I am intensely unhappy with the Outback. I normally would drive the wheels off a vehicle before getting rid of it, but I've only had it for about 13 months now. I just can't stand it. Well, not the vehicle itself, just the super-glitchy infotainment/central computer that drives me insane. It's ridiculous, but it's to the point where I'm thinking of taking the hit and going ahead and trading it, since, after all, it isn't like the vehicle is going to increase in value. I'm looking at going through Costco and getting a '21 Passport Elite, since I live in South Texas and require ventilated seats, lol.
Hello! Thinking of trading my '20 Outback Touring for a '21 Passport Elite
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We are previous owners of a 19 Subaru Crosstrek Limited and a 17 Honda Ridgeline. We traded both for a 20 Audi SQ5. We recently traded the Audi for a 21 Passport EX-L AWD. I didn’t have any issues with the Subaru tech just decided to downsize to one bigger SUV. The Audi is a fabulous vehicle but I decided it was foolish to tie up so much in one depreciating asset that has high maintenance costs and astronomical repair bills if kept long term. We have had great service out of our previous 11 Honda’s so we hope this will be a vehicle we can keep longer. We have purchased 7 vehicles since 2013 so our recent track record is not so good! We considered the Outback, the Ascent, Grand Cherokee and Teluride but felt comfortable with coming back to Honda. The excellent service from our local dealers factored in the decision. The Audi service was mediocre at best.
Yeah, apparently they redesigned the infotainment center and computer for the '20 model year, and rushed it to production before it was ready. It's a very pretty display, but it's incredibly glitchy, but randomly so. I can never tell when it's going to glitch. Sometimes the mute button doesn't mute, sometimes there's no volume whatsoever, sometimes it doesn't "unshift" the radio from the rear speakers after the GPS unit has given directions, sometimes it shuts itself off entirely and reboots, etc.
Between all that and the fact that the auto start/stop system is the roughest one I've ever felt, I'm sick of it, lol.
I've had a Civic and an Element in the past (and I'm so pissed that I traded the Element) and had nothing but good things to say about them. Traded the Element on a Mini Countryman S, which was a massive mistake. After the Countryman, was considering the Kia Telluride, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Pilot, and Passport. Pilot's just looks too big, and I couldn't find any good deals on the Grand Cherokee and the Telluride, so I guess the Passport is it. I keep hoping they bring back the Element, though.
Do it!
I was the same about my CRV. It drove amazing, I still loved it until the day I sold it to my Honda shop, it looked brand new because I kept it in the garage and took care of it. But then the 2019 Passport was released...I obsessed about it for 4 months until I found the color I wanted.
I've driven several Subaru rentals, including the Outback, compared to my Passport, they lack power.
As for the vented seats on our Passport. Don’t let that be your reason to make a change. They aren’t worth it. They are very loud and only work with cabin airflow on the 3rd level, which is REALLY loud!
I was the same about my CRV. It drove amazing, I still loved it until the day I sold it to my Honda shop, it looked brand new because I kept it in the garage and took care of it. But then the 2019 Passport was released...I obsessed about it for 4 months until I found the color I wanted.
I've driven several Subaru rentals, including the Outback, compared to my Passport, they lack power.
As for the vented seats on our Passport. Don’t let that be your reason to make a change. They aren’t worth it. They are very loud and only work with cabin airflow on the 3rd level, which is REALLY loud!
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I just moved from a 2017 Subaru Outback 3.6R to the Passport EX-L, and am immensely more happy. The Subaru CVT I didn’t love, and it wasn’t quite big enough. The Passport cargo area (50 sq feet) alone has nearly as much capacity as my Subaru Outback plus the rooftop cargo box (35.5 + 16) = 51.5, so now I’ve got tons of room.
The one thing I loved about my Subaru was the AWD system, with the only system I’ve found equalling it being the Acura SH-AWD, and while the Passport isn’t quite all the way there, it’s close enough that I haven’t missed the Subaru at all.
The one thing I loved about my Subaru was the AWD system, with the only system I’ve found equalling it being the Acura SH-AWD, and while the Passport isn’t quite all the way there, it’s close enough that I haven’t missed the Subaru at all.
