Are you sure you didn't know about this? I thought you and plenty of other reviewers mentioned this 'feature' when the Wilderness first debuted few months back.
Its running a separate high speed program for over 25. That’s different than what was reported before. Before it was reported that the feature stayed on (as in the feature would not need to be re-enabled once slowing) but still only functioned at speeds under 25.
Rally? I just re-watched your old video and the Subaru lady said there was no upper speed limit to its functionality at 4:47 mark. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Q-Q8CknaZX4.html
bro tip for next time you want to engage x-mode when not moving: use the front camera button. The x-mode options become displayed at the top, it's faster than navigating the top menu through the sluggish screen.
@@dinehbee6168 Probably not without some damage. My stock-suspension Crosstrek on 1" taller tires likely has close to double the ground clearance of a stock Impala...and full underbody skids. You aren't climbing the same rocky, slick hills with a low-slung FWD.
@@RKmndo you'd be surprised what the Impala is capable of. I've put many Subarus to shame with their crappy CVT's. There's a reason why the Impalas were cop cars for so long.
I just ordered my 22 Wilderness an hour ago - partially due to your initial video on it. Thanks for doing this deeper dive - now I’m even more excited and impatient for mine to eventually arrive!
@@andrewjarvis7777 Definitely unique and different. Honestly tired of the boring color pallets and the extreme opposite color pallets. This is a very solid, sharp, easy care, color. It goes with the black trimmings very well. Least I think so anyways 🤷🏻♂️🤣😂🤣🤣
Not a fan. Looks too much like something left in a baby's diaper to me. I like the White or the new Blue, but honestly find all of the colors pretty "meh". Good things you don't buy a Subaru for looks.
I’m very impressed but I’m not surprised. I’ve taken a non-wilderness outback with the base engine up sand and mud inclines and seen it climb even on fully inflated all-seasons. Subie’s awd is decent and the outback is a great all-rounder
@@johnbowie4869 While I can't speak for this person, my cousin absolutely loves her and even says she thinks it's pretty fast for what it is. I want to test drive it at some point to see myself, but she says it's been plenty!
Wow! Just wow! Thank you for listening to your audience and thank you for digging a little bit deeper than everyone else to share that knowledge with us!
Looking forward to the next video. The Outback Wilderness is on my radar and this certainly is impressive. Can’t wait to see what else this vehicle can do. Thanks as always.
I like the looks more than the Touring, which is supposed to be the most visually appealing. Also like the Wilderness’ more durable synthetic leather over Touring’s leather (I’m not saying it feels better than Touring, I’m saying that I prefer the combination of its non-cloth leathery feel plus its extra durability, as opposed to a less tough luxury leather).
I recall in New Mexico Chaco Canyon road, 100% impassable mud on stock tires in my 3.6R 2013 in 2015, on the way out and it rained unexpected. Drove too fast around corner went into the ditch, car 45 degree angle to the road. looking into the sky. I told my wife we are in trouble oh well, let me do one last thing. I feathered the throttle and just like this video the car climbed out of the 30+ degree ditch slowly like magic, "Whatta..." was our reaction. I had to crab walk/feather the brake all the way out and so much mud on the tires the tire is basically mud donuts. Now on my 8th outback...
so what i could see is basically no power restrictions over 25mph, and slight use of the brakes, using flywheel energy to distribute power around, this is what vw used to call XDS, and toyota's traction control system works like that (normal setting, not trail mode) What it does is it applies brakes to the wheel that's spinning once it spins fast enough, but it does that for a very short time. This way it sends more power to the opposite wheel, but it tricks the differential into thinking that the other wheel has more drag than it thinks, so it kinda "holds" the new power distribution. a simpler example of this is the said XDS from vw. when it engages during a corner for instance, it makes the diff think that the corner you're taking is sharper than it really is, so you get more power to the outside wheel to push the car in and reduce the understeer. only here it works constantly because in a slippery surface you don't need a corner for a wheel to start turning faster than the other. That's why at high speeds you see all 4 wheels spinning. It's damn smart btw that subaru did BEAUTIFULLY well, honestly i don't think you can ask for more capability for a lifted family sedan, really really impressed. Hope i made myself clear with my theory, i'm an engineering student, not so good with the explaining bit and only roughly good with the understanding stuff bit 😂😂 courious to see what you think of that theory and if it adjusts to what you felt inside the car.
