Subaru Outback 2022 - Screw Your SUV! (ENG) - Test Drive and Review 

Marek, you are not as daft as a bush. You are the most practical car reviewer for people who don't need Autogefühl and TFL. You are the Subaru Outback of the car reviewers, sort of. Not the most popular, but very good and, by the numbers, severely underrated. 😊

Few words about the Outback, I've been owning the top trim from 2022 for almost a year now. But first - Marek, you rock, dude! Keep on with the great videos, this is by far my favourite car review channel! Now, on the Back - when I took it from the dealer, the guy said only one thing - this is a car that you will be falling in love more and more during the time you drive it. And it's totally true, by the way! Coming from Dacia Duster and Renault Kadjar, the top trim feel like S-Class, honestly. The ride is the smoothest I've experienced, feels almost like air suspension, but it's not. Way much better than the hard shaking of Mercedes GLE or BMW X5, for example. The infotainment system is pretty simple to use, it's not too complicated. The face recognition for the seat position is really nice. And it's with the best climate control I've ever had in a car (with the Renault, if you want the kids on the back seats to be OK, you will be freezing in front and vice versa). Boot is enough, never had to put the box on the car for extra luggage (I have two kids, 7 and 3 years old). Even managed to put the ski of my wife, diagonally and with some effort, but - hey, that's pretty good. Safe systems are a lot, my wife hates the car, because "it doesn't let her drive as she wants" :D Meaning it gets her in the lane if she doesn't use the turn signal when she overtakes... o_O The real life consumption - I live in Sofia, Bulgaria. It's hard to get under 11 l /100 km in town. On the highway with 140 it's around 8.5 - 9. On other roads with 90 km/h it's around 7.5 - 8 l/100 km. The power is barely enough. At times you should be planning a bit the overtakes, it just misses the kick of the turbo and the car is not too alive, but it doesn't feel much underpowered also. For sure I'd prefer the 2.4 turbo engine for the US market, but... EU is EU, we won't get it. Haven't really filly tested the AWD so far, we didn't have much snow last winter. The only real test was in a 20-meters mud pot and the car had zero problems with this. The only bad thing so far is a strange glitch in the infotainment system that regularly disconnects the CarPlay from time to time. After 10 seconds it connects it again, but it's really annoying. And the other thing is there is venting on the seats for the US market, but not for Europe, here is only heating. I'd really like to have the venting, even if I have to pay it like an add on. Today I was searching if there is something better on the market with similar size, safety features, but with better fuel economy. Well, at the moment, I can't see a better family car for those money. If you want a 5-star safety for the family, descent space for luggage, first class smooth ride, huge clearance for getting a bit off the road and you can swallow the typical Subaru consumption - you will not go wrong with the Outback. That's all from me! Marek, take care and keep entertaining us with your reviews!

We drive a 2016 Outback all over Oregon USA on our kayaking adventures and have never had a problem. We live in an area measuring snow in meters where plowing may be days after a major storm and the Outback has never let us down in our 12 mile trips to town. Anybody choosing between an Outback and larger SUVs and currently owning both, the Subaru handles much better in icy snowy conditions and uses far less gasoline.

We've had two Outback, one 2014 and the current one is from 2019, and we have been super happy with it. It's not the most silent coupé, it's not the most sporty engine, but it's rock solid on, and occationally slightly off, the road! I regularly tow my small 750 kg trailer and in the summer we tow our 1500 kg caravan comfortably. I've not had a single problem with any of my Subarus.

Well done, Marek! Glad, that you finally discoverd Subaru. Millions of Americans are not wrong!

You know I’m not even trying to buy a new car right now but I still like looking at other nice cars and nobody in my family has ever owned a Subaru and I know nothing about them. I’m a Honda Toyota guy but I love people doing the van life and the outdoor life and this Outback is one of the best looking van life suitable I’ve ever seen! Also I’ve heard these Subarus are reliable so if I was in the market I would definitely consider getting this Outback or maybe just an older cheaper one but I really like this one the most.

Thanks for the review! I have ordered mine, Platinum, and it will take several more days to take it home. Yey!!

I’ve just ordered an outback today, I’ve watched lots of reviews but yours is by far the best & informative I’ve seen. Thank you. David UK

Just loved it, thanks Marek. Also loved how you caughed and mumbled the vw name then the review popped up in the right top corner😂 top man 🤜🤛

I really appreciate your honesty and humor (removing roof racks). You are the most concise & informative car reviewer in English language. You reminding me of my most inspiring teachers when I was a student. I wonder if you have ever contemplated to be one!

As a 2 times Outback owner I agree with Marek’s review.No competition in its category actually.But only if buyer has in mind his real needs.For me it’s a perfect car that plays medium in all categories.

