Subaru Outback Wilderness 2 year review - the GOOD and the BAD

I've put almost 19k miles (~30.5k KM) on my 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness so figured I had enough experience with the car to provide an honest review of the good and bad of this vehicle.
Note: I am not a professional KZread creator so please forgive the crude editing and my often awkward and unpolished voiceover. I'm just a regular guy sharing my POV and so if you find this review of value then I would appreciate a comment and like. If not, sorry.
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
01:22 Driving & MPG
03:06 Storage, Roof, Towing
05:26 Interior, Seats, Tech, Details
10:28 Options
12:32 Overall Summary
A few things I forgot to mention in the video that are helpful to know:
- Turn off the Rear Automatic Braking (RAB) functionality if you have something in the trailer hitch such as a bike rack or the car will freak out when you put it in reverse
- The touchscreen only works with certain gloves so perhaps bring the gloves you drive in during the winter to your test drive to determine if that will be annoying for you or not
- The car interior is roomy enough to provide comfortable seating for 4 regular sized adults. Yes, it seats 5 but I do not think that 3 regular adults would be comfortable for extended trips in the back seat.
- I live in Massachusetts and so that's good to know for context of the geography I'm primarily using the car in.
- I have the following Subaru options, I forgot to mention some of them. This car came new with them already installed and so after two years of use this is my take on whether I believe they are worth it.
Cargo Net: nope
Cargo Sidewall Protector: yes (if you need it)
CD player: nope unless you really like CDs
Door cladding (exterior): maybe
Door scuff protector (interior of door): nope
Exterior Auto Dim Mirror: nope
LED map and dome lights: yes
Footwell lighting: a nice to have but I do enjoy it
License plate bracket: yes
Rear seatback protector: yes (if you need it)
Remote engine starter: nope
Splash guards: yes
Trailer hitch: yes (if you need it)
Wireless charger: nope (I REALLY dislike this option)
The very helpful Outback Forum I mentioned a few times: www.subaruoutback.org
The vinyl overlays for the orange details on vehicle exterior:
www.cruxmoto.com/product/crux...
www.cruxmoto.com/product/crux...

Пікірлер: 85

  • @lillo5353
    @lillo53533 ай бұрын

    Great job! I've watched every Subaru outback KZread video and you managed to keep it interesting.

  • @thatdadvideo

    @thatdadvideo

    3 ай бұрын

    Thank you! I had a lot of fun with it. Might have to do more. :)

  • @carmenmarcinkiewicz7149
    @carmenmarcinkiewicz71493 ай бұрын

    That is a mighty fine looking car! Im an "older" widow, and I'm in need of a new car..... im looking at Subaru, Toyota, and Honda. I appreciate videos such as yours, in trying to educate myself as much as possible. Thank you for taking the time an effort to make this!

  • @thatdadvideo

    @thatdadvideo

    3 ай бұрын

    I appreciate the kind words. Thank you and best of luck on your car shopping journey!

  • @EnsignLeeDS9
    @EnsignLeeDS92 ай бұрын

    Am shopping for a 2022 Wilderness right now, THANK YOU FOR THIS VIDEO!

  • @thatdadvideo

    @thatdadvideo

    2 ай бұрын

    @EnsignLeeDS9 You are welcome. I am so happy this video was of value. Net net, its a great and very practical vehicle. (Probably why its my 4th Suby...)

  • @timflaherty2731
    @timflaherty27313 ай бұрын

    Really liked this video. Very straight forward and informative. Currently researching different Subaru models so these types of videos definitely help narrow it down.

  • @thatdadvideo

    @thatdadvideo

    3 ай бұрын

    Thank you! I had a lot of fun making it. Glad you found it helpful.

  • @timflaherty2731

    @timflaherty2731

    3 ай бұрын

    @@thatdadvideo when you did the vinyl overlays over the yellow tow points, which shade of black did you select?

  • @thatdadvideo

    @thatdadvideo

    3 ай бұрын

    @@timflaherty2731 Avery Satin Black. I like how they came out. I did debate the finish/shade for a while!!

  • @kevinsterling8942
    @kevinsterling89423 ай бұрын

    You can very easily turn off that seatbelt alarm. All you have to do is put the car in accessory mode and push the seatbelt clip into the receiver 20 times in under 30 seconds. This will turn off that alarm.

  • @thatdadvideo

    @thatdadvideo

    3 ай бұрын

    thx!! will try that

  • @cschuetta

    @cschuetta

    Ай бұрын

    Yes this works but the back seats still chime

  • @tlee5723
    @tlee572314 күн бұрын

    Great review! Your videos make reviews interesting to watch!

