I think you guys forget that
I think you guys forget that the 3.6 is a much smoother engine, I sat in a brand new outback with the 2.4 and it felt like it was gonna vibrate itself apart. the 3.6 is perfectly balanced and will be more reliable since it isn't boosted, larger displacement with more cylinders will always be more reliable. It's quieter, smoother, sounds much nicer. it made the car feel more expensive than it really was. they should've continued the 6 and worked to improve it and had the 2.4 as an option but kept the 6 for the high-level trims.