Used vehicles typically have been through one or more extensive inspection processes. If you enjoy sportier vehicles and want an affordable used car that can compete with newer makes and models on the road, WRX models from the 2000s are relatively inexpensive and reliable compact cars. In conclusion, Subaru isn’t the most reliable brand on the market, however, some of their models are better than others (e.g. While older Foresters still offer fantastic value and reliability, models made after the 2009 redesign year made improvements to stability control, visibility and interior comfort without sacrificing performance. This is especially true if they have to be ordered from abroad. This ensures a combination of great value and savings compared to more expensive models in recent years. The Subaru WRX STI is a prime example of the capabilities of a boxer engine. While, on paper,this looks great, and is also really cool when you first get the car, you can run into problems with it further down the line. If you want to get maximum value out of your used vehicle purchase, you should work with a trusted dealer and ask the right questions to make sure any known issues with the vehicle you’ve chosen have been addressed. The Subaru Legacy has been one of the most popular sedans in America for many years. Many Outback owners enjoy that the vehicle’s off-road capability and storage space don’t detract from modern comforts and passenger seating space. Even if you have never looked at a Subaru yourself, you probably would have heard of the Forester. Here are the top 10 reliable vehicles for 2019. The axle and suspension come in a close second. If you’re looking for something sportier, the Impreza Sport could be perfect for you. Also consider that the Sequoia earned Consumer Reports ‘ highest reliability rating every single year since 2012. Several Subaru models from various years offer tremendous value. Learn how your comment data is processed. Subaru has experienced a lot of ups and downs over the last few years, and in 2016 the drop in their reliability was enough that they dropped to 18th out of 36 in the dependability scale as awarded by ReliabilityIndex. Rachel has been writing for as long as she can remember. These are opposite Subaru engines EJ20 and EJ25. To answer the question of how well their 2019 cars were built, vehicle owners reported on everything from infotainment systems to engine performance to brake systems and more. It’s always good to hear from people who have been driving the vehicles we are writing about. An unbiased look at the American classic, Is Mercedes-Benz reliable? Just needed someone to give me a second chance and you guys were sooooooo helpful. STRUGGLING TO FIND A CAR TO SUIT YOUR LIFESTYLE AND BUDGET? According to Repair Pal, the Subaru Crosstrek has a reliability rating of 4.5 out of 5, which ranks it 1st out of 26 for compact SUVs. Subaru recognized the HG problem in the 2.5 L SOC engines and in April 2002 implemented a “Service Campaign” to “fix” the problem, which Subaru claims only occurred in 1999 to 2002 model years. For others, reliability means ease of ownership, low yearly maintenance costs, and acceptable resale value. If you’re looking for a great brand of used car to buy, Subaru should definitely make your list of top automakers. Most people would assume that the Outback will also prove far more reliable than the Cherokee (a Jeep with Fiat roots), and buy the Subaru for this reason. This is particularly common with the Legacy. the Forester). By entering your email address you agree for OSV to store and process your data and send you weekly / monthly newsletters. Different companies have different approaches to evoking emotion and performance from their heavily engineered powerplants. But, how reliable are Subaru? However, there are some distinct disadvantages to buying brand new. The technology can also prove to be expensive to repair or replace, further bringing the reliability down. However, that was 20 years ago now. Fill out your information below to request a consultation. Subaru manufactures a wide range of vehicles that each have unique advantages. A new car buyer will generally get to enjoy the manufacturer’s warranty coverage and the peace of mind of owning a hot-off-the-assembly-line vehicle. Many cars today have a great deal of new and complex technology. Reliability ratings and repair costs were compiled in February 2019. Related Reading: What Do You Need To Consider Before Buying A Used Car? However, Consumer Reports also tracks reliability in terms of repair issues and yearly maintenance cost, and Subaru actually slid down five spots in the rankings from the previous year, ranking #7 in overall reliability for 2019. If you need a sturdy family vehicle that can handle soccer practice drop-offs as well as long hauls to summer campgrounds, the Subaru Forester and Subaru Outback are great options. We use UK-based data as we are a UK company providing information for our UK customers. Your email address will not be published. For example, if the Outback and Legacy experience a drop in dependability ratings, then this will affect the whole Subaru line-up and their standing in the reliability tables. In 2019, Consumer Reports ranked Subaru #1 in overall performance and value. The wide-body coupe model from the early 2000s offers up to 165 horsepower along with the reliability that comes with the Subaru brand. So, are Subarus reliable? Perhaps not surprisingly, it’s the Japanese, with the top spot taken by Honda.Only one in every 344 Honda owners have had engine trouble, with second-placed rival Toyota notching up just 1 in 171.. It’s not all doom and gloom for the European marques, though, with Mercedes-Benz taking third, followed closely by Volvo. These cookies are used to improve our website and provide more personalised services to you, both on this website and through other media. My Subaru Forester XT motor has lasted 147k hard miles, after losing compression on Cylinder #4 it was time to build a new engine. The 2015 model in particular actually won the Canadian Car of the Year award for outstanding quality, but any model year after 2005 is ideal for a preowned car purchase. The reliability index is roughly the same as the Forester at 112, but the repair costs are much less at £762.79 on average. A well-maintained Subaru can last well over 300,000 miles, provide a fantastic return on your initial investment, and offer years of reliability. After taking some time to research your options and the known issues for recent model years of Subaru vehicles, you can probably choose one or two models that interest you. Due to the low number that are on the UK roads, when it comes to reliability the publication was only able to look at the brand as a whole. 