![]() ![]() ![]() This can be a big benefit in a couple of ways: First, factory OEM parts and installations are warrantied. The difference being they are now standard features or upgrades right from the factory. The new Wilderness Edition package seems to include some of the aftermarket upgrades I have made to the Road Warrior. Then, I will share with you if I think a new Outback is still the right tool for the job…for me. It takes time for consumers to get comfortable with change, and manufacturers are very much aware of this and take great caution.Īs a consumer that modified a Subaru Outback into a soft-road Overland vehicle, I am going to share my opinion from that particular vantage point. When BMW decided to update the shape of the grill, they suffered a huge backlash. Take the BMW trademark front grill design. Trying to improve on something people already love can be a huge risk. And that can and has happened in the past to billion-dollar corporations. They aren’t about to allow the millions of dollars and countless man-hours invested to bring a product to market to vanish in a day. This is why brands like Subaru control their new product releases. Our job was to shape public impression and perception. The public can often be unforgiving with first impression response without truly taking the time to understand the factors that resulted in the evolution of a model vehicle. So, when a manufacturer like Subaru releases a new edition like the Subaru Outback Wilderness, you won’t see me complain and criticize, nor will you necessarily see me praise. I learned along the way that no matter how big or small the product–from paper clips to automobiles–many of the same factors shape the final product that finally gets released. ![]() Often the factors that shaped the product took time to uncover through testing, customer feedback, cost analysis, liability risk, manufacturing complexity, durability, and more. There were many factors at play in making decisions on product design. In this case, parents and their children. My team and I were tasked with truly understanding our customers. I spent eight years of my career as Director of Product Development and designed toys for big brands like Dreamworks, Disney, NASCAR, and many others. And, thus, I appreciate it when a manufacturer not only adds a few bells and whistles, but takes a good hard look at their product to truly expand and improve the capabilities. I like my creature comforts and I welcome innovation and the evolution of a tool to improve its ability to complete a task. I understand this philosophy but am by no means extreme. These folks believe you don’t need much to get the job done and anything else is a waste of money. So, to say the least, I am by no means green in the world of vehicles built for adventuring into the remote backcountry and using them specifically for that job. What became affectionately known as the 4XPEDITION Subaru Outback Overland Road Warrior, was my next off-road capable vehicle in a long line of vehicles I’ve owned over the years from Land Rovers and Jeep Wrangler Rubicons, to Toyota 4Runners, Jeep Cherokees, and 4×4 pickup trucks. In fact, it was the first Subaru I have ever owned. It is based on experience, not hearsay.Īs the social media world has become well aware, in 2017 I purchased my first Subaru Outback. Warning: this isn’t a “get on the bandwagon” article by a car magazine that repeats almost verbatim what the next car magazine said. I wanted to know what was new and different from their current lineup. I wanted to ensure that I understood as well as possible what Subaru of America is offering to adventurers like me and my followers. And, since I don’t like to do anything half-heartedly, I decided to take my time in releasing this article. Ever since the new Subaru Outback Wilderness Edition was unveiled last week, I have had countless inquiries from my subscribers and members asking me for my opinion on the new model edition. ![]()
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