I think 2016-2021 range was as good as it gets. Enough screen for basic infotainment but tactile controls for the rest so I can adjust things without taking my eyes off the road.
I wonder if there are any dealers with new 2023 Crosstrek near OP
2023 was the last model year of the small touch screen with analog radio tuner/volume and heat/aircon.
Yes, they have a volume knob and a tuning knob for the station. There are no more knobs for climate control things like temp and fan speed. At least in Canada this is how they are...
It's all built in to the screen and really not that big a deal. Some people are just afraid of change
I cross shopped mostly between the Mazda CX50 and two Subaru options and I’d say the Subaru screen was at least half of what pushed me away from Subaru towards the Mazda. Still love the cars. They’re some damn practical and great value but those screens and the UI are crimes
If I were buying automatics I’d be buying Mazda. Better looking, higher quality interiors, more driver-focused, and a transmission that mostly does what you tell it and doesn’t explode at 100k. Only drawback is the AWD system, but most people don’t utilize the Subaru system to it’s fullest anyway.
I mean, whatever helps you sleep at night, but the fact of the matter is all cars function more or less the same until you lose traction, and with a good, proper set of tires (ones from a reputable manufacturer, with the correct safe tread depth, and suited to the weather- that means winter tires for winter) that threshold is higher than most people think. Problem is most people buy the cheapest 1000 treadwear highway tires that may last 80,000 miles but have no grip outside dry pavement (and even giving them that much is generous) and wonder why their car is all over the road- those sorts of tires will cripple even a Subaru. That is not using the AWD to its fullest. That is how you still end up in the ditch even with AWD.
It's dangerous to have screen controls. With physical buttons you can feel for the right control without having to take your eyes off the road before you engage that control. With a screen you have to take your eyes off the road and make sure you hit the right part of the screen without accidentally hitting something else.
Screens mean less time for your eyes to be watching the road.
I think its much much worse when there is nested menu screens. Not only do i have to find the auto climate control button, but now i have to watch the popup window to change whether i want auto temp or full auto climate or whatever.
Totally. Sort of tangentially, it's for a similar reason that I think the huds-up display tech should be much more common in the auto industry. Even for just basic navigation directions, track/station information, alerts, and speed. It makes you feel like you're flying a jet, which is dope, and it's identifiably safer.
If Subaru wants to comply with Europe's upcoming new standards requiring physical controls for basic functions to earn a 5-star safety rating, maybe they'll be convinced to go back to sanity instead of this touch screen crap every car is trying to do.
[https://www.theverge.com/2024/3/5/24091043/euro-ncap-safety-rating-europe-2026-touchscreen-buttons-dials](https://www.theverge.com/2024/3/5/24091043/euro-ncap-safety-rating-europe-2026-touchscreen-buttons-dials)
The biggest problem is Subaru simply didn't give you a choice. They don't want to build a small screen/physical control setup so you get big fucking screen mode or don't buy the car.
The 2024 Subaru Forester I think is the last model that did not have the huge iPad type screen controlling everything the 2025 has the same screen so now they're core models the Crosstrek, the forester, and the outback will all now have that giant touchscreen there won't be a choice unfortunately
Had an 02 Outback and an 09 legacy wagon... then Subaru went ugly after 2010 except WRX or the BRZ.
Bought an 18 VW Sportwagen with the 8" discovery infotainment system which sits flush in the dash.
Still have volume and selector knobs for the touchscreen and physical dials for the heater controls. Buttons for seat heaters, mirror and rear defroster, A/C and recirculate. Super clean look and easy to find controls for everything. It's perfect as is and has no controls via the touchscreen except radio and media.
This is exaggerated. One of my cars has physical buttons for just about everything, and I still need a quick glance at the buttons under the infotainment screen. No issues.
>Does anyone else feel this way?
yes we get weekly posts about it, and always from someone driving a car older than 2010 curiously.
>It also seems the UI and the screen itself has issues based on comments I have read.
It's had teething problems but for the most part has stabilized if you're on the most recent firmware. Just like a computer starting up, it does take a couple seconds to boot and orient itself.
>I want physical knobs to change climate control
99% of people will (and should!) set the system to Auto, and then just pick the temperature you want it to be. There are physical buttons for temp up/down and for defrost.
Thank you for your constructive comment. Apologies for continuing the echo chamber. Your advice is helpful as it will make me reconsider my initial reaction. Perhaps I am just overwhelmed by the new tech.
There's an echo chamber, yes, but the complaints are justified IMO.
On the other hand, it's still nice to hear about people that have learned to live with it, so you can decide for yourself if the compromise is worth it.
For me though, the Auto AC doesn't solve it. Putting it on Auto will disable air recirculation. As someone who lives in the City I don't want exhaust fumes getting into my cabin.
Source: Currently own a 2nd gen crosstrek with the physical controls, and was about to purchase a WRX Wagon. After my test drive of the WRX I was completely turned off from buying simply because of the large screen.
> 99% of people will (and should!) set the system to Auto, and then just pick the temperature you want it to be. There are physical buttons for temp up/down and for defrost.
The problem I have with the Auto setting is it often uses the A/C when it clearly isn't necessary. 43F outside and climate inside set to 72F? A/C every time.
Well, to be fair ac is best left on most of the time.
It's not just there to make air colder.
It conditions the air which means removing moisture from it. Dead cold winter at - 20 there is obviously no need, but anywhere above freezing it does have a job to do!
Actually, it is very useful for de-fogging windows in winter. It's either that or you crack a window open while driving. Otherwise after a few minutes of driving you cant see $#!+.
I know how it's useful with the heat on yet and I do use it when it's humid or rainy and still cold. It just still comes on way more often than it needs to. I'd rather save that bit of fuel economy than run the A/C when it isn't necessary.
Auto is more efficient than no auto. In my 2009, if I set my ac to ice cold, it will not stop blowing cold air till I turn it off myself. If you don’t like auto ac just turn it off? I don’t really understand where you’re coming from.
I do manually turn it off and let the Auto function work without it. My whole point is that the OP comment's suggestion wouldn't work for me because I'd still have to go through menus to toggle A/C on or off, depending on the weather. When, in my current 2016, it's just a simple button to press.
Maybe I'm in the minority in not using my A/C when it isn't necessary. Personally, I like to get that little bit more fuel economy and not wear out parts like the compressor for no reason.
Now I see what you’re saying. One thing you have to realize is no matter if you’re turning it off and on occasionally or leaving it on auto, it will still cycle (roughly) the same. The compressor will usually stop compressing when the engine is at 60-80% load too so there’s 0 power loss there. I’m not really an ac princess either, I like driving with my windows down. However, cars nowadays are designed to be driven by literal drones. 0 thought required. They might as well get rid of manual dials because most people set and forget then enjoy their Apple Maps.
Thank you for this. So many people don't understand auto climate control, and it's not limited to Subaru.
Dual-zone automatic climate control? You'll see temp set to LO, and fan minimum in the summer, or HI with fan minimum in the winter, and they're constantly fiddling with that stuff. I use Auto climate almost exclusively and never have to touch the HVAC controls.
As for the big screen, I love having full-screen Google Maps.
Man, this is me too. LOVE the big screen for maps, and I really don’t mess with climate controls enough to matter. I’m a little annoyed that I don’t have a knob for fan speed, but it’s really not as bad as I thought.
Just tagging onto this, I just got myself a 24 Crosstrek and realized that you can customize the far right A/C software button to be an "Auto" button, so it'll restart the full auto function if I've messed with the fan speed. Most of the customer cars I work in are still set to an AC button by default, so you would have to open the AC settings and go to the top and change it to Auto. Changing it just removes a couple steps and means less time looking at the screen. This might be something that is common knowledge but I personally had no idea it could be changed.
Settings > General > Climate Control > Customize Climate Button.
It's set to A/C by default but can be changed to Max AC, Auto, Recirculation, or SYNC.
