Any SUV's comparable to a Taco?

My 07 Outback would get similar mileage on the highway (high 20's low 30's) and 22'ish in the city. My Tacoma might get up to 22 on the highway, . . . . . on a good day, . . . . . . . down hill, . . . . . with a tail wind. I've paid zero attention to the Grand Cherokee ever since it went to an IFS front suspension. But to hear it and the Outback have similar off-road capabilities is a sad statement. My Outback was all but worthless off road. It doesn't have a locking center differential, so if the road gets even a little bit difficult all the power goes to the one wheel without traction. The Tacoma goes up trails in 2wd that would stop the outback dead in its tracks.

 

Isnt this a bit redundant, and kinda saying the same thing twice?

 

So your running a Prerunner I assume? I get 28 mpg withy 2012 Outback in mixed driving, 30-31 mpg highway. I get 18/20 with my DCSB 4x4 taco.

 

I agree with you somewhat, our 4th gen Outback while not as nice looking as the 3rd got a bump in suspension travel and clearance over the previous gen. I have "wheeled" it once or twice on the trails near by, which during certain times of year are more suited for Jeeps, Tacoma's and XTerras and would be dificult or impossible for CUV's with AWD.

Truthfully I've never been stuck in the wife's Outback, it is amazing in snow, sand and mud (rocks, deep rutted areas and crawling are not its thing ) I actually got my '13 F-150, FX4 stuck in mud up to the pinch weld (with the locker on) that my much lighter Outback easily drove right through. I thought it would be no problem for an FX4, but the weight compared to the Outback sank it in short order. Actually pulled said FX4 free with the Outback.

Given the chance, in a blizzard I would probably take the Outback 9/10's, just because how carefree and uneventful it makes driving in those conditions. I've got a laundry list of things that annoy me about the car, and that I would change if I designed it, but it's off-road ability and snow capabilities are not one of them.

Also as far as the Outback goes, compared to a Jeep Grand Cherokee, there is a YouTube video out there showing a couple of guys out in a muddy field/trail with a 2nd gen Outback and current body style Grand Cherokee. There's two points in the video where the JGC get stuck, then shows the Outback easily driving through and around the stuck jeep.

 

I totally agree with this. I also had an '07, and it was an exceptional vehicle.

For it's size and shape, it's incredibly nimble, and I got better MPG with it than any Taco that I ever had, with the exception of my '98 regular cab, manual, four banger.

 

4runner.

 

In the winter here in Maine the vehicles that are off the road are SUV's and Subaru's very seldom I see pickup's on their side. Maybe that's because the pickups have been around long enough that they have figured out how to drive them. No thanks I'll keep my truck.

 

I love my wife's 5th gen T4R. I think it handles better in snow than my tacoma. Probably because of all the additional weight over the rear wheels. It's also very comfy, had good power and I love the space. Right now according to the display its averaging 19.8 mpg. And that's with her driving like a bat out of hell most of the time. Not too bad for a body on frame brick on wheels.

Despite what people say, the atrac is nice and I/she used it multiple times last winter just to get out of our driveway/neighborhood. I love my tacoma, but the 5th gen 4runner is really a great all around vehicle. It's comfortable, gets decent mpg, has the space for our infant and 120lb dog. It also doesn't wallow around the road like many other full sized suv's, it rides like a truck.

Just my .02, but for an all around vehicle it's really a good choice imo.

 

Outbacks are great. I had two...an '04 and an '08, both with the H6 engine.
Very reliable, goes places a lifted AWD wagon has no business going, and mine were loaded with options. Heated everything, two sunroofs, wiper deicers.

The CR-V's big shortcoming is the joke of an AWD system. It's fully front wheel drive above a certain speed and otherwise only engages the rear AFTER it slips. I have heard they improved it in the newest model year or two, but I'd still have my doubts. Acura's AWD system on the other hand is not bad.

My last Subaru had 45%:55% F:R power distribution under normal conditions with a mechanical rear LSD. None of that waiting to spin before the back gets power nonsense. Subaru's really the only automaker that can compete with Audi's Quattro, and both of them are really considered the benchmark for an AWD system.

All of the newest Outbacks have timing chains (with the new FB engine), and the H6 has always been a chain. Still an interference engine, but no required replacement and I have never heard of a chain going on an H6.

Typically the only thing that will damage a Subaru AWD system is neglect such as running mismatched tires, running the diffs or transmission dry, etc. My parents and sister all have Subarus, ranging up to 260,000 miles and everything works flawlessly.

 

Audi Allroad

Will go almost anywhere, has height adjustable air suspension, and has a 4.2 liter V8.

 

4Runner for sure.

I just really don't see a subie working as well offroad.

Subies might be a bit better in snow but it's always subies/jeeps in ditches around here when it does snow lol. Just because you can accelerate faster doesn't mean you can stop faster than anyone else.

 

that's funny, because when I was up in Alaska, everyone ran a Subura, on snow tires, in the winter (unplowed, but packed, roads).

then again, it could be b/c gas is like $6/gal up there.

 

Always had a soft spot for AllRoads. Don't want the maintenance costs that come with an Audi once it gets up there in mileage, though!

http://www.cartalk.com/content/subris-some-drivers

 

Those were nice when they were new, but no way would I want to subject myself to the maintenance cost and frequency of this car. 2.7T turbo catastrophic failure is not a matter of if, but when and get ready to clean out your 401K to repair it.

There is also something that is required on the 4.2 V8 (Timing chain, tensioner guides IIRC???) that when it fails, the motor needs to be pulled and such. But not going to lie, always loved the exhaust note from that engine on the B7 S4.

I will take a Subaru every day of the week over an All-Road.

 

In the same category: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AMC_Eagle

I always thought those were so cool. Fake wood sides and all. Even cooler would be one with the ultra-rare diesel in it.

 

Don't blame the car, blame the Nutjob behind the wheel, that thinks just because it's AWD/ 4WD they can still go as fast as if it were dry pavement. This applies to any vehicle.

 

the new jeep cherokee

 

Yeah but I think the hive mind that Subies have tends to make people over confident. Hearing people circle jerk about how amazing subies are in snow would make people who don't know any better drive faster. Same thing with jeeps.

One girl I know is convinced she could go farther up trails than anything other than other jeeps with her 2wd with bald ass tires highway tires

 

4runner