1. Far better console with much more storage.
2. Next-gen eyesight
3. 360 views rather than the front camera
4. Less chrome on Limited and Touring
5. Relocate Front USB ports for easier access.
6. Revise software to be faster and smoother-especially the seat warm-cool controls
7. Revise exterior color choices.
8. Upgrade interior on the Touring with better materials, especially carpet with better fit/finish
9. Improve road and wind noise isolation on the upper models.
10. More attractive wheel choices. I liked the gen 5 limited wheels.
11. Be able to permanently disable ASS.
12. Ability to close windows and sunroof with the key fob.
13. Offer exterior dechrome choices.
14. Better interior lighting under the dash/under rear seats activated by the doors
15. More storage in the rear, underfloor, and/or side panels
16. Edit-Much improved cargo area lighting.
17. Edit-Much better wireless charger that does not eliminate storage space.
18. Edit-Greatly improve navigation for accuracy, ease of use- particularly destination entry, night/modes, color changes, better points of interest, and increased street name legibility.
19. Edit-larger side widows, larger rear cargo window.
20. Edit- Electronic rearview mirror.
21. Edit-hybrid option with the 2.5 or 2.4 engines.
21. Edit-48" between wheel wells in the cargo area with folded seats.
22. Edit- Use the recently DOT-allowed adaptive lighting.
23. Edit- Over the air updates. other manufacturers seem to do it fine, why not Subaru?
24. Edit- Lumbar support in the passenger seat.
25. Edit- Blind spot cameras like Kia and Hyundai.
26. Edit- Better quality cameras
27. Edit- Non-reflective interior trim.

 

In addition to most of what was initially stated.

10. More attractive wheel choices

16. much improved cargo area lighting.

#10 I like my Limited wheels
#16 I was able to totally fix the dim cargo area by self-installing an array of LEDs. Not recommending this specific purchase but this is what I installed in the cargo and cabin areas. It was a little bright and the LEDs could be seen in the cabin dome so I installed some diffusers for this location: LEDs for cargo light

 

Personal opinion here, especially since I own a gen 5, but if I get another Outback when I replace my current one in quite a few years a late model preowned gen 7 will probably be the replacement.

1. Next-Gen Eyesight
2. Hybrid so Auto Start Stop will be Smoother
3. Better Factory 12 Volt Battery
4. CVT-Fluid Replacement Schedule (Lifetime fluid is bull and we should all know it.)
5. Physical Buttons and Knobs for all climate controls/heated seats. My 2012 Ford Edge had touch capacitive "buttons" and integrated controls on the screen and it was horrible. Actually makes me really dislike the gen 6.
6. Make Sure it is not hit by the ugly stick. (personally I think the odd number gens (1, 3, & 5) are the better looking ones than the even number gens (2, 4, and & 6). I think the rear end went way to Pillsbury Dough Boy on gen 6.

 

Retire the base 2.5 and have something more powerful along with an increase in mpg. Dump the CVT and have a proper 8 speed transmission.
Better quality leather in upper trims
Solve the cracking windshield issue.
Better quality camera with a 360 option on upper trims
Refine the infotainment tablet. I like the look and most functions but we all no what needs fixing
Refine the suspension. a little better shock damping would help.
Even with it's SGP structure increase body ridgity a little.
Do something with Starlink. I like a remote start function standard on my key fob.
Better QA at the factory. I have seen some inconsistencies in build
Next generation eyesight . I think the 23 model will get a revised eyesight .

 

Just make the software driven tech stuff that's already there work 100% as we had all expected. Voice commands, Nav, eyesight, driver recognition,...........

 

For what it’s worth, hybrid is the only thing I really want from the next generation. Especially a plug in hybrid with 30 miles of electric range.

I am watching with interest the new performance transmission. I don’t understand why some people look for the shift shock of a traditional automatic, but if this behaves more like one and makes more people happy, I would support this appearing in XT’s. Likewise, I think a fluid interval is necessary.