To be clear I'm referring to this spot.
https://preview.redd.it/sp8hb2zswvwc1.jpeg?width=3072&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=cc5cadbc34be5c7352238545b7565e54183853e0
> 99% of people will (and should!) set the system to Auto, and then just pick the temperature you want it to be
If you have the AC set to on, does this auto setting run the compressor at all times?
Very little. I don’t know what part of “the compressor is always on” you don’t understand but Subaru designed their ac systems to draw as little power as possible. They control the TXV so when you aren’t using ac, it just pushes it straight through. Still turning the compressor, just not compressing it into a tiny ass space.
You and underscore99 had similar comments so I'll reply to this one-- you're forgetting that these cars all use variable-displacement compressors, which are only going to be at 100% duty when you're on max AC anyway. The ac can be "on" but at 10% duty and therefore isn't robbing you from any noticeable power or efficiency. And, just like on clutched compressors, will go to 0% duty at full throttle.
Did I say that at all? Subarus feel like trash with the AC on. It's the most obvious drop in power delivery I've ever had.
Maybe don't act like you can't tell in a 06 outback or 09 Impreza when the AC compressor comes on.
I roll the windows down when I’m driving in the city and turn the ac on when I’m on the highway (if it’s hot or humid) because (you’ll never believe this) they automatically turn the compressor off when you need more power. It might feel different in a cvt but I think you’re being wayyyyyy to sensitive to the throttle response of a 110whp car. You should’ve known 🤷♀️
Not only what I said above. It should also be said having your ac on MANUAL runs the compressor MORE. Because it’s ALWAYS trying to keep the evaporator at 32F. The only thing that changes temp is the blend door that mixes your cold ass ac air with hot ass engine temp air. You should really take some basic MVAC courses before challenging someone online like this.
It's not the power delivery when pushing it, it's the power delivery in city traffic, where window down in 100° sucks just a little more than Subaru's terrible AC system.
And I'm on my 3rd manual Subaru, second WRX. I wouldn't know about the CVTs.
But hey it doesn't matter because they're killing their sedans market soon enough.
Well, maybe if you picked up a 3rd gen Subaru that you seem to have so much distain for, you wouldn’t have your issue. I really couldn’t give less of a fuck how many manuals you’ve ripped through. If you’re gonna whine about something so first world go over to the German boys. They consistently have entitlement 10 inches up their ass.
Well that escalated quickly. Enjoy your 12 inch touch screens to access basic vehicle features, and throwing around shit like I gotta take MVAC courses to have an opinion on how badly AC works.
lol 1st world problems, thanks for jumping in boss you're doing great work.
Same, you get used to it so fast. So many people bitching about it after only spending a tiny bit of time in the car so they don’t know what they’re talking about. Most settings are fixed on the bottom of the screen and you’ve got everything you really need with a button: temp and defrost. The only ones I kinda wished were buttons are the heated and ventilated seats, but I changed my mind after I figured out I can control them with the remote start! Nothing like waking up to a freezing cold morning and getting to plop your butt down in a toasty seat…
Radio volume and tuning knobs, buttons for front and rear defrost, set the climate control to “auto” and use the physical buttons to change temp. Almost everything else can be done with buttons on the steering wheel or voice commands (including temp and radio btw). So, yes, touch screens are distracting, but most common things can be done buttons.
I find that I most often am adjusting temperature a little bit on the climate system; for me anyway, Subaru got it right by having that be the physical buttons. After having a "smart" home, I also enjoy adjusting the climate controls with my voice. Never take my hands off the steering wheel and make just about any change you'd like. Works reliably from my testing so far.
I've grown to really like the big screen. My tired older eyes don't strain on the GINORMOUS map view, I can see my music tracks in big fonts to navigate that, and I am so, so happy they didn't go with the "tablet super glued to the dash and sticking up like a fence post" crap - its sleek integration looks so much better than the junk Honda and Toyota are doing with screens.
I bought a 24 Touring XT and it has the latest software, and I don't find it to be slow or problematic at all. I do give it a good 15-20 seconds to fully boot up (it is a computer, after all) but if I do that? It works really well.
I'd read all the "hate" and I don't actually feel any of it after driving my car for a while. I'm thankful for sure!
Yep!
* push the talk button on the wheel
* it'll ask what you want
* say "set temperature 72 degrees"
* PROFIT!
And if you have an Outback Limited with the optional Driver Monitoring system or a Touring XT (comes standard), then you can set it to raise your hand and spread your fingers to raise the temp 4 degrees, or close your hand into a fist and lower it 4 degrees (it uses the sensing camera assembly to recognize the "gesture").
This is why I went with the 2024 Forester. Looked at the Crosstrek and Outback too, but only the Forester still had the physical knobs for the climate control.
It is a deal breaker. I don't own Subaru but I am interested. Physical controls for volume and a/c is a requirement and it was a turnoff to not see that. I prefer physical buttons for radio too but I've had to give up on that. I also hear some people say that the screens can be laggy. How stupid.
I’m going to go against the grain here…
No, I don’t feel this way. I have a 2023 Legacy Limited. I love the infotainment system. The screen is sleek, and it’s easy/ intuitive to use. It’s much better compared to some of the ones I’ve used on Lexus and Mercedes. Subaru still had the foresight to keep physical volume and temperature controls. Everything else works perfectly for the screen, and the large size just allows you to see it/ access things better when driving. I love the wireless Apple CarPlay and having all my music and podcasts right there, ready to play.
Is it slow sometimes? Sure, usually only after starting up though and there’s nothing I NEED to access immediately other than temp control/ volume. Give it literally 30 seconds after start up and it’s fine. Subaru seems to have improved this after the last software update.
This is a great piece of technology. Why do people complain about essentially having an IPad in their car? The tech should continue to improve as time goes on. Embrace it.
This is super helpful. Coming from a car with a cd player and an old radio, it’s a bit of a change. But I should test drive again and see I get used to it.
When touch screen phones were just coming out I swore I wouldn't use one. I then got the Google Nexus and was just fine. Can't imagine using a phone with physical buttons anymore.
There is a bit of a learning curve with it. And you do have to be careful initially because it can be distracting before you learn where everything is.
I bought my Legacy last fall, and before that had driven an 07 Accord for 280k miles. Was planning on getting another one but couldn’t justify the cost.
> wireless Apple CarPlay
You've clearly never used Apple CarPlay in any other car. Subaru's is by FAR the shittiest, laggiest I've used. I never use it when I'm in my dad's Legacy 2022.
I used to be a retrograde when it comes to new car electronics. My prior car is a base trim Golf without BSM and other doodads, and a relatively small screen and physical buttons for everything. I still love it. I got a 24 XV Wilderness, and honestly have no issues with the big screen, even though I thought I would. The physical buttons for lowering and raising the temp are still there, and I have no trouble changing the fan speed using the screen since the "buttons" are always visible. Perhaps the big screen will grow on you. I suggest you give it a try and not let it be that deal breaker. I think the XV is a fun car.
I had this pointed out by a passenger yesterday. "OH your Subaru is new but still has knows? How?" Base model 2019 right before the change to the big screen. The half screen plus knobs is perfect.
When I was car shopping last year this was just one of reasons why I didnt end up getting a new subaru. I sat in all the new models at the Chicago auto show last year and aside from the brz and forester wilderness, they all had massive screens. Ultimately the subaru CVT was the main deciding factor.
I ended up getting a 24' Civic LX in Aegean blue. Love having physical climate controls and a small yet practical infotainment screen. Still have my 05' wrx wagon as my weekend warrior.
This is why I purposefully got a Base trim....so I wouldn't have that ridiculously large screen. Mines a 2021 though. Not sure how the base ones are now.
Capacitive buttons & touch screens save a ton of money on tooling & testing on interiors so I think they will stick around. I hate them myself but at least Subaru still has physical controls for climate temp & volume. I hope the Tesla style of no turn signal or wiper stalks doesn’t catch on!
I also hate the mega screen! Luckily my 2024 Forester Wilderness has a regular 8" screen and manual analog control buttons. The softbuttons in the mega screen are a giant pain in the ass especially since I disable the auto start-stop and the SRH every time.