Hell of a lot better than when TFL tested Subarus...they purposely would stop every time the car actually started to gain momentum, and they'd continually blame the car rather than their lack of driving skills.
The Wilderness is an amazing vehicle for the audience they target. I have some videos on my channel of the off road capabilities. For people who are looking to take it even further, just know it has some real limitations. The big ones you will run into is the long nose constantly scraping on steep descents, or really any type of little ditch. The second will be the CVT completely stalling on steep climbs. I’ve been In several situations where I’m going up a steep hill, and the CVT completely cuts power and sends me backwards. Also, be extremely carful driving over larger rocks.. since the tires are so small they will flip the rock completely into the side of your car. These are just my personal experiences with a modified wilderness. I had a 2 inch lift on top of the factory .8, as well as larger KO2 tires. An absolute great vehicle for families who love softroading and comfort.. was just a little short of capability for the trails I was doing.
@@vilhelmstein2091 yep, what I was doing is where it seems to cap out at. The question is how long would the CVT last putting through constant stress like that monthly
@wilderness in wilderness: Thank you for this honest review. I love my ‘20 Subaru Forester Sport because it’s a great on road vehicle that also grabs at 30mpg when light on throttle. I started modifying with 29.5” KO2s and that dropped me to averaging 25mpg. With the wilderness already taking a mpg hit, don’t you think it might be losing its daily-driver advantage over a Cherokee/4Runner which comes with a low-speed transfer case? Basically I am asking, if price is similar, mpg is similar, would you still go Subaru?
@@calebjared75 no I wouldn’t. And that’s why I just recently sold my wilderness back to the dealership and will be getting a 4Runner. The price difference between the wilderness and 4Runner is pretty minimal. And after modifying, the mpg was pretty close to a stock 4Runner… yet still not even half as capable. The only advantage was that I loved the seats and comfort of the outback. However the tablet controlled interior started to drive me nuts… trying to find the AC button when driving is extremely annoying
You sir take these further than I would ever take mine. Dude, I was literally scared for you. Back sliding is the most dangerous thing off-road. You played it off well.
I have seen one of these up close recently, as a guy who owns a restored 99 Toyota 4R SR5 (frame swap & lifted), its like seeing a sports compact version of my truck, and VERY VERY tempting. Its a real eye catcher. Knowing it performs like this is just piling on
Why doesn't Subaru just add these new X-Mode modes to the older models? Seems like every new model brings a new setting that absolutely makes sense to have.
Because it isn't simply a matter of adding the new software to older models. CVTs don;t deal with heat well hence AWD vehicles using CVTs generally allow very little wheel spin to reduce the possibility of CVT damage. The Wilderness editions include traction program settings that allow wheel spin. To compensate the Wilderness models use a more robustly built CVT and add auxiliary cooling. Adding a fancier transmission and additional cooling to accommodate the improved software would materially increase the cost and therefore the price of each trim level that receives the new kit. Probably not something that would go over well in a hotly competitive cross-over SUV market.
Bravo for the wilderness test as far as it went. I look forward to the sequel. A suggestion and observation: - since observing individual wheel performance is essential for an adequate system evaluation, for improved visibility use white decals* alternatively on black/other dark colored wheels‘ spokes, and conversely, use black or other dark-colored decals on alternate aluminum/other light-hued wheel‘s spokes. * consider alternate temporary materials, e.g. reflective tape if ambient light conditions would make it difficult for the cameras to pick up the wheel spin. Decals being more easily applied and removed than temporary paints recommend themselves for your demonstrations.
As a OBW owner, I can confirm this vehicle is trail ready from the showroom floor. I took it to upper Michigan in the late winter. Lots of melting snow, mud, sand, and rocks. The Subaru powers through just about anything with what it's equipped with. You'll clap every time the car does something awesome, and you'll realize what you paid for. The evidence is in the feel of the car. Even driving through torrential rains, and flooded (1 foot) roadways, the OBW will not stutter and will remain coarse. I can't get the car to hydroplane either. It's VERY impressive, and makes me want to install some KO2s on it to give the AWD system a bit more grip.
