Towing with a Subaru

[Widgeon]

A highly specific question, but we're looking at replacing our 2006 diesel Volvo XC70 with a 2016 diesel Subaru Outback (this one, to be exact).

I only tow a single trailer and a small horse, so the Volvo does a great job (I adore this car but it's getting old and won't live forever - we need a replacement lined up) and I'm just wondering if anyone has experience of the Outback? I know it wouldn't be much good towing a double trailer, but I don't care about that as I don't need to do it.

The model we're looking at is a manual, which is a pain (I've only ever towed with an automatic), but there aren't many of these cars about second hand, particularly not diesels, so beggars can't be choosers.

For some reason more people seem to tow with the Forester, but it's my understanding that the Outback actually has a slightly higher tow capacity than the Forester. However I am by no means an expert on any of this so any information on Outbacks, towing with a manual, etc, would be appreciated - thanks.

 

[Barton Bounty]

Not an outback but I have towed with a legacy and a friend with a forester without any issues

 

[Abacus]

I had a much older one (2003) and it was an absolutely brilliant car, lovely to drive and to tow with. It was a petrol automatic though and I would def recommend the automatic if you can find and afford one.

 

[ihatework]

Check the cars tow capacity - I have a feeling it’s 1.8-2t which should be sufficient for ponies or a single horse.

I have to say, I had a legacy with a 1.8t capacity and never towed with it, it wasnt a car I had much faith in. I think some of the newer ones, particularly the outback are better now

 

[teapot]

The Outbacks are fabulous cars (friend has one who did a bit of rallying in her younger years and adores it), but I don’t know what they’re like for towing.

Can you expand your search area to find an auto one, like the eBay one?

 

[Bonnie Allie]

No. They are not designed for towing.

 

[Widgeon]

No. They are not designed for towing.

Thanks for that enormously helpful comment - care to support with any facts or personal experience? Even just one small one would do.

 

[shortstuff99]

If you can get one Subaru Forresters are (or at least were) brilliant to tow with. Mine towed way better than the land rover and never got stuck in anything. Used to drive and tow in the deepest mud and even proper ice often leaving even the defenders stuck

 

[Widgeon]

Thanks all, that's very helpful; it sounds like narrowing down to automatic only would be worth doing then. So I'll do that.

 

[Widgeon]

If you can get one Subaru Forresters are (or at least were) brilliant to tow with.

There do seem to be more Forresters around. I would imagine the Outback would be reasonably similar though, on the whole. For a diesel around 2017, the Forrester has a sniff (100kg) more capacity than the Outback. So they must be pretty similar. That's nice to hear you have a good opinion of the Forrester.

 

[Barton Bounty]

I like the look of the outback

 

[Widgeon]

Check the cars tow capacity - I have a feeling it’s 1.8-2t which should be sufficient for ponies or a single horse.

I have to say, I had a legacy with a 1.8t capacity and never towed with it, it wasnt a car I had much faith in. I think some of the newer ones, particularly the outback are better now

Yes, I also heard iffy things about the older Legacies. The newer Outbacks seem to have a much better rep.

 

[Widgeon]

I like the look of the outback

Me too. It seems to perform well while also looking....not like a tank. We don't want a tank!

 

[Widgeon]

Check the cars tow capacity - I have a feeling it’s 1.8-2t which should be sufficient for ponies or a single horse.

The Outback is 1700kg which will do fine for my setup (as compared to the Volvo's 1800kg). It's a bit more torquey than the Volvo so in theory I think it ought to tow just as well....but obviously while theory is all well and good it's nice to hear from some people who have actually driven them, so these replies are really helpful.

 

[Barton Bounty]

Me too. It seems to perform well while also looking....not like a tank. We don't want a tank!

No one wants a tank

 

[Widgeon]

No one wants a tank

But joking aside, I find it amazing how many people DO. So many modern cars weigh huge amounts, take up loads of space, and don't necessarily have any more boot space or towing ability than my Volvo. I was at a fun ride recently and the parking was at the top of a grass slope. A massive Kia with two ponies in an Ifor got stuck at the bottom and literally couldn't make it up. The volunteers had to turn it around at the bottom and squeeze it onto the side of the track to park. This stupidly large flashy car, designed to look like it goes off roading before breakfast, and it couldn't tow two small ponies up a gentle slope.

I should caveat this to say that of course I see the benefit of a large and genuinely capable car when you're towing a heavier setup, but this trend for driving bigger and bigger cars regardless of need annoys me. Particularly when a lot of those cars are all mouth and no trousers, so to speak!

 

[Barton Bounty]

But joking aside, I find it amazing how many people DO. So many modern cars weigh huge amounts, take up loads of space, and don't necessarily have any more boot space or towing ability than my Volvo. I was at a fun ride recently and the parking was at the top of a grass slope. A massive Kia with two ponies in an Ifor got stuck at the bottom and literally couldn't make it up. The volunteers had to turn it around at the bottom and squeeze it onto the side of the track to park. This stupidly large flashy car, designed to look like it goes off roading before breakfast, and it couldn't tow two small ponies up a gentle slope.

