Is the 2021 Subaru Outback XT Onyx Edition better than the Forester? 

Great review,Thanks . I just purchased a Heavily optioned Onyx in Ice Silver last month. My dealer had very few Subaru's left. The dealer had two Silver Onyx Outbacks left. The lesser optioned Onyx was sold two hours previous to me showing up at the dealer lot. I took this car for a test drive and purchased it. I really had hoped for a Forester XT which of course they don't make. I think the Silver or white versions of the Onyx look great. The car has a very comfortable ride quality and I don't sweat in the seats.Its been 98 degrees here also. Love the looks of the wheels. Yes you can feel it lean a bit on the corners, but not excessively so. Hey its a lifted vehicle. Love the adaptive Cruise. I don't care much for the lane centering as it seems to wander back and forth between lines, so I don't turn it on. The auto start stop can be shut off temporarily with a push of one button on the display. The HVAC system and radio controls can be regulated by voice control also. The turbo engine seems just a bit sluggish at very low speed with small amount of throttle but comes to life quickly. The engine runs fine on 87 octane.(unless towing where Subaru recommends 91 octane min) I have been averaging 26 mpg with 65% highway and 35% rural hilly driving both computed and hand calculated. Wireless charging and CD players are options.I have the wireless charging. I don't really miss the CD player as I usually listen to Sirius XM . I wish it was available with heated steering wheel and seat positions settable for each driver. I find out new capabilities on this outback every week it seems. Example: If you come out of the store with your hands full, all you need to do to open the power lift gate is get your arm/hand a couple inches from the Subaru emblem on the gate for a couple seconds and the gate will raise. (assuming you have the fob on you) Pretty cool. I think its hard to be 100% satisfied with anything you purchase,but this Onyx comes pretty close IMO.

I have this exact car, love it, there is wireless charging that goes in the little cubby under the infotainment system. Works well.

Is it just me or does anybody else love his random weird comments ? 🤣😂😂 “ let’s say you’re going to a baseball game, you can put your balls in here so you won’t have to carry your balls “ where did that come from 😂😂😂

Top Dog only because of the turbo version. Bring that turbo to an XT version of the Forester and you'll have a new top dog imo.

The black wheels trend is unbelievable. I had them back in 2013 and now they’re on everything lol! Stellar review!

Subaru is so underrated, I’d choose them over Honda and Nissan

I am on my second Outback, and love it. 1st one ran it for 15 years

Your reviews have me rolling whenever you bring up food into the video 😂 great work!!🔥🔥🔥

Thank you Joe for this video. Was waiting for this one. Thank you Lori for your support as well. Both of you doing aome great work with no fluff reviews 👍👏🙏

Such a great vehicle! My mom has a 2020 limited with the 2.5 and never disappoints!

Love the tour and demo! Felt like I was there. Want a Twinkie!

4:29 "Nice smooth pavement like this. Actually, that kind of hurts. Like sand paper" 😂

Just bought one; a blue Onyx XT. This review was part of the reason why. What's not to like - in addition to what Raiti touts, its turbo power runs on regular unleaded, it has a full size spare and you can get it with a CD player (not the top trim Harmon Kardon unit. unfortunately, but I had to have the wheels) . And it's built in Indiana with 50% domestic content. Subaru got me out of a Big Three product for the first time in forty years.

I love the eyesight feature on my 2017 Forester.The Steering Responsive Headlights are also a feature of my ‘17 Forester, love them when entering the drive of the complex at night as well as the responsive High Beam setting. Great review on this Outback.

That’s a nice Subaru, Joe! That’s my favourite Subaru!

It was a tough call but I picked the slower Forester sport to order over this. I preferred the orange interior accents and hard climate control buttons! Can’t wait for it to get here.

I’ve only driven manual. I’ve been holding onto to my current 2002 manual Outback like a precious gem. Hard to think that my next Subaru may not have that option. Much more of a connected experience when driving a manual. So bummed they seem to be phasing them out.

Looks spacious, has got full AWD, & that straight 4 sounds lovely from inside! Thank you RR Family!

