When we bought in '20 the new gen of Rogue had just come out. It was the runner up in our final selection. You can't beat it for the number of features it has, esp. if you are looking at the Platinum edition. In the end it came down to comfort and the OB Touring XT won hands down. As we get older the comfort of the car has moved to the top of our must have list.

 

As we get older the comfort of the car has moved to the top of our must have list.

Bingo!
I was absolutely shocked when I test drove the Outback. I had minimal expectations and was absolutely delighted with the comfort of the Touring XT.

 

Hands down, I’d take the outback! I’m not up for buying an under powered 3 cylinder boosted by a turbo overcome that shortcoming. I think that the best AWD manufacturers are Audi and Subaru…IMHO. On the list of Rogue plusses the only thing that is important to me is the mileage. That is the reason we replaced our outback with the new Forester. I also agree that comfort and age are directly linked…I’ll say nothing about me getting older though…😂

 

Rogue and OB are two different classes of vehicles.
Crosstrek or Forester is a closer comparable compact SUV

You definitely upgraded going to an OB.

 

That's technically true, but not very people understand the difference between a wagon and an SUV. All they know or care about is more cargo room. With the Outback characterized as a wagon, it gets left off various comparison lists where it would shine.

 

For me when it came time to replace my 2007, the insurance on the Nissan was much higher and the resale value much lower. We stuck with Subaru. It was the cheapest to insure by far. Interestingly, if we got a model with less accident mitigation systems, the insurance premium was actually higher. Auto braking and cross traffic detectors alone saves us about $150 per year. Check with your insurer.

 

More reliable CVT

 

This. I had the same CVT in my Jeep Patriot (the first one, not our current one). It was hot garbage. jacto CVT are so bad, even Nissan (who owns the majority of the company) won't use them in certain vehicles anymore. I am stuck using one in the Outback, but my research shows it's much more reliable than the Nissan/jacto models.

 

My ex wife had a Rogue so naturally I hate them by default. However, the newer ones are pretty swanky (she had an '09 which was an absolute pile). Not a huge fan of the Jatco CVT though (and I say that as a former '15 Murano driver). Aside from all the benefits of Subaru's legendary full time symmetrical AWD, I'd also say that the interior quality is superior (something I never thought I'd say about Subarus but they have really stepped up their game), and the ride comfort is way better than any Nissan I've been in lately, and I've been in them all.

 

I just traded my 2022 FWD Nissan Rogue SL for a 2023 Outback Wilderness.

Where the Rogue shines:

• Better backup/front cameras along with the 360 cameras. HD vs VHS.
• Better fuel economy. 30-38 mpg.
• More center console storage.
• Panoramic sunroof.
• Slightly better headlights.

Where the Outback shines:

• Smoother ride.
• More interior room
• Harman/Kardon better than Rogue's Bose stereo.
• Better blind spot lights.
• More power! 2.4 turbo 4 vs 1.5 turbo 3.
• Bigger cargo area.
• Full size spare
• Wireless Android Auto

I sure wish I had bought the Outback Wilderness in 2022 instead of the Rogue, but I went with the logical choice of features and fuel economy over how much happier I feel driving the Outback.

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Oh boy... Don't even get me started on the 1.5L turbo...
Was traumatised by it on two occasions:

• Test driving a Ford Bronco Sport
• My wife's former Nissan Juke, technically 1.6T

Like... How in the world can someone with any sense of enjoying to drive, not just getting from point A to B with the highest MPG possible, can choose such a junk , pardon my language.

 

Oh boy... Don't even get me started on the 1.5L turbo...
Was traumatised by it on two occasions:

• Test driving a Ford Bronco Sport
• My wife's former Nissan Juke, technically 1.6T

Like... How in the world can someone with any sense of enjoying to drive, not just getting from point A to B with the highest mileage possible, can choose such a junk , pardon my language.

