Outback Turbo

[Dyquen]

I'd pretty much decided to go with a Honda Ridgeline as a tv for my Trillium Outback. Now I read that the 2.4 turbo Subaru Outback is rated to tow #3500 - like some of the Ascents. So I'm back to wrestling with balancing the usefulness of a truck for hauling stuff up mountains (I live in western Canada)and the nimbleness of an SUV for everyday suburban driving.
I'd really appreciate the insights of forum members who have experience to share, especially with the more robust Subaru powertrain.

[parmm]

Originally Posted by Jon in AZ

Or a Ridgeline versus the new Ford Maverick 2.0T, if you favor the open cargo bed. The latter might take a while to get, but it looks awfully good on paper for towing a small trailer.

I run a Chevy Colorado Crew Cab light truck. Pull a Scamp 19 with it. It has more than enough power, and gets good gas mileage pulling the trailer. Has a 3.6L DOHC V-6 coupled with a Hydra-Matic 8L45 eight-speed automatic transmission. It is very comfortable and has a good ride. While it comes with a open bed, I installed a aftermarket folding hard tonneau cover. The cabin is a bit tight, but has all the features we need. We are very happy with it, plus the wife drives it while towing the Scamp. She would not with a full size Chevy, Ford, or Dodge.

[Dyquen]

Thanks to Jon for the tip about the new Ford Maverick, and for your recommendation Parmm. I'm going to check one out this afternoon. I hadn't planned on a new vehicle, but the advertised price is the same as a 4 yr old Ridgeline. I have experience with a Ridgeline as the tow vehicle: it was super comfortable and towing was a breeze. It sets the bar pretty high for the competition..

[Jon in AZ]

I’d love to hear your impressions of the Maverick.

I agree Honda sets a high bar, especially when it comes to all-day driving comfort. But they have gotten expensive, not particularly gas-efficient, and reliability has slipped in recent years.

[Dyquen]

Although the dealership website claimed they had the Maverick in stock, I was told when I got there that they are ‘ on their way’. Annoying. Not too much of an issue since I was on my way to check out a used Ridgeline. The test drive reminded me how little I like driving a truck in the city. The next day I test drove the turbo outback. Same price as the Ridgeline and four years newer. It has a factory hitch and 4 pin wiring and I was assured that adding a seven pin set up something their service people do as a matter of course. And the outback drives like dream.

[Jon in AZ]

Sounds like your mind’s made up. The Outback turbo is a nice vehicle. Not thrilled about the CVT, but haven’t heard too many complaints, and you’ll be towing well under the 3500# tow rating.

A utility trailer turns an SUV into a truck when you need one.

[Brian G.]

There is a lot of information about the relatively new turbo engine on the Subaru Outback forum. We tested the turbo version and then settled on the naturally aspirated 3.6R (6-cylinder). I think both are fine engines.

[Dyquen]

Thanks for the tip about the outback forum. Very helpful…

[georgesass]

I had a 2010 Ridgeline as my TV for my Parkliner which weighs 2800 lbs. dry. The Ridgeline was great and we travelled over 10,000 miles towing our Parkliner. But I got tired of driving a truck when not towing, and the Ridgeline’s gas mileage was poor. So I traded it in for a 2020 Subaru Outback turbo. It does an OK job towing the Parkliner but I always feel I’m at the limit especially when factoring in the weight of camping gear inside the Subaru. I’ve taken it a couple thousand miles and it’s been acceptable, but I really miss the power and interior space of the Ridgeline. One extra thing…the Subaru’s infotainment center is absolutely horrible. You have to go into the menu for everything. And the software is buggy.

[Jon in AZ]

Just a caution... Honda infotainment systems in the mid-to-late 2010's have a pretty bad reputation as well. No personal experience- our 2011 Pilot does not have a touch screen interface- just what I've read in Consumer Reports and owner's forums.

I'm not sure that would be a deciding factor for me, though. I'll figure out how to turn on the radio, and anything more complicated I turn over to the co-pilot.

[oldharry2006]

Originally Posted by Dyquen

I'd pretty much decided to go with a Honda Ridgeline as a tv for my Trillium Outback. Now I read that the 2.4 turbo Subaru Outback is rated to tow #3500 - like some of the Ascents. So I'm back to wrestling with balancing the usefulness of a truck for hauling stuff up mountains (I live in western Canada)and the nimbleness of an SUV for everyday suburban driving.
I'd really appreciate the insights of forum members who have experience to share, especially with the more robust Subaru powertrain.