Geeze I thought to myself “well Joe I’m scratching my head thinking do I really need AWD? And how just many Twinkies could I carry on the roof rack?” 🤔

Yeeeeeeeeeessssssss maaaaaaaan!!!! Wagons for the win!!!! I really wanna believe that we've hit peak crossover production and automakers and consumers alike are gonna start seeing and believing that wagons>crossovers. I ❤ wagons!!! Thanks for bringing us this clean Outback Joe and Lori!!! #RaitisRides #OnThrottle #ToTheDoorPanel #TwinkiesGoWhere #OnThrottleAgain #LoriGotAngles #CameraQueen #Zonkmeister #OnThrottleAllOverThePlace #IfYoureReadyImReady #Subaru #Outback_XT_OnyxEdition #449kSubsAndCounting

Understated, inexpensive and very nice!

Imagine if Subaru kept the 3.6R and turbocharged that flat 6?

@2:40 absolutely true! And Subaru brought the round style back for 2023! Make up your minds! Unfortunately, these fog lights can only be upgraded via Wolfbeam lights kit that will fit two pairs of Diode Dynamics with a pair of custom brackets. And it's not cheap!

Great review! I just bought this exact vehicle after driving WRX's exclusively since 2002. So far I love it! My only gripe is the climate control and seat heater buttons are so tiny they seem to belong on a cell phone screen. What's the point of having a giant display if it's not optimized for the real world? But overall, it's a very comfortable and versatile vehicle with good power. I think it looks great as well.

Love your review I actually bought one last weekend and the same model in silver

Nice redesign of the vehicle...it could have been better priced (maybe $4k less) ... overall a good package...shout out to the "queen of the camera" Lori...nice video JOE

3 or 4 Twinkies without making a mess...I'm sold! Glad to see not too many zonks here.

Subaru I have been a fan since I was seven and I know a small secret that makes your car the safest car and that’s the roll cage on the inside of the car, and the hatch back and engine isn’t protected because it doesn’t matter in a crash, all that matters is keeping the person inside safe, and I keep telling my grandparents to get a Subaru ascent. Thx for the review jo ( and my dad is looking at buying a car this year. He almost did yesterday )

Almost a perfect car really. If you don’t need more than 5 seats Whats better? Great review again!!

I love my 2020 onyx but holy hell does the mpg really suck. I'm at 18 mpg mixed city/hwy and that's just from trying really hard conservative driving.

Come on subrau! Why the tesla infotainment style and cvt?

Chocolate Chip Cookie Cakes are so delicious that I want a piece now since you were talking about it.

Hi Joe my favorite car brand again. love that Onyx XT !

Morning Joe and Lori! You can't go wrong with this wagon and you'll.always have great resale value. Always look forward to your morning videos.

the backseat room is really impressive, you did look a little shrunken!

Nice Outback. Still, a regular automatic would be good. Thanks for all your work, Lori

morning Joe!

Love the background intro at the beginning of every video!!

You're right Jo a chocolate chip cookie cake does sounds really good right about now

Get a normal roof rack and dump the CVT. The same priced Cherokee Trailhawk can tow 4,500 lbs with a ZF 9 speed trans. I know, resale but it does have hood struts.

I love the Subaru Outback started to thinking about getting an outback limited love the new design Subaru did that is amazing joe

The ultimate family wagon, love Subaru

I’d love if the outback had a pano roof

Got the 2020 onyx outback for the wife she loves it. Great fuel mileage great power when u need it and great in the snow ❄ the ride is very nice and smooth interior is awesome kids spill just wipe up

11:26 had me laughing... LOVE my 2020 Outback Touring XT!!! Also in Crystal White Pearl but with the Java Brown Nappa Leather (with front ventilated) inside! Back seat is like a limo for the kids. You can open the tailgate by just waving your hand in front of the logo, btw. Couple of other things: integrated/folding roof racks are the best and you didn't mention X-mode for offroad/snow - of which the Onyx has two different modes. BEAST in the snow.... Yes, a regular old automatic would have been nice :( Bringing back the XT got me back into the Outback (had an 05 Outback XT previously). Great review!