 

For what it’s worth, hybrid is the only thing I really want from the next generation. Especially a plug in hybrid with 30 miles of electric range.

EVs are proven non-starters except for short in town drives. If you drive 20k/year and often have light towing, a hybrid preferably as above is needed. If Lexus and Toyota have very successful models, I would hate to switch after decades of OB use.

 

Hybrid (likely)

48" between the wheel wells (unlikely)

That's about it really.

 

Lots of what I want won't happen but here we go:

Dreamland:

1. Bring back the supreme AWD system from the gen 4 3.6R: "variable torque distributing planetary gear setup with electric control. This system is split 45:55 (F/R) for optimum handling, but it can adapt to different road conditions.
2. Ditch the CVT for a modern AT transmission with gears
3. Offer a normally aspirated high performance engine
4. Eliminate Stop/Start

Reality:

1. Preserve at least 8.7" ground clearance
2. Offer grippier tires as an option. Stock tires are awful (other than for highway cruising) and severely limit the AWD capabilities of the Outback
3. Improve storage and cubbies. (Each generation since 4 gets less storage and more cramped up front - I know this is largely driven by safety mandates as all new vehicles are very cramped insides. By design they don't provide much room to move round in front)
4. Bring back as many real buttons as possible and ditch the buggy hard to use screen except for a 8" nav screen
5. Improve handling
6. Increase power
7. Style hood front to eliminate the ugly "cut line" of the bumper fascia across the hood. Many luxury brands successfully do this.
8. Sharpen the rear - more like in gen 5
9. Improve glass area (make larger like in gen 4 or 5).
10. Create trim line that allows for upgraded engine, wheels, premium audio and sunroof - done. without all the intrusive nanny tech larded on solely to increase profit.

 

What's the bumper cut line?

 

Seems like a lot of the posts here are truly wishful thinking but are not realistic. Here are what I think at least likely or realistic that I’d be interested in:

1. Mild hybrid option for the upper trims. Combine the turbo boxer engine with an electric motor and small lithium ion battery, combined power output of about 300hp and 320lb-ft of torque, for example. That battery can also replace the standard lead-acid battery which removes an additional failure point/maintenance item and has the added benefit of making auto start-stop much more seamless (like a lot of luxury cars are doing now).

2. Even more advanced adaptive LED/laser headlights that can permanently run high beam but block off just enough of the beam to never blind oncoming traffic. Very common in Europe, but even the luxury brands weren’t allowed to use those lights here because of our prehistoric laws, but I believe those laws were recently updated.

3. I’m fine with the CVT staying, but make 30k-mile fluid changes standard instead of calling it lifetime.

4. Faster processor and OTA updates to the infotainment software (this one is almost guaranteed to happen I imagine).

 

Seems like a lot of the posts here are truly wishful thinking but are not realistic.

Thats putting it mildly. 🙄

 

Adequate speakers at a minimum in all models unlike the crap they put in some trims, like the OBW.

 

The thing I'd like the most for sure isn't going to happen - 6 speed manual and/or conventional 8-10 speed auto for the XT. I'd settle for multiple drive modes to gives us some control over the CVT behavior, like my old FXT had.

Things that are unlikely but not hard for Subaru to do - more choice in options to allow configurations that currently aren't possible. For example, I'd love no sunroof + the shorter gearing of the Wilderness in my Limited XT but not willing to give up the leather & HK audio it has.

Physical controls for fan speed, seat heaters, etc. would definitely be a plus.

More power is always welcome, I'd be willing to use 93 octane if it gave me say 20 hp more than 87.

 

I really only have a few…

More interior storage.
USB jacks easier to access.
A more stable CCU with a more user friendly GUI.
Actual controls for seat heaters, or at least no need for a sub-menu.

