This is what I don't get tbh. Japanese cars were supposed to be economical and environmentally friendlier. Yet when a heavier German car has more power, it still uses less fuel because the Japanese don't know how to make a diesel engine that doesn't suck and gasoline engines just plain suck unless we're talking about a performance engine that's meant to be enjoyed.

They figured things out with hybrids long ago, but few models got plug-in hybrid variants until like 5-6 years ago which was way too late. And the local Toyota dealer still proudly advertises that they sell hybrids that don't need to be plugged in. Why? A German car with 3 years of depreciation is going to get me more power, luxury, interior space and better fuel economy for LESS MONEY. Sure it's a 3 year old German car but I can pay a mechanic if needed and I'm not afraid to do timing chains or anything valvetrain related if it really comes down to that.

My Subaru does 35 mpg highway. I got it because I needed a cheap reliable car for a while and I do like the increased ride height. But my older BMW did 47 or better and my slightly newer MB could do 60 on a long run. Both had more power.

In fact the only car I've ever owned that drank more fuel than the Subie was a V8 first gen Porsche Cayenne. But that was an honest to god truck. It had diff locks and a two speed transfer case. The transfer case along weighed about as much as the Subaru's entire powertrain. I just wish I'd held out for the facelift turbo that popped up for sale 2 weeks later... I'd still have the car probably. I had a 90s American full size car with a V6 and plenty of both torque and power. Still took less fuel than the Subaru.

At this point I've realized I could buy an Audi Q7 V12 TDi and have better fuel economy. Yes, with 3 times the cylinders as my Outback.

The worst part is, I actually really like the Outback. I want to keep it. But I'll have to install an LPG kit that costs half the car's value and thats an extra service in addition to the car already needing an oil change every 2 months. And I'll probably do it because the Outback has a unique balance between the drivability of a car and the offroadability of a semi ok SUV. It has decent clearance, more than a RAV4 because mine is the USDM model. Not as much as a Land Cruiser but then a Land Cruiser is a big yacht with a tiny engine here in Europe.