Subaru Is 3rd Best In Customer Loyalty But Not Everyone Loves The New Outback

I have had 4 Subaru's over the years. I now own a 2011 Outback. I'm thinking about getting a new car, but the new look Subaru is last on my list even know I have loved Subaru's. I don't drive off road or backwoods, so I don't need to have a car that looks like a Jeep. No need for large wheel cladding and large plastic bumper going up the side. No need for this look when driving to the store or around town. I'll look to other car companies for my new car.

I have a 2019 Outback and the exterior looks a
lot better than the 2023. May hold on to my 2019
a little longer.

I bet Subaru hired new designers around 2018. We own a 2019 outback and love the trim yet functional look. We (our extended and large family) also own a 2021 ,with the updated bulky look, softer ride and terrible control screen but still, a noce.looking vehicle. financial strength to what was a struggling brand. It made new car selection easy but we've all recently closed the book on Outbacks and are buying and happy with the competition. The new designers want to kill the Outback. It's going to die and they will blame it on the changing demographics. Too bad. We'll miss one of the longest living automobile models on the road that brought

Don't like the nee outback look. Was lookng to get s new one nut now undecided. Don't want the moonroof either. I have a 2014 outback.

I have had 4 outbacks and loved them all. I am so thankful I just bought a 2022 model because the new 2023 is so ugly. I hate the new look and hope they get rid of it. I would not buy the new outback model.

Currently have a 2005, 2011, and a 2019. The new Outback is butt ugly. Won't consider a new one unless they change.

I love the rugged exterior. I will buy onyx trim next time I buy a new vehicle.

I have been a Subaru Outback owner since 2012.
Since 2015 we have had 2 Outbacks in our household. We change every 3 years to new OB’s.
So 15,18,20, now 23. Yes the new Out back is a little quirky with its front end. On certain Subaru websites lots of people said that Outbacks were very boring and vanilla looking. Now that they make it more rugged looking with the cladding, some people have said. To much cladding, makes it cheap looking. You cannot have it both ways. I personally like the new look! It’s different and that it’s not your everyday vehicle look that you see on all the other cats. It’s a look that you can drive in normal driving conditions. ( every day M-F)
Then also take it off road and not worry about dinging up the car. Some people don’t like the front because of to much cladding. I find it has less cladding on the front of the car. Yes a little quirky design but that’s what makes it di. People will know it’s a Subaru Outback. I was torn between the Wilderness and the Touring on my upcoming Subaru purchase. Test drove both but the deciding factor was that they may make a design change in the in the Wilderness next year since they didn’t do it this year. I also think that I purchase the Outback for its safety features. Which Subaru leads in that account in the industry.
We ordered the Touring in the Dark Mahogany along with the Autumn Green. The new generation of the Outback is not to everyone’s liking. But it does stand out against the run of the mill other brands ( Honda, Toyota that looks like a tank, Ford,VW, and Chevy). I hope the people that don’t like the new design will find their right choice in their new car. For me the new design is fine with me. Other people will know that I am driving a Subaru Outback.

I own a 2017 Outback Touring model. A more rugged appearance in the 2023 models should not be universal and offered only in the Onyx and Wilderness versions.

I’m in a 2018 Outback & am looking for a ‘23 to get me thru retirement. I had to personally look at the new grill and trim - it’s on ALL trim levels. I really dislike it! On the Wilderness ok or as an option but not standard. I’d only consider the grey metallic because it’s not obvious & it blends in. That trim destroyed the beauty of the white outback . ☹️

I just bought a brand new 2023 White Outback. I have to say I actually really love the look of it. Now, it is my first Subaru so I’m not familiar with what the older models look like. I’ve seen them, but couldn’t point out too many of the differences unless they were side by side.
I really love the car and think it’s a perfect midsize suv for what I want it for.
It’s a shame many previous owners don’t like it.

I have owned every Outback, except for latest, and watched it go from a small tall wagon to a large crossover/SUV/Truck. The reason why I won't be buying a new one is that they don't really drive well anymore. I really miss that feeling you could throw it around like a sporty car. If I wanted something that drives like a truck, I'll buy a truck.

Just bought a 2023 outback limited XT and I live the redesign! The redesign has a better look and doesn’t look like an average grandpa wagon. My car is green with black accents, maybe people think the white and black is too dramatic. Looks much better now and rides so smooth.

I was going to buy a new Outback in March, 3023 but really dislike the trim. Probably going with Honda CRV now:(

I bout my first Outback last month. Absolutely love it! It is a 2023

I'm glad I bought the 2022. I don't like the look of the 2023. I probably would not have bought it. Cladding was a bad idea.

It isn't just Subaru. Hyundai, Toyota and others are all adding cladding. Give it a couple of years and there will be a new design.