Eventually, a PHEV Outback would be nice down the road…

 

1. World class infotainment with OTA
2. 360-degree camera
3. Digital dash that is fully programmable that does not have amber alert lights if nanny xyz is turned off
4. Next gen Eyesight that does not entirely rely on optical cameras but has radar / lidar backup
5. Bring back the 2019 Touring roof rails
6. Less chrome
7. Heavy emphasis on sound deadening to make interior much quieter
8. Standard automatic transmission
9. PHEV
10. Black interior as an option for Touring models
11. Heated steering wheel that heats the entire wheel and stays on until turned off
12. Heated seats that stay on until turned off

 

Gen 7 for me blends what I miss about my recently traded 05 LL Bean and a view of the future:
1-Lower hoodline for better forward vision
2-8 or 10 speed transmission instead of CVT (miss my 5EAT)
3-Better vision out the rear
4-More steering feel from the EPAS
5-Continued improvement in user interface and reliability of electronics
Especially bug-free wireless Android Auto and Carplay
6-Drive modes: Pedal commander-style choice of throttle response, trans calibration. Maybe shocks.

And my personal wishlist item - A trim level that is basically "Legacy GT wagon". Lower ride height, 19" wheels with lower profile tires, less cladding, and roughly Limited level of leather/stereo/nav etc. Think of it as the "anti-Wilderness" or maybe the Outback WRX. I know it'll never happen, but that's my thing - high performance comfortable touring wagon.

 

And you don't want porn movies on your screens?: D: D: D: D

 

My number 1 reason for not getting a new one is the HVAC and heated seats being computerized. I don’t like it and want the knobs back. Otherwise better sound insulation and I would like the H6 back but I know that won’t happen.

 

Seems like we repeat this thread every five years or so, which isn't a coincidence of course.

Anyway, here's always my input:

(1) Round the front end some more.
(2) Drop the hood line lower.
(3) Rake the windshield more aggressively.
(4) Drop the roof line 2"-3"; make the factory roof bars less bulky looking.
(5) Drop a few hundred pounds of weight.
(6) Get the turbo back, but make it more dependable.
(7) Offer the 6 MT that's available in ROW.
(8) Get rid of that ridiculous triangle in the rear cargo area windows.
(9) Taper off the rear cargo area more aggressively.
(10) Wrap the rear hatch glass around the sides to create a clean look of continuous glass.
(11) Change to frameless windo....

......
Oh, wait.
......

I think I have it.

 

Honestly, you do have it.

Our family has been ardent Subaru enthusiasts, but our last new one is a '19 Legacy 3.6. Even this one is iffy if we'll keep it. Our favorite Outback is Gen 3 and we got rid of it so we had a place to park the 19. We're on the lookout for another and given the price/value for new Subies, will happily drop plenty of coin to rework/restore a Gen 3 rather than buying the current models.

The current generations no longer deliver smiles per gallon - they are just "vehicles." Too complicated to use and you never know if you'll get into the garage or not (even the 22 OB we drove still had this issue.)

We recently picked up an '05 Legacy GT (previously had an 09 NA) and are enjoying the smiles per gallon again. We'd rather dump 30k into reworking a vehicle that we like than taking the rolling piles coming off the line today. I LIKE that I can turn the heat on without taking my eyes off the road. I LIKE that I don't have to figure out which of the umpteen sensors are beeping for no apparent reason. I LIKE that I can pull into my garage without the brakes locking up. I LIKE cruise control that maintains a speed rather than contributing to caterpillaring. This list could go on an on.

Don't get me wrong, it's not just Subaru, it's the world we live in. We have choices and we can make them. We've certainly made ours. So many people have no experience anymore - Having to include warnings not to swallow battery acid is ludicrous. It's a shame that we actually laugh as much as we do reading posts here with people asking about many of the things they do. The world is producing a new breed of uneducated and inexperienced people.

 

I like my 2021 OB Premium. I would prefer a knob for the fan speed and buttons for the seat heaters, but they are not deal stoppers for me.

