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Why Subaru Refuses to Build AWD Like Everyone Else!

369K views · Sep 13, 2026 · Autos & Vehicles

MrSubaru1387

532K subscribers

Comments · 544

@AutoAnomoly · 12 days ago
As an AWD systems engineer this is one of the best explanation for AWD I have seen on YouTube. Keep up the good work!
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@boomerguy9935 · 2 weeks ago (edited)
I've owned AWD Honda's (CR-V, Element, HR-V) over the last few decades and Honda's system is very limited when compared to my Subaru Forester. The easiest way to describe driving them is, Honda's system is reactive and the Subaru's system is proactive. This is oversimplifying it, but I have MUCH more confidence in my Forester.
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@journeymancellist9247 · 2 weeks ago
“What the Brochure leaves out.” That should be the name of an entire channel devoted to exactly that subject
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@jeffer1101 · 2 weeks ago
Another advantage of the equal length half shafts is it eliminates torque steer.  This helps with stability and maintaining traction quite a bit.
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@SK-tr9ii · 2 weeks ago
I had a Subie awd and then bought a Toyota awd. The Subie is without a doubt the better of the two.
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@samuelcollie2050 · 2 weeks ago
We just bought a 2026 Asent. Your explanation of X mode is much more informative than reading the owner's manual. Thanks! First Subaru for us!
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@khakiswag · 2 weeks ago (edited)
Much respect to you for your honesty. Most folks would appeal to the Subie fans by saying that Subaru's system is the best. But you didn't take the easy road and kept it real. Although it's good  there are other systems out there just as good. Audi's Quattro and Acura/Honda SH-AWD/iVTM4 come to mind as other excellent systems. Most importantly, thank your for clarifying that no AWD system can defeat the laws of physics so don't get overconfident in bad conditions.
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@bucketman5138 · 5 days ago
idk why but i cant stop looking at this guys beard. great explanation 👍
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@AscendingAscent · 2 weeks ago
We have 2 Subaru's 23 Forester with the dual mode x mode and a 22 Ascent with single mode x mode. We are a proud Subaru family. My wife had a 19 outback that saved her life in a wreck. We have been hooked ever since.
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@BlackPirate3112 · 6 days ago
I'm so glad you added more visuals in your video.
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@gjforeman · 2 weeks ago
We are both retired, and have a 2023 Ascent Touring with about 23000 miles on it.  Recently, we traded in a 2024 Toyota Corolla Hybrid for a 2026 Subaru Forester Hybrid, for reasons that might seem odd.  Both of us are 75 years old, and getting in and out of the Corolla with those short doors was a challenge, but the biggest reason was my wife's vision is not the best, and she was unable to read the tiny, dim dashboard display.  Primarily, the speedometer numbers.  She found the only real indication she could see was when the little speed limit sign icon would turn red, meaning she was now over the speed limit. Also, despite all the crap piled on Subaru for  the 11 inch glass display, we found the tiny chrome chicklet key switches for the Toyota's Heat/ AC system too difficult to read, especially being mounted in the center, meaning I just punched a few buttons til I got the right response. We long ago adapted to the Subaru glass panel and have had zero trouble with it.  When we went back to the Toyota dealer, we found EVERY new Toyota uses the exact same display we were having problems with.  So we went back to the Subaru dealer and we are now a Dual Subie family.   As for the 4-wheel drive hardware, here in Southern California, you have to really want to go off-road to put it to the test.  In our entire Subaru ownership, I have never utilized X-Mode or been off pavement for more than a few minutes.  We do live in the foothills, but they are pretty well paved.  Our rainy season is normally pretty tame compared with the rest of the US, though when it DOES rain, we do have some serious flooding of intersections.  I feel much better when these rare challenges do appear, that we have the Subaru drive train and higher road clearance on our side.  With the upcoming El Nino weather system approaching, promising biblical type weather, I feel much more at ease.
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@oldgeezerproductions · 2 weeks ago
Years ago I was driving my '13 Crosstrek in a heavy downpour on a twisty mountain highway East of Salt Lake and the car started to hydroplane, but remained under perfect control -- I was impressed.  The '13 got totaled (sadly) but I didn't even get a bruise.  Last May, I took its replacement, a '26 Crosstrek up to Cathedral Valley, Utah after fording the Fremont river.  After climbing up and over the Bentonite Hills, with all the Jeep drivers watching, I arrived and camped overnight at the campground.  Next morning I returned on the Cainville Wash Road.  With just street tires, fully inflated (32PSI), I didn't spin a wheel even while climbing out of the dozens of sandy washes or splashing across the Fremont river.  I don't see how any other AWD system could work better.
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