Just picked up my first Outback and am beyond excited! Looking for ideas on what to add or upgrade. What are your go-to Outback mods or accessories?
I got the OEM hitch installed by the dealer. Fits perfectly and doesn’t mess with ground clearance. Great for a bike rack or light trailer. Now go do some Subaru stuff and get it dirty!
Jin said:
I got the OEM hitch installed by the dealer. Fits perfectly and doesn’t mess with ground clearance. Great for a bike rack or light trailer. Now go do some Subaru stuff and get it dirty!
Adding the hitch is definitely on my list!
@Harlan
Just be cautious with towing since it’s a CVT transmission, which isn’t ideal for heavy loads. I’ve got the high-clearance hitch but only use it for lighter stuff. A lot of CVT issues happen when people push it too hard with small campers or fully-loaded trailers. Try to stick to 80% of the rated towing capacity, and get the CVT serviced regularly if you do tow.
@Vivian
The CVT should be fine for light towing as long as it’s maintained. Every transmission has its limits, so as long as you don’t overdo it, you should be good.
@Vivian
We’re rated for towing 2,000kg, which seems a bit optimistic, so I keep it light. We tow a camper around 450kg and haven’t had issues.
If you have kids, get good floor mats and a trunk protector. And don’t listen to the turbo crowd; the 2.5 is a solid choice with great fuel efficiency. I’ve got a 2020 in the same color, and it’s awesome.
@Blayne
Same reason I skipped the turbo. Figured I’d spend the extra cash elsewhere.
Flowky said:
@Blayne
Same reason I skipped the turbo. Figured I’d spend the extra cash elsewhere.
Honestly, the turbo doesn’t pair well with the CVT anyway. Not really the car I’d want a turbo on.
@ToyotaTim3
I went from a 2020 Premier to a 2024 Limited XT. The turbo does give it a very different feel. Feels way more like a solid car now instead of just another crossover.
@Blayne
Sometimes I wish I’d gotten the 2.5. Fuel efficiency on the turbo isn’t great, and the extra power doesn’t make a huge difference outside of highway passing.
Cairo said:
@Blayne
Sometimes I wish I’d gotten the 2.5. Fuel efficiency on the turbo isn’t great, and the extra power doesn’t make a huge difference outside of highway passing.
The turbo is more than just power—it’s got newer tech and direct injection, built to handle more.
@Kiran
So would that mean it’s built to last longer? Just curious if there’s a practical benefit.
Cairo said:
@Blayne
Sometimes I wish I’d gotten the 2.5. Fuel efficiency on the turbo isn’t great, and the extra power doesn’t make a huge difference outside of highway passing.
I get over 31 mpg on trips with my turbo, bought it certified pre-owned without the ‘turbo tax.’ Makes things easier on the road.
@Blayne
Thanks! Got the all-weather mats but didn’t think about the trunk protector. Adding it to my list.
Check out Tuxmats, backup light replacements, and piano black covers if needed. I also upgraded my speakers through Crutchfield. For family trips, a roof box is handy. Auto Start/Stop eliminator is nice but optional.
@Dior
Solid list! Any recommendations for roof boxes?
Harlan said:
@Dior
Solid list! Any recommendations for roof boxes?
Look for a Yakima box with SKS locks on FB or Craigslist. Sometimes they’re listed without keys, but you can get replacements for cheap. I scored a Skybox 12 for $100 and got new keys for $40.
Harlan said:
@Dior
Solid list! Any recommendations for roof boxes?
Thule Motion 3 XL fits great on this color scheme. I’ve got a 2024 Onyx, and it looks sharp.
With two toddlers, we got waterproof backseat protectors right away. Had too many accidents with our oldest to risk it. We also signed up for the MySubaru remote start feature, great for cold mornings!