Gabika grew attached to her new 2024 Subaru Outback. After numerous climbing trips, sleeping in the back, and exploring roads she could never access with her Prius, it was more than a car; it was her best friend. And then the horrific accident happened.
Follow us today...
Gabika loved her new 2024 Subaru Outback.
Imagine getting a new 2024 Subaru Outback as a gift from your grandparents, taking the all-wheel-drive SUV off-road where you've never been before. Your new car takes you places your old Toyota Prius could never go.
You can go camping, hiking, and exploring places you've never been. You take trips to secluded mountain lakes with your friends. Life has never been so good.
It's your dream life for one year. Then it comes crashing down.
This is Gabika's incredible story.
"Last year, my grandparents told me they would be gifting my sister and me our inheritance money early, in the form of a brand-new car for us both. I was initially hesitant, being quite attached to my old Prius, but soon, when looking at car options, I became quite excited."
"I decided on a 2024 Subaru Outback Premium in the color brilliant bronze. I was so excited to pick it up from the dealer. Driving it home for the first time last October, I imagined myself 20 years from then driving the same car, and I was excited about the memories I would be making."
"That next weekend, I took my friends to a nearby mountain lake- Switzer lake, on her first adventure on a real dirt road. After that, I named her Switz. Switz the Subie took me to many places in our year together, countless climbing trips, nights spent cozily sleeping in the back, and explorations on roads I could never access with my Prius."
"Last week, I traveled 2 hours south to visit my parents after a week-long camping trip. As always, when visiting home, my dad helped me deep clean my car and even washed the outside, which was so dusty. I had a great visit, and my mom always enjoyed driving my car, commenting on how smooth and sturdy it felt to drive."
Gabika never expected what happened next.
"On the drive back up north to my apartment, Switz saved my life. The highway traffic was becoming congested, and the car in front of me slowed down rapidly to a stop, and both Switz and I slammed the brakes not to hit the car in front."
It's important to note that Subaru's EyeSight driver assist safety technology took over and automatically applied the brakes even before Gabika hit the brakes. The accident could have been much worse. Check my report here for additional information.
Gabika continues, "I sighed half a sigh of relief before a huge crash rang through my car, and what felt like an instant later, I was lying on my side with only the airbag and broken window between me and the pavement."
"The car behind didn't realize the traffic had slowed, hit me at some high speed, and flipped my car at least 1.5 times. I screamed l because of my immediate anguish in losing my car I loved so much."
"I literally screamed first for the loss of my car, not even my own fear or harm. I crawled out the trunk of my car completely unscathed, my Subaru a different story."
"I can't believe that I came out of that crash without as much as a bruise to show, but damn, does that show how safe of a car Subaru makes. I am so grateful to come out okay and know that even if it won't be Switz, I'll be a Subaru owner for life."
"Thank you, Subaru, for making such amazing cars that open up so many great and fun opportunities and that prioritize the people inside, keeping them so safe."
Conclusion:
Starting with Gabika's 2024 model year Outback, every new Subaru comes with EyeSight driver assist safety technology as standard equipment. You don't pay extra for it.
How good is EyeSight driver assist safety technology, and why did Gabika need it?
The new generation EyeSight includes forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control with complete stop, lane departure warning, lead vehicle start alert, rear vehicle detection, blind-spot detection, lane change assist, and a rear cross-traffic alert.
Bicycles And Pedestrians Are Safer
Because many accidents with bicycles and pedestrians occur around an intersection, the new vision sensor will help detect children and bicycles entering the road suddenly from the side and automatically apply the brakes.
Subaru's EyeSight driver assist system processes the recognized information and first alerts the driver. Then, it applies brakes to avoid collisions with crossing bicycles and pedestrians when necessary. In case of an accident, the system helps to mitigate the damage.
Subaru Corporation aims to have zero fatal road accidents among Subaru vehicle occupants and people involved in collisions with Subaru vehicles, including pedestrians and cyclists, by 2030.
Gabika walked away from a horrific crash in her new 2024 Subaru Outback. It was because of the EyeSight driver assist technology and the automaker's commitment to safety.
It's Your Turn
How much do safety features on a vehicle affect your new car buying decision? Click the red Add New Comment link below and let us know.
Check out another of my Subaru stories:
What happens when a 2014 Subaru Crosstrek slides off the road, flips three times, and hits a tree? Did the driver sustain life-threatening injuries? She should have but walked away instead. Here is Kenzi's incredible survival story.
I am Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Reporter since 2012. My 30+ year tenure in the automotive industry, initially in a consulting role with every major car brand and later as a freelance journalist test-driving new vehicles, has equipped me with a wealth of knowledge. I specialize in reporting the latest automotive news and providing expert analysis on Subaru, which you'll find here, ensuring that you, as a reader, are always well-informed and up-to-date. Follow me on my X SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.
Photo credit: Denis Flierl via Subaru USA
Follow us today...