I think you may want to check out the same issues on the PP. hopefully not as bad but still has the same issues and more.... ACC sucks on the PP.. I'm headed to the dealer today with engine lights on and emissions issues......
2021 Honda Passport Elite (Modern Steel Metallic, Black Interior)
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I bought my ‘21 Passport Elite in November 2020. Since then I have only had two glitches with the Infotainment system, both related to (I think) the built-in assistant battling it out with Siri on CarPlay/ iPhone. Both times I made a call, hung up and then the system froze (I think the built-in assistant tried to perform some function when it wasn’t supposed to). The error code in the diagnostic screen is the same for the two date/times, but since it’s Panasonic’s codes and not Honda’s, the Honda techs can’t do anything but send in a report. I haven’t been able to reproduce the issue and it hasn’t happened for a couple months now. It’s possible that it has been fixed by either Apple or Panasonic, but who knows.
Other than that, the PP has been a great vehicle. I have made quite a few improvements, but all-in-all it’s rock solid.
Other than that, the PP has been a great vehicle. I have made quite a few improvements, but all-in-all it’s rock solid.
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THIS....!
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I have had my 2019 Touring (Canadian version of the Elite) for about a year, been back to the dealer(s) for a non-functional AC, stuck buttons on the center console, and several service updates/recalls. Can confirm what CR reports regarding warranty issues with the PP.
My only comment would be to take the PP on a long test drive over a familiar route (and take an Elite, the various trims have differing shocks/suspension configurations & different tires). My Elite has both a stiff and boating/floaty ride at the same time, which coming from a Acura I find extremely irritating. The floatyness might be a bit bothersome if you liked the ride in your Subaru. If I could do it again, I would have the dealer include a tire swap in the sale (from the completely stupid low profile 20" tires to a set of 18"). Many users here attribute the poor ride on the upper trims to the low profile tires, I have not made the change yet myself. As always, YMMV.
FYI while the seats are vented, they blow cabin air and are not hooked directly into the AC system. It does the job for me but I live in Alberta Canada, might be less than ideal for Texas...
My only comment would be to take the PP on a long test drive over a familiar route (and take an Elite, the various trims have differing shocks/suspension configurations & different tires). My Elite has both a stiff and boating/floaty ride at the same time, which coming from a Acura I find extremely irritating. The floatyness might be a bit bothersome if you liked the ride in your Subaru. If I could do it again, I would have the dealer include a tire swap in the sale (from the completely stupid low profile 20" tires to a set of 18"). Many users here attribute the poor ride on the upper trims to the low profile tires, I have not made the change yet myself. As always, YMMV.
FYI while the seats are vented, they blow cabin air and are not hooked directly into the AC system. It does the job for me but I live in Alberta Canada, might be less than ideal for Texas...
Aside from being a 2021 Passport Elite owner I also run SubaruOutback.org and have a 2021 Outback Limited 2.5L as well as having had several Outbacks over the past 18 years. I know that many owners of Gen 6 (2020-2021) Outbacks are very frustrated with the infotainment system and it has become an incredibly polarizing feature of this vehicle. I myself love it on my 2021 Outback but I do like the system in the Passport even more not to mention the fact that many other features and functions are operated manually using physical buttons which I greatly appreciate. Honda's layout is much more simple and easy to use.
Overall as much as I love the Subaru brand and the Outback, the Passport Elite specifically is a vehicle that is superior to anything that Subaru offers and frankly a vehicle that you could not persurade me to purchase a Subaru vehicle instead of. I went from having a 3.6L Outback and missed not having that kind of power with the Gen 6 Outback, the non-turbo engine is adequate but not comparable and the turbo engine is underwhelming and overpriced. Honda's J35Y6 reminds me so much of Subaru's 3.6L, not to mention the additional size and creature comforts of the Passport. It has been a slam dunk vehicle for me after 1200 miles or so.