I own a '20 Forrester, and love it for the most part. It just needs a regular automatic transmission and an XT trim to be available. Then it would be the perfect SUV to me.

The climate controls should have been separate, those delays through the touch screen is just unacceptable in 2day's tech world. Glad I got my 2018 XT Forester.

Have a new crosstrek and a 2018 ZL1 1LE and I'm stoked to get the outback onyx XT in blue this summer. Only thing better would be sti outback 6 speed but I doubt that'll happen. Take note Subaru

Ahhhh. Remember the day when I had my 06 outback with that panoramic sun/moon roof!

This outback is pretty sweet.....the ascent is my favorite but I like this a lot😃✌🏽

I just took mine on a road trip and I was averaging 27mpg on the highway. I like that number

I wish it had that little display - on the center information panel I'm an exotic that so you can keep an eye on that Turbo LOL vacuum gauge LED display

Great review! New subscriber here and loving the Subaru Outback review. S/O to Laurie? for great camera angles.

Needs the hood scoop to complete the whole design

Always loved my Subaru's! Rally on! Wish the infotainment was more horizontal than a vertical presentation

Another thorough review , thanks Joe. Just bought the ‘21 Touring XT although it was a tough choice between it and this Onyx XT. I prefer “faux” leather like the Onyx has- way more durable, especially if you have dogs but I wanted an interior that wasn’t black and I could only do that with the Touring edition. The turbo is the way to go, the non turbo engine is just too sluggish. Great car, have had it a month and I’m thrilled with my purchase.

More wagons please! 👍🏼👍🏼

I dig it, except for that CVT!

great video Joe, we're still waiting on the Gen 6 Outback in UK.......don't like they've taken away the HVAC buttons/controls. Very happy with my 2019 Gen 5 Premium, but would love some 2.4 turbo power engine, door mirrors that auto-fold on lock and for the love of all that's Subaru, HEATED steering wheel (seems to be missing on all UK Outback's, much needed in Scotland). ❄❄❄❄

I love everything about it exept for the big high black plastic in the front and back, still a beautiful car, it will help in snow and everything so the paint isn’t damaged and gets rusty from the salt

Purchased the same 12/20. Really love my first Subaru. Comfortable ride. There is so much more that you didn’t get to. Mine does have a wireless charger.

They need to improve or get rid of CVT transmissions,I wanted a Nissan Maxima but I found out it was CVT And I said 👎

A nice option for daily driving.

Love the aggressive styling

Thank you for the video and the zonks😉😉

Always like your reviews because even if it's a car the viewer might be familiar with they still might not know how many twinkies can fit where. 😂😂Did you mention the startex upholstery in this one btw? I didn't think I heard you mention it but they're still doing that, right?

Love the lifted wagon…I’m after a soft rally car feel?

Joe, here’s an idea and I won’t even charge you a consulting fee. Make a second YT channel that is specifically for zonks and review stuff like: Dodge Caliber, Jeep Compass, Mitsubishi Outlander, etc.

Even tho I have SUVS I would consider this

I like to see more of the Subaru Outbacks reviews

Great review of the best car on the road.

Great review. Thanks

Either one you choose will be better at going up Whitetop Mountain in the winter in Southwest Virginia than my STI.

Another great review...thank you.

Love this setup I am having a hard time deciding between this ONYX XT and the Honda Passport. IVTM-4 in the Honda vs Symmetrical AWD in this Subi. The Turbo 4 vs naturally aspirated 6 in the Honda. ZF9 automatic transmission in the Honda vs the CVT (Honda wins hands down) lower more car like handling vs sitting high up in a lifted fish bowl (Honda). Then torque vectoring (Honda) vs Brake vectoring (Subaru). Finally space I can park a RAV4 in the back of the passport vs a couple snowboard roller bags in the Subaru. There are 3 of us in the family and normally we carry friends and family around to all sorts of places but during Covid it has been just the 3 of us so for right now it seems like the Honda is overkill but... once we are able to will the extra space in the Honda be more appealing? Hmmmmm. Tough decision. I have driven both and I prefer the Subi over the Honda but when I factor in the rest of the stuff it makes it hard. I live in the mountains and I am coming from a 4runner. I know I will be losing my off road capabilities but these two seem to be the best AWD options under 50K. Thoughts?

