2012 Outback vs 2013 Outback ride quality...

[subiesailor]

I think the change in the floor is a small change in the passenger cabin ie safety cage structure to address the pole collision rating which subaru was dinged for in the pre 2012 model. They probably added a strengthening steel member to the outer rails running under the door sills to improve side impact performance.

For sure they have done improvements to the suspension we all know that the front and rear sway bars are beefier 19mm vs the lighter spec bars on the 12's and older OB. As few other suspension guys have noted subaru no doubt changed the bushings and probably added stiffeners to the shock towers to further improve the handling. The 2013 shocks are no doubt probably tuned differently also so for sure the 13's should have a decent improvement in handling over the older 12's through 2010's.

[Harvey]

OB Buyer,

Photos are available here.

[ob_buyer]

Thank you, for the link!
Is the electroluminescent instrument panel part of some package, or standard with the 2.5i Limited?

I have a feeling that Subaru is not doing much with the wood trims. That is, it is still very scarcely used. Am I the only one feeling that way?

And how many here like black over silver? I for one like more black inside!! :-)

I wish I could choose black over silver for the interior...

Thanks.

[2013OB]

My 2012 was Graphite Gray Metallic---great color, tough to keep clean. The interior was gray but it was more closer to black in my opinion.

I do like black, silver and white---have owned all those colors in cars so I mixed it up with the brilliant brown pearl, which I think is VERY sharp--have to see it in person.

My 2nd choice would have been the 2013 2.5i Limited in white with the Special Appearence package, followed by black with the Special Appearance Package--all saddle brown leather interior.

I have a black Porsche C4 993---love the color and when its clean, it looks great. Tough to keep clean but still looks great. Its amazing how well white hides dirt!

[ob_buyer]

Originally Posted by 2013OB

My 2012 was Graphite Gray Metallic---great color, tough to keep clean. The interior was gray but it was more closer to black in my opinion.

I do like black, silver and white---have owned all those colors in cars so I mixed it up with the brilliant brown pearl, which I think is VERY sharp--have to see it in person.

My 2nd choice would have been the 2013 2.5i Limited in white with the Special Appearence package, followed by black with the Special Appearance Package--all saddle brown leather interior.

I have a black Porsche C4 993---love the color and when its clean, it looks great. Tough to keep clean but still looks great. Its amazing how well white hides dirt!

I was mentioning more about the colors used in the interior. I was mentioning that I would have preferred black over the brushed aluminium finish, and I wish I had an option to choose..

The brushed aluminium and the color used for the wood trim (not the one in the special appearance package, but the regular 2.5i Limited) does not seem to go well.... And they should have used wooden trim for the space around the gear box.... That is just my opinion.. :-)

Also, I would have preferred a slightly bigger dial for the volume knob and the tuning knob!!!

Thanks...

[jsh1120]

Originally Posted by scoobert

soldierguy pretty well sums up my preferences for the '13 with one exception: rear vents

My 8-yr-old wanted only one feature in a new car--rear vents. She was so disappointed when we test drove the '12. Then, lo, I learn that the '13 introduced rear vents and EyeSight. We put a deposit on ours a few days later without even driving the '13. When it arrived, a few minutes at the wheel confirmed what we hoped.

Apparently, we have the same eight year old. It's interesting that such a seemingly minor issue can be a dealbreaker. We're in the process of replacing a beloved 2004 Saab wagon and have driven almost every conceivable alternative. The rear a/c vents are a must have for my eight year old daughter and seven year old goldendoodle.

I'd actually prefer a separate a/c for the rear seat but about the only vehicles with that option are the 7 person suv's and my wife wants to avoid being the mother with a car that can take all the neighborhood kids in her car.

[shiela]

I wasn't aware of any change in the ground clearance, height, or length. Where did you get this information? It wasn't in the information I saw from Subaru.

There were changes in this area in the 2010 model, but far as I can tell, these haven't changed.

[2013OB]

Originally Posted by shiela

I wasn't aware of any change in the ground clearance, height, or length. Where did you get this information? It wasn't in the information I saw from Subaru.

There were changes in this area in the 2010 model, but far as I can tell, these haven't changed.

I dont believe ground height, clearance, or length changed from 2012 to 2013. I have not read anything of that nature that supports that as well.

[Harvey]

The 2013 is longer due to the redesigned front bumper.

[CKK]

Originally Posted by Harvey

The 2013 is longer due to the redesigned front bumper.

I guess so. I have both 12' and 13' brochures. The 2013 OB's length/height is 189/65.8 compared to 12's 188.2/66.1.