  • @thatdadvideo

    @thatdadvideo

    13 күн бұрын

    I appreciate that! Thx

  • @davidmorgan9138
    @davidmorgan91382 ай бұрын

    Terrific review! Thanks

  • @thatdadvideo

    @thatdadvideo

    2 ай бұрын

    Thanks for watching!

  • @lisamesicek9243
    @lisamesicek92433 ай бұрын

    Great insights! Thanks for sharing your experiences

  • @thatdadvideo

    @thatdadvideo

    3 ай бұрын

    Glad you enjoyed it!

  • @user-eo4eq4dc5z

    @user-eo4eq4dc5z

    3 ай бұрын

    Beautiful car love the color and the taco sticker ❤❤❤

  • @PreppySunset
    @PreppySunset3 ай бұрын

    Love it great job 👏 😊

  • @thatdadvideo

    @thatdadvideo

    3 ай бұрын

    Thank you! 😊

  • @michaelbrown4613
    @michaelbrown46133 ай бұрын

    You can turn the chime off for seat belts! The dealer will do it for you … I forget the ridiculous formula, but it’s something like (with my 2021 Crosstrek Premium trim that has regular key) 1. Sit it driver seat 2. Set key to aux 3. Insert, detach, insert the driver seat belt 20x (I know🙈) in less than 30 seconds. Done. The chime leaves you alone! When you get a new battery you will have to do this again.

  • @thatdadvideo

    @thatdadvideo

    3 ай бұрын

    Thx - will try it out!

  • @JackHumphrey

    @JackHumphrey

    2 ай бұрын

    You can also try: 0 X X up down down left r1 r1 x 0 x

  • @thatdadvideo

    @thatdadvideo

    2 ай бұрын

    😂

  • @kjj_photos

    @kjj_photos

    2 күн бұрын

    This sounds like one of those rumors kids tell each other on the playground about video game cheat codes lol Thanks for the tip, I'm going to try it in my Subaru soon.

  • @markdamon77
    @markdamon773 ай бұрын

    Traded up from a 23 to a 24. Love the heated steering wheel and HK stereo. My 2023 had a faulty Eye-Sight

  • @thatdadvideo

    @thatdadvideo

    3 ай бұрын

    nice!!

  • @danielzapora6456
    @danielzapora64562 ай бұрын

    great ! long term real user review

  • @thatdadvideo

    @thatdadvideo

    2 ай бұрын

    thanks!

  • @user-eo4eq4dc5z
    @user-eo4eq4dc5z3 ай бұрын

    Love it!!!❤❤❤

  • @thatdadvideo

    @thatdadvideo

    3 ай бұрын

    Thanks!!

  • @du3223
    @du32232 ай бұрын

    Great review. I have a 2023 OBW. I pretty much have had the same experience as you. I also blacked out the copper but the film on my roof rails bubbled after the summer heat. I’ve had the wireless charger replaced twice and it still does nothing but heat up the phone. I have two issues that concern me long term. First, the paint is very delicate. It’s like it was painted with a sharpie. Second, I’ve had to replace the sway bar bushings twice. First time it had just 700km on the clock and the second time it was at 15,000km less than a year later. It’s otherwise a great all round vehicle. I’ve had it on a road trip to Newfoundland, it takes me wherever I need to go for my volunteer gig on a search and rescue team and it’s been awesome through two Canadian winters.

  • @thatdadvideo

    @thatdadvideo

    2 ай бұрын

    Thanks for sharing. Unfortunate on the sway bar bushings. Bizarre. Hoping you have moved past any additional issues!

  • @kjj_photos
    @kjj_photos2 күн бұрын

    I have a 2023 Outback Wilderness and the Infotainment screen is my least favorite feature. I wish the climate control functions had physical buttons since the touch screen can be laggy and slow when the car first starts. (The safety disclaimer that shows up on the screen blocks out the climate controls and the slowness makes it hard to dismiss so the climate controls can be used). Sometimes the wireless Android Auto won't connect and I have to use the USB cable but I don't know if that's a problem with the car or my phone. The seatbelt chime is annoying, especially when I just want to move the vehicle to another spot in my driveway or yard real quick. Otherwise, I love everything about the car. I've taken it on 13 hour road trips and was super comfortable the whole time. I've taken it up rough forestry service roads in Colorado and it had no problem. I can't wait to take it out on some more challenging roads/trails but there aren't any publicly accessible ones near me. The best I can do are some rough Missouri backroads which my old sedan could handle just fine so I don't really get to push my outback to the limit. I'm 5'11" and can sleep comfortably in the back with the seats folded down. If I move the front passenger seat all the way forward, I can fit 7 ft boards in the car without needing them to go between the two front seats. I've pulled utility trailers to move furniture with it too. Overall, I agree with everything in this video and I am glad I purchased the OBW.

