Choosing a Subaru. Which is the Most Reliable
Your car may well end up being your baby, but do you want this to come with the whole ‘diaper-change’ routine?
Given that some cars are just as finicky as new babies, how reliable are Subarus is a question any buyer needs to consider. Car reliability or dependability has to do with the proportion of faults, their frequency and severity.
Days a car stays off the road as a result of the faults usually weigh in as well. Reliability ranks high on the list of must-haves for any car shopper. After all, nobody wants a car that will be spewing problem after problem. So, we ask ourselves, how reliable are Subaru’s?
Subaru’s Reliability Ranking
Each year Consumer Reports surveys over 500,000 to determine the most hassle-free car models in 17 trouble spots.
These cover everything from failed sensors to mechanical breakdowns. The latest survey lists Subaru as the 4th most reliable car. Telegraph declares Subaru the most reliable brand, while Driver Power 2019 places it at position 6.
The Reliability Index
The UK-based reliability index is a universal measure that is computed by taking into account all factors of a repair, cost of parts, and failure frequencies. The average or standard reliability index mark is 118. Any car with an index higher than 118, is considered less reliable.
In the same light, a car with a reliability index of less than 118 is very reliable. Subaru has a reliability index of 103, which places it at position 18 in reliable brands.
As a brand, Subaru has a comparatively high-reliability index, thus less reliable. This has been attributed to the fact that there are fewer Subarus in the market, making their repair costs higher. Another explanation is the Subarus have many in-car features which increase the risk of minor faults occurring.
Subaru Models Reliability
Despite having a high reliability index, some of the brands individual models have lower indexes than others. Let us now focus on individual model’s reliability from various surveys:
Subaru Models Reliability Comparison Table
| Model | US News Ranking | J. D Power Ranking | Cars.com consumer ranking | Common Complaints |
| Ascent | #10/23 in Midsize SUVs
#21 in Crossover SUVs #10 in 3 row-seating SUVs Reliability – 2020 not yet released Overall 8.0 Interior 7.9 Safety 9.8 Performance 7.3 | 2 model years from 2019
No ranking yet for 2020 model Reliability 3.5/5 for 2019 model | Reliability 4.6
Overall 4.8 Exterior 4.8 Interior 4.8 Performance 4.8 Comfort 4.8 Value for money 4.8 | Limited room in the 3rd row.
Jostling when making a slow turn. |
| Forester | #4 in Compact SUVs
#10 in Crossover SUVs #7 in 2-Row SUV Reliability 4.5 Overall 8.3 Interior 8.2 Safety 9.8 Performance 7.3 | 5 generations 2020-2019, 2014 -2018, 2009 – 2013,
2003 – 2008, 1998 – 2002 Not in the popular JD Power models | Reliability 4.9
Overall 4.9 Exterior 4.9 Interior 5.0 Performance 4.7 Comfort 5.0 Value for money 4.9 | Faulty head gasket design
Loose steering wheel Faulty start/stop feature (Most complains are with axle and suspension; electrical; the engine; and the fuel system) |
| Crosstrek Hybrid | 2020 model review not done.
2019 model #6 in Hybrid and Electric SUVs # 34 in Crossover SUV #23 in 2-Row SUVs Reliability 4.5 Overall 7.6 Interior 6.0 Safety 10 Performance 6.9 | 3 model years – 2020,2019,2016
Not in the popular JD Power models | 2019 model
Overall 5.0 Reliability 5.0 Overall 5.0 Exterior 4.7 Interior 5.0 Performance 4.7 Comfort 5.0 Value for money 5.0 | Extreme tire wear |
| Impreza | #10 in Compact cars
#17 in Hatchbacks #23 in Small Cars Reliability 2.5 Overall 7.6 Interior 7.7 Safety 10 Performance 6.8 | 5 Generations
2017 – 2020, 2012 – 2016, 2008 – 2011, 2001 – 2011 1993 – 2001 Not in the popular JD Power models | Overall 5.0
Reliability 5.0 Overall 5.0 Exterior 5.0 Interior 5.0 Performance 5.0 Comfort 5.0 Value for money 5.0 | Over 228,000 2017-2019 models recalled over faulty PVC valves (oil flow control devices) |
| Legacy | #6 in midsize cars
Reliability 3 Overall score 7.9 Interior 7.7 Safety 9.8 Performance 7.0 | 29 model years from 1992
Not on the J.D Power popular list. | Reliability 5.0
Overall 5.0 Exterior 4.9 Interior 5.0 Performance 4.7 Comfort 5.0 Value for money 5.0 | Shuddering engine stop/start system
Drone-like noisy powertrain/CVT Slow pick-up from a stop Malfunctioning driver-assistance technology |
| Outback | # 2 in wagons
#13 in Crossover SUVs # 9 in 2-Rows SUVs Reliability 3.5 Overall 8.2 Performance 7.2 Interior 8.1 Safety 9.9 | 5 Generations
2020; 2015 – 2019 2010 – 2014 2005 – 2009 2000 – 2004 2016 model Dependability 8/10 2020 model #4 in Popular Midsize SUVs | Reliability 4.5
Overall 4.6 Exterior 4.5 Interior 4.6 Performance 4.5 Comfort 4.8 Value for money 4.6 | Hard to smoothly drive across rough terrain when engaging the off-road low-speed X-mode
Counter intuitive and distracting safety features Car jerks during acceleration |
| BRZ | #5 in sports cars
Reliability 3 Overall 7.5 Interior 5.4 Safety 8.9 Performance 8.0 | 8 model years from 2010
Did not make it on winning list | Reliability 4.5
Overall 4.6 Exterior 4.5 Interior 4.6 Performance 4.5 Comfort 4.8 Value for money 4.6 | Noisy transmission in the 2013 model |
Detailed Review
The Subaru Ascent
The 2020 Subaru Ascent is probably Tribeca’s replacement. The model has a new rear-seat reminder and a lock feature for the power liftgate. Convenience meets comfort in this model.
