Ranger vs Outback

[TXRangerTim]

Subarus are pretty cool and probably do what most people need capability wise if you don’t do truck stuff. For me a Subaru wouldn’t be practical considering I tow a lot. There is no way im putting dead deer and hogs in the back of it lol. There’s not enough little tree air fresheners on earth to mask that aroma!

Outbacks are more than capable for most peoples' needs. You could toss a deer on the roof rack. Never mind that they are also known as kayak hauling lesbian vehicles.

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[OFC Ranger]

I have to ask. Jack, are you thinking about trading the ranger for a subie?

Nothing in particular. My only for sure on the try list is to get in line for a 2024 ranger raptor at the manufacturer level (I'm not dealing with the dealership shenanigans).

Outside of that, as I said, I've mulled the idea over for a rally inspired smaller foot print off roader. To do that I'd have to compromise on a few things, just seeing what people have to say.

I'm not worried about storage, I'm sure I'd fabricate something up to fit what I need, especially with something that can come with factory roof bars.

 

[TXRangerTim]

If you're looking for rally/sporty look at the Crosstrek model too. It's a little higher ground clearance but slightly smaller body.

 

[TXRangerTim]

Outback Wilderness in snow:


His emergency recovery vehicle is a Ranger Tremor. Outback actaully has more ground clearance.

 

[OFC Ranger]

Outback Wilderness in snow:


His emergency recovery vehicle is a Ranger Tremor. Outback actaully has more ground clearance.

Yea I've watched a bunch of those.

Whoever decided to put those style running boards on a tremor at Ford is a moron. Nearly every off-roading video I watch that has a factory tremor, those things are always the number 1 problem.

I've often considering buying four shovels, taking the heads off the poles, and then welding them to my frame with the pointy end down.

 

[Dgc333]

FWIW, my off roading over the past 40 years has been limited to driving on the beach. Initially the only vehicles you would see are 4x4 Pickups, Jeeps and full frame SUVs, seldom would you see someone get stuck. With the popularity of car based SUVs/CUVs you see a lot of those out on the beach and the lot more incidents of folks getting stuck.

The most common SUV/CUV I see getting stuck are Subarus. I think it is more of a situation where the folks driving them have an attitude that they are invincible and don't drive the conditions smartly verse any real disadvantage compared to other SUV/CUV vehicles.

If you are looking for a compact SUV/CUV with real off road chops the Jeep Cherokee Trail Hawk is generally considered to be the best. When you check the Trail Hawk box you get different front/rear facias for better approach/departure angles, lifted suspension, all-terrain tires, a transaxle with a low range, electronic locking rear differential and off-road gauges.

 

[Wes Siler]

Nothing in particular. My only for sure on the try list is to get in line for a 2024 ranger raptor at the manufacturer level (I'm not dealing with the dealership shenanigans).

Outside of that, as I said, I've mulled the idea over for a rally inspired smaller foot print off roader. To do that I'd have to compromise on a few things, just seeing what people have to say.

I'm not worried about storage, I'm sure I'd fabricate something up to fit what I need, especially with something that can come with factory roof bars.

I bought an Outback for a girlfriend back in 2015. It was a solid practical all rounder that was easy to drive and park, and worked well on road trips. But I think there's just a huge gap between people's understanding of the car's capabilities and intended purpose, and the reality.

Some important points to start:

- AWD, in the absence of other systems, sends power to the wheel (of four) with the least traction. As such, it helps prevent loss of control in slippery conditions, it cannot help you go further.

- To add back in some capability, Subaru employs a multiplate clutch that nominally splits torque 60 front 40 rear. This clutch can further increase axle speed matching should one begin spinning faster than the other. It cannot fully lock the speeds of both axles together, so cannot match the traction provided by any actual 4wd system, even before we consider axle diffs. This will be true on any slippery surface, on road or off, including snow.

- ground clearance is a fictional number invented by Subaru's marketing team. You could just as effectively cite a vehicles unicorn quotient.

Some more thoughts on this dilemma here, should anyone care to read about lies, and the lying Subaru marketeers who tell them, at great length: https://wessiler.substack.com/p/subaru-has-a-disinformation-problem

 

[Cinci36]

Bottom line is the 4wd system. They are the same but way different. In short outback AWD (all AWD) is for roads and racing and fun days off roads. Rangers 4wd is for pulling, slugging in the mud and doing miltary off roading, don't go around a corner fast it will help to make your truck unstable. AWD was developed in the 80s by a company called Audi for the Quattro for one reason only to beat Lancia in the World Rally Cup. 4wd was developed to go anywhere there was not roads and horses could go... Awd cannot do that

 

[lazynorse]

20+ yr Subaru owner here, most recently a 2010 Outback I bought new and sold for my 2022 FX4. I was sort of a ‘power user’ but finally got the Ranger given the significant capability differences off the beaten track.

The Outback excels on snowy highways, forest service roads and some terrain right up to where you start wishing for truck clearance and true 4wd. I logged a gazillion boondock camping trips and made it to every backpacking trailhead I aimed for in WA State in an Outback. Sphincter was clenched quite a few times and I wished I had a midsized truck.

I had to turn around in the Outback in some remote SE Oregon desert adventures, and this is where my interests have evolved - remote, 4wd exploration and camping, in the NW but also the desert SW.

The Outback is really pushing its limits in these locals, where the Ranger is not operating dangerously at 90% of its safety margins like I was in the Outback. That, plus the storage under a dry canopy provides payload way beyond the Outback.

If you’re not towing, hauling big loads or spending significant time where high clearance and true 4wd is necessary, I’d recommend an Outback.

Btw, my CVT transmission never faltered. I had a sequence of breakage - radiator fan quit, which overheated the radiator annd motor. I blew a head gasket and was stranded in the remote SE Oregon desert. This was at 150,000 miles. Not a fun couple days. Other than that, the Outback was totally reliable.

 

[myothercarizahearse]

Outback is dog tested and dog approved, never heard the Ranger make that claim:

According to Autotrader, the Subaru brand is recognized again for being dog friendly, and the 2022 Outback midsize SUV gets the nod as one of the 2022 10 Best Cars for Dog Lovers. This award is no surprise as the Subaru brand is involved with pet safety and has been for years.Aug 25, 2022

My wife's dogs like my ranger

 

[Wes Siler]

Outback is dog tested and dog approved, never heard the Ranger make that claim:

According to Autotrader, the Subaru brand is recognized again for being dog friendly, and the 2022 Outback midsize SUV gets the nod as one of the 2022 10 Best Cars for Dog Lovers. This award is no surprise as the Subaru brand is involved with pet safety and has been for years.Aug 25, 2022

What exactly does any of this language mean? Do Subarus come with crash tested dog barriers? Do they include any sort of safety or convenience features for dog owners? Or did Subaru just rent some dogs for a shoot?

 

[Wes Siler]

If you're looking for rally/sporty look at the Crosstrek model too. It's a little higher ground clearance but slightly smaller body.

All the crossover Subarus are on the same modular platform and are mechanically identical aside from engines.

None of them have anything in common with rally cars beyond badges.

 

[Wes Siler]

Here's a good video explaining how a rally car diff works. This is a whole nother world from sending power to the wheel with the least traction.

https://www.roadandtrack.com/motorsports/a21512872/world-rally-car-center-differential-explained/

 

[dtech]

My wife's dogs like my ranger

Yes but do you let them drive it ? I sometimes let my wife drive my Ranger.

 

[PoorSpecRanger]

Subarus used to be available with manual transmissions and limited slip diffs. Those days are gone so I have a Ranger now.

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