2021: Outback XT versus Rav4 Hybrid versus Kia Sorento

Make sure you have a good set of winter tires, regardless of which car you buy.

eblend wrote: ↑ Read again, I drove AROUND a new Toyota Rav4, helped him get out, then carried on. He was trying to get out from residential road and ended up diagonally across into oncoming traffic, so I drove around the side through fresh undisturbed powder, parked, and got my shovel to dig him out and push it. Since there have pushed out 3 more cars, none were AWD though, my neighbors RWD mercedes, a Sienna and just this morning a Toyota Yaris (no idea where this guy thinks he is going in FWD small car like that on all seasons)

Ah that makes more sense. Do you think the new outback would do as well? You probably have higher ground clearance which is probably very important

rmleider wrote: ↑ Ah that makes more sense. Do you think the new outback would do as well? You probably have higher ground clearance which is probably very important

Crosstrek, Outback and Forester all sit on the same "global platform", which is extended in height and lengths to accommodate the different styles, but they all have 8.7" of ground clearance. Rav4 has 8.4-8.6", so not much difference, so don't know if that played into the equation. I was just surprised he was stuck more than anything as I felt very confident all day, despite the crazy snow..i was basically a plow with my front bumper.

angryaudifanatic wrote: ↑ Hmm. Do I want to potentially replace an incredibly expensive battery (both from a $ and environmental perspective?).

Toyota has a 10 year 240,000km warranty on hybrid components. Any new car will have a devastating environmental impact. Hybrid will burn less fuel and in turn create less CO2.

eblend wrote: ↑ Read again, I drove AROUND a new Toyota Rav4, helped him get out, then carried on. He was trying to get out from residential road and ended up diagonally across into oncoming traffic, so I drove around the side through fresh undisturbed powder, parked, and got my shovel to dig him out and push it. Since there have pushed out 3 more cars, none were AWD though, my neighbors RWD mercedes, a Sienna and just this morning a Toyota Yaris (no idea where this guy thinks he is going in FWD small car like that on all seasons)

It's all tires. All seasons (especially if they're old) + snow = no traction. Doesn't matter if its AWD/RWD/FWD unless they have winter tires they're going to get stuck in snow. If people can't be bothered to buy winter tires I wouldn't help them get unstuck, they're just going to get stuck again 10 feet later. A family member has a Porsche that he daily's in the snow with nice winter tires, and no issues. I just bought a FWD little car with brand new all seasons (not my tire choice just what it came with), and its a joke in the snow. Literally slides around all over the place and struggles in an inch of powder. Ordered winter tires for it already just waiting for it to show up.

OP you honestly have to test drive them and see which you like. Subaru will have a better AWD system but I hate their interiors, the Toyota will probably have much better reliability but will be less sporty. If I was buying new I'd get the Toyota. Whatever you get just make sure to buy winter tires and you'll be fine in the snow. If you get stuck with 8" of ground clearance + AWD + winter tires then you're doing something dumb. I've never gotten stuck on my Golf with 4.8" ground clearance, just some times I turn into a snow plow.

Invalid12 wrote: ↑ Toyota has a 10 year 240,000km warranty on hybrid components. Any new car will have a devastating environmental impact. Hybrid will burn less fuel and in turn create less CO2.

That's not the point but OK.

Contrary to a post above.. If the Subaru adaptive cruise control stops working you can set it to regular cruise control.. Surprisingly many owners didn't read their owners manuals.

Contrary to a post above.. If the Subaru adaptive cruise control stops working you can set it to regular cruise control..

Beneful1 wrote: ↑ Contrary to a post above.. If the Subaru adaptive cruise control stops working you can set it to regular cruise control..

Quoted for Truth!

I love the adaptive cruise functionality, use it all the time on the highway.

Beneful1 wrote: ↑ Contrary to a post above.. If the Subaru adaptive cruise control stops working you can set it to regular cruise control.. Surprisingly many owners didn't read their owners manuals.

Read, owner's manual, brain, does, not, compute.

Really wish I had it though, but my poor man's trim did not even have the option for it.

Location???

Op did you make a decision?
I find the the New Sorento XT vs the Outback XT to be an interesting comparison.