Hi Zojkkaj, love how Subaru Outback 8it's nice but it's not a hundred percent perfect with the for $÷

The Subaru Outback is the only SUV-like vehicle, I call it a sports utility wagon, I would ever drive. Ever. I don't know how it feels personally in the newer models; the only outback I ever driven was a 2013 model and it felt slow, and while going 55, it certainly didn't feel like I was going 55. Did you personally feel as though the outback cuts through on the base engine? I know this trim has a standard turbocharged boxer engine, so is that turbocharger really helpful on that or do I just go for the base engine? I am asking for my Dad, who insists on getting an outback once he uses his CRV to the fullest.

Which it had a panoramic roof, it’s a must for me

I don’t know if this car is the best, but I do know that the Bucs are gonna win tonight!!!

Love your reviews! Turbo 4's are here to stay, but our 3.6 Touring is so smooth, and composed. I did not like the 2.4Turbo I tested. And, I came from a 2006 Legacy GT 2.5 Turbo wagon. I thought about buying a second 3.6 wagon, for the future!! (bought a Civic Type R instead).

Maybe Subaru will get smart and follow Nissan’s move to slowly or possibly quickly “Eliminate” those GD CVT Transmissions!

16:40 ON THROTTLE!!!!!!! It sounds nice

Please tell us the difference in height between this an the other SUVs, also is it more comfortable than the higher SUVs.

SUBARU needs a sports wagon w/MT. I've driven SUBARU since 1973. The first was a 1000 SS. Currently a 2005 Legacy 2.5 GT wagon w/MT. Looks like it's my last SUBARU because of CVT.

Love your videos

Wish the heated seats would turn on when you press the button instead of having the pop up screen. Also my windshield cracked after one month and it's not covered by the warranty.

Thanks for the vid!! I have a 2017 Kia Optima. Turbo. After. I hit 100 kilometres, the car went to shit. So many issues. Getting the outback. Next week!

I love mine. Worth every penny.

I would would buy a turbo car again! I had a 2020 Ford Edge 2.0 turbo. Acceleration from a dead stop was scary when crossing busy traffic or someone speeding toward you. I got rid of the brand new car with 512 miles in less than 4 months! I went back to a regular V6 engine and NO Ford turbo crap!

I don’t know Joe I don’t know if I get another Subaru with all the damn recalls, I know all the manufactures are recall happy, But my 13 has been a good car so far it’s a Subaru legacy 3.6 R, just with all the airbag recalls it’s been horrible and now there’s a massive recall for Forrester’s on the rear springs apparently.

My man joe!! I thought you were going to drop the ball. Bit at 20:33 you finally brought up my pet peeve, VENTILATED FRONT SEATS. And 37K without them, that's 2 big ass zonks for Subaru!!! Since Kia put them in my 2014 Soul!. Why the hell not in 2021? That's an embarrassment.

5:04 *casually wiggles the entire damn car*

Thank you. I have had 3 Subaru vehicles and am looking to replace the current one. Looks like I found my replacement car. My 4th Subaru....

when you on a diet and you think it is Ok to watch a car video on youtube..... why is life so hard .......hahahaha just kidding love these videos!!!! Thank you for the review.

Joe, adaptive headlights were in older subarus in the touring trim level. I own 2018 Subaru Forester XT and it has adaptive head lights.

I have this and yes black out the chrome trim

The all new 2021 gtr can't wait to see the review sir joe😊

I wish they would of put this engine in the new BRZ/GR86 with a ZF 8HP. Would be a monster of a little Sports car.

Subaru staying true to their identity! Heart of a rally car!

Subaru is now notariously known for cracked windshield. I bought a brand new 2018 outback back then the windshield cracked within 3 months. My wife bought a brand new Outback 2020, also the windshield cracked within 3 months for no reason. If yours does not crack within 3 months you are big winner.