2019 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited on 2040-cars

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Subaru Infotainment Review | Testing tech in our long-term Forester

Subaru isn’t top of mind when we start talking about the best infotainment systems, and after using the Starlink system in our long-term 2019 Subaru Forester for months, we still think Subaru is mid-pack. The best aspect of the 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system in our Forester is its simplicity. You couldnÂ’t ask for a more basic layout and software experience on this screen, and while thatÂ’s not the case for the upper second screen, most of your core vehicle functions are handled on the lower one. WeÂ’ll note that both the Subaru Outback and Legacy have newer, larger screens available that we'll also go over later in this review. The Impreza, Crosstrek and Ascent offer up a similar experience as this Forester does. All your essential app tiles like Radio, Map and Settings can be found in the customizable home screen. The lack of apps and extra gizmos means there isnÂ’t much to customize, though. Subaru uses a bright variation of colors for its various app tiles. It doesnÂ’t come off as especially professional or classy, but it gets the job done and makes picking them apart from each other easy. Features like navigation, in-car WiFi, basic voice commands, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are all accounted for. Subaru is still using wired CarPlay and Android Auto, as most non-luxury brands do, so youÂ’ll need to bring a plug along to connect.  2019 Subaru Forester infotainment View 14 Photos Our biggest gripe about the screen is its general sluggishness. YouÂ’ll get to where you want to go, but it takes a beat longer than most. Swiping across screens and scrolling through menus is always accompanied by a touch of lag. Even the smartphone connection experience is affected by the screenÂ’s lack of response. On some occasions, a light touch or swipe will do. On others, you really need to put some pressure behind your touch. ItÂ’s nowhere near smartphone standards, but then again, many infotainment systems havenÂ’t caught up to those speeds yet.  The best part of the screen is its ability to take presses and swipes made with winter gloves. You can keep your hands warm and switch the radio station at the same time, which is always a nice convenience.  Now, back to the second screen we mentioned earlier. Subaru puts this second screen in a number of models (Impreza, WRX, Crosstrek, Forester and Ascent), but it depends on the trim you select.

2018 Subaru WRX and WRX STI pair updated looks with performance upgrades

For 2018, Subaru has given the WRX and WRX STI a mild refresh on the outside, and a few significant tweaks under the skin. Starting with the exterior, the lower grille openings on both models have been enlarged and given a bit of extra black trim for a more aggressive look. In fact, the change is a bit reminiscent of the dearly departed Mitsubishi Evo, with the black trim of the lower center grille extending to the bottom of the bumper. The WRX Limited and all STI models also get turning LED headlights, and the STI gets bigger 19-inch wheels. The interior also features subtle tweaks including a larger screen in the instrument panel for all models, as well as thicker door glass and foam in the windshield header to the make the car quieter. Both models also now come with roof rack mounting brackets, a new rear armrest with cupholders, and, according to Subaru, improved interior materials. And the WRX and STI are also now available with eight-way power adjustable Recaro seats. The Recaros are standard on the top trim STI, optional on the standard STI, and available in the new Performance Package for WRX models. This brings us to perhaps the biggest update, that aforementioned WRX Performance Package. In addition to the Recaro seats, it comes with upgraded brake pads covered in bright red calipers. The package also eliminates the moonroof, which hardcore enthusiasts know will save weight up high. The STI gets a notable brake upgrade. New Brembo brakes feature six-piston calipers at the front, and two-piston units at the back, and they're all painted a vivid yellow hue. Those calipers act on bigger, drilled rotors using equally enlarged brake pads. Subaru also retuned the car's Driver Controlled Center Differential (DCCD). Both the WRX and STI also have retuned suspension all around. If this all sounds great to you, you should be able to pick one up at your local Subaru dealer this spring. Related Video:

Junkyard Gem: 2000 Subaru Legacy GT Limited Sedan

Due to the runaway success of the Subaru Outback wagon based on the third-generation Legacy, which appeared in North America for the 2000 model year, nearly all of the discarded 2000-2004 Subarus I find in my local Denver junkyards are these dime-a-dozen longroofs, mostly with H4 engines and automatic transmissions (though I do manage to run across the occasional rare H6 model). For a discarded example of the super-rare non-Outback Legacy GT sedan with manual transmission, I had to travel all the way to a Northern California car graveyard. Here it is! The GT Limited came with bigger brakes, faux-wood interior trim, and a bunch of winter-weather extras that probably weren't very useful in coastal California. All Legacies, wagon or sedan, had all-wheel-drive at this point. The "wood" didn't come from trees, but the leather did come from cows. I have a 2004 Outback wagon of this generation, complete with 5-speed manual transmission, and I must describe the driving experience and fuel economy as truck-like. Still, it has been very reliable during its 140,000-mile career and— when shod with proper winter tires— laughs off any kind of winter driving conditions Colorado can throw at it. If you're building a car-parts homemade boombox, be sure to get one of these weather-band-equipped Subaru radios. It's not a boombox party until you can listen to the robotic weather broadcasts. Although Americans seem less interested in sedans with each passing minute, Subaru still offers the four-door Legacy. Remember, the Outback wagon has always been based on the Legacy, not the other way around. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. This car was built in Indiana, but we're going to look at the Japanese-market commercial for the turbocharged Legacy sedan because it's so action-packed. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. In Israel, the Legacy sedan swam with sharks in a parking garage.