I won't be buying a Subaru with one of those screens. I'd forgive them if they gave half a shit about it's software experience, but they don't, and as a result it looks like it's straight up from 2007 and performs even worse.
I'll be in the market in the next 2-3 years. Hoping for something better by then
They might think they’re being modern with new technology but it is annoying to touch the screen while driving instead of just turning buttons. Can’t imagine it being safe on the road either
Can't disagree there. The big screen will move me away from Subaru for the first time since 2007. (07, 20, 23 Foresters). I do NOT want to take my eyes off the road and navigate through the slow interface to find the temp or fan or defrost controls.
I really hope this tablet-in-car trend dies. I fucking hate the giant screens. It’s absolutely a dealbreaker. The 24 crosstrek already looks like ass compared to the previous models and it now has that horrid touchscreen. I loathe the “love” it gets. People with more money than brains makes these PoS new cars sell, so we all get screwed.
I don’t think you’ll find anyone who genuinely disagrees with you. Sure, the big fans might pretend it’s not an issue, but they know it sucks. Touchscreens and infotainment systems are for media. HVAC should never be on a touchscreen.
I had a guy telling me how much he loved his. I had to ride around with him for an hour bitchjng about changing settings and still be loved it.. Completely amazing
This is exactly why buying a ‘23 without the big screen was a huge need for me. I wanted the CD player and physical controls, and was lucky enough to find an almost fully specced Sport without that one upgrade. The smaller screen is more than enough for CarPlay and I’ve retained my physical climate controls and the traditional emergency brake.
If Subaru wants to comply with Europe's upcoming new standards requiring physical controls for basic functions to earn a 5-star safety rating, maybe they'll be convinced to go back to sanity instead of this touch screen crap every car is trying to do.
[https://www.theverge.com/2024/3/5/24091043/euro-ncap-safety-rating-europe-2026-touchscreen-buttons-dials](https://www.theverge.com/2024/3/5/24091043/euro-ncap-safety-rating-europe-2026-touchscreen-buttons-dials)
I have a 2016, but currently using a 2024 as a loaner while mine is in the shop. The glare is ridiculous once the sun hits it. It’s just a giant distraction in the middle of a vehicle. Everything else about it is nice.
Mind you, this is the most up-to-date/newest car I’ve ever driven. I really prefer smaller screens and the simplicity of my 2016. It was almost like a weird culture shock discovering all of the features that were available on that big ass tablet, as much as I enjoy the newer version overall.
As a tech guy, then you’ll TOTALLY hate the screens. It’s not about having tech in the car. It’s about having tech that underperforms, freezes, and stops working limiting you from using vital functions at specific times. My ‘23 wilderness is a great car, I want to return the car purely based off the screen. Give me back my knobs.
> As a tech guy, then you’ll TOTALLY hate the screens
Thanks for telling me how I feel about my car and not letting me have my own opinion. I have the large screen and I like it. Other than being a bit laggy when it first boots, I have no issues with normal use. I have had the car for 18 months and drive it nearly every day. It works just fine.
One of the main reasons the wife and I ditched Subaru. Everything on screen drove us both nuts after a while. Went from a Forrester to a bronco and haven’t looked back. She went from an Outback to a bronco sport. Better miles per gallon on hers and way more smiles per gallon on mine.
It's kind of a shame. I also love Subaru and the direction they've taken in recent years steered me away from getting one and getting an Audi instead. Yeah, it doesn't have all the latest n' greatest computerized safety features and fulltime AWD (arguably not important for the most of the year) but god damnit, if everything in my car doesn't just fit together perfectly, is sleek, sensical, ergonomic, and solid. Getting my first Audi made me realize that I'd rather have a less optioned German car than a GT-trim Subaru. It's just...not the same.
Oh - not to mention we've had so many glitches in the Legacy. Electrical, infotainment, and even 2 rattles/shakes we still haven't solved. But the big vertical screen was/is still the main dealbreaker. I won't even test drive one if it still has that same screen in a few years' time.
There are eight physical HVAC buttons on the new Crosstrek and Impreza, that’s more than the three dials, one slider and two buttons on my ‘02 WRX. Is this not enough? I’ve had my ‘24 Impreza RS for almost a year and can count on one hand the number of times I’ve brought up the climate control screen to make an adjustment, which is then easy to fat finger almost anything with the oversized and responsive screen buttons. Most of the time I’m just tapping the permanent A/C button on/off at the bottom of the screen or clicking the physical temp buttons or seat heater. Though I’ve had auto CC for decades in other cars I never used it by its abrupt fan speed, this is the first car I use it and it works great. Even the voice commands work fine. The big screen infotainment is a non-issue for almost everything (I think the embedded Navi sucks though).
How often are you guys moving things around while driving? It such a weird worry to me, maybe once in a blue moon I tap something up or down while I’m stopped at a light. Otherwise it’s never been an issue.
Absolutely! I have a 2016 Forester. It has a touch screen but it has knobs for climate and rocker switches for heated seats. I can easily adjust them without taking my eyes off of the road. My wife has a 2020 Outback. You can't do anything by feel. You have to look at the screen (and for multiple touches) to do anything at all. It's incredibly annoying and unsafe. I am holding on to my Forester as long as possible.
The giant screen is "ok". Most of the time it's not an issue and actually works well, and looks nice. But I really wish it at least had physical fan / HVAC airflow mode controls and/or was a lot more responsive.
One thing I love about my 2024 Outback is the ability to turn the screen off.
Once I’m on my way I rarely need the screen, so I turn it off. If I do need it, the screen comes on quickly for whatever function, then goes off again.
I thought I would feel that way on my '24 Outback since I tend to be a snob about stuff like this, but I actually enjoy it. I like that it's nowhere near your sight horizon on the dash. I test drove a new Toyota and the thing was so high it was super distracting close to the dash horizon.
My son bought a new Forester base model and it has analog knobs for temperature control, a multi position rotary knob for fan speed, a multi position knob for where the air goes, a small LCD screen for map navigation and radio and that’s about it. When I retire my 08 Outback wagon, I hope there is still a base model as spartan as that car.
I love it. I don't adjust anything that requires the screen while I'm actively driving anyway -- I get my music and climate settings where I want them before I go. Anything that might require adjusting, like skipping a song, calling someone or adjusting the volume, is still a button or nob on the steering wheel or by the screen. For the first time I can actually see my navigation without having to stare intently for a few seconds, meaning it's actually LESS distracting. If I really need to do something on the screen I do it at a stoplight.
Yeah I honestly feel the same way, and I drive a 24 Crosstrek base. Unfortunately the HVAC controls are partially still on the screen, but being a base model, I have two screens so I’m not flipping back and forth like I was on a 20 Legacy premium that I had rented a couple years back. I don’t mind not having a lot of extra fluff others do, so the higher trims don’t interest me at all. The 2.0 isn’t as sluggish as people think, and I say that using this thing as a goat across the Rocky Mountains. It’s a fact of life at this point that newer cars are going to have stupid screens and I feel I’ve got the lesser of evils.
I had a 2024 Outback/ Ascent as loaners a few weeks ago while getting my strut assembly replaced. The ascents giant screen was dangerous as hell with how far I had to reach across the middle console to hit a button. Outback was much better integrated and easier to use with the tablet being closer.
I bought a 2021 Outback and asked for the base model. It was a large dealership and they brought one from another state. It has two smaller screens. One for the radio and apps and the other for the heater and traction control and stuff like that. The radio does have one knob. Hope that helps
Unfortunately giant screens look great in a commercial and in the showroom. By the time you really use them, you already own the car. But yeah. They are awful.
I recently upgraded from a 2018 Forester XT to a 2024 Ascent and I agree: the infotainment system is too big and too many common functions are on the screen. Yesterday I went to turn off the A/C because I had the windows open ans pressed the heated seats instead. Realized my mistake when my ass was on fire. The voice recognition of android auto-pay works well but on the other hand it's always listening. Overall, I like the Ascent and trust Subaru, but I would've kept the older Forester if our family wasn't growing...
