The rotten truth is that Subarus aren’t really any more reliable than other vehicles, but uave much more expensive repair costs than comparable Hondas or Toyotas.
also the suspension and steering and acceleration and interior padding is all rough.
Yeah, my crosstrek has some of the stiffest suspension i have ever felt. And their symetrical AWD has always seemed like just a gimmick.
Subaru’s AWD system is legitimately better at putting down power to the wheels and getting traction than the vast majority of other AWD systems on the market. There are plenty of third party tests showing as much.
That said, it’s a question of whether you actually need that. The truth is the vast majority of people don’t need AWD at all for the kind of driving they’ll actually do.
I have an STi which has an active center differential beyond even the typical Subaru system and I absolutely love it. It’s magic feeling it at work. But my “likes to take the car on dirt and go sideways at 50MPH” use case isn’t needed for a commuter either.
I can attest, my mom has a 2017 Impreza hatchback with a manual transmission. In the first two years it was in the shop like 4-5x for various issues, the main one being wiring harness for the engine.
I’ve driven it a handful of times and it’s a fucking pile. She regrets buying it… the shifter vibrates horribly, the car constantly shudders like it’s going to stall, the interior is awful hard plastic, everything looks and feels cheap, and the car is PAINFULLY slow. The first time I tried to drive it I was literally flooring it and it felt like it was barely moving. Eco mode was off, it’s just a slow car.
I’m never buying a Subaru and I recommend against it if it ever comes up. I almost bought a new WRX but after seeing what my mom went thru I got a GTI and it’s been reliable. Cheaper at the time too.
I think your mom’s Impreza has been in the shop for more issues than all of my Subarus combined. I got a buddy driving a 20 year old Impreza and it still runs great. I get it, I had a rogue that was similar. Just constantly not working right. I’ll never buy another Nissan. Getting a lemon does that.
Yeah older Subarus are mint. I noticed Honda has been less reliable in general as well when I was shopping for cars. My first two cars were civics and both were great but I’ve heard mixed things (consumer reports) on the newer ones. I miss old Japanese cars… Simple and reliable.