The variable compression 1.5 is actually pretty good compared to competition. 201hp and 225lb-ft torque. More than Hondas 1.5 4 cyl. JB4 tuner adds 30hp

 

Interesting. I didn't realize the Rogue had a 3 cyl 1.5L turbo. My CRV had a 4 cyl 1.5L turbo that worked great, but I wanted the power of the XT.

 

to me the biggest problem with the tiny turbo nissan is i dont believe it will stand the test of time.
it seems like it was deigned to get good mpgs and die right around 100k ...mayhaps i am becoming cynical in my old age but i don't trust many of the new cars to really last.
i tend to get a vehicle and keep it for decades... in recent years i tend to get one someone else has screwed up and spend my time fixing it up to where it fits me and holds up.
but if you are into changing up your ride every couple years i can see the attraction i suppose.
it's just not for me i like low long term cost of ownership and a high smiles per gallon rating.

 

My cousin just purchased a 23 Rogue Platinum edition and while I am not a Nissan fan, the car is actually quite nice and has a better punch then a non turbo Outback.

Perhaps not the car for me, but Nissan sells tons of them.

 

most turbo cars have better punch than a non turbo but as to longevity... a non turbo vehicle will always outlast a turbo version. the internal stresses of forced injection is just too heavy to go un-noticed by the engine internals.
that said they sure can be fun to drive
I am sure it is a nice drive but based on the two i know of personally i dont think they will hold up nearly as well as a non turbo outback. i could be wrong and only time will tell but based on past experience... i don't think it will last nearly as long or trouble free as an outback.
newer nissans don't seem to be as dependable as their older models... again in my experience

 

most turbo cars have better punch than a non turbo but as to longevity... a non turbo vehicle will always outlast a non turbo version. the internal stresses of forced injection is just too heavy to go un-noticed by the engine internals.
that said they sure can be fun to drive
I am sure it is a nice drive but based on the two i know of personally i dont think they will hold up nearly as well as a non turbo outback. i could be wrong and only time will tell but based on past experience... i don't think it will last nearly as long or trouble free as an outback.
newer nissans don't seem to be as dependable as their older models... again in my experience

Honestly while I am a Subaru guy for the past 25+ years, I know they also have plenty of problems and often poor build quality (Water coming in doors? this for one should never happen)- I think every make and model- its a total crap shoot- it will either be good\ bad just due to the nature of supplier parts, lack of care and cost cutting by all of them.

 

Reading about the influx of turbos to the market, an interesting tidbit to ponder... Vehicle are equipped with smaller engines (with turbos) so they can hit their EPA targets for the year. Most of the time, the engines are dogs without the turbo. You benefit from a turbo when you punch it, but then the EPA ratings drop significantly - but exempt from EPA testing. Most of the time, the engine is too small for the vehicle and the hamsters in the 1.5l are struggling just to move the vehicle from a stop. When you punch the turbo, the hamsters get a shot of adrenaline. In time, even with the adrenaline shot, the hamsters can't keep up. There are claims that turbo engines are built with higher specs. yet when compared to NA engines, turbos are in the shop at a higher ratio. My cousin owns a fairly large repair facility and he says that thanks to turbos, he was able to upgrade his power boat and the constant repairs keeps it filled with fuel.

 

Since we're comparing anecdotes and all. I had a 1.5L turbo CRV and that thing ran great. It had a decent amount of power when not in boost. Had zero issues with it when I traded it in for the Outback. The 2.4L turbo in the XT works fine for moving the car when you're staying out of boost. It's been trouble free as well.

The engines aren't generally struggling in the cars. It's just that drivers have no patience.