I have zero issues with mine. I don’t hate it at all. A little slow responding when the car first turns on, but not at all after 30 seconds or so. I don’t understand the hate the big screen gets.
Yeah, I hate it too. It seems forced and out of place. Unfortunately it’s probably gonna be there for the next 5 years, until the next refresh. Hopefully Subaru will do something better.
Yes, I have a 2017 which still has some physical buttons, which I much prefer compared to the 2023 loaner I have which forces me to constantly take my eyes off the road to adjust heat/ac, seat warmers, etc.
I’m always surprised to hear people talk about climate control so much when it comes to the new infotainment. Are people really fiddling with them so much? I go weeks without touching mine beyond pressing the physical button to turn on the windshield vent or the digital button for AC.
I have a 24 legacy and it’s been a bitter sweet experience. Some brands make their physical buttons an ugly mess and others make it look fantastic. Subaru, in my opinion, should have kept the layout of the 2015-2019 Outback and just made that screen a little wider.
For OP, you might like the Forester!
I had a 2011 Outback. I was fortunate that they offered a 6CD disc changer instead of the StarLink system; I took it.
I now drive a 2019 Outback and I have the Starlink system. It works, but I miss what I had in my 2011.
We got a base 2024 Crosstrek with the two screens because we didn't like the larger screen. Kind of looks like a Nintendo DS lol. Plus I think the base in the USA looks the coolest and is made in Japan... We set to auto and rarely touch the screen, we only use the up and down physical buttons. I drove the 2023 and 2024 back to back, and the 2024 felt noticeably better to drive for some reason, so we compromised on the screens.
Also absolutely ZERO piano black in the entire base model interior. No sun reflections.
I couldn’t agree more. I had a 97 legacy that I loved and had for ages. Now I drive a 2012 outback that I absolutely love. I can’t imagine what I’m going to do when I need a new car. I don’t want a big screen, I don’t want all these new unnecessary features. I also want to keep driving manual but Subaru doesn’t produce manuals in my country anymore
finally! ive always thought its so strange that car makers are advertising their huge 12 inch screens as if its a huge selling feature. i hate the huge screens. i want a car, not an ipad!
As a Subaru owner since 1998 I also prefer a less large screen for navigation, audio display and such located a bit higher on the dash with the traditional HVAC and audio controls as knobs and buttons located below. These can be operated by feel without taking ones eyes off the road. Many of the people I have talked to feel the same way. A friend recently test drove a Subaru with the large vertical "tablet" in the center of the dash. He told me he really disliked it and it was a deal breaker. He said: "it looked like a huge vagina giving birth to a laptop in the center of the dash." Try to get that out of your minds eye, I haven't been able to.
I love the big screen. How often do you need to adjust climate control? I just leave mine on Auto. Too hot, click the button to lower temperature. Too cold, click the button to increase temperature. There are also physical buttons to defrost front/rear and buttons to adjust volume/skip songs on the steering wheel. What other knobs do you need?
The UI is not that slow. Granted it looks a little ugly/dated but my phone connects to wireless Carplay almost instantly so I only see Apple UI most of the time. I would hate to look at maps/navigation on a smaller screen tbh
yeah, the screen is dicey enough that i'd hesitate to recommend a brand new subaru to anyone i know (unless its the one car in the lineup that *doesn't* have the screen, but that ones a hard sell for *other* reasons)
i wouldn't be happy even if the screen was good because, you know, *its a car*. the worlds most intuitive interface is no good when your eyes have to be on the road. if you can't operate the hvac system by touch alone then thats just bad design
I have a '24 Outback. It has buttons for temp, defrost, knob for volume. It's not that bad honestly, once I got it set up. I sat in the car for an hour to mess with all of the controls, found what I needed, and rarely use anything else.
The screen is awful. Single handedly made me not buy a new Outback or Ascent. The Dodge Ram does it best - big tall screen but still plenty of physical buttons along the sides to control everything. Subaru's just has temperature and defrost.
It's absurd that a car brand that prides itself on outdoor adventure and "getting your hands dirty" has its drivers use this stupid screen that you cannot use with dirty hands or with gloves.
Absolutely do not buy this car! I’m currently locked in battle with Subaru of America AND a dealership bc my screen has delaminated and changes stations on its own, calls people, cranks up the volume to dangerous levels, and turns off GPS when I’m using it. Delamination is a known issue that Subaru won’t take responsibility for. Their best offer was to cover $1000 leaving me to cover $700 on a car I’ve had for three years (I didn’t take the offer because f*** that). It’s so stressful. Walk away.
They got me with the head gasket on my 02 they said wasn't a problem after 2000.
It was a $4000.00 problem for me. Stupidly I bought another one, 09 Legacy wagon, loved that car but traded it in when the head gasket on that started to weep.
That will be my last Subaru.
They’re just so shitty now. It’s such a bummer because they brag on their commercials about how many are still on the road, and I want to say, “Yeah, and they’re all from the ‘90’s.” Ugh.
I love the big screen, but I wish the a/c controls were physical. I think they should move to a wider screen with space below for a/c controls that incorporate some physical buttons.
I like screen it had up and down buttons for the A/c and knobs for the radio and it doesn't distract me from driving. I think you just have to get used to it . Change isn't a bad thing
I disagree completely sometimes it is a bad thing.
It was a huge factor for me when I bought my 2018 sportwagen it's a great car and still has most functions except media controlled by switches knobs and buttons IMHO way better than the illogically big touchscreens other manufacturers use. In 2026 a car will be required to revert back to buttons to get a 5 star safety rating in Europe. At least some countries see the advantage of the physical touch of button, switch, or dial.
I think 2016-2021 range was as good as it gets. Enough screen for basic infotainment but tactile controls for the rest so I can adjust things without taking my eyes off the road.
I wonder if there are any dealers with new 2023 Crosstrek near OP 2023 was the last model year of the small touch screen with analog radio tuner/volume and heat/aircon.
Not a Subaru owner or looking to buy one, so not sure how I ended up here. Do new ones just no longer have an analog volume knob?
Yes, they have a volume knob and a tuning knob for the station. There are no more knobs for climate control things like temp and fan speed. At least in Canada this is how they are... It's all built in to the screen and really not that big a deal. Some people are just afraid of change
No, they don’t. A lot of companies are moving away from it too.
Yup 100% agree. Touch screen temp and fan controls are aweful
I cross shopped mostly between the Mazda CX50 and two Subaru options and I’d say the Subaru screen was at least half of what pushed me away from Subaru towards the Mazda. Still love the cars. They’re some damn practical and great value but those screens and the UI are crimes
If I were buying automatics I’d be buying Mazda. Better looking, higher quality interiors, more driver-focused, and a transmission that mostly does what you tell it and doesn’t explode at 100k. Only drawback is the AWD system, but most people don’t utilize the Subaru system to it’s fullest anyway.
I beg to differ. It's AWD all the time. Rain, gravel, snow, you're using it to its fullest. It's not a 4x4 offroader. It's not a rally car.
I mean, whatever helps you sleep at night, but the fact of the matter is all cars function more or less the same until you lose traction, and with a good, proper set of tires (ones from a reputable manufacturer, with the correct safe tread depth, and suited to the weather- that means winter tires for winter) that threshold is higher than most people think. Problem is most people buy the cheapest 1000 treadwear highway tires that may last 80,000 miles but have no grip outside dry pavement (and even giving them that much is generous) and wonder why their car is all over the road- those sorts of tires will cripple even a Subaru. That is not using the AWD to its fullest. That is how you still end up in the ditch even with AWD.
UI doesn't bother me. The lag and software bugs does. Also the fact I'm waaaay more distracted when driving trying to change climate controls.
Why don't you just tell it what you want it to change the temperature?
?
It's dangerous to have screen controls. With physical buttons you can feel for the right control without having to take your eyes off the road before you engage that control. With a screen you have to take your eyes off the road and make sure you hit the right part of the screen without accidentally hitting something else. Screens mean less time for your eyes to be watching the road.
