2019 3.6 Touring & 2018 H6 Limited. Previously also owned a number of Outbacks.
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This is an extension of my original post: http://www.subaruoutback.org/forums...08-vs-2012-subaru-engineers-take-notes-3.html
We had another Jeep Grand Cherokee (GC) for rental before the Thanksgiving week & my take on driving the 2013 GC is very different this time. The 1st time in the new GC was in Dec 2011 in a Base 2012 Jeep GC (4WD; ODO 6000 miles out), this time was in Limited Jeep GC (2WD; ODO 1000 miles out). In 2011 I praised about the GC after the ~1000 'test drive', and almost bought it over the 2013 Outback. But now after having the 2013 Subaru, my take on GC has completely changed...
Impression when driving the 2013 GC: 1st of all, I noticed the amount of functions, buttons, even the vents, the markers on the vents, the design of the outside mirrors, the location of the upholders are extremely similar between the 2 vehicles. Jeep has a couple of extra features - HID light, Full Size Spare, Standard Remote Start, Backup Warning 'Beep' (I liked) & Extra Large Moonroof (w/ the annoying power inner panel). GC's seating is less comfortable with less support, harder. Although the lumbar support can go up & down your back, it doesn't 'hug your back' like the Subaru. GC's cockpit is like the Tribeca & overall the interior is not as 'modern' as the Subaru. Nav was awful to use (we end up using our own Garmin), backup camera showed images like oil painting (although the lens was clear). The step up height was still something to get used to since there is no running board...I've got long legs but shorter folks will have to jump in & out of the seat to avoid a sprain ankle. When driving, I like to judge the car by degree of fatigue after 2+ hrs of driving. In order not to get fatigued in the Jeep, I recommend going slow. I recall 4wd version handled better last year but the 2wd we drove did not inspire confidence. Now let's get to the most important aspect of a car (IMO), the handling.
The car plowed & it took a bit of effort to bring it back. During the 1st lane change in the GC I almost overshot the lane. Needless to say at high speed it was quite a handful. F=MA & at 1000+ ib extra weight, the law of physics cannot be argued. On the contrary, the 2013 Outback we drove through the Ozark Mountains put smiles on my face... it's almost like G35 but not quiet (where you would WANT TO Accelerate through turns even before hitting the apex). Off-road, the 2WD GC certainly didn't inspire confidence but I liked its beefy tires...& we came away fine through a short but rocky trail w/ steps; but my nervous palm soaked the steering wheel. I would not have had any doubt/less stress in the Subaru (other than fearing of a flat).
The bottom line: between 2013 GC Limited vs. 2013 Subaru Limited.... Subaru wins in nearly every category. The only pro from Jeep is that the Jeep is a little quieter than the Subaru but not by much, it's quieter at lower speed but only a smidge quieter when traveling 75mph or higher. However I would still go with the Jeep if I travel off-road extensively & I would only go w/ their top of the line off-road versions like the Trail hawk. Regardless how subjective my review is, I still like to add an American car back to our garage… maybe in 2014?
We had another Jeep Grand Cherokee (GC) for rental before the Thanksgiving week & my take on driving the 2013 GC is very different this time. The 1st time in the new GC was in Dec 2011 in a Base 2012 Jeep GC (4WD; ODO 6000 miles out), this time was in Limited Jeep GC (2WD; ODO 1000 miles out). In 2011 I praised about the GC after the ~1000 'test drive', and almost bought it over the 2013 Outback. But now after having the 2013 Subaru, my take on GC has completely changed...
Impression when driving the 2013 GC: 1st of all, I noticed the amount of functions, buttons, even the vents, the markers on the vents, the design of the outside mirrors, the location of the upholders are extremely similar between the 2 vehicles. Jeep has a couple of extra features - HID light, Full Size Spare, Standard Remote Start, Backup Warning 'Beep' (I liked) & Extra Large Moonroof (w/ the annoying power inner panel). GC's seating is less comfortable with less support, harder. Although the lumbar support can go up & down your back, it doesn't 'hug your back' like the Subaru. GC's cockpit is like the Tribeca & overall the interior is not as 'modern' as the Subaru. Nav was awful to use (we end up using our own Garmin), backup camera showed images like oil painting (although the lens was clear). The step up height was still something to get used to since there is no running board...I've got long legs but shorter folks will have to jump in & out of the seat to avoid a sprain ankle. When driving, I like to judge the car by degree of fatigue after 2+ hrs of driving. In order not to get fatigued in the Jeep, I recommend going slow. I recall 4wd version handled better last year but the 2wd we drove did not inspire confidence. Now let's get to the most important aspect of a car (IMO), the handling.
The car plowed & it took a bit of effort to bring it back. During the 1st lane change in the GC I almost overshot the lane. Needless to say at high speed it was quite a handful. F=MA & at 1000+ ib extra weight, the law of physics cannot be argued. On the contrary, the 2013 Outback we drove through the Ozark Mountains put smiles on my face... it's almost like G35 but not quiet (where you would WANT TO Accelerate through turns even before hitting the apex). Off-road, the 2WD GC certainly didn't inspire confidence but I liked its beefy tires...& we came away fine through a short but rocky trail w/ steps; but my nervous palm soaked the steering wheel. I would not have had any doubt/less stress in the Subaru (other than fearing of a flat).
The bottom line: between 2013 GC Limited vs. 2013 Subaru Limited.... Subaru wins in nearly every category. The only pro from Jeep is that the Jeep is a little quieter than the Subaru but not by much, it's quieter at lower speed but only a smidge quieter when traveling 75mph or higher. However I would still go with the Jeep if I travel off-road extensively & I would only go w/ their top of the line off-road versions like the Trail hawk. Regardless how subjective my review is, I still like to add an American car back to our garage… maybe in 2014?