1. My MAIN request is to make the Infortainment system capable of playing MP3 music on a thumb drive in TRACK ORDER, like every other MP3 player and car unit I have ever used.
2. More room in the center console (but NOT at the expense of seat width) OR a larger cubby and small change drawer under the info screen, would be appreciated. Even plugging a USB cable into the tiny phone cubbyhole is more difficult that it needs to be if you have larger hands. I cannot imagine it with a phone charger taking even more space.
3. I would like to see a HYBRID option (not a plug-in) in all trim levels.
4. I would like to see 4 (or 6) sockets in the rear cargo area walls that could take spring-loaded rails about 8" (or the height of the wheel hump) above the main cargo deck. Such rails could hold a second deck of full width, and provide protected (or hidden) storage below. The rails/deck could be an option and added by the owner or at purchase. This would be similar to the notches in a pickup bed for the same purpose.

A lot of folks seem pretty unsatisfied with their cars. If Subaru made all the changes suggested in many of the posts above and expanded the option combos, you would end up with a $50K cars and longer waits for ordered cars.

Looks are personal, but I found the Gen 6 OUtback looks very sleek and pleasing, a real 'thing' in the age of many manufacturers making their lower trims "Ugly Ducking Appliances", although that is changing. Ditto for any hybrid versions. Hybrids do not have to look ugly. (We called my 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe "The Brick" for its upright looks, the OB is called the "Starship" since it is more aero, lower, and white, and not boxy.)

WIth Subaru, you can actually order approach lights in the mirrors by themselves. So many cars and trucks bundle a popular $300 option in a package so you have to get a $3500 sunroof, electric X or Y, leather seats, etc, etc Package. For instance, with a 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe (the other car I looked at seriously) to get the black grill instead of a GM-type chrome monstrosity, and to get a set of roof rails, you had to go up a full trim level, however beside more cost, that meant roof rails=chrome grill..., uh sorry, but NO!. Subaru has the great convertible rails that are foldable to lessen wind drag and whistling, and eliminate storage problems for removed rails. Also, the aftermarket supports both the folding rails AND aftermarket moiunds that fit after market rails that are not the "Universal fit" junk.

To me the one BIG turn-off for any next gen OB would be if they eliminated the ability to turn off features. I dislike the AS/S feature, but it is now second nature to disable it. Take away the choices , I would look elsewhere. However, if this Gen 6 continues to be pleasing and reliable, I will not be needing a Gen 7, but might get a Gen 8.

 

S...T....I

And by that I mean:

Hood Scoop or FMIC
375+HP
6MT or at least a good Automatic.
245 Series Tires on 18x8.5 rims
1" lower ride height
Upgraded Brakes
Roof Rack Delete or Low Profile (Sportier) Roof Rack
No Chrome
Quad (Functional) Exhaust Tips

Basically I want a poor mans Audi RS6 Avant.

 

"...(9) Taper off the rear cargo area more aggressively. "

I disagree... making it look "sporty" kills the actual functionality of having a big cargo area. When we got our Crosstrek a few years ago, at first glance, the cargo space looked pretty decent. Until we actually tried to put stuff in there and close the hatch. It's the same issue with many other brands with their "Utility" vehicles. Swoopy lines and aggressive styling means limited usable space in the cargo area. Floor space looks massive until you need to pile stuff back there. And if you are traveling with 4 people and have the seats up (I hope) and the roof line starts sloping just past the back seats, luggage space gets tight, real fast.

I prefer the 'look' of it being more of an upright 'Wagon' than a sports car.

 

"...(9) Taper off the rear cargo area more aggressively. "

I disagree... making it look "sporty" kills the actual functionality of having a big cargo area. When we got our Crosstrek a few years ago, at first glance, the cargo space looked pretty decent. Until we actually tried to put stuff in there and close the hatch. It's the same issue with many other brands with their "Utility" vehicles. Swoopy lines and aggressive styling means limited usable space in the cargo area. Floor space looks massive until you need to pile stuff back there. And if you are traveling with 4 people and have the seats up (I hope) and the roof line starts sloping just past the back seats, luggage space gets tight, real fast.

