Is Subaru a Good Car?

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Subaru is a popular car brand due to its versatility, safety, and historical reputation of reliability. However, as new Subaru models are released with more complex in-car technology, the cost of maintaining these impressive cars has increased. This has left some people wondering “Is Subaru a good car manufacturer?” There are several categories to look at when considering the answer, including safety, reliability, and cost.

How Safe Are Subaru Cars?

Subaru has engineered its vehicles to meet high safety standards. If the many accolades regarding safety the company has received over the years — such as the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)’s 2021 Top Safety Pick — are to be believed, they have been very successful in this endeavor.

Perhaps the most impressive safety feature Subaru boasts is the driver-assist technology, EyeSight®, which is available on many Subaru models such as the Subaru Crosstrek, Forester, Impreza, Legacy, Outback, WRX, and Ascent. EyeSight® warns the driver if they swerve outside the lane, monitors traffic movement, optimizes cruise control, and even has a pre-collision braking feature for emergencies.

Subaru cars have numerous other safety features, in addition to EyeSight®. For instance, unlike other car companies, all-wheel drive (AWD) is standard in most Subaru vehicles, allowing for safer, more controlled driving on unsurfaced roads or poor weather conditions. Other features include anti-lock braking systems, traction control, and daytime running lights.

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Are Subaru Vehicles Expensive to Drive?

Owning any car is a financial investment. On top of the initial cost of buying the vehicle, the fuel, maintenance, and insurance can be a significant drain on your finances. The exact cost can vary depending on several factors, including the model of the car you own.

Considering their luxurious interiors and high-quality technology, Subarus are a very affordable initial purchase. They also tend to be impressively fuel-efficient so that you can save money on gas. However, some of the features of Subaru vehicles make them a bit pricey to repair. For instance, the AWD is more mechanically complex than regular two-wheel drive cars, leading to a greater chance of things going awry and more costly repairs.

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to keep your maintenance costs to a minimum. These include getting your car regularly serviced, replacing spark plugs and leads, keeping your fluids topped up, and protecting your vehicle from the harsh elements with a Subaru car cover.

How Versatile Are Subarus?

One of the benefits of Subaru vehicles is their versatility. Subaru makes fantastic semi-SUVs that are just as practical for dropping the kids off at school as they are for traversing rough terrain. Take the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek: This sleek car comes with numerous variations so that you can customize it for your needs. For example, there are five trim levels to suit all needs: the base model, Premium, off-road-capable Sport, Limited, and Hybrid.

The base model has a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 152 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque, which perfectly balances fuel efficiency and power. But, again, you can opt for a more fuel-efficient model if you choose.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek even manages to look like both an off-road vehicle and a sports car with contrasting details such as the steeply raked windshield and the bold front bumper.

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Are Subarus Reliable?

Approximately ten years ago, Subarus were hailed as some of the most reliable cars around. This, combined with their off-roading capabilities and their affordability as a sports car, made them an extremely popular choice. However, as new models were launched in recent years, some of their famed reliability has now been compromised. But why has their reliable reputation been questioned, and how much truth is there in these claims?

There are three main reasons that the reliability of Subaru models has declined. The first is that, like many other car brands, Subaru has introduced a significant amount of new and complex technology into their cars. These advances provide drivers huge advantages, such as improved safety. However, because of their complexities, more things can go wrong, reducing the overall reliability. This is true of all car brands experimenting with technology, not only Subaru.

Secondly, Subaru vehicles tend to be quite expensive to repair. For several reasons, from their technology to the fact that many Subaru vehicles have a flat four-cylinder engine that mechanics typically have to lift out of the car before making repairs. While the cost of repairs does not directly affect a car’s reliability, it means getting them fixed is more complex, reducing their dependability.

Finally, because Subaru has fewer models than many other brands, any reliability issues with one model quickly tarnishes the whole brand’s reputation. Subaru has had some problems with its Legacy and Outback models, mostly related to in-car electronics. This has given their other more reliable models like the Subaru Forester a bad reputation.

In general, Subaru produces dependable vehicles that suit all kinds of drivers. As long as you look after your Subaru, whether that’s servicing your Subaru Impreza or purchasing a high-quality Subaru Forester car cover, you will be suitably impressed with the dependability of your Subaru.

Does Subaru Make Good Cars?

The simple answer to the question “Is Subaru a good car manufacturer?” is yes. This Japanese brand produces versatile, safe cars that are fun and comfortable to drive. Despite having a relatively small selection of vehicles, there are numerous options for tailoring your vehicle, meaning these cars can be ideal for all kinds of drivers, from city-based parents to farmers.