Subaru XV Debuts

[gpshumway]

Originally Posted by HB_Dad

I was wondering the same thing! Does anyone know if this roof rack has the cool folding crossbars like the Outback has?

My dad has a 2010 Outback with the folding crossbars. I prefer "annoying" to "cool" as an adjective.

The folding bars are in a fixed location, close together, quite a way back on the vehicle, and lack fore-aft torsional rigidity. For our family two distinct problems result. Our Thule 1800 roof box interferes with the tailgate just slightly, and we now have to put guywires to the front tiedown hooks and trailer hitch when carrying kayaks. Previously on my dad's Allroad with roof rails you could place the bars far enough forward so the Thule box didn't interfere with the tailgate and you could place the more rigid crossbars far enough apart that kayaks had no need of additional support.

Friends with '05-'09 Outbacks can use them the same way my dad used his Allroad.

The rest of the world gets the regular rails on the Outback, and I think they're far superior. Sure, it's nice to have your crossbars with you all the time, but the functional cost is just too high IMHO. I'm glad to see traditional rails on the XV.

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[keepclam]

Originally Posted by gpshumway

My dad has a 2010 Outback with the folding crossbars. I prefer "annoying" to "cool" as an adjective.

The folding bars are in a fixed location, close together, quite a way back on the vehicle, and lack fore-aft torsional rigidity. For our family two distinct problems result. Our Thule 1800 roof box interferes with the tailgate just slightly, and we now have to put guywires to the front tiedown hooks and trailer hitch when carrying kayaks. Previously on my dad's Allroad with roof rails you could place the bars far enough forward so the Thule box didn't interfere with the tailgate and you could place the more rigid crossbars far enough apart that kayaks had no need of additional support.

Friends with '05-'09 Outbacks can use them the same way my dad used his Allroad.

The rest of the world gets the regular rails on the Outback, and I think they're far superior. Sure, it's nice to have your crossbars with you all the time, but the functional cost is just too high IMHO. I'm glad to see traditional rails on the XV.

They've done some work on the rack on the '13 Outback. Check it out in the '13 Outback thread.

[Lminette]

I was gonna say. The 2013 Outback has revised cross bars. The rear bar can be mounted either in the same location as 10-12 models or can be moved back to help accomodate longer items.

[fuzzbox]

Originally Posted by WLS

So what do you think of the colors? There seem to be two new oddball colors for the Outback XV. We've seen the Tangerine Orange but what is that Desert Khaki about? I havent seen it in a picture so I am not sure if it works or not. It seems to replace Sage Green and there are two Reds to choose from.

Damn. I was really hoping we were going to get that crazy bright green color.

Now I have to decide whether I want to go subdued blue or black, or whether I think I would want a tangerine car 10 years down the line...

-jason

[njwrxman21]

Originally Posted by fuzzbox

Damn. I was really hoping we were going to get that crazy bright green color.

Now I have to decide whether I want to go subdued blue or black, or whether I think I would want a tangerine car 10 years down the line...

-jason

I'm going orange. I like it. Somewhat different. Although i'm not a fan of the chrome rimmed black wheels. I want to see other wheel options or I will have those powdercoated all black.

[HB_Dad]

Originally Posted by njwrxman21

I'm going orange. I like it. Somewhat different. Although i'm not a fan of the chrome rimmed black wheels. I want to see other wheel options or I will have those powdercoated all black.

I actually really like those wheels!

[njwrxman21]

I just don't like with the orange color. Don't mind it with the other colors i've seen

[moonrider_99]

I would consider if it came with a turbo or diesel... maybe in a few years when subaru comes back to its senses...

[gpshumway]

Originally Posted by Lminette

I was gonna say. The 2013 Outback has revised cross bars. The rear bar can be mounted either in the same location as 10-12 models or can be moved back to help accomodate longer items.

But that still doesn't solve the roof box issue. The roof box problem arises because the rear bar is too close to the tailgate.

It just seems like a little pre-production testing would've identified the shortcomings in 08-09. It's not like Subaru can't afford to buy a few roof boxes, a couple of kayaks and some assorted other outdoor gear and try it out. Heck I bet the employees would bring their personal gear for experimentation. Subaru has a partnership with Yakima for Pete's sake.

The folding crossbars are a neat idea with mediocre execution IMHO. It's made doubly annoying by the fact that the big plastic "rails" make it nearly impossible to install a proper aftermarket crossbar system. At least the fixed hardpoints on the '08-11 Impreza make it relatively easy to install aftermarket crossbars.

O.K. enough whining from me...

[Shavenyak]

To be fair, though, it's not the manufacturers responsibility to design around the aftermarket.

Perhaps those were the best place to place the crossbars due to the load it places on the roof of the car? I'm sure there were many discussions that we're not privy to that played a role.

[Genrec]

Sorry if i missed it, but do we know what this may be price point wise, and opinions on if a mountain bike with the front wheel quick released off would fit inside with the seats down?

[gpshumway]

Originally Posted by Shavenyak

To be fair, though, it's not the manufacturers responsibility to design around the aftermarket.

Perhaps those were the best place to place the crossbars due to the load it places on the roof of the car? I'm sure there were many discussions that we're not privy to that played a role.

Except Subaru has a partnership with Yakima and has sold Yakima round crossbars and other accessories re-badged as their own for years.

