Subaru Brings All Wheel Drive To The Masses

Impreza

The Impreza is Subaru’s most affordable model, starting at $22,995 msrp. More than 94% of Imprezas sold in the last ten years are still on the road — more than Civic, Corolla, Mazda3, or Elantra. Base, Sport, and RS trims range up to $27,885 starting MSRP, with top-of-the-line models receiving a 182 horsepower 2.5L Boxster engine, all-weather package, a leather wrapped steering wheel and shift handle, RS red accented interior, and 18 inch gray alloy wheels. Sport gets push button start with keyless entry, a sport tuned suspension, transmission paddle shifters, and optional moonroof. Even the Base Impreza comes well equipped, with dual zone auto climate control, LED responsive headlights, infotainment with Apple Carplay/Android Auto, power options (windows/locks/mirrors), rear vision camera, and a standard 152 horsepower / 145 lb-ft of torque 2.0L engine with continuously variable automatic transmission (34MPG highway).

Crosstrek

To the trained and untrained eye, the Crosstrek looks like a tall Impreza, because it is. Billed as an SUV, it has more ground clearance than the Impreza, a larger fuel tank, and suspension tuning to accommodate its bigger ride height. Starting at $24,995 in Base trim, it has 8.7 inches of ground clearance, comes with standard 17 inch wheels (vs. 16 on the Impreza), and has standard dual zone auto climate control in addition to an infotainment system. Some fanicer options are available on the Crosstrek, such as a Harmon Kardon audio system, 10 way power adjustable driver’s seat, and leather trimmed seats (on the $30,895 msrp Limited). Be sure to check out the special Wilderness trim, $31,995 msrp, which has 9.3 inches of ground clearance, the 182hp 2.5L Boxer four cylinder, unique front and rear bumpers with tow hooks, anodized copper accents, 17-inch matte wheels with all-terrain tires, and water-repellent upholstery. It is also the only Subaru left in America which can be ordered with a manual transmission.

Outback

The Subaru Outback and the Subaru Forester are the brand’s two best-selling models. Looking at their specifications, a casual observer might ask why the two models exist with such similar specifications. The Outback is a long-standing Subaru model, dating back to 1994 when Subaru first produced its Outbackified Legacy Wagon. Now in its 6th generation, the Outback carries on the Legacy wagon tradition, and is one of the only traditional station wagons you can still buy in America. Its status as a station wagon means its 9.2 inches longer than the Forester, though the two both have 8.7 inches of ground clearance. A Base Outback starts at $28,895 msrp with an infotainment system, LED fog lights, raised roof rails with cross-bars, and LED responsive headlights. Only the Outback makes optional a larger 260 horsepower engine, starting on the $39,360 msrp Onyx Edition XT and above. Upper level Outback trims are also available in Nappa Leather, which is not available on the Forester (only regular leather), as well as offering ventilated front seats and power moonroof.

Forester

The Forester is an SUV in earnest, competing with the likes of the Honda-CRV and Toyota RAV4, but offering Subaru’s hallmark standard all wheel drive. It starts at $27,095 msrp in Base trim, making it a bit cheaper than the Outback, and its number of trims and options do not go quite as up-market as the Outback’s. The one and only motor is Subaru’s corporate 182hp 2.5L Boxer four. Wilderness trim raises the Forester to 9.2 inches of ground clearance (vs. 9.5 inches on Outback Wilderness trim), starting at $34,920 msrp and undercutting Outback Wilderness by about five grand. Top-of-the-line Touring, starting at $37,395 msrp, comes with heated front and rear seats, power adjustable front seats, and exclusive saddle brown leather trim seats.

Ascent

One of the latest additions to the Subaru lineup is the 8-passenger Ascent, a vehicle imagined for the American market that would be a lost lamb in its home country of Japan. Along with the Crosstrek and Outback, the Ascent is built in Subaru’s zero-landfill factory in Lafayette, Indiana. Available in both 8 and 7 passenger configuration, the Base 8-seater starts at $34,195 msrp, making it a very competitively priced 8-seat ride. 18 inch alloys are standard, as is infotainment system, raised roof rails, and driver assist technology. The Premium trim starts at just a bit more ($36,795 msrp), adding all-weather package with heated front seats, heated mirrors, and windshield de-icer, as well as rear climate control panel and wifi hotspot. Top of the line trims start at $48,495 for Touring, and include Nappa leather, panoramic power moonroof, second row captain’s chairs, and Harmon Kardon audio system.

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