Should I get a Subaru Outback as my next vehicle?

I hope to use the Avalon for as long as possible. And hopefully by the time it dies used car prices go back to normal.

But what if the Avalon were totaled tomorrow (and I survive)?

In trying to find a car I like it seems that the Subaru Outback is as close as I can find to what I want. Things that are important to me are:

1. Spare tire.
2. Fuel mileage.
3. Safety (the Outback is on the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ list and has a 5 star rating with NHTSA).
4. Can pass the Moose Test.
5. Passenger room (mainly leg room, not head room).
6. Not a RWD (I'd prefer FWD).
7. Towing capacity (or it has to be a pickup).
8. Cargo room. (I like the station wagon style over the CUV style).

The RAV4 Prime came close, but is way more expensive. And last I checked, it wasn't on the IIHS's Top Safety Picks and had a 4 star crash rating. It also lost control in the Moose Test.

Another vehicle in mind is the Ford Maverick, which may get better fuel mileage. I don't need the AWD aspect of the Outback. I did fine today towing around my trailer with a snowblower on it in my Avalon in 8" of fresh snow.

Any other good candidates out there?

 

A station wagon should be shorter but longer. Basically it's a sedan or hatchback, but with a really long hatchback, whereas a CUV is taller and shorter, or more Jeep-like if you will.

But the idea of a shorter, yet longer vehicle has the following advantages (at least in my mind):

1. Lower center of gravity.
2. Better aerodynamics.
3. Easier to reach the roof (for both cleaning of snow or adding a cargo carrier if need be).
4. May have more leg room at expense of head room.

Historically the station wagon was the better option, and still would be if they were still offered. Take Mazda for an example. When they ditched the Mazda 6 Wagon for the CX-5 the CX-5 had less passenger room, less cargo room, less power, got worse fuel mileage, yet cost more than the 6 Wagon. Taller is worse in my opinion for all these reasons.

Ya, price is a problem for me too. I got a $10,000 5-year loan with the used Avalon. The Outback is three times that. Ouch!

 

What do you mean? What I can find says the Subaru Outback can, or at least did, at speeds up to 70kph. Others cars either do or don't.

That's good to know. It looks like the CX-5 has some of the best crash ratings in it's class and passes the moose test. It looks like it has a tow rating and comes with a spare tire too. It is also a bit cheaper.
Sadly, it looks like it has worse fuel mileage than the Subaru. Again, which is why I dislike tall-for-no-reason vehicles.

Out Of 20 SUVs, Only The 2021 Mazda CX-5 Passed This New Crash Test (goflatoutph.com)

As I said before, too bad they nixed the Mazda 6 Wagon. It looks like even the Mazda 6 Sedan is no longer available. Oh well, what's dead is dead.

Thanks all for the comments! Every last one of them is helpful!

 

Thanks!

For me AWD is nice but not needed. I towed around a trailer with a snow blower on it this weekend in my FWD Avalon in 8 inches of snow. I almost needed chains, but ended up getting around just fine with the snow tires on it.

If I could get a vehicle like the Subaru for $5,000 less with only FWD and just use chains when needed I'd be perfectly happy. But the Subaru doesn't come in a FWD version, so I'll just have to use chains less often, except when I go over passes. If I would use chains on a highway in a 2WD I will use them in an AWD regardless of how good the AWD system is. AWD doesn't help stop the vehicle coming down a steep mountain pass on slippery roads.

True, and it has excelent fuel mileage being a hybrid. But it doesn't come with a spare tire nor can I find a tow rating for it.

 

Ya, the reason for asking about towing capacity isn't because it's imossible to tow without, but rather I wouldn't want to do something that might invalidate the warranty nor do I like aftermarket tow hitches that drag down on the ground. I also would like to be able to rent a Uhaul trailer from time to time, but they won't rent you one if your car isn't rated for towing. At least I don't thing they will.

My Avalon is not rated for towing, yet I do have a tow hitch on it. But it was used without any kind of a warranty. I also had to weld up a custom made one so it would come out flush with the bottom of the vehicle, not dip down like an aftermarket one would.

Does the spare tire fit in the car where it doesn't take up valueable space? I could throw a spare tire in the back of any car. I also tend to buy a whole set of snow tires on rims for every car I get, including the Avalon. But if it's just taking up valuable trunk space I'd rather not go that route. I want it firmly attached and not take up space.

The area where I live doesn't work well without a spare tire IMO. Here it's dozens of miles between towns with very, very few houses in between. And a lot of these roads do not have cell service. The last time someone in the family called to get a tow truck it didn't come until three days later even though he had been paying for such roadside service insurance. I'd rather not rely on any roadside servies if I can help it. And once in town, the last time I got a flat tire fixed the local tire shop was so busy that it took them a whole week. So I really, really want a spare tire for all those reasons.

Let me put it this way:

If neither towing nor spare tire were that important, I'd go for a Prius Prime or maybe even a Chevy Bolt, mainly for economic reasons, but may depend on how either stacks up to safety features and tests.

If only towing weren't important I'd go for a Camry Hybrid (has a spare) which isn't much different than my Avalon and last time I looked had a 5 star crash test rating and was on the IIHS's Top Safety Pick+ list.

But if towing and spare are on the RAV4 Prime yet it's a CUV (I'd prefer something more sedan-like), doesn't do well on crash test and it costs more than I can afford, I'd probably go for something else, like the Subaru Outback that's a little more on par with what I'm after.

P.S.
My trailer has a 1,200lb GVRW / about 250lb curb weight. I'm not looking for a vehicle with excessive towing capabilities. Nothing a Corolla couldn't handle if it had a tow rating.

 

That's excellent news and puts the RAV4 on the radar!

I wonder if the rear seat leg room is any better than the last time I got into one. I guess I'll have to do some research.

The RAV4 Hybrid only gets 3 highway mpg more than the non-hybrid. I wonder if it's worth it. I don't seem to benefit much from having a hybrid Avalon around town as I seem to get only 20mpg. The town just isn't big enough as my engine is just finally warming up to temperatures that allow the engine to shut off right about the time I reach my destination. Other than that I'm on the highway with no stoplights or stop signs for dozens of miles until practically the end of the trip.

Too bad the RAV4 Prime is so much more expensive. I do need to sit down, do the math, and see if there's any way I could justify over $10,000 more for the Prime in fuel costs, but I highly doubt it.