Subaru Onyx 2020 Review: A Fun to Drive SUV with a Few Minor Quirks

The Subaru Outback XT is a unique beast in the world of SUVs. While many of its competitors focus on ruggedness and off-road capability, the Onyx 2020 model prioritizes driving dynamics and on-road performance. With its rigid chassis, quiet ride, and comfortable interior, this vehicle is a joy to drive on paved roads.

One of the standout features of the Outback XT is its CVT transmission. While some may miss the traditional manual gearshift, the CVT seamlessly adapts to changing terrain and provides smooth acceleration. When accelerating hard, it even mimics a multi-speed planetary transmission with 8 steps, eliminating the annoying gear hunting that can be found in other vehicles.

On the highway, the CVT shines, providing quick and responsive acceleration without sacrificing fuel efficiency. In fact, the Outback XT is quicker than most of its competition, reaching 0-60mph in just 5.9 seconds (according to Motor Trend).

The interior of the Outback XT is also a highlight, with high-quality materials and comfortable seating for all passengers. While some may find the seat heater controls buried two menus deep, it's a small quibble compared to the overall excellence of this vehicle.

In terms of safety features, the Onyx 2020 model comes equipped with a range of standard and available technologies, including automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, front-view monitor, rear-view camera, traction-management system, LED headlights, Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, and more.

One area where the Outback XT falls short is its driver-distraction mitigation system. While it's designed to scan for signs of fatigue and distraction using infrared cameras and facial-recognition technology, it can be inconsistent in its alerts. Sometimes, it will alert even when a simple task like changing the radio station, but other times it may not detect obvious distractions.

Overall, the Subaru Outback XT is a fun-to-drive SUV with a few minor quirks. Its rigid chassis, quiet ride, and comfortable interior make it an excellent choice for those who prioritize on-road performance. With its competitive pricing and impressive list of standard features, this vehicle is definitely worth considering for anyone in the market for a new SUV.

Subaru onyx 2020