Loved this review. Nice slow delivery style with a gentle sence of humour. Keep up the good work Mr Marek…

We Love our Outback and Forester. We’re so glad that we found my wife’s Outback with Ivory interior and my Forester with saddle brown interior colors. We REFUSE to buy another vehicle with the 33 year old depressing grey or death black interior colors that became popular in 1990.

Thanks nuch, for the reviewing on the vOutback, awesome looking 😍😊😮🚗🚨.

Thanks for the review. I have had a 1991 legacy wagon 2.0, 1996 2.0 imprezza, 2000 outback 3.0, 2006 outback 3.0, 2009 outback 3.0 and then a 2009 vw touareg. Touareg kept having costly issues. Just took a 2.4t outback for a drive and I'm sold. Definitely my next car. Coming back to subaru.

Love it mate. I just bought a 2023 Outback in the USA. Your video showed me a couple of things I did not know (the under boot storage is big enough for a full size spare!), and a couple of other things. Thanks for the comparison of driving modes, too. I enjoyed your delivery, very easy to listen to and uh yes, I also did not know about the roof racks. Subscribed, thank you.

I recommend Subaru without any reservation.

After driving a Volvo xc70 since i got my drivers license i am going subaru outback. Volvo is currently only going after premium markets after being the family car of sweden for like 60 years. I couldn't be more excited.

Mark appreciate your film. Thank you very much that you change your mind since last time I watch you that’s a good car I have one trust me I won’t buy different one.

Superb presentation. Not the Skoda but Subaru I was talking!

Amazing car...oh, and review by the way..!

Great figures for roof rails. I managed to put on a roof top tent on a Skoda Scala with Oem roof rails and slept 2 people without any damage to the car, so thats a real achievment.

I have had a 2005, currently have a 2019 and about to take delivery of a new Field Edition here in the UK. We get three models in the UK, and the Field is designed for farmers, hunters, fishermen and adventurers. With waterproof seats, it is perfect for me as I often get out the river with waders on, and straight into the car. I will miss the sunroof and front and side cameras which now only come on the top spec Touring, but I think the Field is much. Ore suited to my needs. I like the new look to, and in metallic autumn green with black chrome rather than silver, and black wheels, it has a stunning stealth look. My B trip has never been reset on my 2019, and is at 40.2 mpg average over 41,000 miles. Not bad for country roads and mountains full of kit. Love them!

Brush ! Had one of these (prevoius model) 3 years ago as hire car in Sweden and Norway on skiing trip. Couldn't fault it in any way. Unstoppable on snowy and icy roads, and always felt safe and stable when compared to an SUV. Averaged 40 mpg, massive boot for luggage and skis. Adaptive cc best I've used. As ever love your reviews and you deserve many more subscribers. Cheers, Andrew

I like the sarcasm, especially regarding VW and booth space XD

Very good car and taking into account the crazy pricing of new cars at the moment good value too. Great review Marek!

It’s a really great vehicle for Australia, especially for long trips on roads which are not the best. And if you travel to the outback, the Outback really comes into its own.

Few years ago I test drove a previous generation Outback facelift 2.5i over a weekend and it was OK, meaning, around average as a package, but quite expensive. Fuel economy was surprisingly good (8.8 l/100km) considering it had permanent all-wheel drive and I was driving roughly about 70% town / 30% motorway and my driving style has been said to be overly aggressive. Suspension was really good if you ignore the leaning in corners. Build quality seemed solid, interior was spacious and turning circle was good for a car of this size. Hated the power-operated tailgate, it was infuriatingly slow. Same goes to the infotainment system, although that was definite improvement over the pre-facelift version. The car was also somewhat faster accelerating compared to factory stats - I measured it around 9.5 seconds instead of 10.2 to 100 km/h, but I still rate it barely acceptable. About the gearbox - in my mind, this is the best implementation of CVT compared to other asian brands. This is the only CVT implementation that reminded me the good old epicyclic automatics. Now, that all is history. Fast forward to late 2022 and new Outback: Drivetrain: direct-injected 2.5 has more torque (but less power!), on paper, at least. Yet you cannot really feel the torque. It actually feels even slower than previous gen facelift model. Fuel economy was the same. CVT seems slower to react compared to previous model, I guess it's due to emissions regulations. Body: better sound insulation, more space for both, passengers and cargo. Electric hatch is finally faster! No more gas struts to hold up the bonnet and that's bad at this price point. Suspension: more leaning in corners, rattling when driving over multiple consecutive small bumps. Tech: better lights, better infotainment (still slow compared to European competitors!), more consistent driver aid system. Still feels solidly built overall. Now, if Subaru would work out the bugs in their new CB18 1.8 litre turbo petrol and put it into Outback, I think it would improve the package considerably, especially for the EU market. 🙂

The Subaru Outback 2010 Diesel was the best car I owned. So versatile and easy to drive no matter the weather conditions. I'm awaiting the Outback HEV. But it looks like it's only for 2025...

