2022/2023 Subaru 2.5l vs 2.4turbo

[HighUintas]

Can't find much info on the net. Anyone here have experience or seen reports of general reliability and longevity between the Subaru outback 2.5l and 2.4l turbo?

My wife is looking at 2022-2024 outback. I'm not sure if we actually need the 2.4 turbo because we have a truck, but I guess the extra boost would be nice for a loaded vehicle going up mountain highways.

 

[bigunit]

I have a 2024 outback wilderness and it's been great so far. Mileage is pretty good and tons of power with the 2.4l turbo. It gets up and goes quick. No problem pulling a smaller trailer. I use a 8x6 jumping jack. The only thing I don't like about the car is all the nanny safety crap that constantly beeps at me and the auto start/stop can't be permanently disabled without buying an Amazon part.

 

[HighUintas]

Ya I'm sure the 2.4 does a great job towing. I think the 2.5 would be adequate, but am wondering about potential long term reliability issues or maintenance costs. The recommended oil change interval is the same but I see people saying you should change the 2.4 more often anyway. The turbo used to have issues but supposedly those are worked out. The turbo runs hotter, so it's harder on everything and more likely to die earlier, more complicated parts, etc etc.

It may not be worth it for our use, but would be a "nice to have".

 

[ETtikka]

Seems like the turbo versions have had less head gasket issues , for both the older belt and newer chain engines. Turbo just gonna need more frequent oil changes is the only maintenance difference

 

[Yooper]

Get the turbo and change the oil every 5k. The 2.5 is a dog IMO. Our local mechanic (former Subaru tech for many years) has nothing but great things to say about the turbo as long as they're maintained. Sample size of one, but I trust this guy more than anyone else locally.

 

[CHWine]

I have a '24 Outback with the turbo. I'm an old fart and do drive like one. I think the turbo adds 90 hp over the 2.5. Mileage is a shade less than the 2.5.....I had a 2011 Outback. Oil changes are always synthetic and 5k miles. Subaru makes a heckofa car as far as I'm concerned.

 

[tt_johnsclist]

My wife has the turbo and we love it. I’m glad we got it. That being said, my daughter has an (older) non-turbo and I don’t notice any lack of power, and the mileage is noticeably better. Not that the turbo gets poor mileage.

 

[fngTony]

My 2.5 was a dog from a stop thanks to the cvt, but did stay consistent on steep grades thanks to the cvt. If you’re not driving it in high altitude then the 2.5 is probably ok. I believe in 2018 they made a leap in reliability with the turbo option.

 

[HunterGatherer]

I ran and repaired Subarus from 98-present ( still have 3 of the older ones). The brand really started to fall off when they went to the 2.5, which is a stretched design from the 2.2 - one of the best engines ever made. I believe it was engineered obsolescence but that’s speculation. Those old 2.2s just ran forever, same with the 2.0 turbo. I replaced head gaskets or did 2.5-2.2l swaps up until about 2010 MY. The head gaskets were always the issue. I gave up on Subaru when they added more and more computers, to the point my ‘15 Forester 2.0 had 27 computers…

I switched to Toyotas as they have the same AWD performance as a Subaru but with much better reliability. Have had 6 RAV4s now and they remind me of my old Subarus. The 3.5l V6 is great and has about the same power as the Subaru 2.4 turbo that you’re considering- not sure about current models. Just some food for thought…