  • @thatdadvideo

    @thatdadvideo

    17 сағат бұрын

    appreciate the comment!

  • @anthonyng3014
    @anthonyng30143 ай бұрын

    The non-permanent seatbelt chime disable only works for the front 2 seats. If you try the 20 in 30 seconds method, make sure you keep trying if the first time fails because I did it identically three times with a timer and it only took hold after the 3rd. They also come back on after a head unit reset or battery disconnect. The rear seats need to be disabled through disconnecting the wires. A truly obnoxious system that Subaru implemented. When it chimes incessantly with increasing volume, it's no longer a friendly reminder. It's like I'm getting scolded by my own car. If it didn't void my warranty I would've ripped out the entire wire by now.

  • @Callmedaddy1

    @Callmedaddy1

    3 ай бұрын

    I picked up my wife’s family from the airport in Cincinnati and had to drive all the way to Lexington about 70 miles with that seatbelt chime on because the middle seat seat belt alarm. We finally found the middle seat belt on the ceiling when we got into Lexington it was the most annoying trip in the history of mankind. 😂

  • @thatdadvideo

    @thatdadvideo

    3 ай бұрын

    good info. thx! And I agree. a total fail by subaru

  • @thatdadvideo

    @thatdadvideo

    3 ай бұрын

    painful.

  • @michaelbrown4613

    @michaelbrown4613

    3 ай бұрын

    Subaru needs to add an item in their menu so you can adjust the volume and frequency of the chime … I’d prefer that to the disable … but I disabled mine too.

  • @ElberGalarga22

    @ElberGalarga22

    2 ай бұрын

    Why not just plug in the seat so that ur back rests on it full time and leave it that way to avoid chimes? Will that not work?

  • @randydinglehopper62
    @randydinglehopper622 ай бұрын

    thank you. this content is the good part of youtube, thank you for making and sharing this. not jazzed about the touch screen. eh.

  • @thatdadvideo

    @thatdadvideo

    2 ай бұрын

    you are welcome. regarding the touch screen - I really wish it was a combo of buttons for climate control and then screen for nav/etc. oh well. first world problems! :)

  • @georgesayago9090
    @georgesayago90902 ай бұрын

    thanks for all the information. can you tell me witch THULE bars you install on the car. Thanks

  • @thatdadvideo

    @thatdadvideo

    2 ай бұрын

    Thule AeroBlade Edge. www.thule.com/en-us/roof-rack/roof-racks-and-accessories/thule-aeroblade-edge-7503b-_-7503b You need one Med size and one Lrg size.

  • @BusterKitten
    @BusterKitten3 ай бұрын

    got the '22 Outback Limited, and love it but I wish I would have bought the wilderness... just because it looks cooler.

  • @thatdadvideo

    @thatdadvideo

    3 ай бұрын

    that's a very nice vehicle as well!

  • @K03sport
    @K03sport3 ай бұрын

    do you know if the wireless charger has its own fuse? can you pull it so it doesn't charge a phone but can still be used to store/place a phone?

  • @thatdadvideo

    @thatdadvideo

    3 ай бұрын

    I do not know, it probably does. I'll investigate. good idea .thx!

  • @teresasquibb8002

    @teresasquibb8002

    3 ай бұрын

    I just put my phone in upside down and it doesn’t charge

  • @thatdadvideo

    @thatdadvideo

    3 ай бұрын

    great idea!

  • @joker2100
    @joker21003 ай бұрын

    How do you get the AVH on the bottom home bar? My software is up to date.

  • @thatdadvideo

    @thatdadvideo

    3 ай бұрын

    When the dealer updated my software the AVH was added to the home screen. The software version I now have is: f51xhm141-480. I'm not sure how else to add it. It may be tied to the software version type. It's worth asking your dealer

  • @_c3zar19_
    @_c3zar19_3 ай бұрын

    Would you please share the part number for the roof rack Thule.

  • @thatdadvideo

    @thatdadvideo

    3 ай бұрын

    www.thule.com/en-us/roof-rack/roof-racks-and-accessories/thule-aeroblade-edge-7503b-_-7503b You need one Med size and one Lrg size.

