2015 Subaru Outback: The Anti-Wrangler
- Thread starter haven
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Chazz Layne
Administrator
libarata
Expedition Leader
That is races
I know the mighty Subarus can invoke some real rage from the "true fourwheelers", but keep it civil. I have a shiny bronze banhammer sitting next to me and I love to throw it...
Especially when the Subaru drivers egos' get let loose.:26_7_2:
Dake21
Adventurer
I don't mind subarus until somebody comes along and says its the best AWD system in the world when in reality its has the same thing that a lots of other vehicule has: a center differential. Land cruiser has them, jeep has them (not the wrangler tough) mitsubishi, suzuki and I could go on. Most of the competitor can lock their CD to make it act like a true 4WD but subaru doesn't. They are good vehicule but they are not unique.
Edit: yes subarus uses viscious coupling but its has basically the same effect.
Edit: yes subarus uses viscious coupling but its has basically the same effect.
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FordGuy1
Adventurer
I would have to disagree on this one. We argue about this all the time here at our dealership, basically, we wonder why most manufactures who build AWD vehicles can't get it right, most don't come close to the Subie's, and believe me even though my wife just bought a Outback, I have never been a fan until I spent time driving hers. The AWD is awesome.
Look at the test:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCuvwYd9JuE
Dake21
Adventurer
Do you know what a center differential is? On all AWD test subaru makes they take competitor with part time on demand AWD using a multi plate clutch pack, NOT a center differential. Put an AWD mitsubishi , JEEP, Suzuki, Land Rover, Audi and many other on this ramp and it will go. These test are so biased, none of the vehicule have the same tires and like I said above Subaru only compare it's system to other INFERIOR AWD system. CRV, Rav4, Mazda CX5, Nissan Rogue all uses part time on demand system not meant to be use full time. I had a CRV before and just driving on 4 inches of snow for 10 minutes the car had a smell of burnt clutch. I'm not saying Subaru are bad, dont get me wrong they are great. But they are not alone using that technology and they hide it from the customer. In the ''guide de l'auto 2015'', a french canadian consumer report version, they did testing on the snow and the lancer was proven to have better control than the impreza. Subaru is not alone.
Edit: Part time on demand only transfer power to the rear wheel when slip is detected, and only so much power (60% for a CRV I think.) A center differential power all wheels, but when traction is lost only one spin. That's why you need a locking feature to make it act like a 4wd. For side to side traction most modern suv uses the brake (mine included.) I could go on but it would be a painful long post and nobody would read it anyway.
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FordGuy1
Adventurer
The comparison is with what the consumer would consider like vehicles in like price range. The average consumer just knows that its AWD, that's it. I believe there is a test out there that was not done by Subaru which took the Outback against Lexus, Audi, Toyota high lines, it showed that the Subaru was the only vehicle that would climb a ramp with only one wheel of traction. I agree, A lot of manufactures use similar systems, but even the engineers at Ford say the electronic portion of Subaru's AWD is very good. Hey, I am not a Subaru fan, but I am not hater of what works.
calicamper
Expedition Leader
Not to mention having lived with a Legacy GT Limited for 12yrs the OB is only very very slightly marginally more capable than the Legacy when all is said and done about soft parts and overhangs. Any AWD vehicle is going to have pretty good capability dragging its self over and through stuff its just how much damage your willing to tolerate. We took the old GT everywhere we wanted to go a few trips involved a little road building and dragging the car over stuff but we did the stuff we wanted to do. Never got stuck never had a break down and we took the car everywhere because it was great road trip car! I have a new OB now would rather have a Legacy Wagon though, Legacy drives light years better!! And really isn't that much different than the OB regarding ability.
No Subaru is a trail machine - dirt road - some what rough road yes! Trail machine not really. Sure you can modify them and increase their ability for trail use but then your taking a hit to mileage and your still limited to load capacity thats not really as high as a Jeep or Tacoma etc which is returning the same mileage etc.
No Subaru is a trail machine - dirt road - some what rough road yes! Trail machine not really. Sure you can modify them and increase their ability for trail use but then your taking a hit to mileage and your still limited to load capacity thats not really as high as a Jeep or Tacoma etc which is returning the same mileage etc.
Chazz Layne
Administrator
I'm not sure about the newest models, but on many of the Subarus a 50/50 power split is only a switch and a few wires away. We'll actually be installing this upgrade on the project Foz when we start working on it again. Will it ever be a hard core rock crawler? No, but I wouldn't hesitate to take a Foz up any 7-8 rated trail (or an Outback with Foz suspension).
calicamper
Expedition Leader
Chazz the new subarus all use the same type of system Rover uses - they use brakes to stop wheel spin and push power across open diffs to the other side. XMODE is just computer logic that keeps wheel spin and skid controlled ie wheels keep turning even if the car is sliding say down a hill ie decent control etc. Locking stuff doesn't matter on a vehicle that is 99.99% of the time an on road vehicle however highly reactive systems that can help keep a vehicle pointed in the desired direction on a slick highway is very valued feature which is what Subaru's systems are primarily designed to do.
You want a locking center unit or front or rear locking diffs get a truck. Full disclosure I own a Subaru and my prior Subaru replaced a 4runner. It is what it is. A very capable car I would put my wife and kids in knowing the cars systems are about as good as it gets regarding keeping them safe and helping my wife keep the car on the road and out of the ditch.
You want a locking center unit or front or rear locking diffs get a truck. Full disclosure I own a Subaru and my prior Subaru replaced a 4runner. It is what it is. A very capable car I would put my wife and kids in knowing the cars systems are about as good as it gets regarding keeping them safe and helping my wife keep the car on the road and out of the ditch.
cosmiccharlie
Explorer
It's not a diff lock in the STi. It is a Center Diff adjustment knob to send more power to the rear.