rmc523 Posted April 16 Share Posted April 16 Subaru's designs used to look decent, but they've been getting hit more and more with the ugly stick, and this new Outback might be the worst yet, IMO.......and if that weren't bad enough, the Wilderness edition amps the ugly up to a 12..... New Subaru Outback Finally Admits It’s An SUV And Not A Wagon | Carscoops Wilderness edition.....my eyes are burning....how do you look at this and say "yeah, that's what we're going with!" It looks like they went into the AutoZone parts catalog and started slapping a bunch of random pieces on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sherminator98 Posted April 16 Share Posted April 16 Seems like over the past 5 years or so we either get over/too busy styling or soap bar type styling on vehicles. Car design have been suffering the past couple of years because of this. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbone Posted April 16 Share Posted April 16 Wow, that is terrible! That is giving the Aztek a run for its money. I get Subaru tries to be different, but different doesn’t have to be ugly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeluxeStang Posted April 16 Share Posted April 16 2 hours ago, Sherminator98 said: Seems like over the past 5 years or so we either get over/too busy styling or soap bar type styling on vehicles. Car design have been suffering the past couple of years because of this. Ford and Mazda are doing a pretty good job, almost everyone else on the other hand... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeluxeStang Posted April 16 Share Posted April 16 I guarantee the directive was to make it look more like a crossover. The designers were definitely chanting words like "Rugged" and "Dynamic" frantically as they scribbled the design. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick73 Posted April 16 Share Posted April 16 Ugly is relative I suppose; though it doesn’t look that bad to me compared to many other SUVs. The ones that don’t even try looking somewhat aerodynamic often do look a bit overdone. It’s as if designers who give up on efficiency go straight to boxy and or ugly. The more-rugged Wilderness Edition especially is hard to look at IMO. Admittedly I’m biased towards smooth aero lines, which the Wilderness definitely isn’t. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fordmantpw Posted April 16 Share Posted April 16 I actually kinda like..... ...the wheels on the green one. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atomcat68 Posted April 16 Share Posted April 16 The black plastic everywhere ruins it for me. If it had that shape, but clean and streamlined (even if it is boxy) it would be so much better... something like a rugged old school Volvo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmc523 Posted April 17 Author Share Posted April 17 I guess Subaru buyers are different....maybe they'll like this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grbeck Posted April 17 Share Posted April 17 1 hour ago, rmc523 said: I guess Subaru buyers are different....maybe they'll like this? Subaru has a lot of brand loyalty, so I can see current owners trading for this. It's not as though the current ones are selling because of their handsome looks. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twintornados Posted April 18 Share Posted April 18 I guess jacking up / lifting a Legacy is no longer part of the design process.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blazerdude20 Posted April 19 Share Posted April 19 On 4/17/2025 at 6:35 AM, rmc523 said: I guess Subaru buyers are different....maybe they'll like this? They are trying to gain mainstream market share with this redesign. I think it’s more likely to alienate their core customers as it is no longer a wagon. It’s essentially a highlander with more ground clearance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twintornados Posted April 19 Share Posted April 19 Kinda looks like it is trying to ape the Wagon Queen Family Truckster.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick73 Posted April 19 Share Posted April 19 1 hour ago, blazerdude20 said: They are trying to gain mainstream market share with this redesign. I think it’s more likely to alienate their core customers as it is no longer a wagon. It’s essentially a highlander with more ground clearance. Not sure if a 2-inch taller roofline or a little extra ground clearance will discourage many loyal repeat customers. Many may see it as a plus. You raise a valid question though because the lower wagon-like height was kind of unique in that class and price IIRC. Regardless, the Outback still retains some of the uniqueness that make it a Subaru to core customers; like Boxer 4-cylinder engine, symmetrical all-wheel-drive with some off-road capability, naturally aspirated 2.5L engine, fairly safe, etc. Specs and price seem decent to me except for use of a CVT transmission, so overall may sell well in spite of different appearance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dequindre Posted April 19 Share Posted April 19 I honestly think that AI designs better looking cars than actual automotive designers these days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Motorpsychology Posted April 19 Share Posted April 19 It's reverse marketing; yeah, that's it! Style it to look like the north end of a baboon running south, then sell attractive aftermarket parts and accessories to clean it up; just the opposite of what Jeep does. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbone Posted April 20 Share Posted April 20 8 hours ago, blazerdude20 said: They are trying to gain mainstream market share with this redesign. I think it’s more likely to alienate their core customers as it is no longer a wagon. It’s essentially a highlander with more ground clearance. I have a hard time believing mainstream buyers would find this vehicle attractive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmc523 Posted April 21 Author Share Posted April 21 (edited) On 4/19/2025 at 2:29 PM, blazerdude20 said: They are trying to gain mainstream market share with this redesign. I think it’s more likely to alienate their core customers as it is no longer a wagon. It’s essentially a highlander with more ground clearance. Still looks wagonesque to me....just because they call it a crossover doesn't necessarily mean anything. Maybe they've partnered with local eye doctors to include free eye exams with a purchase? Edited April 21 by rmc523 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AGR Posted April 21 Share Posted April 21 We won't be able to fully judge the new Outback's appearance until we see one with Coexist and rainbow bumper stickers. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sherminator98 Posted April 22 Share Posted April 22 1 hour ago, AGR said: We won't be able to fully judge the new Outback's appearance until we see one with Coexist and rainbow bumper stickers. One of my friends has a Subaru and is a bit more esoteric-they have a Nakajima sticker on theirs...but he is a bit of a WW2 nut too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Motorpsychology Posted April 22 Share Posted April 22 11 hours ago, Sherminator98 said: One of my friends has a Subaru and is a bit more esoteric-they have a Nakajima sticker on theirs...but he is a bit of a WW2 nut too Had to Google that one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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