Why Subaru Is Applauding VW Now Before The New Outback Arrives

Why didn't Volkswagen figure out how to market the Golf Alltrak AWD Wagon?

In 2007 I test drove the SportWagen against the Outback, CX-5, and some other competing SUVs/Wagons, but the Alltrack wasn't out yet. I liked the SportWagen a bit more than the Outback because it felt more like a fun, small car. But the Outback ultimately won because it seemed like it would be more reliable and because I wasn't sure that the VW would carry as much as I needed.

I don't know if it was badly marketed or just aimed at a market segment that didn't really exist in the US where gas is relatively cheap and the roads are a bit more spacious. I tried the Tiguan too but I didn't really enjoy driving it.

When VW decided to move the SportWagen from Jetta to Golf, it seemed like a natural move. However, VW's marketing folks did what they like to do best, stick with the vehicle to sell itself. Look at the Atlas and the Tiguan (3-row) and you will see lots of dollars being put into the issue. However, if you were to look at the updated and moved SportWagen, you would see little in the way of advertising or promotion. To VW, apparently, with its top-down marketing strategy, if the downlist cars didn't support themselves, they didn't get any added money. In other times, it was a good strategy, but, when VW ran across the U.S. market in any seriousness they didn't know how to market here and they didn't know what to do about nice vehicles like the SportWagen (even the Arteon top-of-the-line-model doesn't get much). VW did try and still tries its top-down approach, but when it hits the North American continent, they just don't know what to do. It is a good strategy in So. Africa where they are big sellers, but with the amount of compeititon here, they should be leaving it to the U.S. marketing machine which does know how to market that's why Tiguan (3-row) and Atlas are selling reasonably. I dread what happens if Wolfsburg takes over the marketing of a reported two-row -- and possible pickup -- model. If it does its usual top-down-hands-off thing, it will be, next model. The only sticker in this might be if Ford takes over marketing and development of models here. Frankly, I don't see the I.D. series of vehicles, no matter how retro and cute they are, doing much, either.

Virtually no competition? Are you kidding? The Buick Regal TourX is going to continue to give the Outbacks a serious run for their money

You seem to be forgetting the mothership of the wagons...Volvo.

I honestly believe that much of the Subaru "allure" is a certain group of buyers who are enamored with the brand and anything they market. While I don't doubt there is a sizable group of outsiders who cross the line regularly, the core group are proud to show their badges of how many they've owned, 3, 4, 5 and more. There are entire families that all drive a Subaru and only a Subaru. I've always been enamored over them since way back to the Subaru 360, although my first and probably only Subie was an '11 Outback we purchased new as a "last car" for out retirement. It currently has 102,000 miles on it and is going strong. I have no reason to get another vehicle, at least no in the foreseeable future. If I do, it's likely going to be another Subaru, of that I am certain.

Nothing against it but the outback isn't really a wagon, sure it used to be but it's virtually indistinguishable from a crossover these days.

I own an alltrack and I'd go so far as to say that vw could have done better had they offered the larger Passat version. After almost two years with it, I feel the pull towards a Volvo or allroad.

In terms of size, their competitor is the Forester, not the Outback.

Up to this moment in our time, I have been a very satisfied owner of a 2009 VW Jetta Sportswagon. What a special, utilitarian vehicle! We've made a number of moves in it, hauled 10 foot lumber, and transported people with groceries each and every month. Until VW Corporate realizes that there has been a big market, in the United States, for the European models, I think that my next car will be a Subaru. Corporate sales people, planners, financial specialists, CEO's, and investors seem to ever change. Car enthusiasts and driver's expectations remain fairly consistent throughout time. I'm 63.5 years old..VW, thanks for a good run.

Was very impressed with the handling of the VW Alltrac. In my humble opinion, more than held it's own compared to my 2019 Outback..On that note, the Outback' sengine sounded almost like my 2004 Forester along with the wind noise from the front windows.. Looking forward to major advances in the 2020 Outback .

I own a 2015 SportWagen SEL and love it. Would have liked to get an Alltrack but it wasn't available til 2016; needed car in 2015! Of course sales have fallen; it's design is exactly the same in 2019 as it was in 2015! I think a fresh design in 2020 would have helped immensely. And as others mentioned, support it with advertising. The SUV-CUV craze hasn't helped matters but Subaru seems to make it work. I see a new compact CUV, Tarek, will be coming out to help fill the void of the SportWagen and Alltrack in the USA as it will be pretty much the same size and also built on the MQB platform with slightly higher ground clearance. The difference? It will be highly pushed and advertised as an SUV-CUV. Because of that and its newness, people will automatically love it and flock to it, VW hopes. It might be my only choice. At least VW still designs vehicles in good taste, not like the Japanese monster mobiles. Just hope VW doesn't cheapen the interiors. Most people riding in my car can't believe it's a VW Golf, more Audi-like.