Overall as much as I love the Subaru brand and the Outback, the Passport Elite specifically is a vehicle that is superior to anything that Subaru offers and frankly a vehicle that you could not persurade me to purchase a Subaru vehicle instead of. I went from having a 3.6L Outback and missed not having that kind of power with the Gen 6 Outback, the non-turbo engine is adequate but not comparable and the turbo engine is underwhelming and overpriced. Honda's J35Y6 reminds me so much of Subaru's 3.6L, not to mention the additional size and creature comforts of the Passport. It has been a slam dunk vehicle for me after 1200 miles or so.
Perhaps they have improved the feature since the 2019 model year, my 2021 model's ventilated seats are not particularly noisy even on the highest setting. I feel like they definitely make a difference at least for me and it was one of the big reasons why I spent extra to get the Elite trim.
Perhaps they have improved the feature since the 2019 model year, my 2021 model's ventilated seats are not particularly noisy even on the highest setting. I feel like they definitely make a difference at least for me and it was one of the big reasons why I spent extra to get the Elite trim.
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Hopefully they improved the feature! There hasn’t been much chatter on here about it.
I think it was the 2nd day after I got my Passport, I was driving and heard what sounded like a door or window open. I checked all windows and sun roof, they were sealed, pulled over and checked all doors and cargo door thinking perhaps an alert indicator light was not working and one was open. Nope, they were all closed. I stopped by my Honda shop and asked them, since my dealer has failed me so many times, I don’t go to them. Turned out I’d bumped the seat vent button on the passenger side with my hydroflask and it was blocking the blue indicator light so I had no idea it was on and I was still learning the new features! 🤣
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Hopefully they improved the feature! There hasn’t been much chatter on here about it.
I think it was the 2nd day after I got my Passport, I was driving and heard what sounded like a door or window open. I checked all windows and sun roof, they were sealed, pulled over and checked all doors and cargo door thinking perhaps an alert indicator light was not working and one was open. Nope, they were all closed. I stopped by my Honda shop and asked them, since my dealer has failed me so many times, I don’t go to them. Turned out I’d bumped the seat vent button on the passenger side with my hydroflask and it was blocking the blue indicator light so I had no idea it was on and I was still learning the new features! 🤣
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It seems like Honda has flushed out most of the 2019 model issues, the 2021 models seem like a safe bet!
I love mine, and bought our daughter a 2019 Forrester, which she likes because it is a SUV, but quality-wise she misses her 2016 Accord...!
I love mine, and bought our daughter a 2019 Forrester, which she likes because it is a SUV, but quality-wise she misses her 2016 Accord...!
I went to the dealer for engine light and emission lights on and again can't find anything wrong.... At my age I have better things to do than sit up there for hours to hear the same old story... drive it and give me a call if they come back on. They don't seem to have cleaned up their act much from the 2019 to 2020 on Honda senseless and all the false lights coming on......
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I am a previous Outback owner, I had 2003 and 2013, so I am a little biased as Subaru makes awesome cars
All new vehicles have issues, including Hondas. For example, my 2019 Pilot Touring had a cracking sound issue and the fix for it did not arrive from Honda for about a year. They did fix it eventually free of charge. Perhaps, Subaru will have a fix in time. That said, Passport is amazing (I tested one before I bought Pilot) and my 2019 Pilot has been great. I think Honda addressed many of the issues that were there during the launch, so it is less likely that you will have an issue like the one you described. For the record, as much as I like Subaru, I think Honda's i-VTM4 AWD is a much more sophisticated system - I am a huge fan. You will not miss your Outback.With all the recalls at Subaru let see how CR. rates them more reliable than Honda passport that has nothing remotely close to Subaru.... It may be a good move to a passport..... I guess I'm annal on the problems but the over all picture the Passport is ok but still room for improvements....
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Love my Passport Elite, but I got it as a demo so price was less. I have to say the ventilated seats are not the greatest. I do not really use the wireless phone charger(since I am hooked up to Apple play). I do like my heated steering wheel and rain sensing wipers and power folding sideviews. They may have improved ventilated seats since 2019 model, but test drive first.
I have a 2019, and I've literally never had a single issue. Not sure why you would say that.
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