The AUSubaru.com.au Forums

It's not really a medical thing but I'll only ever buy an autobox car. Now I love my 2006 Outback 2.5 auto, except the fuel consumption, and would buy a new model despite the criticisms but I'm banging my head on Subaru's brick wall trying to find out when, if ever, the diesel. will be available with an autobox.

So I'm having to look at alternatives - I dismissed the Hyundai Santa Fe last time round as the on-road handling was too soggy but they seem to have addressed this on the 2010 version and the uprated engine will give about the same performance as my Outback. My off-road needs is limited to non-tarmac tracks.

Now I know that the climate and geography in Australia is a lot tougher than here in the UK so you guys must find weaknesses in any car much quicker than us - what's the common consensus about the comparison between 2010 Subaru Outback 2.0D automatic (assuming they make one eventually) and a 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe 2.2CRDi auto 7-seats. Anything else I should consider?

im no expert and should probably leave this topic but according to this review the petrol has better fuel economy
6.4 Litres per 100km for the diesel
http://www.carshowroom.com.au/Review.aspx?id=626
10.3 Litres per 100km for the petrol
http://www.carshowroom.com.au/Review.aspx?id=659
and carguides state;
Fuel economy has improved with the 2.5i now getting a combined economy figure of 8.9 litres/100km for the six-speed manual and 10.3 for the 3.6R auto.
http://www.carsguide.com.au/site/news-a ... .6r_review
I always throught diesels use less fuel than petrol :S unless im reading this wrong.

I think you may be reading that wrong.

6.4 l/100km for the 2.0D diesel manual is better than 10.3 l/100km for 3.6 petrol auto or 8.9 l/100km for 2.5 petrol auto.

Although we can get 2010 Outback with 2.0D manual, 2.5 CVT or 3.6 auto - the 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe only comes with the 2.2D 194bhp engine in the UK and give 7.4 l/100km for the auto version and 6.8 l/100km on manual.

I have just ordered a new Outback Deisel after comparing just about everything on the market. As far as the new SantaFe is concerned. I will still say it is soggy as I have never felt so unsafe in a vehicle. It may have more power and talk but that it more than offset by the extra 500 kgs it carries.

If you are set on an auto I guess you will need to cross your fingers that they release the deisel in an auto soon.