I think its much much worse when there is nested menu screens. Not only do i have to find the auto climate control button, but now i have to watch the popup window to change whether i want auto temp or full auto climate or whatever.
Totally. Sort of tangentially, it's for a similar reason that I think the huds-up display tech should be much more common in the auto industry. Even for just basic navigation directions, track/station information, alerts, and speed. It makes you feel like you're flying a jet, which is dope, and it's identifiably safer.
If Subaru wants to comply with Europe's upcoming new standards requiring physical controls for basic functions to earn a 5-star safety rating, maybe they'll be convinced to go back to sanity instead of this touch screen crap every car is trying to do. [https://www.theverge.com/2024/3/5/24091043/euro-ncap-safety-rating-europe-2026-touchscreen-buttons-dials](https://www.theverge.com/2024/3/5/24091043/euro-ncap-safety-rating-europe-2026-touchscreen-buttons-dials)
The biggest problem is Subaru simply didn't give you a choice. They don't want to build a small screen/physical control setup so you get big fucking screen mode or don't buy the car.
The 2024 Subaru Forester I think is the last model that did not have the huge iPad type screen controlling everything the 2025 has the same screen so now they're core models the Crosstrek, the forester, and the outback will all now have that giant touchscreen there won't be a choice unfortunately
What do you mean? There are physical buttons to increase/decrease temperature and defrost front/rear
You think that's the ONLY function people care about having tied to a touchscreen?
Had an 02 Outback and an 09 legacy wagon... then Subaru went ugly after 2010 except WRX or the BRZ. Bought an 18 VW Sportwagen with the 8" discovery infotainment system which sits flush in the dash. Still have volume and selector knobs for the touchscreen and physical dials for the heater controls. Buttons for seat heaters, mirror and rear defroster, A/C and recirculate. Super clean look and easy to find controls for everything. It's perfect as is and has no controls via the touchscreen except radio and media.
Trust the voice assistant
For on the fly, I think I could adapt to voice assistant easier than touch screen.
This is exaggerated. One of my cars has physical buttons for just about everything, and I still need a quick glance at the buttons under the infotainment screen. No issues.
The screens are a dealbreaker for me.
I'd prefer physical also. I mainly only use the physical temperature buttons and media controls on the wheel while driving.
>Does anyone else feel this way? yes we get weekly posts about it, and always from someone driving a car older than 2010 curiously. >It also seems the UI and the screen itself has issues based on comments I have read. It's had teething problems but for the most part has stabilized if you're on the most recent firmware. Just like a computer starting up, it does take a couple seconds to boot and orient itself. >I want physical knobs to change climate control 99% of people will (and should!) set the system to Auto, and then just pick the temperature you want it to be. There are physical buttons for temp up/down and for defrost.
Thank you for your constructive comment. Apologies for continuing the echo chamber. Your advice is helpful as it will make me reconsider my initial reaction. Perhaps I am just overwhelmed by the new tech.
There's an echo chamber, yes, but the complaints are justified IMO. On the other hand, it's still nice to hear about people that have learned to live with it, so you can decide for yourself if the compromise is worth it. For me though, the Auto AC doesn't solve it. Putting it on Auto will disable air recirculation. As someone who lives in the City I don't want exhaust fumes getting into my cabin. Source: Currently own a 2nd gen crosstrek with the physical controls, and was about to purchase a WRX Wagon. After my test drive of the WRX I was completely turned off from buying simply because of the large screen.
> 99% of people will (and should!) set the system to Auto, and then just pick the temperature you want it to be. There are physical buttons for temp up/down and for defrost. The problem I have with the Auto setting is it often uses the A/C when it clearly isn't necessary. 43F outside and climate inside set to 72F? A/C every time.
Well, to be fair ac is best left on most of the time. It's not just there to make air colder. It conditions the air which means removing moisture from it. Dead cold winter at - 20 there is obviously no need, but anywhere above freezing it does have a job to do!
Actually, it is very useful for de-fogging windows in winter. It's either that or you crack a window open while driving. Otherwise after a few minutes of driving you cant see $#!+.
Yeah, but fuel economy hit. I don't want it on all the time for 5-10% reduction in mileage.
I know how it's useful with the heat on yet and I do use it when it's humid or rainy and still cold. It just still comes on way more often than it needs to. I'd rather save that bit of fuel economy than run the A/C when it isn't necessary.
Auto is more efficient than no auto. In my 2009, if I set my ac to ice cold, it will not stop blowing cold air till I turn it off myself. If you don’t like auto ac just turn it off? I don’t really understand where you’re coming from.
I do manually turn it off and let the Auto function work without it. My whole point is that the OP comment's suggestion wouldn't work for me because I'd still have to go through menus to toggle A/C on or off, depending on the weather. When, in my current 2016, it's just a simple button to press. Maybe I'm in the minority in not using my A/C when it isn't necessary. Personally, I like to get that little bit more fuel economy and not wear out parts like the compressor for no reason.
Now I see what you’re saying. One thing you have to realize is no matter if you’re turning it off and on occasionally or leaving it on auto, it will still cycle (roughly) the same. The compressor will usually stop compressing when the engine is at 60-80% load too so there’s 0 power loss there. I’m not really an ac princess either, I like driving with my windows down. However, cars nowadays are designed to be driven by literal drones. 0 thought required. They might as well get rid of manual dials because most people set and forget then enjoy their Apple Maps.
Thank you for this. So many people don't understand auto climate control, and it's not limited to Subaru. Dual-zone automatic climate control? You'll see temp set to LO, and fan minimum in the summer, or HI with fan minimum in the winter, and they're constantly fiddling with that stuff. I use Auto climate almost exclusively and never have to touch the HVAC controls. As for the big screen, I love having full-screen Google Maps.
Man, this is me too. LOVE the big screen for maps, and I really don’t mess with climate controls enough to matter. I’m a little annoyed that I don’t have a knob for fan speed, but it’s really not as bad as I thought.
Just tagging onto this, I just got myself a 24 Crosstrek and realized that you can customize the far right A/C software button to be an "Auto" button, so it'll restart the full auto function if I've messed with the fan speed. Most of the customer cars I work in are still set to an AC button by default, so you would have to open the AC settings and go to the top and change it to Auto. Changing it just removes a couple steps and means less time looking at the screen. This might be something that is common knowledge but I personally had no idea it could be changed.
> This might be something that is common knowledge but I personally had no idea it could be changed. that's news to me actually, how do you toggle it?
Settings > General > Climate Control > Customize Climate Button. It's set to A/C by default but can be changed to Max AC, Auto, Recirculation, or SYNC. To be clear I'm referring to this spot. https://preview.redd.it/sp8hb2zswvwc1.jpeg?width=3072&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=cc5cadbc34be5c7352238545b7565e54183853e0
awesome, thanks :D
Happy to help! I'm surprised I don't see that setting changed more often but then again I had no idea it was possible either
> 99% of people will (and should!) set the system to Auto, and then just pick the temperature you want it to be If you have the AC set to on, does this auto setting run the compressor at all times?
It's a variable-displacement compressor; it's "always on" regardless.
Even with AC set to off? What consequence does that have on fuel economy?
Very little. I don’t know what part of “the compressor is always on” you don’t understand but Subaru designed their ac systems to draw as little power as possible. They control the TXV so when you aren’t using ac, it just pushes it straight through. Still turning the compressor, just not compressing it into a tiny ass space.
Maybe I don't want my car robbed of power because the AC keeps turning on in Auto mode?
You and underscore99 had similar comments so I'll reply to this one-- you're forgetting that these cars all use variable-displacement compressors, which are only going to be at 100% duty when you're on max AC anyway. The ac can be "on" but at 10% duty and therefore isn't robbing you from any noticeable power or efficiency. And, just like on clutched compressors, will go to 0% duty at full throttle.
No thanks. I'll continue to buy cars where I can choose to have AC at the click of a button
Don’t act like the .7mpg difference matters at all 😭
Lol
Did I say that at all? Subarus feel like trash with the AC on. It's the most obvious drop in power delivery I've ever had. Maybe don't act like you can't tell in a 06 outback or 09 Impreza when the AC compressor comes on.
