggests this Subaru is a genuinely huge disappointment. I wonder how those people who rushed in, preordered and ‘sold out’ the initial supply are feeling now...
I agree totally, I was very surprised at the candid nature of the review (also glad it was done this way), but it does carry the same themes I've read of other reviews, just not worth the spend on the hybrid version as the battery and electric engine don't deliver on promises.
Great review. Shocked given this is new battery tech. Pity people on waiting lists for this car. The government mandated fuel test results are a red flag for any would-be buyer. Waiting for my own RAV4 Hybrid. This car crossed my mind but not now. No spare tyre of any sorts. Ouch.
#1. Permanent, mechanical AWD. #2. The electric engine performance is related to the battery it is connected to. Also mention the torque, as torque is what matters in any electric motor. Saying all that, I do not understand why Subaru has chosen 2.0l gasoline engine for the Forester. It is just too small. The electric motor could have been stronger. #3. Why would you even mention highway? Hybrids do not save fuel on the highway unless they are PHEV. I think you know that and intentionally add it in as one of the issues. #4. No spare tire - yes, hybrids have downsides. The battery has to go somewhere. Saying that RAV4 managed to have a spare in the hybrid. #5. Buttons are awesome. I hate using infotainment for silly stuff. People drive one car, so as soon as they get used to the car they are fine.
hybrids are all about being eco-friendly. it IS logical to pair a smaller & more efficient engine with an electric motor. what isn't logical though is pairing it with a motor so weak that it can't even move the car in ev mode. should've given it at least 30kw & 120nm
Why would Subaru bring out such an inferior hybrid car the the Toyota RAV4? The petrol saving over the 2.5Lt petrol in negligible and the RAV4 has more power and fuel saving than the Forester. I can see this not being a big seller for Subaru.......and yes those rims are atrocious!!!!....only second to the 2.5s Forester rims
Subaru should focus on their WRX and STI range. They are the only japanese car maker still make relatively affordable high performance vehicles. If they make their halo car right people will buy their commuter cars. Or maybe they can do Boxer Ev? lol.
Yes I can't understand why they bothered with this? 9% more fuel efficient - who gives a shit - diesel is more efficient and better for Co2 emissions than this petrol/hybrid car. And as seen here, 9% is way over-estimated anyway.
Some countires are taxed on the engine size and have deductions for hybrids. Also, this review is missing some points. Forester has a permanent AWD. This should have been tested in the mountains. Subaru is working on the two electric motor unit - similar to Toyota's one but permanent AWD. It is already designed and I am surprised they didn't fit that in.
In the 1990s Subaru cars were quirky in style, mechanically honest and possessed charming driving character. Today, it’s hard to find any real innovation or uniqueness in their horribly styled white goods. Take this free advice: Hire a renowned car designer and let him or her thrive. Bring back frameless doors to all models. Invest in a better auto transmission (not CVT). Up your boxer game - the power/torque to engine displacement ratio is woefully weak and well below 100nm per litre of engine displacement that is today’s output standard. Get the 86/BRZ suspension engineer to sign off all future suspension tunes.
That and when the turbo was removed from most of the range, and now this: no spare wheel. They have got to be kidding me. They have become boring, lifeless vehicles for people who aren't very interested in driving.
Lexus is good deal to buy used. Bulletproof cars in my experience. Buddy of mine drive Nx (i drive beat up Legacy sedan) he say it is tank machine...no rattle. Good buy
