Outback Fixed for Canoeists

[Black_Fly]

Subaru has taken pity on canoeists and offers nice roof rack rails on a couple 2025 models. We checked out a new Outback Wilderness yesterday. Wife test drove it and fell in love. Unfortunately, the good rails aren’t available on more affordable trims now, but that will change for 2026. Picture of wife with 2025 Outback Wilderness and pic of a 2026 Outback (available this fall). Our 2018 Outback is virtually worthless for shuttling boats.

 

[Steve in Idaho]

How does the rack differ? Our 2020 would be okay for hauling if the rails (which can be rotated 90° for crossbars) weren't covered with coarse texture.

 

[yknpdlr]

I bought a 2024 Wilderness Forester in Dec 23. I was surprised it did not have crossbars like my previous Subarus always had since 2004. But while my 2016 Forester Limited was still in the dealer's parking lot, I quickly removed the old crossbars. The fit was not perfect, but I could make it work without issue. My wife traded her 2015 Limited in at the same time and I also took those. They were a better fit for her new Limited. The other surprise was three was no coin holder in the arm rest well. They "ran out' of them when they outfitted my car, new ones from stock would cost $15. But the salesman told me to go ahead and take the one from my old car. Actually, most times for transporting canoes, I will use my older Thule square bars because they have gunwale stops.

I Do love the new car with only two issues. The dumb “keyless’ key fob is a monster, uncomfortably bulky to regularly carry in my pocket. Also gone are the days when I could leave my older style smaller fob or a metal key in the car when it is in my attached garage. Apparently, as I am told by the dealer, that shortens the fob battery life, since it is always communicating with the car. Bring me back to the days of a simple flat metal key I could keep in my pocket or in a small leather folder with other keys in my back pocket. It must hang on a hook inside the house. Even with a sign posted outside the door “got key?” I can’t tell you how many cuss words have been emitted when I get in the car without it.

My only other complaint is the trailer light wiring connector, buried under the rear bumper. I have to get on my knees in stones and dirt to see to connect my small utility trailer.

Beyond those two items, I love the car, oh except that due to the wilderness gearing, it gets around 10% mpg less than my wife’s new limited forester. But at least I do not hit my head on the open rear hatch, siince it is slightly higher than on other and older models

 

[GeoBoy]

Yes, that’s the only thing I dislike about our 2023 Outback Limited XT, the rack. I am going to try Inno INFR mounts to attach my Thule square bars on the aluminum corners of the current rack.
The rack on the new 2026 Outback is going to be good for carrying canoes.

 

[clemency]

I had rails on my 2020 Crosstrek and put Yakima crossbars on. The rails weren't on all Crosstreks or other models, but were certainly an option.

 

[Black_Fly]

I had rails on my 2020 Crosstrek and put Yakima crossbars on. The rails weren't on all Crosstreks or other models, but were certainly an option.

Yes, the wilderness package is available on the CT, but they also have better standard rails than the OB. I don’t know who thought up those swinging plastic two point 30” spread X-bars but they ought to burn where the sun doesn’t shine.

 

[Steve in Idaho]

Yes, the wilderness package is available on the CT, but they also have better standard rails than the OB. I don’t know who thought up those swinging plastic two point 30” spread X-bars but they ought to burn where the sun doesn’t shine.

They certainly do limited you to solo canoes.....and those other skinny floating objects. And the abrasive finish......but I repeat myself.

 

[billconner]

Somehow I got lucky with my 2018. It came with rails compatible with a Thule towers and bars, which were available from dealer.

 

[clemency]

Yes, the wilderness package is available on the CT, but they also have better standard rails than the OB. I don’t know who thought up those swinging plastic two point 30” spread X-bars but they ought to burn where the sun doesn’t shine.

Not a wilderness package (and a 2021, not 2020 -- my bad). It was a Sport package (with the 2.5l engine), but I don't think the rails were included as part of that package. And no swing plastic crossbars on it either. Just rails.

Seeing more and more vehicles with euro rails, and have them on my new vehicle. They work, but I'm not sure they're an improvement or not. Guess it will depend on the aftermarket tower and crossbar designs. We also have a 2007 Element and a 2015 Impreza in the family. Both have mounting points for roof racks or can be run bare. A much better solution IMO.

 

[Tsuga8]

Somehow I got lucky with my 2018. It came with rails compatible with a Thule towers and bars, which were available from dealer.

My 2013 Forester (base model) came with rails and no crossbars. I bought new feet for the Thule bars I had on my last two cars, which are now nearing retirement age (the cross bars).

I'm dreading the day I have to get a new car. Mine has minimal electronics and a real metal key separate from the fob (albeit a key that still has an ungodly expensive-to-replace chip). And the only CD player I have left. I'm at 265k on the mileage.

 

[scoutergriz]

My 2013 Forester (base model) came with rails and no crossbars. I bought new feet for the Thule bars I had on my last two cars, which are now nearing retirement age (the cross bars).

I'm dreading the day I have to get a new car. Mine has minimal electronics and a real metal key separate from the fob (albeit a key that still has an ungodly expensive-to-replace chip). And the only CD player I have left. I'm at 265k on the mileage.

Not a subie, but my 22 ram had no cd player, and as everyone who travels outside of regular coverage areas knows, Cd's can be a godsend, even satellite is iffy under heavy cloud and tree cover. I found a peripheral cd player on amazon that plugs into my USB and is plug and play, the only hassle is popping the console open to change discs and surprisingly is skips less than my old one on rough roads

 

[PortageW/Cerberus]

So do the new Outbacks finally have a decent spread between the bars? On my '22 they only go to about 39", which I find criminally inadequate for long canoes.

 

[Black_Fly]

Not a subie, but my 22 ram had no cd player, and as everyone who travels outside of regular coverage areas knows, Cd's can be a godsend, even satellite is iffy under heavy cloud and tree cover. I found a peripheral cd player on amazon that plugs into my USB and is plug and play, the only hassle is popping the console open to change discs and surprisingly is skips less than my old one on rough roads

I have like 160 CDs you can have,

We’re going to wait and look at the 2026. Put a 78” bar on that sucker! Maybe the price will go down!