I prefer the 'look' of it being more of an upright 'Wagon' than a sports car.

I actually recently ran into this with the Outback. Had to do some quick rearranging on a grocery trip to make the hatch close. I do wish the cargo area was taller. A paper bag comes right to the cargo cover.

 

I'll second what @Roundabout2021 said in their 1st item:

1. Allow me to play music in track order. In truth, we shouldn't need to wait for a next generation for this. Send it out in a firmware or OTA update. The software should have been programmed this way from the start. Can't understand why it isn't. This was fixed in a firmware update!
2. Better glove compartment. I traded in a 2016 Ford Fusion and sorely miss that glove compartment, which had a shelf rather than just a bin. It was easier to organize items and have them.on a first-order retrievability status.
3. Reverse the direction of airflow for the ventilated seats. As they stand, I find the ventilated seats absolutely pointless--I can barely tell they're on.
4.BBe able to open the rear glass without opening the rear tailgate
5. Design a tailgate that doesn't drain your battery if you keep it open. I'm shocked they're not facing a class action lawsuit over the current design, to be honest.
6. Increase the capacity of the roof rails on all trims. While I would never own a rooftop tent, the option shouldn't be reserved for only the Wilderness Trims.

And if none of the above are addressed, I pray the following is, although I know for a fact it won't:

∞. Ditch the giant touch screen. It's needlessly distracting, more dangerous, less usable, less practical, slower and in every measurable.way worse than having hardware buttons. In my opinion, the base model Outback has a superior infotainment setup to the "better" monstrosity they put in the higher trims. At least on that model you can have HVAC and media controls pulled up at the same time.

That's about all I can think of.

 

1. Better console with much more storage.
2. Next-gen eyesight. Gen-X
3. 360 view camera rather than the front camera. If the front camera is retained make it a much higher resolution
4. Improve camera resolution for the backup camera. Hard to read at night and in bright sunlight.
5. Less exterior chrome on Limited and Touring or make black trim an option.
6. Relocate Front USB ports with lights for easier access.
7. Revise head unit software to be faster and smoother-especially the seat warm-cool controls and make the menu structure more logical and simpler.
8. Revise exterior color choices. Brighter colors for example
9. Continue to upgrade the interior of the Touring with better materials, especially carpet. Improve fit/finish.
10. Continue to improve road and wind noise isolation on the upper models.
11. More attractive wheel choices. I liked the gen 5 limited wheels.
12. Be able to permanently disable ASS. Also, make operation smoother especially on the XT models.
13. Ability to close windows and sunroof with the key fob.
14. Offer exterior de chrome choices.
15. Better interior lighting under the dash/under rear seats activated by the doors
16. More storage in the rear, underfloor, and/or side panels
17. Much improved cargo area lighting. Lights on the side panels would help
18. A much better wireless phone charger that does not eliminate storage space.
19. Improve navigation for accuracy, and ease of use- particularly destination entry, night modes, color changes, better points of interest, and increased street name legibility.
20. Larger side windows, larger rear cargo window. Gen 5 had better visibility
21. Hybrid and/or plug-in hybrid option with the 2.5 or 2.4 engines.
22. 48" between wheel wells in the cargo area with folded seats. Plywood sized.
23. Use the recently DOT-allowed adaptive lighting.
24. Over-the-air updates. Other manufacturers seem to do it fine, why not Subaru?
25. Lumbar support in the passenger seat.
26. Full digital dash like Kia and Hyundai.
27. Blind spot camera monitor in dash like Kia and Hyundai.
28. Non-reflective interior trim.
29. Refine the CVT, and make it smoother, with 2.4 Turbo engine. The current throttle response is non-linear.
30. Rodent proof wiring
31. Better sun visor for short people and the cover area near mirror better. Perhaps a slide-out section
32. Resolve Rear Automatic Braking (RAB) issues with a bike on the back of a vehicle.
33. Add 110 outlets in a vehicle, or make it an accessory.

