Anyone knowledgable about the drivetrain in new Subarus?

"NaturallyAspirated" (NaturallyAspirated) 01/22/2014 at 17:08 • Filed to: Subaru, Outback

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One of my friends is considering buying a 2014 Subaru Outback. He has had back trouble for some time, and recently his Honda coupe has gotten more difficult for him to get in and out of. He went and test drove a number of different cars last week, and from his perspective, the Outback was the winner for ease of getting in and out of and ride comfort, and it also seemed like a pretty good value for money.

I was curious if anyone here knows anything about the "new" 2.5l engine in the new Outback. I know the EJ25D in my '98 Outback is notorious for headgasket failures (been there done that), but I would assume that after 15 years of practice, Subaru would have ironed the kinks out of their 2.5l boxer design.

My friend would probably get the CVT, since as stated, driver comfort is more important that driving excitement.

Stupidru > NaturallyAspirated 01/22/2014 at 17:11

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AFAIK, the Outbacks never got any new engines. They still have the same old EJ25 or the amazingly smooth 3.6L H6

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > NaturallyAspirated 01/22/2014 at 17:14

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The H6 is very good, and should have a 6-speed auto, not the CVT.

The Outback is a very good light truck.

Doge_Supreme drives a BRZ > Stupidru 01/22/2014 at 17:18

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I do believe they fixed the head gasket issue though, but I think the 3.6 is the better choice.

WhereAreMyPants > Stupidru 01/22/2014 at 17:24

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Definitely go with the 6. Some friends just bought the EJ25/cvt combo, and it is a straight dog. Dangerously slow, If you're going to be doing anything involving a highway with passengers on board.

Boxer_4 > Stupidru 01/22/2014 at 17:25

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The Outback (and Legacy) received the FB25 and gen 2 Lineartronic CVT starting in 2013.

I definitely agree that the EZ36D is a great engine.

Stupidru > WhereAreMyPants 01/22/2014 at 17:28

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I test drove one over Xmas for Schnitzengiggles, and it was very torquey but incredibly smooth. Think of hot sauce with butter, mmmmm....

Boxer_4 > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) 01/22/2014 at 17:28

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The 3.6R has the 5EAT 5-speed auto, and does not have a 6-speed auto. That being said, the Outback 3.6R is an amazing vehicle. The EZ36D is one of the smoothest engines I've ever experienced.

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > Boxer_4 01/22/2014 at 17:32

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I would so rock an Outback 3.6R with off-road tires.

That would be so comfortably bad-ass.

davedave1111 > WhereAreMyPants 01/22/2014 at 17:53

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"Dangerously slow, If you're going to be doing anything involving a highway with passengers on board."

I've never understood people who say that. If you can't drive safely, that's not the car's fault; no modern car is too slow for highway speeds as long as the driver drives with regard to its abilities.

N/A POWAAAHH > NaturallyAspirated 01/22/2014 at 17:59

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EJ25 head gaskets were fixed in 08+, so you should be good