 

I think the Outback is more comparable in space and power (3.5 NA V6) with the Murano, no? I traded a '22 Santa Fe Calligraphy for the '24 Touring XT, which have very similar cargo space and power. I was very happy with that thing, since it had everything: Nappa leather seats (nicer than the Outback, but less comfortable), pano roof, Alcantara headliner, 360 camera, head-up display, all LEDs, fully digital dash with an option for analog round instruments, ventilated seats were the best I've had (the XT's are the worst, unfortunately), all tech features, just as the XT (power folding mirrors, blind spot, adaptive cruise, etc), and the 2.5T engine coupled to a DCT-8 tranny felt miles more powerful and nicer to drive than the XT; more than the 280/311 vs 260/277 suggest, always driven in sport mode. The XT, without drive modes, feels lethargic by comparison. Plus you always catch the CVT on the wrong foot when need passing power (but not taking off). The DCT was awesome, especially driven with the paddles... but unfortunately, that was the reason I sold it. The DCT-7s (dry clutches) coupled to the 1.6T were a disaster for Hyundai, and they did the same freaking mistake with the DCT-8 (wet clutches) coupled to the 2.5T, which was bad pumps... but they never fixed them. Instead, they manage to convince the NHTSA to just issue a useless recall for a software update, basically leaving owners with a potential time bomb that could blow up in your face the next day, next month, or never. So traded it with just 10K miles. Having said that, even though I HATE CVTs, and swore to myself I'd never own one, I was tired of throwing money away on unreliable vehicles. So bit the bullet, and gave Subaru a try. The CVT is a lot less 'bad' than I anticipated, so I was pleasantly surprised with that. It just has an annoying delay that I hope can find a way to eliminate it, and I'll be happy. My wife is going to drive it, so I wasn't as critical as if it was my vehicle, but overall, it's exactly what we wanted: A reliable vehicle that is comfortable, and we can take anywhere. I think we'll learn to love it, eventually. Ha ha. But just wish I had bought it instead of the SF, to get the DRLs (the '24 does not have them anymore, using the headlights instead, like in the 90s), and to have saved the 14 grand I lost with that stupid car. Oh well. Happy to be a part of the Subaru family now .

 

My 24 Wilderness has the "C" DRL's. I think it has the older headlight design than the non-Wilderness trims

 

I've owned 4 turbocharged port injected cars and none of them have ever had engine problems. But the recent boom in turbos everywhere also coincided with direct injection. Turbo Gasoline Direct Injection has been a problem for some manufacturers, for example the LSPI problem and fouled intake valves. So far Subaru TGDI engines have not exhibited LSPI and the level of intake fouling is significantly less than others, though not immune.

Turbo GDI is also exceptionally sensitive to poor maintenance, with fuel dilution and soot in the oil. You can't get away with extended drain intervals like many have done with port injected engines.

 

Had a '16 OB as a work vehicle and they made us switch to the Rogues in 2020.
The only advantage I can give to the Rogue is that it has a heated steering wheel. I hate that thing so, so much.

 

Just ordered a '24 Limited XT, first time Subaru owner, though I've driven an Outback before (through a snowstorm no less, and it was as nimble as a mountain goat!). I'm coming from an Acura MDX and with two kids and a dog the outback def won on cargo volume. The MDX was a behemoth for space, but is a 5000lb gas eater (mine was the 3.7L V6) and SH-AWD honestly doesn't mean **** for a 5000lb missile in Canadian winters. The available space in every area of the OB just couldn't be ignored: we're tall hockey players in this family and headroom was actually better than the MDX. Plus the best rear seats in class......can't wait to get it, break it in and see how it handles what rural Ontario and Quebec can throw at it.

 

Just ordered a '24 Limited XT, first time Subaru owner, though I've driven an Outback before (through a snowstorm no less, and it was as nimble as a mountain goat!). I'm coming from an Acura MDX and with two kids and a dog the outback def won on cargo volume. The MDX was a behemoth for space, but is a 5000lb gas eater (mine was the 3.7L V6) and SH-AWD honestly doesn't mean **** for a 5000lb missile in Canadian winters. The available space in every area of the OB just couldn't be ignored: we're tall hockey players in this family and headroom was actually better than the MDX. Plus the best rear seats in class......can't wait to get it, break it in and see how it handles what rural Ontario and Quebec can throw at it.

Not sure what the MDX and a Rogue have in common but congrats on the Outback

 

Outback Wilderness MUCH better looking !

 

My vote is for the Outback wilderness, more rugged looking. You see so many new rogues out there, they blend in with the scenery. Wilderness has more character .