As I sit here in my office on a beautiful Alabama fall day (63 degrees and sunny) I can't help but be a little jealous of the mud on your tires. Sometimes with the right car, a yucky day is a perfect day. I can almost hear my OBW calling me to come libertate it from the tarmac in pursuit of something more slippery. Thanks for the video.
My x has this beautiful machine and I loved driving it. Geyser Blue. I want this automobile beauty again. So bad! This is probably the best car out there for road/off road.
Excellent content, always enjoy your videos. best car channel that shows practical reviews of the car, not just praising its look and features like other reviewers do.
Sorry but this isn't a secret mode. It is a feature that was improved because of feedback from people like yourself who took the Outback in Sand and Snow and had the Xmode constantly slip out of battery because of wheel speed, killing momentum and causing people to get stuck, or more stuck. I can see how a guy telling you about the inside baseball could make it seem like a secret, but Subaru has been emphasizing this improvement to many reviewers and also publishing the feature in specs. That being said, WOW this is a VERY IMPRESSIVE video. I never thought a Subaru could spin all four tires at once going up hill. It was almost like Xmode was simulating limited slip differentials. Any time a wheel was going too fast, it didn't stop it, it just slowed it down. This will be a monster in the sand, snow, and mud with the right wheels and tires. I wish we could go smaller wheels and larger tires without major mods to the wheel wells or brake system. But KO2 does now make a size that is the same as the stock Wilderness tire. It would just be better with an inch more sidewall. Databyter
Ryan you should have ran this full course with your 4 runner to really see the capability of a body on frame 4wd as a bench mark for unibody awd. And I know this has been beaten around, but the press release already mentioned the OBW nee xmode programming allowing it to stay in xmode after 25 mph instead of cutting off in other models. I think this is a lost for when the forester wilderness comes out because this is a big feature. I think that PR guy was busting your marbles. Lol.
Your video is good and give also pretty good reviews, but i think you can cut all the part where you get out of the car and check for the safety ( rock , hill feature ) I think that make your video to long what is really interesting to see is actually see the car working and you explaining what is the car is doing :) But in general good video just bought a 2024 outback wilderness 🤟🏻
Thanks so much for this level of detail - makes me want to trade in my H6 Outback... almost. I love the sound of the H6 and the tactile controls for heated seats and such vs touch screen (which sucks in winter). But it's good to know that one day when the time comes to trade in my Outback... that it only gets better!
When you rewatch this video, you can see Ryan never goes over 25mph, because if he did, the X-mode selector would become 'grayed' out. I know, I have the same exact vehicle, but Magnetite Gray ;) On Subaru's web site though, when you check the X-mode specification, you can see that the Outback Wilderness has an "enhanced X-mode" vs the other Outback non-Wilderness.
Sadly the X-Mode upgrades also require hardware upgrades, which add to the cost and therefore the price of vehicles so-equipped. The new X-Mode programming takes advantage of a beefier CVT adapted from the Ascent and extra cooling to keep that beefier CVT from being killed by the new more aggressive X-Mode software. You'd be looking at an expensive hardware retrofit rather than merely a re-flash.
Why aren't you going to tell us how you no this. Regarding the xmode deep mud and snow. Love your videos. Love the way you put the vehicles through paces on your off-road test. Keep up the great work. So much fun to watch. Love your enthusiasm.
It’s not a secret, the subaru engineers hosted a different yt channel(s) at a press style event when they did the initial reveal of the wilderness and the engineers state in the video that the x-mode will not shut off at 25 mph.
The estimated highway MPG is 4 miles less than the XT. Is this because of the final drive being 4.44, or can this be improved by different tires? Im interesting in the looks of the Wilderness, but might go with the Onxy due to price and mpg since I'll be on road 98% of the time.
One bad ass video!!! But I’m so damn confused here…...I thought we already knew about the xmode working at speeds over 25mph in the Outback Wilderness? I believe you even talked about it when you first tested the blue Outback Wilderness? Even Subaru’s own Outback Wilderness introduction video talked about how xmode was updated to keep working at speeds over 25mph? Please help me!! I’m i loosing my marbles or what?