I also considered an upgrade to my Outback for towing.. with the Ascent…until I learned Subaru has put the water pump inside the six cylinder engine. So when the water pump goes….the engine goes. Oh, and you can’t use an equalizer hitch on it. I towed my 16 ft. Casita with my 4 cylinder for years without any problems. The Outback is still going strong, but sold the Casita and got an Oliver, which is towed by a 6.0 liter GMC.

[multi-task]

I'm in Alberta and I've towed my Trillium Outback all over using a 2010 Subaru Forester (Manual transmission). Brakes were installed on the trailer and I had to wire the vehicle myself b/c they only supported 4pin. I'm also looking to change vehicles and I won't be choosing Subaru.

I really don't feel like they are designed well for towing. I haven't looked at the more recent specs but their tongue weights are usually lower than average. Mine also experience rear end sag as soon as I hitched up, and this was with my batteries at the rear of my trailer. I was under the tongue weight and it wasn't the best experience.

Not sure how much you plan to tow, but personally I'd choose something that has towing in mind when they built the vehicle. I'm only looking at vehicles that can tow 5000 lbs or more. Sure our trailers are light, but there's a lot to be said for a comfortable experience when pulling it around.

Just my experience but I hope it helps.

[georgesass]

Yes I understand the 2020 and older Hondas also have issues with their infotainment systems. I’ve learned to live with the Outback’s issues but it’s still annoying. The car drives beautifully and gets good mileage (even with the turbo). Just don’t understand why Subaru and Honda engineers allow these electronic systems to have so many glitches.

[Glenn Baglo]

Originally Posted by oldharry2006

I also considered an upgrade to my Outback for towing.. with the Ascent…until I learned Subaru has put the water pump inside the six cylinder engine. So when the water pump goes….the engine goes.

My 2008 Toyota RAV4 v6 also had the water pump inside the engine, and others also probably are the same. When the water pump needed replacing, it was replaced. Nothing happened to the engine.

[Casita Ed]

We now tow our 17SD Casita with our 2018 Honda Ridgeline RTLE and find it outperforms the Toyota Tacoma Prerunner we used to tow with. Hard to believe IMHO. We use a WDH with each truck. With the Tacoma, we always felt we were riding on the rear axle bumpers, even with the WDH. The Ridgeline rides smooth and quiet. The driver assist features make me feel like I was the passenger and not the driver after a long day of driving. If you go with the Ridgeline, I highly recommend the RTLE or at least an all wheel drive version. On a long trip, the more features the better. 30K miles so far with two thirds towing and no problems so far.

[Gmindy]

Just got my Maverick after ordering it in August AND finally getting rid of my Subaru Forester ----LEMON! Have not towed my Boler yet --- its still in hibernation -- but have pulled a small snowmobile trailer. No problems in snow and ice but definitely feels like a truck ride not a SUV. Lots of inner storage and my cross country skis just fit in the back. (Made sure of that!) So far so good. Only drag is that its the first automatic vehicle I have ever had... LOVE manual trans but I have other needs too!

[jeffminnesota]

Pulling a 13' Scamp with a 2020 Outback, regular 2.5 engine. Would like a little more power, and when I test drove the turbo Outback Wilderness, it seemed to have a noticeable better zip, if it was free I would move to that, maybe will in a year or two. Towed the Scamp down to Texas (from Minnesota) this fall, got 19 mpg on average, sometimes better with a tail wind. I sometimes get close to 33 mpg when not pulling trailer, which is nice.
I haven't had any problems with the "infotainment" system, yes, it requires you to go into the menu or use touch screen to change things, I would prefer more knobs like our Forester has, but you get used to it. But no "glitches" or what I would call glitches.
Although personally I have thought of getting something a little more off-roady like a 4 Runner or Tahoe.

[mtbmitch]

The Metris van can tow 5000 pounds and still have a decent amount of weight inside the vehicle.

[Jon in AZ]

Originally Posted by mtbmitch

The Metris van can tow 5000 pounds and still have a decent amount of weight inside the vehicle.

I have always wanted to like the Metris, but I just can't get past my fear of Mercedes parts and service. Do you own one?

Last time I looked, the base van was pretty spartan, and options escalated the price really fast. Used Metris vans have commonly been in fleet service, which gives further pause.

Since the OP felt a Ridgeline was too big, it's worth noting the Metris is a relatively large vehicle as well. Don't think there's an AWD option, either.

[bigangelman]

Skip anything with turbo! If you want long life and reliability. Once that turbo kicks in any savings is gone. I would also try to avoid anything with GDI. Just give me the tried and tested v6 or V8 with normal fuel injection. Then when towing change tranny fluid at least every 50,000 miles.