 

Over-the-air updates. Other manufacturers seem to do it fine, why not Subaru?

Forgive my dumb question here, but was is meant by over-the-air updates? Like 5G?

Seems pretty easy to me to be in my driveway connected to my wifi and check for updates and download lastest software.

 

Well - I would settle for some kind of "Programmable Dials or Buttons" I can assign to anything I want Like Fan Speed or Lighting. Something like that would be nice. Overall The Outback is a very Dark Car - Better backlighting for switch gear and general cabin lighting would be great.

 

• Improve camera resolution for the backup camera. Hard to read at night and in bright sunlight. - Absolutely - Even with high quality/ intensity lamps …rear vision abysmal.
• Less exterior chrome on Limited and Touring or make black trim an option. - Subjective style, but I’m right there with you
• Relocate Front USB ports with lights for easier access. - Current (outdated USB-A) plugs are nearly inaccessible. One “A” and the rest (front & rear) USB-C.
• More attractive wheel choices. I liked the gen 5 limited wheels - No clue wha Gen 5 look like. Gen 6 are unattractive enough that I’m ditching them. The Outback, with proper wheels, and some of that “non-cheap-chrome” trim removed starts looking like a sportier utilit6 vehicle rather than the lingering remnants of the Japanese vehicles it invasion.
• Ability to close windows and sunroof with the key fob. - And MySubaru app. Pretty good now, that’d be a great improvement.
• Better interior lighting under the dash/under rear seats activated by the doors - that’d be a welcome addition. Spare me the 19 color choices. Red, blue, white
• Much improved cargo area lighting. Lights on the side panels would help - side panels make so much sense. I’m not sure what someone thinking putting the light above the cargo cover. Fail
• 48" between wheel wells in the cargo area with folded seats. Plywood sized. - Not a biggie to me but it would transform the car‘s utility
• Use the recently DOT-allowed adaptive lighting. - If you’re referring to the Matrix Projector I have them on both 2022 Audis. They are (last I looked) now yet approved in FMVSS and Ive been hearing 2 years out. Things may change but that’d be a pricey option for Subaru owners. I just paid nearly $4,000 to have my Porsche headlight replaced. Part was $2,875.
• Over-the-air updates. Other manufacturers seem to do it fine, why not Subaru? - should be easy. We do it on all our company 2 way radios.
• Lumbar support in the passenger seat. - Everyone has their personal biggies . . .this was mine. Sold 2017 Outback for this reason and bought Porsche
• Refine the CVT, and make it smoother, with 2.4 Turbo engine. The current throttle response is non-linear. - Coming from the best transmission made, the Porsche PDK, it does feel pretty goofy. I ignore it, but it’d be a good target to focus some engineering resources on.
• Resolve Rear Automatic Braking (RAB) issues with a bike on the back of a vehicle. - Ohhhhhh yeah . . . . I’ve had my head slapped back into the headrest about 4 times before I got smart enough (push and hold RAB) to shut off RAB.
• Add 110outlets in a vehicle, or make it an accessory. - Another confusing one in this day and age.
  
  REALLY nicely done and well thought out list.. . . Thanks,
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

 

an eyesight system that can stop the car before it hits a deer standing still in the middle of the road. ...my 2018 legacy can't do that....does not even try.

 

I would be more impressed if it could avoid hitting the deer that run out into the lane. A deer or anything stationary in the middle of the road should be noticed by the driver before the Eyesight reacts to it.

 

Audio system upgrade option for all trim levels. Maybe option for Bose? My wife's Chevy bolt sounds much better and she just listens to country music 😜