  • @paultunison1606
    @paultunison16063 ай бұрын

    What did you use to blackout the bumper trim?

  • @thatdadvideo

    @thatdadvideo

    3 ай бұрын

    Vinyl decals from Crux motorsports. I put the links in the video description.

  • @arthuryovino2289
    @arthuryovino22893 ай бұрын

    What octane gas do you use ?

  • @thatdadvideo

    @thatdadvideo

    3 ай бұрын

    Regular. 87

  • @fishingandflyingwithtolley459
    @fishingandflyingwithtolley4593 ай бұрын

    I am getting 26.6 mpg on a 2024 outback wilderness

  • @thatdadvideo

    @thatdadvideo

    3 ай бұрын

    wow! very impressive. where are you located? I ask as I'm curious if geography plays a big role in mpg

  • @Booster6969
    @Booster69693 ай бұрын

    Can you give me the specs on the cross bars? Are they the same size front and back? I’m looking at the exact same ones because they are low profile and don’t stick out like the Thule Aero bars. I’ve seen some comments that touch should get different sizes front and back

  • @thatdadvideo

    @thatdadvideo

    3 ай бұрын

    Hi! Thule AeroBlade Edge. You are correct, 2 different sizes required. Med and Large. See link. www.thule.com/en-us/roof-rack/roof-racks-and-accessories/thule-aeroblade-edge-7503b-_-7503b

  • @Booster6969

    @Booster6969

    3 ай бұрын

    @@thatdadvideothanks for the reply. That’s what I thought on the sizes. Thanks for confirming. I’m guessing the large is on the back and medium towards the front?

  • @thatdadvideo

    @thatdadvideo

    3 ай бұрын

    @@Booster6969 I believe I used the 7503 bar for the front (longer) and the 7502 bar for the rear

  • @o2tank046
    @o2tank046Күн бұрын

    Which vehicle would you buy now?

  • @thatdadvideo

    @thatdadvideo

    17 сағат бұрын

    Probably the Onyx XT. Lots of the same features I enjoy with the Wilderness but better MPG.

  • @yousufmirza1853
    @yousufmirza18532 ай бұрын

    In two years how many miles you have

  • @thatdadvideo

    @thatdadvideo

    2 ай бұрын

    19,000

  • @suespony
    @suespony10 күн бұрын

    Considered the wilderness model, but the gas mileage is not good enough. Just ordered a 2025 limited edition outback

  • @thatdadvideo

    @thatdadvideo

    9 күн бұрын

    That’s a very nice vehicle - enjoy!

  • @oxirosmusic
    @oxirosmusicАй бұрын

    I get 17mpg city driving

  • @seppopeuranen345
    @seppopeuranen3452 ай бұрын

    OR, you can just wear the seatbelt. It is a safety feature if you didn't know.

  • @thatdadvideo

    @thatdadvideo

    2 ай бұрын

    100%! But think about when you put an item on back seat, or the moments between turning on car and before you click your seatbelt on, etc. My point is that the chime is a bit much.

  • @masquetrofo7358
    @masquetrofo73583 ай бұрын

    With 6rel manual trasmission it would be my car. @subaru 😂

  • @thatdadvideo

    @thatdadvideo

    3 ай бұрын

    I'm with you - I so so so wish it was a MT. My first outback was and I really enjoyed it

  • @cbxxb4841
    @cbxxb48413 ай бұрын

    The first 1:20 minutes of this is a waste of my time. Producers, please respect our time.

  • @thatdadvideo

    @thatdadvideo

    3 ай бұрын

    Appreciate the feedback - I'm new to creating videos on KZread and so still learning.

  • @du3223

    @du3223

    2 ай бұрын

    Didn’t even notice. People need to relax and show so e restraint in their critical comments.

  • @macloveemail
    @macloveemail2 ай бұрын

    Dam 21mpg? What's the point? I don't want to hear any more about Subie's getting good mpg. Good review tho.

  • @thatdadvideo

    @thatdadvideo

    2 ай бұрын

    I believe most other Outbacks that have regular road tires fair better with MPG around 26. Thx for the note!!

  • @macloveemail

    @macloveemail

    2 ай бұрын

    @@thatdadvideo reg outback’s are rated at 32mpg highway. The Wilderness is rated at 25-26mpg highway. At 21 mpg you might as well get more off-road capability with a 16-20mpg wrangler or 4Runner.