Thoughts on my new Outback...

[love2drive]

I am a brand-new Outback owner and have been wondering what exactly the hill-holder button does. From posts here, now I "get it." (Thanks folks!) But I'm still a bit confused. If I'm in a hilly place like, say, San Francisco, do I push the button every time I stop at a steep intersection with a car right on my tail? Or does the function stay on until I turn it off? Sorry, have never seen this feature. Got my 2013 Limited only 3 wks ago and still getting acquainted!

[subiesailor]

Originally Posted by love2drive

I am a brand-new Outback owner and have been wondering what exactly the hill-holder button does. From posts here, now I "get it." (Thanks folks!) But I'm still a bit confused. If I'm in a hilly place like, say, San Francisco, do I push the button every time I stop at a steep intersection with a car right on my tail? Or does the function stay on until I turn it off? Sorry, have never seen this feature. Got my 2013 Limited only 3 wks ago and still getting acquainted!

At start up you activate the hill holder function. From that point on its active when the car comes to a stop on a incline be it pointed up hill or down hill the parking brake will be activated to hold the car from rolling till you give the car throttle at which point the brake will release under the load of you trying to move the car. Zero roll.

Also really nice to have when towing my boat up the boat ramp.

[SteveCA]

I've only used it a few times, but I believe it stays on until you either shut it off or shut down the engine. On the next start you must reset the hill-holder if you want to use it then.

[Novablue]

Originally Posted by dcbpe

Word of caution...don't ever let me borrow your car.

Haha! Noted.

I was thinking about posting on the first post "Note to self, never buy a car from dcbpe."

[AO River]

Originally Posted by SteveCA

I've only used it a few times, but I believe it stays on until you either shut it off or shut down the engine. On the next start you must reset the hill-holder if you want to use it then.

The hill holder actually stays "active" until you turn it off, even after engine cycling.

[boblog]

First electronic parking brake is convenient. You do not need to manually release it. With seat belt on and shift to drive it releases automatically. And the car does seem to roll on a hill without the brake on. The uphill feature is at a stoplight, the car will roll backwards if your foot is not on the pedal, so it automatically brakes it and releases automatically when you go. I think these things are cool. The separatecompartment is for an ipod, iphone etc...

[RickR]

As a long time Subaru owner I have seen improvements, and non-improving "new" features. Some of the comments are right on. On my 2011 Outback Premium, I have the 6-speed manual transmission. The hill holder is very useful. (Yes, you have to turn it on every time you start the engine.) But, I'd be much happier with a manual parking brake. The old mechanical hill holder on my '96 worked perfectly, with less complication.

My biggest complaint is the absolutely ridiculous design of the Bluetooth system. I have the Harman Kardon sound system. A simple "passthrough" Bluetooth like on a typical earbud would work MUCH better. Of course, Subaru told me I was the only one unhappy with this.

A temperature gauge would be more useful than the MPG gauge, and temp lights.

Overall, the car is great, but these minor nits can and should be improved in the future.

[OBnube]

Originally Posted by RickR

......A temperature gauge would be more useful than the MPG gauge, and temp lights.

Overall, the car is great, but these minor nits can and should be improved in the future.

A temp gauge has been added to the 2013 Limited.

[lattle]

I have had my 2013 Outback since October and have just rolled over 12,000 miles....yes I drive a lot..about 700-900 miles per week.

This is my first Subaru, and overall I'm happy so far, although I do have some minor gripes that I hope don't turn into major ones. I live in the mountains of NC, and it has been through a couple of storms already. It has performed admirably in some recent snow we've had, and plowed through 6" of sloppy snowy mess last week like it was nothing. I love the roominess of it, and great storage and versatility. Plus the back seat is limo like. It rides very good and is tight and responsive for a wagon/SUV. I regularly drive 85-90 on the interstate and it holds the road just fine. And for a large AWD wagon/SUV...28 MPG is amazing!

I do my own maintenance...so the fact there is now a timing chain instead of a belt is great! And...I've done 2 oil changes so far, and the oil filter on the top is genius. It seems Subarus are designed with the home mechanic in mind, which I'm super happy with.

Some things I'm not particularly happy with:

I have the 6 speed manual. I like the 1-4 gear ratios, but 6th is way to close to 5th. It is a very notchy gearbox, which I understand is typical for Subaru...but it's starting to get worse and I'm getting an excessive amount of clutch chatter...I've got to get it back to the dealer to see what's up...I suspect the clutch is faulty.

I specifically searched for a 6 speed manual, because I LOATHE the CVT, and didn't want a 6 cyl due to fuel economy. I would have gladly paid extra for a better radio and leather seats..aka the limited, but alas, I was only allowed to get a premium with the manual transmission. Seems foolish to not offer it in all models in the 4 cyl. The stock speakers in the premium are the worst I've ever had in a new car...in fact, I've already replaced them with some Polk's and installed an under-seat sub from Crutchfield...soon I will have a new head unit, once I'm satisfied with an APP radio that works well with my samsung galaxy 3.

For those of you who have commented about the hill holder...it comes in most handy with a manual transmission...but I feel like I'm cheating when I use it. The electronic parking brake is a bit discombobulating since I have to use all the time...I suspect that is something that will break sooner than later.

The MPG gauge instead of a temperature gauge is just plain stupid. I have enough sense to know that when I push the gas pedal down, I am going to get less fuel economy. It would be much more beneficial for me to know my vehicle is beginning to run hot so I can pull over and deal with it, instead of a red light coming on to tell my I'm already overheated.

And my last gripe, which I am surprised by considering everything I've ever heard about Subarus, is its fit & finish. I noticed shortly after I got it that the tailgate doesn't line up well. I have a good 1/4" difference in body gaps from one side to the other on the tailgate. The front grill is already moving around in it's mounts. The seats are already showing severe signs of wear..and I'm not fat! I plan on talking to my dealer about all this. If nothing gets any worse...I will be okay with it..but if wear signs are already showing after 4 months...that's a sign of concern.

Overall though... I am happy..and for $25,900 with the winter package...that is a whole lot of car for the money

[BlueBug]

26.1 MPG regular daily driving with roof rack cross bars folded to the side, 25.5 when across the roof. I have the H4.
CVT is a superb product, especially automatic downshifting on descent of hills. 2013 does not "roar" like prior years. Quiet as a Jaguar, more comfortable than any car I have ever owned, and of course handles like it is on rails. The steering is amazing. Drives like a dream. Very fast, great acceleration.
Electric parking brake has automatic release (which I didn't discover till recently). Hill holder may have some use but not sure. Like others I would prefer a temp gauge rather than the fuel economy doo dad.
No rattles, bumps or any complaints of any kind about build quality. Fit and finish are wonderful, and quality of materials are much better than my 2009 Forester.
2013 has new engine features including cam chain instead of belt, as well as substantially revised rear suspension, reclining rear seats, improved steering. Reduced maintenance too.
Best car I have ever owned, bar none.
Two MINOR complaints. Would like a 100% variable temp setting on the HVAC system like my Forester had, since detents have temp settings. Sometimes that 1/2 a degree makes a difference. Would also like a pull down finger pocket on hatchback on left side as well as right for ease of use.
Other than that it's just about the most perfect car I can imagine.