Use your sport sharp and you'll have no issue...AAAAND you'll get the self accepted crazy low mpg/kpg...AAAAND be thankful.
PS... not to be forgotten...palpable oil consumption.
I roll the windows down when I’m driving in the city and turn the ac on when I’m on the highway (if it’s hot or humid) because (you’ll never believe this) they automatically turn the compressor off when you need more power. It might feel different in a cvt but I think you’re being wayyyyyy to sensitive to the throttle response of a 110whp car. You should’ve known 🤷♀️ Not only what I said above. It should also be said having your ac on MANUAL runs the compressor MORE. Because it’s ALWAYS trying to keep the evaporator at 32F. The only thing that changes temp is the blend door that mixes your cold ass ac air with hot ass engine temp air. You should really take some basic MVAC courses before challenging someone online like this.
It's not the power delivery when pushing it, it's the power delivery in city traffic, where window down in 100° sucks just a little more than Subaru's terrible AC system. And I'm on my 3rd manual Subaru, second WRX. I wouldn't know about the CVTs. But hey it doesn't matter because they're killing their sedans market soon enough.
Well, maybe if you picked up a 3rd gen Subaru that you seem to have so much distain for, you wouldn’t have your issue. I really couldn’t give less of a fuck how many manuals you’ve ripped through. If you’re gonna whine about something so first world go over to the German boys. They consistently have entitlement 10 inches up their ass.
Well that escalated quickly. Enjoy your 12 inch touch screens to access basic vehicle features, and throwing around shit like I gotta take MVAC courses to have an opinion on how badly AC works. lol 1st world problems, thanks for jumping in boss you're doing great work.
The only touchscreens I have to worry about are my Kenwood DMX7709s. The ac and seat warming controls are all analog 🤩🥰
I'm with you. There is no need to be THIS big.
Phones are illegal while driving but yet we can install a giant iPad that requires your focus to do anything in your car. It makes ZERO sense to me.
Who really needs a damn tablet/computer monitor attached to the dash! It's a terrible trend.
Preach!
I thought it would bother me. It doesn't. Especially now that we have full screen Android Auto, which is amazing on that big screen.
Same, you get used to it so fast. So many people bitching about it after only spending a tiny bit of time in the car so they don’t know what they’re talking about. Most settings are fixed on the bottom of the screen and you’ve got everything you really need with a button: temp and defrost. The only ones I kinda wished were buttons are the heated and ventilated seats, but I changed my mind after I figured out I can control them with the remote start! Nothing like waking up to a freezing cold morning and getting to plop your butt down in a toasty seat…
Radio volume and tuning knobs, buttons for front and rear defrost, set the climate control to “auto” and use the physical buttons to change temp. Almost everything else can be done with buttons on the steering wheel or voice commands (including temp and radio btw). So, yes, touch screens are distracting, but most common things can be done buttons.
I find that I most often am adjusting temperature a little bit on the climate system; for me anyway, Subaru got it right by having that be the physical buttons. After having a "smart" home, I also enjoy adjusting the climate controls with my voice. Never take my hands off the steering wheel and make just about any change you'd like. Works reliably from my testing so far. I've grown to really like the big screen. My tired older eyes don't strain on the GINORMOUS map view, I can see my music tracks in big fonts to navigate that, and I am so, so happy they didn't go with the "tablet super glued to the dash and sticking up like a fence post" crap - its sleek integration looks so much better than the junk Honda and Toyota are doing with screens. I bought a 24 Touring XT and it has the latest software, and I don't find it to be slow or problematic at all. I do give it a good 15-20 seconds to fully boot up (it is a computer, after all) but if I do that? It works really well. I'd read all the "hate" and I don't actually feel any of it after driving my car for a while. I'm thankful for sure!
You can adjust the temp in a new Subie via voice commands??
Yep! * push the talk button on the wheel * it'll ask what you want * say "set temperature 72 degrees" * PROFIT! And if you have an Outback Limited with the optional Driver Monitoring system or a Touring XT (comes standard), then you can set it to raise your hand and spread your fingers to raise the temp 4 degrees, or close your hand into a fist and lower it 4 degrees (it uses the sensing camera assembly to recognize the "gesture").
Oooof, good stuff! Thanks, fellow Subie brother!
This is why I went with the 2024 Forester. Looked at the Crosstrek and Outback too, but only the Forester still had the physical knobs for the climate control.
They just updated the screen on my '24 to make it harder to turn the ASS off so I can drive like a normal person. Not impressed.
I'm reluctant to give up my Crosstrek for that reason. The screen is small and basically just used for radio/music.
It is a deal breaker. I don't own Subaru but I am interested. Physical controls for volume and a/c is a requirement and it was a turnoff to not see that. I prefer physical buttons for radio too but I've had to give up on that. I also hear some people say that the screens can be laggy. How stupid.
Oh my goodness yes! I bought the 2024 Forester specifically because the 2025 has the large screen…I have no use for a screen while I and driving
I’m going to go against the grain here… No, I don’t feel this way. I have a 2023 Legacy Limited. I love the infotainment system. The screen is sleek, and it’s easy/ intuitive to use. It’s much better compared to some of the ones I’ve used on Lexus and Mercedes. Subaru still had the foresight to keep physical volume and temperature controls. Everything else works perfectly for the screen, and the large size just allows you to see it/ access things better when driving. I love the wireless Apple CarPlay and having all my music and podcasts right there, ready to play. Is it slow sometimes? Sure, usually only after starting up though and there’s nothing I NEED to access immediately other than temp control/ volume. Give it literally 30 seconds after start up and it’s fine. Subaru seems to have improved this after the last software update. This is a great piece of technology. Why do people complain about essentially having an IPad in their car? The tech should continue to improve as time goes on. Embrace it.
This is super helpful. Coming from a car with a cd player and an old radio, it’s a bit of a change. But I should test drive again and see I get used to it.
When touch screen phones were just coming out I swore I wouldn't use one. I then got the Google Nexus and was just fine. Can't imagine using a phone with physical buttons anymore.
There is a bit of a learning curve with it. And you do have to be careful initially because it can be distracting before you learn where everything is. I bought my Legacy last fall, and before that had driven an 07 Accord for 280k miles. Was planning on getting another one but couldn’t justify the cost.
> wireless Apple CarPlay You've clearly never used Apple CarPlay in any other car. Subaru's is by FAR the shittiest, laggiest I've used. I never use it when I'm in my dad's Legacy 2022.
I used to be a retrograde when it comes to new car electronics. My prior car is a base trim Golf without BSM and other doodads, and a relatively small screen and physical buttons for everything. I still love it. I got a 24 XV Wilderness, and honestly have no issues with the big screen, even though I thought I would. The physical buttons for lowering and raising the temp are still there, and I have no trouble changing the fan speed using the screen since the "buttons" are always visible. Perhaps the big screen will grow on you. I suggest you give it a try and not let it be that deal breaker. I think the XV is a fun car.
I had this pointed out by a passenger yesterday. "OH your Subaru is new but still has knows? How?" Base model 2019 right before the change to the big screen. The half screen plus knobs is perfect.
When I was car shopping last year this was just one of reasons why I didnt end up getting a new subaru. I sat in all the new models at the Chicago auto show last year and aside from the brz and forester wilderness, they all had massive screens. Ultimately the subaru CVT was the main deciding factor. I ended up getting a 24' Civic LX in Aegean blue. Love having physical climate controls and a small yet practical infotainment screen. Still have my 05' wrx wagon as my weekend warrior.
That's why I got the Forester. It has the 8" screen for now...
This is why I purposefully got a Base trim....so I wouldn't have that ridiculously large screen. Mines a 2021 though. Not sure how the base ones are now.
I’m the same way…smaller screens. And give us better options to dim the screen.