I didn’t like new black trim on the sides of the front at first but I’ve gotten used to it. I like all the other changes. The Onyx edition is my new favorite but they probably should offer a traditional plain old looking Outback for the traditional buyer. I currently have an Outback (my second Subaru) and wouldn’t hesitate getting a new 2023, especially with its safety rating. I’ve had dozens of cars (Mercedes, Porsches, Fords, Volvo, …) and I love my Subaru.

Came home from a great Cross country trip with no issues in our 2016 outback and decided to buy a new Subaru. After seeing the 2023, decided to buy a 2022 instead. Not happy with the rugged look. Also not happy with the large computer screen that is quite distracting. This is our 3rd Subaru.

I have been an Outback owner for 24 years and am very disappointed with there decisions on the exterior trim. I have always went with white and wish there was the option for the hideous trim to be the same color as the car so it wouldn't stand out so blatantly. Also dissatisfied that they took all the little cubby holes away, the one under the touch screen display is about worthless! I haven't put anything in there since I got my 2020. I like places to store things to keep the uncluttered and clean look but there are none like there used to be.
I agree with everyone on how disappointing these changes to the exterior are.
Regards,

I love the Subaru Outbacks ... had a 2010, 2015 and now a 2021 Touring XT. However, I hate the look of the 2023 Outback ... the front design is now ruined with a truly gaudy look. I personally will never buy another Outback unless they go back and create the good looks of past years.

DHM

Have owned 5 Outback’s since 2003. Do not like the extra cladding for all trim levels. Looks like overkill to me and not attractive. Buyers for premium, limited and touring levels should have choice. Save all that cladding for Wilderness trim. Will wait to see what 2024 model with change or leave Subaru after 20 years.

I picked up my new 2023 Outback Touring XT today and love the rugged look. I’m retired, in my late 70s and don’t intend to do any off road driving but feel the rugged looks reflects who I am. And, this is my 5th Subaru Outback.

Yes, I've been looking forward to replacing my current Outback, but was turned off by the styling on the 2023. Will hope they demote the designer responsible and will see what they do for 2024, or else I'll look to buy a used 2021 or 2022. Mark this thumbs down for me.

I had not expected to be getting a new car this year, but after 150,000 miles on my 2016 Outback and work needed on it that is almost half the car's remaining value, I elected to invest in a new car. I have had 2 Outbacks and was prepared to walk right back into the dealer to get my third, but I, too, was taken aback by the cladding changes, and this is coming from someone who has always intentionally added some around the wheels, etc in the past. I prefer the more consistent cladding on the front of the Wilderness but as fun as the ruggedness is, I want better gas mileage, however, I hate the cladding on the front of the other models especially where it randomly peaks around the lights. So I was ok with a darker color to help hide this, but then I found out that you can only get the StarTek seats on the Wilderness and Onyx models and neither of those have memory seats or allow for a heated steering wheel. This blew my mind! I think it is a major oversight that Subaru doesn't make the StarTek seats available on all trim levels, and who doesn't have at least memory seats on their trims above the base model today?? Basically no one. Every other car brand seems to include that standard on almost every comparable vehicle. I could let the heated steering wheel go, but between the ugly cladding, the infotainment screen that still has terrible glare, lack of memory seat in my preferred Onyx XT trim, lack of heated steering wheel, lack of even a mild hybrid option, as well as overall lack of availability of Onyx XTs and a dealership that seemed less than enthused to get my business as someone with access to a friend's and family discount, I found myself looking at other vehicles and ultimately bought a different brand. I am still shocked by it all myself, ha! I LOVE my Outbacks and would absolutely consider another one in the future, but they have to sort some things out. I fully support some of the trims catering to a more rugged look while others cater to a very urban grand-parent, but there are certain features for the price point that I expect nowadays since competitors have them, and just because someone wants a more rugged or dog friendly look and interior does not mean they want to skimp on features like memory seats and heated steering wheels. I don't agree with how Subaru designed the different trim packages and features this time around and hope that they will get back on track, but I couldn't afford to wait at this time. My heart still hurts about it even though I love my new car. I hope that they listen to their supporters.

Looks like Subaru did a little cost cutting with their design team. They must have hired the same people who designed the ugly and failed Pontiac Aztec back in the day. Didn't think anyone would purposely try and go in that direction again.

I have had three Outbacks, 2010, 14, 20, but was turned off by the body style of the 2023. I will wait for redesign before purchasing, or get a 2022 used one. The rugged look should be left to the wilderness.

Hate the new plastic fascia / cladding on the 2023 Outback. The one Australia gets is beautiful. The US Outback design team looks like they are in a race to develop the ugliest car in the world. I want to congratulate them. They are succeeding.