I should caveat this to say that of course I see the benefit of a large and genuinely capable car when you're towing a heavier setup, but this trend for driving bigger and bigger cars regardless of need annoys me. Particularly when a lot of those cars are all mouth and no trousers, so to speak!

Totally agree!

My friend has an xc70 she doesnt tow.

I have an L200 for practicality… was going to have a new car but decided a trailer instead..

 

[Widgeon]

I have an L200 for practicality… was going to have a new car but decided a trailer instead..

Nice! Part of me would really love a pickup. But as ours has to do everything else as well as towing, I don't think I'd get that idea past the rest of the committee (aka my husband)

 

[Barton Bounty]

Nice! Part of me would really love a pickup. But as ours has to do everything else as well as towing, I don't think I'd get that idea past the rest of the committee (aka my husband)

I didnt think id like it, I absolutely love my truck, and its pretty good on diesel

 

[Tiddlypom]

For a really good and not huge tow car, have you considered a Skoda Octavia 4x4? More mainstream than a Subaru. There is an automatic version, although we’ve got the manual. It’s a compact middle size estate car, and an awesome tower. Good all rounder too, and on motorways.

Think the automatic tow limit is 1800kg, for our 15 plate manual it is 2000kg.

Disregard this suggestion if a Skoda doesn’t appeal .

 

[marmalade76]

But joking aside, I find it amazing how many people DO. So many modern cars weigh huge amounts, take up loads of space, and don't necessarily have any more boot space or towing ability than my Volvo. I was at a fun ride recently and the parking was at the top of a grass slope. A massive Kia with two ponies in an Ifor got stuck at the bottom and literally couldn't make it up. The volunteers had to turn it around at the bottom and squeeze it onto the side of the track to park. This stupidly large flashy car, designed to look like it goes off roading before breakfast, and it couldn't tow two small ponies up a gentle slope.

I should caveat this to say that of course I see the benefit of a large and genuinely capable car when you're towing a heavier setup, but this trend for driving bigger and bigger cars regardless of need annoys me. Particularly when a lot of those cars are all mouth and no trousers, so to speak!

That's quite possibly bad driving, though.

 

[Bonnie Allie]

Thanks for that enormously helpful comment - care to support with any facts or personal experience? Even just one small one would do.

It’s a no based on:-

Transmission is not set up for towing
Rear suspension not set up for heavy duty towing
Whilst AWD - not effective as 4x4 in mud and slippery going
Engine too small in power to tow effectively
Front brakes/discs would be impacted if you didn’t have the brake unit in the trailer set up well

I have one and I LOVE it - especially the tech. Amazing in the snow as well but definitely not a tow vehicle. It can tow but is not set up well for such.

 

[sportsmansB]

For a really good and not huge tow car, have you considered a Skoda Octavia 4x4? More mainstream than a Subaru. There is an automatic version, although we’ve got the manual. It’s a compact middle size estate car, and an awesome tower. Good all rounder too, and on motorways.

Think the automatic tow limit is 1800kg, for our 15 plate manual it is 2000kg.

Disregard this suggestion if a Skoda doesn’t appeal .

I think Fiona who was on here had an Octavia 4x4 and towed no bother with it, loved it

 

[Widgeon]

For a really good and not huge tow car, have you considered a Skoda Octavia 4x4? More mainstream than a Subaru.

Yes I have, this was my pick but husband is keen on the Subaru - he doesn't usually have strong opinions so I figured it's only fair he gets what he wants on the rare occasions that he does! Thanks though, I do appreciate the comment.

 

[Widgeon]

That's quite possibly bad driving, though.

Fair point, yes I suspect it's both!

 

[Widgeon]

It’s a no based on:-

Ok, that's much more helpful, thank you. I'm not worried about AWD as that's what we currently have and it does the job fine; likewise suspension and braking will probably be ok as I only tow 1300kg. But I'll bear that all in mind, particularly regarding the transmission and the engine size.

Have you towed with yours? And just out of interest, what's your benchmark? If you're used to towing with a pickup or a Land Rover etc you probably have much higher expectations than I do!

 

[teacups]

Out of interest, why are neither you or OH considering another similar Volvo?

 

[ihatework]

If you only need 1300kg towing then yes I’d be happy with the Subaru. I did find the maintenance/ parts significantly more expensive on Subarus.

Depending on your overall needs other large estates may be adequate for you - Audi / Volvo /VW all do estates with raised ride height and AWD

 

[Widgeon]

Out of interest, why are neither you or OH considering another similar Volvo?

The very short answer is that I don't like the modern ones. They're all huge, to start with, and they seem to be prone to electrical failures. I love my old Volvo so I was really keen to have another one, but I just don't think they make what we want any more.

 

[Widgeon]

I did find the maintenance/ parts significantly more expensive on Subarus.

Yes...I am concerned about this, that will be a pain. Although we're used to it with the Volvo.