As to the roof structure, that doesn't jive either, Outbacks outside North America get the traditional rails. Europe has quite strict regulations on the strength of roof racks, possibly the reason they don't get the folding bars.

Enough of this OT discussion though. Sorry to the other participants.

[keepclam]

Originally Posted by Genrec

Sorry if i missed it, but do we know what this may be price point wise, and opinions on if a mountain bike with the front wheel quick released off would fit inside with the seats down?

[wiretap_MD]

Drove it today at the runway!


I guess everyone has read the reviews already but I'd just like to share some small things I noticed between the Standard XV version and the Forester:

- Seats feel more supportive. No leather option for both though.
- Standard version has a factory tint for the rear windows already, ala-USDM versions. Premium version wala daw according to rep.
- Nice factory foglight beneath the rear bumper just like the GVF STI
- No push button rear seat collapse like the Forester
- Paddle shifters are nice.
- No hood support hydraulics
- Ride definitely more firm than the Forester
- Manual seat adjustments for both Standard and Premium variants.

[gpshumway]

wala daw?

[bakadayo]

Where are the reviews?

[WLS]

Originally Posted by wiretap_MD

Drove it today at the runway!


I guess everyone has read the reviews already but I'd just like to share some small things I noticed between the Standard XV version and the Forester:

- Seats feel more supportive. No leather option for both though.
- Standard version has a factory tint for the rear windows already, ala-USDM versions. Premium version wala daw according to rep.
- Nice factory foglight beneath the rear bumper just like the GVF STI
- No push button rear seat collapse like the Forester
- Paddle shifters are nice.
- No hood support hydraulics
- Ride definitely more firm than the Forester
- Manual seat adjustments for both Standard and Premium variants.

Wala daw? some Austrailian expression?

Does sound like the XV is nicer than the Forrester. Interested in a price comparison too. Actually I'm looking over the Forester as my second choice if XV's are impossible to get. I'll have to pay msrp for the XV but maybe the dealer will go under that for a Forester. Mine has half a dozen just sitting in the lot. Not as good Gas mileage but more room and a 170hp engine over the 148 XV. Just have to get me a fishing hat and jacket.

[Genrec]

Originally Posted by keepclam

Thanks

[keepclam]

Originally Posted by WLS

Wala daw? some Austrailian expression?

Does sound like the XV is nicer than the Forrester. Interested in a price comparison too. Actually I'm looking over the Forester as my second choice if XV's are impossible to get. I'll have to pay msrp for the XV but maybe the dealer will go under that for a Forester. Mine has half a dozen just sitting in the lot. Not as good Gas mileage but more room and a 170hp engine over the 148 XV. Just have to get me a fishing hat and jacket.

You won't have to pay MSRP for an XV. Call around (or better yet e-mail) before you buy! You should even be able to order one exactly how you want it for a nice discount, if you don't want to buy whatever's on the lot.

[sir_wagon]

The cargo area floor length of the XV with the rear seats down is very close to the measurement in my Impreza 2005 wagon, so I knew a bike would fit with the front wheel removed. However, it is nice to know that the XV can fit one bike and still have one rear seat in the up position.

[WLS]

Originally Posted by Credeur01

EE20 is rated at 148hp/260ft-lbs. SkyActiv-D is rated at 147hp/280ft-lbs or 173hp/310ft-lbs. At the lower rating, it's a wash. Most articles I've read state that we're getting the 310ft-lbs version. 25hp/50ft-lbs should be a difference you can feel!

AFAIK we are getting the 155HP version of the CX-5. That's still pretty much of a wash with the Crosstrek with the CV transmission. I drove the CX-5 and my opinion was that it handled well enough around town but on the freeway it was a bit doggy. It's a larger vehicle in cross section and that means less MPG at higher speeds. I would expect the Crosstrek to have less drag and do better at freeway speeds. I feel the CX-5 is underpowered for its size especially in torque at low speed. Now the Mazda turbo diesel would be much better in this SUV and is rumored for next year. Cost wise the Crosstrek seems a better deal to me as the AWD version of the Mazda CX-5 gets a bit pricey.

[Cocoa Beach Bum]

"Foolish" video from Subaru UK starring the Subaru XV:

Watch the world's first self-cleaning car - YouTube

Watch the world's first self-cleaning car - YouTube

[brettjr25]

Originally Posted by Cocoa Beach Bum

"Foolish" video from Subaru UK starring the Subaru XV:

Watch the world's first self-cleaning car - YouTube

yeah i know i'm out of date with car technology but what the hell is that and what exactly does it do? If I don't have to take the time to stop at a gas station and wipe bird poo of my car i would jump on it.

...although I'm sure whatever it is the USD version wont have it.

[NeverSummer WRX]

Originally Posted by brettjr25

yeah i know i'm out of date with car technology but what the hell is that and what exactly does it do? If I don't have to take the time to stop at a gas station and wipe bird poo of my car i would jump on it.

...although I'm sure whatever it is the USD version wont have it.

Its part of a overseas Subaru care program

"OK, as you may have guessed by now, whilst all new Subarus can't be cleaned at the click of a button, they will be cleaned monthly and valeted annually as part of our revolutionary Aftercare programme we call Subaru ETC○."

[brettjr25]

Those sons of b!tches!

Now I know why he called it "foolish"