The 2 Features You Wish Your New Subaru Had But Doesn’t

My wife’s 21 Outback Touring XT has a heated steering wheel. Some Subaru pencil pusher who obviously doesn’t live in a cold climate area decided to only heat parts of the steering wheel. What driver always keeps their in only one position when driving?

Not a fan of the heads up display concept. I’ve driven an Audi RS-5 with it and found it distracting. Two things Subaru needs to do; the first is easy; incorporate the ability to add and save a second set of tires/wheels to the TPS monitoring system for winter wheel changeover. And also n a related note, 2) get rid of the channel behind the spokes on the stock WRX wheels that traps an inordinate amount of mud and pebbles and puts the car out of balance.

I think the Forester needs a 250 hp engine.

I'd suggest 2 different features that my 2019 Forester Sport does not have.

1) Being in Phoenix, the heated steering wheel is of no use. I'd like A/C seats.
2) A louder blinker or a blinker "on" warning after a set amount of time. It's way too quiet. I had a blinker reminder (much like the seat belt warning) on an old Pontiac that worked well.

I have a 2020 Forester Limited that has a heated steering wheel. In fact, that was the one thing I requested when I was looking at them. I absolutely love having that feature!!!

Heated steering wheel, automatic wipers

The subaru legacy has heated steering wheel on 23+ sport and Limited trims.

Just bought a 2024 Crosstrek, love it so far, the one feature I wish it had was an automatic open/close rear lift gate. I know it’s available on the Outback.

Definitely! I own an Outback and wish it had a heated steering wheel. Heads Up would be nice.

Our 2023 Subaru Forester Limited has a heated steering wheel.

Yes,to heated steering wheel.
Better,Blu tooth quality
Automatic starter ( warm up car in the winter)

My Forester has a heated steering wheel.
The heads up display has always seemed like a gimmick to me. Even so, the dash screen is basically this.

Crosstrek and foresters need:
1. Driver's seats that raise higher for short drivers.
2. Heated steering wheels
3. HUD

Crosstreks and Forester should have a 360 view for safety purposes.

OT: Rewire or program garage door switch with ignition switch in on position. If doors are unlocked, switch can be activated to open garage door.

The display in my new 2024 Outback is masterfully designed, highly visible and presents the exact info I need without moving my eyes far from the road, so IMHO the Outback doesn't need a Head Up Display. And I do love HUDs where they ARE needed. I modded and added an HUD to my previous RAV4 because the speedometer was 1) analog and 2) hard to read. Also I recently rented a BMW 40i ($150k!) which had a HUD but wastefully showed the same info in 3 different places.

I think the Crosstreks need a trunk rear end lift/shut and they need to revert back to adjustable headrest that adjust forward and backwards. The new Crosstrek headrest that stay in the same place are extremely uncomfortable.

I purchased a 2023 Subaru Crosstrek Limited that had heated steering wheel but what the dealer deliver to me was a different car without that feature among others. I was in desperate need of a car so I had to take it. For me, I need an automatic closure of the back door. None of the Crosstrek have it and I have great difficulty closing it because I am so short. I also would love to have a lumbar support seat but that is also something they don't do on the Crosstrek. No doubt that I will not buy another one.

I have a 2023 OB touring XT…obviously I love all of Subaru’s safety features now with the 3rd eyesight camera. I would trade in my 2023 for one with a built in “dash cam”. Subaru has a think tank who listen to suggestions from their owners.

Yes, I think Subaru should have these features available. Case in point, these features add more value to the vehicle and second, Subaru can outsource both of them from their business partner, Toyota or maybe even Lexus.

Automatic wipers. I rented in Europe in 2003 a low-end subcompact Renault that had automatic wipers. How is it that a high-end Outback in 2022 still doesn't have them?

I live in the NE corridor of the USA and it gets cold, frosty, and snowy, hot and himid. I think the heated steering wheel is a waste. The tech offer many other heat and climate options. I do wish it offered a navigation system that reflected onto the HUD, this would keep me safe as I'm often looking away at my GPS to view directions. I also wish that the Forester offered the hands free rear gate just by placing your hand near the rear gains lock, like the Outback does. I need all my feet on the ground to minimize falling as I age. You have to use your foot then quickly place your foot back on the ground to then quickly move out of the path of the gait. I also wish that the Outback or the Forester offered better color mixes for the interior of the car. I don't want to purchase a dark car with a dark interior. The black interiors attracts heat, since there are many climate control tech in the car why does Subaru have nature working against the tech that they engineered it to be climate comfortable, they are opposing forces. Meaning the ivory or the Java brown should be available in all the upper trims of the Forester and Outback, (i wouldnt mind waiting longer nor paying a little more). Colors are important, they affect the mood and comfort leading to a more pleasant experience and may hinder road rage. The color choices are a deal breaker for me. The lack of the navigation in the HUD has made it easier for me to look away from subaru, unfortunately. I wish that I could customize the outback to pay for how I like it, instead of paying for how subaru says we should pay.

I think HUD should be included on all models and trims. It’s a safety feature that helps keep your eyes on the road. I use mine a lot in my current non Subaru car. Get with it Subaru! Safety first!