Subaru
4.6
5.9
Overall Score
Author: Kaitlyn Short
Subaru is a Japanese auto company founded in 1953. The Subaru lineup includes hatchbacks, sedans, crossover SUVs, and SUVs. Subaru's headquarters are located in Camden, New Jersey. The company centers its mission on a "Love Promise" focused on corporate responsibility and community involvement. Customers and employees enjoy the benefits of Subaru's dedication to engineering reliable vehicles and contributing to the greater good.
Notably, all Subaru vehicles use a horizontally opposed engine design and symmetrical all wheel drive to lower the center of gravity and help with traction in all types of weather conditions. All Subaru SUVs have a ground clearance of at least 8.7 inches. This high ground clearance gives you options to explore new terrains and seize spontaneous adventures.
Subaru cars continue to gain popularity in the global market. Subaru’s most popular model in the United States is the Subaru Outback. On a global scale, the Forester SUV is the top seller with the base model starting at $24,495. The top trim level for the Subaru Forester starts at $34,595. The Subaru Impreza is the cheapest model starting at $20,000. Subarus manufactures a total of eight different car models; these include the following:
- Outback
- Forester
- Impreza
- Cross trek
- Legacy
- Ascent
- WRX
- BRZ
The Good
- Customer Satisfaction
- Vehicle Warranty Coverage
- Special Design Features
- Multimedia Technology
- High Resale Value
- Advanced Safety Features
Customer Satisfaction
Subaru ranks high for consumer satisfaction. In the latest American Customer Satisfaction Index Automobile Report, Subaru's score was among the top 4 companies out of 28 tested, in a tie for second place, and the highest ranked mass-market (non-luxury) brand. Subaru car reviews focus on the dependability, longevity, and safety of the vehicles.
Vehicle Warranty Coverage
New Subaru vehicles come with a warranty that covers three years or 36,000 miles. This is a typical warranty length for new cars. After this time, customers can extend their warranty with Subaru's Added Security plan. The extended warranty covers wear and tear, cause and effect, and special items-categories rarely covered in vehicle warranties. You have two options for the extended warranty: the Classic or Gold Plus.
The Classic Warranty
- Plans options for 8 to 10 years or 100,000 to 120,000 miles
- Warranty coverage for engine, all-wheel drive, transmission, towing, and car rental
- Receive repair reimbursements for towing and rentals car
The Gold Plus
- Option to transfer your coverage
- Covers all the classic warranty parts and more
- Additional coverage on air conditioning, electrical, steering, brakes, front suspension, and more
- Access to genuine Subaru parts for vehicle repair
Special Design Features
Subaru vehicles are powered by a unique horizontally opposed boxer engine that provides even weight distribution and gives a lower center of gravity, allowing owners to drive with tighter control. The unique piston motion helps reduce vibration so cars run smoother.
Combining the unique engine and the special symmetrical all-wheel drive, which helps tires to get traction from as much of the road as possible, makes the Subarus handle easier and better in poor weather conditions.
The Subaru Boxer engine also maintains the highest fuel efficiency among dedicated AWD vehicles.
Multimedia Technology
Subaru creates seamless connections between your car and smartphone. The large multimedia screen makes navigating your in-car entertainment easy and accessible. Connect to the multimedia system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, or Bluetooth. Avoid distracted driving with large app icons and hands-free technology.
Subaru Starlink is a subscription that allows drivers to access additional safety features. Enjoy features including stolen vehicle recovery, remote services, automatic collision notifications, vehicle alerts, 24/7 personal assistance, and more. The Starlink Concierge connects you with a real-time assistant to answer questions, book reservations, or schedule maintenance. Subaru Starlinks is available on select 2020 Subaru vehicles.
High Resale Value
Subaru vehicles surpass many other car brands in resale value. According to Experian’s report, “97% of Subaru vehicles sold in the last 10 years are still on the road today.” Used Subarus are in high demand because they last longer than other vehicles and have low maintenance costs for the first five years.
Advanced Safety Features
Subaru innovates to bring drivers the best safety technology in the car industry. Released in 2013, Subaru Eyesight technology helps drivers anticipate dangerous situations and react in record speeds. Seven Subaru models use a special EyeSight Driver Assist technology, which includes:
- Adaptive cruise control — Adaptive cruise control adjusts the car speed in response to surrounding traffic speeds. With Subaru Eyesight, your car will predict and analyze the car speed in front of you. If the car slows down in front of you, your car will automatically adjust to match the speed. Rush hour becomes more manageable when you have responsive technology on your side.
- Pre-collision braking — Eyesight technology predicts dangerous situations faster than human reaction speeds. If you turn a corner to find a stopped car, use pre-collision braking to automatically bring your car to a full stop. This technology uses absolute accuracy to keep you and your loved ones safe.
- Pre-collision throttle management — As part of the Subaru EyeSight, your Subaru can anticipate abrupt stops and changes by monitoring the car ahead of you. This feature helps to improve reaction time and safety in quick response situations.
- Lane assist and sway warning — This feature watches the lines to notify you if you are swaying. You will receive a notification if you are drifting out of the lane without signaling. The lane assist will take over and guide you back to the middle of the lane if you do not self-correct. Feel added comfort knowing that your car keeps you safe when you unexpected distractions arise.
Along with the Subaru Eyesight, Subarus also uses a DriverFocus Distraction Mitigation System to help drivers build safe driving habits. The system sends alerts if the driver’s eyes have left the road for too long. The drivers receive visual and audible alerts to bring their eyes back to the road. The Subaru car can also activate Eyesight technology to improve reaction time if the car detects distracted driving. These features are exclusive to Subaru models.
Additional safety options include a rear-vision camera (which is standard on all models); blind-spot detection; lane change assist; rear cross-traffic alerts; and active torque vectoring, which helps protect you in unpredictable situations.
The Bad
- Low Subaru Reliability Rank
- Lack of Electric and Hybrid Options
Low Subaru Reliability Rank
On the most recent 2020 JD Power Dependability Study, Subaru came in the lower quartile, at #24 out of 33 brands, which means that Subaru may not be the most reliable car brand when it comes to maintenance. However, Subaru ranks well in other areas such as brand loyalty and safety technology. Last year, Subaru received #1 in Brand Loyalty for the automotive industry from JD Power. This is the first time Subaru has outranked Toyota in brand loyalty.
Lack of Electric and Hybrid Options
Subaru is a bit behind the mark when it comes to updated electric model offerings. The brand doesn't have any current electric vehicles on the market in the United States. The Crosstrek hybrid was discontinued in the year 2017, but will be coming back as a hybrid in the 2019 model year; however, its release will be limited to California.
It may be 2021 before a fully electric vehicle is offered by Subaru.
The Bottom Line
Subaru has a cult-like following due to its unique internal design features, which create a safe, smooth, and more responsive driving experience. With this brand, customers can expect to be satisfied with their purchase and happy with advanced safety features.
If you are interested in purchasing a Subaru car, start by reading Subaru reviews from customers. Learn what model works best for your lifestyle. Research the various models and test drive them at a nearby Subaru dealership. Whichever Subaru model you choose, it’s sure to be a reliable companion on your next adventure.
