Review on Subaru Outback Compartment F551SAN000 Genuine by Carlos Henley

My Subaru Luggage Net (P/N F551SSJ000) was part of an add-on pack for my new 2021 Forester. Yes, it's an Outback variant, but it's pretty much the same, just slightly different in width to match the Outback. So, that's where it's not. I'll admit that this cargo grid looks like a good concept, combining envelope-style vertical grids with flat horizontal bottom grids in one package. However, the reality is this: the vertical grille, when open, sits on top of the storage sleeve, which still contains the bottom grille. Also, the vertical web is quite short and has weak top stretch cords compared to the vertical OEM cargo webs in my last two cars (2001 Toyota Avalon and 2011 Lexus ES 350 - yes, there is a pattern in my car purchases). The result is that any grocery bags placed in the vertical cargo net will wobble as they do not lie flat on the floor of the hold, and the low height and weak (or stronger) elastic top cord will not carry a full bag in this case of even a light stop. The first time I loaded groceries, I didn't even make it past the first stop across the parking lot when my bags fell forward, dumping most of their contents into the luggage compartment. a complete failure (the vertical cargo grid still works fine for anything short enough to fit under its top), it's obvious that the development team that created it didn't really test it in real-world applications. The fact that this particular network was introduced in 2018 and still hasn't been fixed two years later tells me they aren't doing very well at Subaru. So if you already have it, make the most of it. If you haven't bought one yet and expect to store full groceries in a vertical grid, you might be better off looking for another solution for grocery bag storage (and looking at alternative floor and vertical cargo grid designs, assuming you need both). Considering the overly clever design and the market price (not to mention the OEM retail price) I would rate this item as average at best.