I have a 2020 Outback with the tall 11.6 inch screen. I'm not familiar with the options on other models or model years. I totally agree with everything else you said, except that Apple's traffic info seems reliable (granted, I'm in the Bay Area). I only use Apple Maps for in-car navigation and for storing my own lists.
My wife wanted the outback for that screen alone. A screen that large would probably make me feel less annoyed by the cramped maps in the dashboard mode.
Oh, I totally agree that Apple's traffic is solid. Google Maps seems more responsive to traffic. I will see Speed traps, bad traffic, etc come and go quicker on gMaps than Apple -- completely non scientific observations. YMMV