They initially said it didn’t disable over 25 - but that it stayed engaged for when you went back under 22. They never said there was a separate high speed program that kicked in at higher speeds.
LMAO!!! @ about the 1:00 minute mark.. I thought that person in the background was a SASQUATCH!!! I really need glasses !!! Way to go!! Outback Wilderness, and Ryan Douthit ..
@@audreyappliance lol I don't douthit (Doubt it) PUN intended lol. I've been following (Not Stalker-ish lol) Ryan since the early 2000s Subaru owner here since the 80s. So yeah, I'm no stranger to Mr Douthit. Cool guy and I love his work..
Just subscribed, I'm wondering what you think about this forester wilderness vs a bronco sport badlands. I live in Seattle and hitting mainly dirt roads to camp sites or trying new trails like the ones you test on. I also need to daily this vehicle and so want to consider ride quality and your thoughts on the overall better vehicle.
I'm not generally a big fan of ATs offroad. I prefer siped mudders, like the Trxus MT. This video of the BFG KO2s self-clearing was a bit impressive though. They are more aggressive than the vast majority of ATs on the market. The KO2's outside and shoulder lugs actually eject mud at reasonable wheelspeeds, while the inner tread and siping still offers biting edges and rubber to grip on slick paved roads.
@@stefanpauly6213 We only have 2.0i e-boxer in 4 trims for the Forester and 2.5i for the Outback. Unfortunately way too high CO2 emissions so no option for lease.
Same here in China, and the price is ridiculous comparing with US spec, despite it being a fully imported car. Similar price in our market can easily get something above 250hp, and if you go with electric subsided ones there are options even around 700 hp. FB25DI engine is the only powertrain option here (I think Europe is the same since we share same spec), 169 ps is far from shining its AWD capability. Emission law sucks, and we Subaru fans are dying along to wait for a good engine.
I dont know if we’re going to have Subaru wilderness edition here in Straya but honestly the first time i saw the video of this wilderness edition(outback), i say i wanna have this edition. I am very much willing to trade my forester to outback wilderness. Please subaru make this happen. I really want to have one of this edition. Thanks in advance.
I don’t know if Subaru Australian is working with it coz last time i ask my service centre they dont have a concrete answer on me. Nice to know that Subaru NZ is working in it.
This is not a secret. During the hype leading to the wilderness’ release the engineers at subaru hosted one of the yt channels at a location and declared that the x-mode will not shut off at 25 mph in the new outback wilderness. It’s actually documented on yt coming straight from the horse’s mouth.
So the forester wilderness is just a lifted forester with some interior upgrades exclusive to the wilderness trim. WHY Subaru WHY. It only costs 1k to make it as awesome as the outback wilderness. (Price difference in between the base trim forester and outback is roughly 2k. Assuming all upgrades on the wilderness trim cost roughly the same, the difference in price of the wilderness trim cars is roughly 1k and that probably goes to the turbo engine, the higher ground clearance, and the high speed torque management program).
Even before I heard this information, I had come to the conclusion that the outback was the superior off-roader to the forester wilderness. The power/torque of the turbo charged engine alone is a massive advantage! Heck…I’d put the Crosstrek sport -with the same tires -a notch above the forester wilderness.
@@matthewjohnson1211 I bet you the result will be interesting if someone decides to compare the crosstrek sport and the forester wilderness off-road(the crosstrek needs off-road tires and a lift of course). The forester wilderness does still have high torque cvt, even though the crosstrek sport has the same amount of horsepower and is lighter.
@@matthewjohnson1211 lmfao. turbo and high end power don't matter off-road. the most important factors are clearance, which the OBW is negligibly better in, and approach/breakover/departure angles, which are atrocious on the OBW and crosstrek.
You say that Subaru is keeping the high-speed X-mode of the Wilderness a secret. I can't speak for the 2022, but it's described right there on page 384 of the 2023 manual.
Do you think the CVT transmissions are a major issue with these? I’m a bird photographer and looking to get either a new bronco or one of these to get me into the trails to get some shots. I do have a old wrangler now but it’s showing it’s age. Should I stick with more of a Jeep or bronco or are these outback’s very good still? Thanks
