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Subaru Outback vs Jeep Cherokee | Off-Road Wagon Takes on an Off-Road SUV Video | Edmunds.com
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Subaru Outback vs Jeep Cherokee | Off-Road Wagon Takes on an Off-Road SUV Video | Edmunds.com
Two crossovers: one more like a wagon, the other more like an SUV. Both provide better off-roading capabilities than the typical crossover while being just as impressive on the well-beaten path.
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I drove the Jeep first and was stunned, just blown away by the quality and luxury of the ride and just how solid and quiet it was. I was especially thrilled with the awesome adaptive cruise system, and I knew my wife would love the parallel parking system and the heated steering wheel.
I drove the Subaru immediately after the Jeep, as the dealership was just down the street. A very honest, practical car with no pretensions. Although not the equal of the Jeep in terms of luxury, quietness or with the same weighty, substantial feel, it was every bit as good, just different. The Eyesight system was very good, though not as smooth in operation as the Jeep.
I left the Subaru dealer wishing I could get the Cherokee for my wife and the Forester for me. Arriving at the Honda dealership I had high hopes that the CR-V would be the happy medium and a bit better than the other two vehicles, as it was new for 2015 and had just won the Motor Trend SUV of the Year award over the Cherokee which apparently had missed the cut for the 2014 competition(won by the Forester) despite being on dealer lots in October 2013. Styling was uninspired, not like the stand out Cherokee(very attractive in person in Limited trim) or the honest plainness of the Forester, but its a Honda so that can be forgiven because you get epic Honda quality and reliability. The salesman gushed about the award and about how good the new CR-V was. I drove the top Touring trim, of which the dealer had two to choose from. One block from the dealership I returned the first for the second one, thinking the first was just a bad apple. The second was no better. What a piece of junk! No one who cross-shops this with the Forester and Jeep could possibly buy the CR-V. What stood out most was how loud it was, especially compared to tomb-like Cherokee. Also a disaster was the adaptive cruise system, a joke compared to those on the Subaru or Jeep. What surprised me most was the feeling of low quality of the Honda. What happened? Perhaps the funniest thing was having to tell the salesman how the Honda wasn't even in the same league as the Subaru or Jeep. I tried to cushion the blow and be diplomatic. What was funny is that it was if he didn't hear a word I said, just kept going on and on about how good the Honda was. Guy must have been on drugs.
On this video test, I was surprised that the main advantages of the Jeep, the substantial feel, the great ride and quietness(at least on the Limited, not sure about the Trailhawk), and the Tech package and luxury features(and awesome full moonroof) were not even mentioned. I suggest driving both Jeep and Subaru and picking what works best for your personality and needs. We placed our order and took delivery about 10 days ago of my wife's new 2015 Cherokee Limited, V6, Active Drive I, loaded(but no tow pkg. or off-road suspension), in Billet Silver with the Blue/Brown Luxury Pkg. interior. So far we are very happy. Hopefully will still like it in 5 years when it becomes my daily driver for its second 5 years.
Subaru cannot touch it!
I can also flat tow Trailhawk behind motorhome. Subaru owners manual says it voids warrentee. No matter what sale person says!
We have a Toyota Avalon and we prefer driving the Trailhawk as our daily driver!
People come up to me and tell me "what a cool looking car".
When has your Outback or Forester done this to you?
Then go off road, I mean really off road!
We're are the skid plates on the Subaru?
We're is the low range 4 wheel drive with locking rear differential?
18 speeds forward and 2 speeds rearward with high and low range that are shiftable in the automatic transmission Trailhawk.
The reviewers of this Jeep Trailhawk didn't read the inch and a half thick owners manual before they rated this automobile.
Buy the lifetime Mopar warrentee on line at a $1,200.00 discount for $ 2,000.00 and you are in heaven.
Every oilchage I mention the Mopar lifetime warrentee if something just might turn up and they get real honest and helpful!
They also volunteer the news about newly released or upcoming software downloads that are available or coming shortly!
Buy a Jeep and you are in a much different league! You go to places and see places, wildlife others dream of.
Sorry Honda, Subaru. I have test drove you! You don't stack up!
Sincerely
After 3 months of service calls wasted, they finally admitted to me that my "Trail Rated" Trailhawk will never be able to drive through a sandy beach without the tranny overheating. No kidding! They can't fix it so they just claim "Opeating as intended".
I'm trading mine for another Outback and I drove my 2005 Outback XT all over the beaches for 6 years without problems.
BTW, my Cherokee lost over 10,000 dollars during the first 8 months so what does that tell you about the piece of junk?
Take your Trailhawk to the beach or anywhere there is soft sand. It will do ok for a little while until your Tranny temp gets up around 200 degrees. Then it craps out just like a CRV when people take them on the beach. The back wheels are released and you are stranded until it cools down. Then your MIL light comes on. Very poorly designed transmission and depreciating faster than any car that I have owned.
But by now you probaly have already discoved that like the rest of the victims. "Trail Rated" unless the trail has sand.......