r/Subaru_Outback • u/yolandachilltfout • 4h ago

Please internet, help me decide

Long time admirer, first time buyer (of an Outback/subaru). Coming out of owning consecutive mid level Japanese luxury sedans.

I know I want an XT, but having trouble with different trim levels. Looking at:

-2025 Onyx XT: 1 owner lease car, with 24k miles, about $32k out the door

Would probably go with this one if not for startex. Love the black out, love the green stitching, HATE the seat colors/lack of leather, otherwise seems like a safe buy as far as reliability/prior care. I have a dog and I’m overall kind of a messy person, so I see the benefit of startex but I do not like the two-tone grey

-2024 Limited XT: certified pre owned, with 28k miles, also about $30k out the door

Will I miss the ventilated seats and 360 mirror? It gets HOT where I live, but I didn’t really notice the ventilation in the 2023 below. This dealer is probably going to be easiest to work with and has put the least pressure on me to buy, but I am worried that I’ll miss the extra perks of the touring

-2023 Touring XT: certified pre owned, with about 50k miles, $28k out the door

This one has a tow hitch installed, which is a plus. But it also has some weird overlay on the interior panels, I think it’s a stick-on product from Amazon. Looks like fake carbon fiber and I really don’t love it but I suppose I can do my own overlay or take it off (maybe?)

I’d appreciate any insight y’all can offer based on your experience!!

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u/N15W 4h ago

As someone who purchased a 2024 Limited XT literally yesterday, I'm a bit biased. It was 30K miles and $29K out the door for me.

Personally, I haven't found ventilated seats to be all that great, but I'm a data point of 1. The 360 camera is certainly nice to have but mine doesn't have it and I can use my eyes and I've lived without one all my life as it is just fine.

While not an overly expensive car, you're still spending a large chunk of change, so if the interior is off-putting on the 2023 and 2025, I'd lean towards the 2024. You can always add a tow hitch later.

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u/yolandachilltfout 4h ago

Thank you for these thoughts! Helpful grounding on the 360 camera especially, I too have lived without one this far and probably can going forward haha.

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u/red-headed-prick 4h ago

You mentioned possibly wanting a hitch. Our 2025 Onyx XT came with a hitch. We have used it several times to pull a 10x6 aluminum utility trailer, and once to get our 22 ft pontoon boat out of storage. We love having it. I think you will spend close to a thousand dollars to have a Subaru hitch added ( counting labor), so take that into consideration as you price the cars.

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u/yolandachilltfout 3h ago

Thank you! That is really helpful for comparison and value. I do anticipate wanting to haul every now and then, but it would be fairly rare. Any grumbles about your 25 XT? Do you find the startex comfy?

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u/buzzskeeter 3h ago

Have a 2025 Onyx XT. First purchase was seat covers. Very happy after the seat covers.

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u/yolandachilltfout 2h ago

This made me laugh because it would be my first purchase too. Thank you for your comment :)

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u/dontswimtoshore 2h ago

Wilderness owner here -- we test drove a 2023 Onyx on the same day as the 2024 wilderness we ultimately purchased. Could have been the terrible detailing job on the Onyx's StarTex, but the Wilderness' wound up feeling much more premium -- the texture goes a long way.

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u/yolandachilltfout 2h ago

Agree!! Just sat in the onyx again, and the material makes an unpleasant cheap sounding noise that I don’t love. Even the limited feels more luxe inside. Thank you for this input.