he’s talking about the CVT
which works on a different principle than your 5 speed manual. Personally I have the same concerns about CVTs and needed acceleration or engine braking.
CVT Transmission
– Last Updated: Feb-02-16 6:51 PM EST –
Actually, there's no reason under the sun that a transmission with "no separate gears" wouldn't have the ability to select lower ratios as needed. The issue is whether or not the manufacturer makes it possible for the driver to control that aspect. In this case, it's possible.
I rode in a Subaru with the CV transmission on a shuttle some time back, and there was a manual-shift option, controlled by a paddle on the steering column. Tap the paddle, and the transmission would select discrete ratios, and jump up or down in multiple steps, depending on which direction you tapped the paddle and how many times. The driver could choose to rev the heck out of the engine if he wanted to, having complete control of the stepwise selection process. So yes, it had the ability to slow the car down on hills, or to force the transmission to ignore momentary changes in engine load. It was a pretty slick system they came up with on that car.
Switch out of the "manual" mode and of course there were no discrete ratios anymore, but if you want manual control, it's there for the driver to use.
Griffin
I am aware that the transmission in question is a CVT, but Griffin’s comment about his wife’s Legacy with CVT having a special brake made me wonder if there wasn’t some sort of hill hold similar to the manual Forester.
No such concerns
As I touched on in my post below, just because it’s a CVT doesn’t mean the transmission won’t properly select a ratio for conditions, or that you can’t override the computer to use the ratio you think is best at any given moment. I can’t speak regarding long-term reliability, but regarding function, the Subaru CVT is pretty sophisticated and versatile. Too many automatic transmissions these days lack the option of letting the driver choose a gear ratio. Subaru’s CVT doesn’t have that problem.
Subaru
– Last Updated: Feb-02-16 11:47 PM EST –
Definitely has the transmission.
Have not driven a Subaru
But low is for crawling out of a no grip situation or for low speed operation say 0 to 25 mph. Low would give the correct rpm for that speed range.
Hi gear would not. Hi is used for 0 to cruising above 25 or ?
Hi gives shift points for normal acceleration for this range.
Accelerating for a 0 to 75mph on ramp situation requires selecting Low then manually shifting to Hi at a correct shift point usually above the engine's RPM/torque max output point. Check the engine specs. Max RPM is unnecessary and destructive.
What GBG writes corresponds that Subaru manual selection, as for Low, gives correct RPM for that speed selection. Low, or the manual selection may not shift from that speed area where Hi would shift up to normal cruise.
Low at 24 mph may turn 1800 RPM. Hi at 23 mph would turn 2500 RPM in a computer programed acceleration toward 65 cruising mph.
Hill holder not exactly new
I had that hill holder feature on my first car. It was a 1959 Studebaker Lark V8, Carter 4 barrel carburetor, and a 3 speed manual on the column. It worked well.
Yeah! My Aunt’s '52 Champion Studebaker
Had it too. But for us kids back then, we preferred the '51 Old’s 98 trans that you could dump into super and sink back into the seats like my granp’s '52 Packard with Ultramatic trans. Learned how to shift standard by occasionally stealing my mom’s straight 8 '47 Packard with column shift (1st, 2nd, 3rd & reverse). And 100+ octane yellow gas for under 30 cents a gal.
Unimog!
it sounds like an improvement
When I read your thread I had to check it out for myself, it sounds like Subaru added the virtual ratios to address these very problems. Eventually the CVT will replace the automatic and manual for all but performance-oriented cars.
I’ve only driven a Nissan Versa CVT and it was a miserable experience. It felt like driving a car with a slipping clutch.
The Unimog
– Last Updated: Feb-03-16 6:35 PM EST –
Styer Puch....Military MB excel and are limited in this excellence to a low unhighway speed group. Most are noisy maybe with straight cut gears tho silicone may have moved gears out. that beautiful 6 wheeler is not a road vehicle as a point to point transport.
Very rarely see a Military MB not only from cost in German Tax MilSpec but from the low speed range. These trucks are also the object of curiosity if you enjoy this venue.
The large 4WD truck/motor home category usually v=comes in from the desert, possibly Mexico, the Chihuahua eg. For where else would the beast fit thru ? Weyerhaeuser ? Good luck with that....
A V6 Tiguana 4WD would go 130 mph.
I like the Unimog
But if I had to get the vw it would be the Touareg with v10 diesel and 30 mpg. I’ll change the cabin air filter more frequently.
What works for us…
– Last Updated: Feb-05-16 3:14 PM EST –
We have a couple of Subaru Outback wagons that work great for hauling the kayaks and canoes. The 2000 Outback has been excellent traveling with loads. It is the 2.5 4 cylinder and handled the one kayak, gear and family of four on a week camping trips just fine. Have had it for probably going on 14 years and many trips.
I had a 1986 Subaru GL wagon with the hill hold that worked great for local outings. Subarus are very sure footed in the snow no doubt. The GL had true 4x4 with a high low range transfer case. Rust got the best of it but wonderful little cars.
The 2.5's are prone to head gasket issues but I would buy another. Still have the 2000 2.5 and it had the head gasket replaced once. Dependable and has taken us a lot of places.
Wife's 2006 LL Bean has the 3.0 and has handled the loads well also. The 3rd gen outbacks are great but soft in the back for loads. Use the 2nd gen outback struts in these in the rear and it stiffens it up. Handled loads fine after that.
Also haul them in the back of and on top of my 94 Land Cruiser and 78 Dodge Ramcharger. The Land Cruiser handles much more of a load than the Outbacks but the roof is a lot higher.
Advantages to the Subarus we have is the fuel mileage with the all wheel drive. The lower roof is easier to load and unload. Advantage with the lifted Cruiser is how much gear you can take and the places you can get to. Roof is way up there though so a lot of climbing and holding on when loading and unloading. Bad MPGs but love my Land Cruiser. Love it more than the MPGs stinks...
Good luck.
"Dog Tested Dog Approved"
Is all that matters. Go check out the Subaru videos…
Now you know?
depends on the dog
Our dogs prefer my Hyundai to my wife’s Subaru, depends on the dogs.
Bill H.
The Marauder!!! 
See video
http://www.topgear.com/videos/richard-hammond/richard-drives-marauder-part-12-series-17-episode-1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDoRmT0iRic
Maybe a Used Mustang?
Thinking of mounting a couple of Good Boy Racks on a used Mustang. Now that would be “a faster horse?” Fast cars for fast boats (surfskis).
contrary to naming
keep it on the hard road. or mount snows. trunk sandbags.
We have never seen a Mustang at the ramp.
Good grief, a Mustang.
Me Too! Always a First Time…
Yakima Landing Pads, crossbars and the Good Boys should make for a fast Turnpike Cruiser that will bring the beach closer and no problem getting in and out of low ceiling parking garages with the boats on the roof?