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The popular competition includes Honda Passport, Buick Envision, and Jeep Grand Cherokee.
The Subaru Forester
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This 5-seat compact SUV boasts all-terrain driving, enhanced safety and a spacious cabin.
Popular competitors include Ford Escape, Fiat 500X, and Buick Encore GX.
The Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid
The StarDrive system integrating 2 electric motors ensures the model’s power and engine efficiency.
The all-wheel-drive functionality at its price gives the Crosstrek Hybrid a competitive edge over rivals in the race for clients seeking all-weather driving with hybrid (part electric, part gas) efficiency.
Popular rivals are BMW X1, Audi Q3, and Toyota Highlander
The Subaru Impreza
The all-wheel-drive in a mainstream compact car with all-wheel–drive, together with the smart technology features give this mode a good fighting chance. The top competitors are Volkswagen Jetta, Toyota Corolla, and Hyundai Elantra.
The Subaru Legacy
Reliable index – 112
The Subaru Legacy is available as a sedan and a wagon. The 2020 model is not fancy. It is however practical, predictable, and comfortable.
It offers a cushy ride, because of its ability to absorb bumps. This makes long rides comfortable. The cabin spots and giant easy-to-use touch screen. Unfortunately, changing safety features is somehow complicated.
This newest Legacy model earned the Top Safety Pick Plus award by Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. This is in addition to good and superior ratings in the 6 IIHS crash tests and frontal crash prevention, respectively.
The Legacy’s rivals are Nissan Altima, Toyota Camry, and Honda Accord. It’s standard all-wheel-drive, however, gives it a good advantage.
This, together with its comfortable ride, slick multimedia system, and numerous standard safety features easily offset the competitor’s better fuel economy and refined powertrains. The all-wheel-drive unfortunately increases its fuel consumption. Most complaints against the Legacy are in the axle and suspension, electrical, engine, and gearbox
The Subaru Outback
The Outback is Subaru’s best-selling model. The redesigned 2020 model is a wagon version of the Legacy. It is sturdy and compares to a luxury vehicle. Its heft, accuracy, firmness, and quick steering ratio make it quite ‘nimble.’
The 2020 model also earned the Top Safety Pick Award by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and scored good and superior ratings in all 6 IIHS crash tests, and frontal crash prevention, respectively.
The Outback’s main competitors are Toyota Rav4, Kia Sorento, and Hyundai Santa Fe. Though these are impressive competitors, Outback’s value-pricing cuts the chase.
The Subaru BRZ
The 2020 model is a rear-wheel-drive sports coupe with manual or automatic transmission. It is related to Toyota 86 (which is a Toyota/Subaru partnership). It is easy to handle and affordable.
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The Subaru BRZ’s rivals include Nissan 370Z, Dodge Challenger, and Toyota 86
How to Make Your Car More Reliable
- Though it is not possible to change a car’s given reliability index, as a car owner, there are things you can do to make your car reliable/dependable. These include:
- Timely and proper maintenance
- Gentle driving behavior – aggressive driving wreaks very many things in a car
- Keep checking for worn consumables like oi and oil filter, hoses etc.
- Promptly comply with the ‘check engine’ alert
- Rotate tires every 7500 miles and replace all tires at the same time with tires from the same manufacturer.
- Completely drain your radiator and engine oil to be sure of getting rid of all the gunk that would clog your filters.
- Choose a reliable insurer who will be willing to pay for parts from the manufacturer
- Keep an log of your mileage and fill-ups so you easily notice deviation in fuel consumption, which could mean the beginning of a problem.
- Park in the shade
- Fix any new problem immediately
Are Subaru as Reliable as Toyota?
Conclusion
The Subaru’s standard all-wheel-drive component and enhanced safety features give its models decent reliability.
The problem is that having fewer models compared to top contenders like BMW, any minor problem lowers the brand’s competing chances. Are BMW a reliable car?
All the same, even though the reliability awards elude most Subaru models, Subaru Outback, Legacy, and Ascent models have scooped various reliability and safety awards. That’s how reliable Subarus are!