Watching from Melbourne Australia

Love my Subaru Outback but I have the 2.4 Turbo in limited trim. 0-100 in under 6 seconds, but I live in Colorado now. If we move back to Germany, there is no way I would bring this car with me, at least not the 2.4 turbo. 😂 On a side note, it does get great fuel economy for what it is. It is important to note that Subaru uses a full-time Awd system with 60/40 torque split and it has the ability to send all of the torque to either axle. This is not a Haldex system like the VAG or Volvo products you were comparing it to. I used to have a Volvo wagon but you can’t beat the value the Outback offers.

Just received 2022. Fully enjoy getting to know it's value through videos such as yours. I concur, poorly placed ubs ports in front. Could use better space for items in front

well done, great review!

In US, we have XT Limited and Touring with Acoustic side glass, lexus ride, 3500 ib towing/350ib tongue weight. It's like WRX, Lexus LS and 4-Runner all in one. No competition tried Audi Q7 and similar but came back to this.

Thanks for this by me long awaited review, which I find balanced, informative 👍 and spot on as per common sense. I considered this car lately since I changed mine, but got stopped by the powertrain since I do more motorway. In JDM they have a lovely 1.8 turbo petrol which could fix. It is anyway v good value and hardly overcome in its own niche. Bravo and well done as usual, Marek & Ana!

Love the review. I just bought a Forester, because it's more practical for our needs, but the Outback was the car I loved the looks of more.

Really good review, and a great way of presenting. Just new to your channel and looking to buy an outback. Well done mate. (I'm Australian by the way)

I have the outback and best car I've ever had

I've always liked the Outback. Like you....if I lived in the outback it would be top of the list. Another entertaining review.

I would love to get the 2.4l turbo, that is really the only downside for me. And your reviews are really good, entertaining, informative and just the right length!

These are sold in Austria at the edge of twisty mountain roads at independently owned gas stations with a somewhat tradtional eatery, that also have a small showroom with Subarus, Suzukis, and the odd pickup truck. (Mitsubishi/Nissan/Izuzu) I like them. But at 9L/100km and 193CO2's they are neither cheap to run nor to insure. A RAV4 hybrid AWD might not be as cool but a better deal IMO.

GREAT review! I enjoyed your "European" perspective of this vehicle -- and I speak with probably a somewhat North American accent. 😁

W październiku odbieram z salonu nowego outbacka 💪 Mareczku pozdrawiam z Sydney

I don't understand SUVs anyway. I love the Outback. Really reliable and tough. Great review as ever, Marek. PS, you're definitely NOT as daft as a brush LOL

A lot of them on the roads of Australia, turbo petrol model arrives soon, prices are ok when compared to Europe…

Rijd zelf al een aantal jaren Subaru, waarvan de laatste 2 jaar een Outback van 2017. Wat een fijne auto. Denk zelf waar menig groot merk iets van kan leren qua comfort en rij eigenschappen. Groet uit Nederland 🇳🇱

in some brands the wheel will not only be ...counted... but charged too!

Hey great video, thanks! Btw- the car footage at the end is of Octavia, not Superb Scout.

I love my 22 Outback XT with the 2.4L turbo. (US)

good car!

Superb video Marek ! What a beast of a car. It has become more like an Off-roader since ever. A strange but very brave choice in this decade. It is perfect to tow a Horse trailer.

To add to your great review, the outback has button at the back (beside the rear gate button) to set up a PIN with with digests to unlock the car without a key. So you can disable the key, leave it in the car when adventuring.

Hahah - "daft as a bush" - now on tour in Europe! LOL 🤣 The Android Auto tiny screen is one of my biggest gripes. The Apple screen is OK. The CVT is jerky at slow speeds and cornering. I'd love a more refined trans. 23-27mpg on our Turbo. Otherwise this car is a really comfortable driver with some sweet drivers aids, incredible offroad manners. LOVE our 22 Wilderness 💪

Still love my XC70 D5 Polestar. Subaru will never look better. I do love the outback however.

Marek Ty bestio !!! Rozmawiasz w obcych językach?

I'm as daft as a bush... LOL! That's a new one. People love Subarus here. Great in the snow, durable, big roomy... but for me this is the definition of dull. Alternatives? The new CRV? The Passport? Atlas Cross sport? Tiguan Allspace? Highlander? CX50? Anyways, even here the Outback is too big for my tastes. I think I'd check out the CX50 or RAV4 Prime.