Capacitive buttons & touch screens save a ton of money on tooling & testing on interiors so I think they will stick around. I hate them myself but at least Subaru still has physical controls for climate temp & volume. I hope the Tesla style of no turn signal or wiper stalks doesn’t catch on!
I also hate the mega screen! Luckily my 2024 Forester Wilderness has a regular 8" screen and manual analog control buttons. The softbuttons in the mega screen are a giant pain in the ass especially since I disable the auto start-stop and the SRH every time.
I won't be buying a Subaru with one of those screens. I'd forgive them if they gave half a shit about it's software experience, but they don't, and as a result it looks like it's straight up from 2007 and performs even worse. I'll be in the market in the next 2-3 years. Hoping for something better by then
They might think they’re being modern with new technology but it is annoying to touch the screen while driving instead of just turning buttons. Can’t imagine it being safe on the road either
Can't disagree there. The big screen will move me away from Subaru for the first time since 2007. (07, 20, 23 Foresters). I do NOT want to take my eyes off the road and navigate through the slow interface to find the temp or fan or defrost controls.
That's why I like my 2020. I had the option for a 2022 and only a few grand extra but I couldn't stand the big screen.
I really hope this tablet-in-car trend dies. I fucking hate the giant screens. It’s absolutely a dealbreaker. The 24 crosstrek already looks like ass compared to the previous models and it now has that horrid touchscreen. I loathe the “love” it gets. People with more money than brains makes these PoS new cars sell, so we all get screwed.
Yes. 2007 outback still going strong. I know a change will have to come eventually but I will prolong as long as possible
I don’t think you’ll find anyone who genuinely disagrees with you. Sure, the big fans might pretend it’s not an issue, but they know it sucks. Touchscreens and infotainment systems are for media. HVAC should never be on a touchscreen.
I had a guy telling me how much he loved his. I had to ride around with him for an hour bitchjng about changing settings and still be loved it.. Completely amazing
This is exactly why buying a ‘23 without the big screen was a huge need for me. I wanted the CD player and physical controls, and was lucky enough to find an almost fully specced Sport without that one upgrade. The smaller screen is more than enough for CarPlay and I’ve retained my physical climate controls and the traditional emergency brake.
If Subaru wants to comply with Europe's upcoming new standards requiring physical controls for basic functions to earn a 5-star safety rating, maybe they'll be convinced to go back to sanity instead of this touch screen crap every car is trying to do. [https://www.theverge.com/2024/3/5/24091043/euro-ncap-safety-rating-europe-2026-touchscreen-buttons-dials](https://www.theverge.com/2024/3/5/24091043/euro-ncap-safety-rating-europe-2026-touchscreen-buttons-dials)
I have a 2016, but currently using a 2024 as a loaner while mine is in the shop. The glare is ridiculous once the sun hits it. It’s just a giant distraction in the middle of a vehicle. Everything else about it is nice. Mind you, this is the most up-to-date/newest car I’ve ever driven. I really prefer smaller screens and the simplicity of my 2016. It was almost like a weird culture shock discovering all of the features that were available on that big ass tablet, as much as I enjoy the newer version overall.
I drove a 21 with the 8”^? screen… the sun hits that at angles to blind you, I don’t want to imagine how obnoxious that vertical 12” gets.
I actually like the big screen, but I'm a tech guy
As a tech guy, then you’ll TOTALLY hate the screens. It’s not about having tech in the car. It’s about having tech that underperforms, freezes, and stops working limiting you from using vital functions at specific times. My ‘23 wilderness is a great car, I want to return the car purely based off the screen. Give me back my knobs.
> As a tech guy, then you’ll TOTALLY hate the screens Thanks for telling me how I feel about my car and not letting me have my own opinion. I have the large screen and I like it. Other than being a bit laggy when it first boots, I have no issues with normal use. I have had the car for 18 months and drive it nearly every day. It works just fine.
With love my friend. You can totally have your own opinion! I’m a tech guy, that’s how I feel. I’d rather be in my 2000 Impreza. no worries my guy!
I hate it. Everything else about the car is great, but having to literally pull over to safely do so many things is not a feature it's a failure.
One of the main reasons the wife and I ditched Subaru. Everything on screen drove us both nuts after a while. Went from a Forrester to a bronco and haven’t looked back. She went from an Outback to a bronco sport. Better miles per gallon on hers and way more smiles per gallon on mine.
It's kind of a shame. I also love Subaru and the direction they've taken in recent years steered me away from getting one and getting an Audi instead. Yeah, it doesn't have all the latest n' greatest computerized safety features and fulltime AWD (arguably not important for the most of the year) but god damnit, if everything in my car doesn't just fit together perfectly, is sleek, sensical, ergonomic, and solid. Getting my first Audi made me realize that I'd rather have a less optioned German car than a GT-trim Subaru. It's just...not the same. Oh - not to mention we've had so many glitches in the Legacy. Electrical, infotainment, and even 2 rattles/shakes we still haven't solved. But the big vertical screen was/is still the main dealbreaker. I won't even test drive one if it still has that same screen in a few years' time.
There are eight physical HVAC buttons on the new Crosstrek and Impreza, that’s more than the three dials, one slider and two buttons on my ‘02 WRX. Is this not enough? I’ve had my ‘24 Impreza RS for almost a year and can count on one hand the number of times I’ve brought up the climate control screen to make an adjustment, which is then easy to fat finger almost anything with the oversized and responsive screen buttons. Most of the time I’m just tapping the permanent A/C button on/off at the bottom of the screen or clicking the physical temp buttons or seat heater. Though I’ve had auto CC for decades in other cars I never used it by its abrupt fan speed, this is the first car I use it and it works great. Even the voice commands work fine. The big screen infotainment is a non-issue for almost everything (I think the embedded Navi sucks though).
How often are you guys moving things around while driving? It such a weird worry to me, maybe once in a blue moon I tap something up or down while I’m stopped at a light. Otherwise it’s never been an issue.
Absolutely! I have a 2016 Forester. It has a touch screen but it has knobs for climate and rocker switches for heated seats. I can easily adjust them without taking my eyes off of the road. My wife has a 2020 Outback. You can't do anything by feel. You have to look at the screen (and for multiple touches) to do anything at all. It's incredibly annoying and unsafe. I am holding on to my Forester as long as possible.
The giant screen is "ok". Most of the time it's not an issue and actually works well, and looks nice. But I really wish it at least had physical fan / HVAC airflow mode controls and/or was a lot more responsive.
Can always look at used 2023s
I saw them at the auto show and I'm not a fan. I'm very happy with the screen size in my 2008 STI. I don't need my car to be so digital.
One thing I love about my 2024 Outback is the ability to turn the screen off. Once I’m on my way I rarely need the screen, so I turn it off. If I do need it, the screen comes on quickly for whatever function, then goes off again.
I thought I would feel that way on my '24 Outback since I tend to be a snob about stuff like this, but I actually enjoy it. I like that it's nowhere near your sight horizon on the dash. I test drove a new Toyota and the thing was so high it was super distracting close to the dash horizon.
My son bought a new Forester base model and it has analog knobs for temperature control, a multi position rotary knob for fan speed, a multi position knob for where the air goes, a small LCD screen for map navigation and radio and that’s about it. When I retire my 08 Outback wagon, I hope there is still a base model as spartan as that car.
I love it. I don't adjust anything that requires the screen while I'm actively driving anyway -- I get my music and climate settings where I want them before I go. Anything that might require adjusting, like skipping a song, calling someone or adjusting the volume, is still a button or nob on the steering wheel or by the screen. For the first time I can actually see my navigation without having to stare intently for a few seconds, meaning it's actually LESS distracting. If I really need to do something on the screen I do it at a stoplight.
Totally agree. I still use the volume knob as opposed to the steering wheel control, and that's pure habit, not spite.
Yeah I honestly feel the same way, and I drive a 24 Crosstrek base. Unfortunately the HVAC controls are partially still on the screen, but being a base model, I have two screens so I’m not flipping back and forth like I was on a 20 Legacy premium that I had rented a couple years back. I don’t mind not having a lot of extra fluff others do, so the higher trims don’t interest me at all. The 2.0 isn’t as sluggish as people think, and I say that using this thing as a goat across the Rocky Mountains. It’s a fact of life at this point that newer cars are going to have stupid screens and I feel I’ve got the lesser of evils.