I like it in a manual. TYVM

How do I like it?! I own 2 of them. One 3.0l 2007 Platinum and one 2024 2.5l Platinum. 🙂

Thanks for another fantastic review. The car is not much to look at, but excellent under the skin. I like it even more after seeing the price as tested. You could even say it comes near to a "reasonable" option, whatever that is :) I would disregard the competitors by VW you mentioned, but for the money, a couple years old V90 Cross Country from the SELEKT offer might look like an interesting alternative. They come with a 2-year warranty. I am clearly a V90 CC freak; I can't control it. Still regretting selling it.

One of the few station wagons to be sold in North America.

My daughter bought an Outback and at the first service they wanted $300. That's NUTS!!

The infotainment is the only thing that puts me off. The touchscreen is responsive, but some HVAC controls can only be accessed through it, which seems at best annoying and at worst dangerous to me. If it weren't for that I think I'd be buying one, as for touring around Europe with a tent, fishing tackle and canoe (inflatable 🙂) in the back I can't think of anything better.

A couple of extra things that the Outback has that rarely gets mentioned in any review: - The top trim gets Steering Responsive LED Headlights and Adaptive Driving Beam, the latter which allows you to leave your high beam on all the time and the car, in tandem with the EyeSight cameras, will block only parts of it to prevent blinding oncoming drivers whilst keeping the rest of the road fully illuminated. In Australia, both these features are standard across all Outback trims from 2023 instead of just the top trim, don't know about Europe. - All pushbutton-start Subaru's across all years and all models can set a tailgate access PIN code to unlock the car if you don't have the fob on you. This is useful to get into the car without breaking a window in a situation where a child or pet has locked themselves inside with the fob, for example. - Interesting to note that the European Outback is 210mm off the ground. The Australian version is only 213mm off the ground, presumably for better fuel savings (less air pushing up under the car), yet our Forester and XV/Crosstrek is 220mm.

Thanks for the review Marek. The Outback seems to be very a competent all-rounder, which explains why it's been such a successful model for Subaru. My dad would love one of these, but out of his price range unfortunately.

Do you review G shock watches? Your voice is so familiar to me.

Outdated looking but a great car. These are core Subaru values I guess. Pricing is very competitive indeed! However, in your review I missed three things: fuel consumption you were able to achieve; noise insulation (one of the weak points by default at Subaru); gearbox type? Is it CVT?

The Outback seems to be a good option for those who need a decent all-rounder. I had Subaru Impreza on my wish list... But even that one I could not afford. 🙂 Honestly speaking I didn't need the awd either. Does Subaru have in Poland shorter delivery times than other car manufacturers?...

Fantastic car, but with such fuel consumption and emissions, it turns very expensive to run in Europe.

I wish if you could review Mahindra XUV 700 AX7L

How is the reliability on Subarus? I drive a Mazda currently but seeing as they are moving to an all-SUV range I might be in the market for a Legacy. They look reasonably solid.

Nice to include how Ana experienced the driver seat and adjustment. If possible, do it more and even backseat, reach tailgate and so on. An USP for the channel?

Make absolutely sense if you need to drive into a snow storm

The electronics in this vehicle blows goats ! It’s constantly beeping and saying im departing my lane when im not . No power too 2022 wasn’t a good year for the outback .

5:25 RTFM 😂😂😂

Hi am from Canada, just curious why European cars like Skoda, Volvo, VW, Renault are more expensive in Poland??? Subaru supposed to be more expensive than them. Because Outback is assembled in Indiana (USA) European Outback is made in Japan??

The UK motoring press dismiss Subaru as niche. In my experience they are very good and capable vehicles

I am currently trying to decide between the outback and RAV4. I really like the outback because of its size and comfort, but that fuel consumption is killer... I am trying to convince myself that losing 10k on fuel costs over 150k km, compared to the RAV4, is worth it.

I always laugh when I drive by some poor chap in a Subaru with all kinds of shit strapped to the outside of it. That used to be me, but now I have a Honda Odyssey - a real car that fits real things

Unfortunately there’s a stigma with driving a Subaru here in the states: smelly, vegan, just stop oil, hash head, craft beer drinking van lifer.

Audio not clear

I bet if you ask non-car people, most of them will identify it as an SUV instead of a wagon. That thing looks 75% SUV, 25% wagon.

I live about 4 hours away from the factory. Tell me what color you want.... screw the EU's rules.

2 ton trailer vith a CVT 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Subaru engine and gearbox issues are well known... Poor economy and poor performance are all standard on this vehicle..

Way too expensive and poor quality.

The Roof Rack is plaine UGLY! I would not be found DEAD in this ugly car...

Subaru outback limited 2021 . The worst vehicle I ever owned