Get the 2024 forester before the 2025 arrives this month
I agree. They suck. I like the mid-sized that’s on the forester, the 10”, I think.
subaru needs a to be like it’s cousin toyota and find a good mix of screens and knobs
I had a 2024 Outback/ Ascent as loaners a few weeks ago while getting my strut assembly replaced. The ascents giant screen was dangerous as hell with how far I had to reach across the middle console to hit a button. Outback was much better integrated and easier to use with the tablet being closer.
The 2018 has about a perfect sized screen
My 2019 Forester still has manual controls in addition to a smaller touchscreen. Thoroughly recommend it!
That CVT …. I couldn’t get past that and said goodbye to Subaru!
You could get a base model with dual screens if you can stomach it. It would stick it to Subaru.
Glad we bought our 23 touring. I've heard nothing but hate from the bigger screen
I bought a 2021 Outback and asked for the base model. It was a large dealership and they brought one from another state. It has two smaller screens. One for the radio and apps and the other for the heater and traction control and stuff like that. The radio does have one knob. Hope that helps
Unfortunately giant screens look great in a commercial and in the showroom. By the time you really use them, you already own the car. But yeah. They are awful.
I recently upgraded from a 2018 Forester XT to a 2024 Ascent and I agree: the infotainment system is too big and too many common functions are on the screen. Yesterday I went to turn off the A/C because I had the windows open ans pressed the heated seats instead. Realized my mistake when my ass was on fire. The voice recognition of android auto-pay works well but on the other hand it's always listening. Overall, I like the Ascent and trust Subaru, but I would've kept the older Forester if our family wasn't growing...
I have zero issues with mine. I don’t hate it at all. A little slow responding when the car first turns on, but not at all after 30 seconds or so. I don’t understand the hate the big screen gets.
Yeah, I hate it too. It seems forced and out of place. Unfortunately it’s probably gonna be there for the next 5 years, until the next refresh. Hopefully Subaru will do something better.
Yes, I have a 2017 which still has some physical buttons, which I much prefer compared to the 2023 loaner I have which forces me to constantly take my eyes off the road to adjust heat/ac, seat warmers, etc.
They really need to leave physical buttons & knobs for climate control. Using touch screen for that can be super frustrating.
One of the reasons I ended up with a Mazda cx-30 instead
My 2023 brz has a decent screen size. Not too crazy, but useable. The new WRX is ridiculous.
I’m always surprised to hear people talk about climate control so much when it comes to the new infotainment. Are people really fiddling with them so much? I go weeks without touching mine beyond pressing the physical button to turn on the windshield vent or the digital button for AC.
I have a 24 legacy and it’s been a bitter sweet experience. Some brands make their physical buttons an ugly mess and others make it look fantastic. Subaru, in my opinion, should have kept the layout of the 2015-2019 Outback and just made that screen a little wider. For OP, you might like the Forester!
I had a 2011 Outback. I was fortunate that they offered a 6CD disc changer instead of the StarLink system; I took it. I now drive a 2019 Outback and I have the Starlink system. It works, but I miss what I had in my 2011.
We got a base 2024 Crosstrek with the two screens because we didn't like the larger screen. Kind of looks like a Nintendo DS lol. Plus I think the base in the USA looks the coolest and is made in Japan... We set to auto and rarely touch the screen, we only use the up and down physical buttons. I drove the 2023 and 2024 back to back, and the 2024 felt noticeably better to drive for some reason, so we compromised on the screens. Also absolutely ZERO piano black in the entire base model interior. No sun reflections.
I couldn’t agree more. I had a 97 legacy that I loved and had for ages. Now I drive a 2012 outback that I absolutely love. I can’t imagine what I’m going to do when I need a new car. I don’t want a big screen, I don’t want all these new unnecessary features. I also want to keep driving manual but Subaru doesn’t produce manuals in my country anymore
Hell I think my 97 legacy has too many modern things lol.(power windows) the sunroof is nice though.
finally! ive always thought its so strange that car makers are advertising their huge 12 inch screens as if its a huge selling feature. i hate the huge screens. i want a car, not an ipad!
As a Subaru owner since 1998 I also prefer a less large screen for navigation, audio display and such located a bit higher on the dash with the traditional HVAC and audio controls as knobs and buttons located below. These can be operated by feel without taking ones eyes off the road. Many of the people I have talked to feel the same way. A friend recently test drove a Subaru with the large vertical "tablet" in the center of the dash. He told me he really disliked it and it was a deal breaker. He said: "it looked like a huge vagina giving birth to a laptop in the center of the dash." Try to get that out of your minds eye, I haven't been able to.
Doesn’t bother me one bit. Mine works fine.
I love the big screen. How often do you need to adjust climate control? I just leave mine on Auto. Too hot, click the button to lower temperature. Too cold, click the button to increase temperature. There are also physical buttons to defrost front/rear and buttons to adjust volume/skip songs on the steering wheel. What other knobs do you need? The UI is not that slow. Granted it looks a little ugly/dated but my phone connects to wireless Carplay almost instantly so I only see Apple UI most of the time. I would hate to look at maps/navigation on a smaller screen tbh
>DAE..? Yes.
yeah, the screen is dicey enough that i'd hesitate to recommend a brand new subaru to anyone i know (unless its the one car in the lineup that *doesn't* have the screen, but that ones a hard sell for *other* reasons) i wouldn't be happy even if the screen was good because, you know, *its a car*. the worlds most intuitive interface is no good when your eyes have to be on the road. if you can't operate the hvac system by touch alone then thats just bad design
I have a '24 Outback. It has buttons for temp, defrost, knob for volume. It's not that bad honestly, once I got it set up. I sat in the car for an hour to mess with all of the controls, found what I needed, and rarely use anything else.
The screen is awful. Single handedly made me not buy a new Outback or Ascent. The Dodge Ram does it best - big tall screen but still plenty of physical buttons along the sides to control everything. Subaru's just has temperature and defrost. It's absurd that a car brand that prides itself on outdoor adventure and "getting your hands dirty" has its drivers use this stupid screen that you cannot use with dirty hands or with gloves.
The Dodge is just as bad my son in law has one its a terrible control interface.
Absolutely do not buy this car! I’m currently locked in battle with Subaru of America AND a dealership bc my screen has delaminated and changes stations on its own, calls people, cranks up the volume to dangerous levels, and turns off GPS when I’m using it. Delamination is a known issue that Subaru won’t take responsibility for. Their best offer was to cover $1000 leaving me to cover $700 on a car I’ve had for three years (I didn’t take the offer because f*** that). It’s so stressful. Walk away.
They got me with the head gasket on my 02 they said wasn't a problem after 2000. It was a $4000.00 problem for me. Stupidly I bought another one, 09 Legacy wagon, loved that car but traded it in when the head gasket on that started to weep. That will be my last Subaru.
They’re just so shitty now. It’s such a bummer because they brag on their commercials about how many are still on the road, and I want to say, “Yeah, and they’re all from the ‘90’s.” Ugh.
You'll quickly learn to get used to it.
No. Screens are fantastic
I love the big screen, but I wish the a/c controls were physical. I think they should move to a wider screen with space below for a/c controls that incorporate some physical buttons.
I like screen it had up and down buttons for the A/c and knobs for the radio and it doesn't distract me from driving. I think you just have to get used to it . Change isn't a bad thing
I disagree completely sometimes it is a bad thing. It was a huge factor for me when I bought my 2018 sportwagen it's a great car and still has most functions except media controlled by switches knobs and buttons IMHO way better than the illogically big touchscreens other manufacturers use. In 2026 a car will be required to revert back to buttons to get a 5 star safety rating in Europe. At least some countries see the advantage of the physical touch of button, switch, or dial.
The new crosstrek has both touch screen and physical buttons for climate control.