4. But they are improving, having risen through the ranks since their drop in popularity and dependability in 2016. Either way, we can’t deny that Subaru make good cars that enable them to continue their loyal following. Call us: Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm Call 1-480-497-8488 Se Habla Español. 2006, like said above, started the 2.5L, better suspension parts (removed in 2007) and has the best brakes (shared with 2007) of the WRX line next to the STi. Despite, or perhaps because of its performance-symbol status, the Subaru WRX hasn’t always proven to be the most reliable car.Or even the most reliable Subaru, for that matter.Then again, even well-regarded icons like the Nissan Skyline GT-R have their good and bad years. The ownership costs for a Subaru include the $617 average annual repair cost. One of the great attributes of the Subaru WRX is that even models from the 1990s – if well kept – offer incredible value. Help is just a phone call away. Subaru Outback models from the 2000s offer spacious interiors, solid off-road performance, and high marks across the board when it comes to overall performance and value. FA and FB engines are beginning to replace all EJ engines, with only the EJ257 still in the STI as of 2019. My current 2019 XV Subaru 1300 miles no problems. Here’s what the owners of cars between six and 15 years of age have told us Least reliable, I'd say 02-03.5 simply because of their standard gear sets. I also am uninterested in another 2.5 NA powered Subaru vehicle. Breakdown rates are higher than usual, with 7% of owners finding it necessary to call a recovery service. If you have your heart set on an affordable and reliable Subaru that will last for many years to come, Red Mountain Funding can help you secure a loan for the vehicle from any Arizona dealership. Subarus are reliable cars, versatile and offer a wide range of customization with new purchases. You may be wondering, “Should I buy a Subaru Legacy or Impreza,” as these models are some of the most popular Subarus and offer well-rounded ranges of features. In this engine, the failure allows external coolant leakage, which can also result in over heating and engine failure. Overall, they are an average brand with a model or two that are better than average. There are so many moving parts and they can affect the overall reliability of your vehicle. In the 2018 Which? Will the 2014s age better? The WRX is a fan favorite in the rally car and dirt racing circuits, and is treasured by Subaru enthusiasts. Now the socially progressive brand is dealing with severe engine … The Outback is generally more expensive than other wagon-style vehicles from Subaru, but it offers tremendous versatility. What Do You Need To Consider Before Buying A Used Car? But they're about even in our reliability stats so far--both are good but not great--and some owners of 2011-2013 Subarus with this four-cylinder engine have been reporting excessive oil consumption. By ticking yes you are agreeing to receive e-mail marketing from OSV Ltd. Despite their niche market, Subaru have been a strong presence in customer satisfaction and reliability tables for some time now. One of the best benefits of the Subaru Impreza is variety. For Subaru this has definitely been the case. The luxurious comfort and ride of my current Legacy 3.0 auto is far superior than Mercs and Jaguars costing four times as much. Most Subarus you see on the road today have an EJ, and in 2011, Subaru introduced a completely redesigned engine, the F series. Subaru has earned legions of loyal fans by selling safe and rugged (mostly) four-wheel-drive vehicles in the United States. So who makes the most reliable engines? While the Outback may be more expensive than another Subaru model of the same year, it’s crucial to compare what’s under the hood before deciding. The Subaru Impreza seems to have not impressed Which? Types of Subaru Engines. The big 5.7-liter V8 borrowed from the Tundra is also old-school, but makes 381 horsepower and is one of the most reliable engines on the market. I have owned four Subarus in a row since 1992 – and all have performed wonderfully, with laughably low servicing costs and zero big part failures. Another reason why they might be considered less dependable here in the UK is because that when they do go wrong, they cost a lot to repair. What is the Green Cross Code and why is it important? That’s why they may be considered less dependable, and more expensive to repair, in the UK. Such most famous engines belong to EJ family. Would you like to review your financial options with one of our advisors? There isn't just one path to a great engine. This was originally posted November 6, 2018 and was updated February 12, 2020. In this article, we look at how reliable Subaru is, and how this compares to its rivals. When you buy a preowned vehicle, you can rest assured (in most cases) that the manufacturer has already identified and addressed any defects. In the 3 years between 2015-2018, costs for labour increased by over 40%, which contributes somewhat to the lower reliability rating for brands such as Subaru. Subaru is the #4 most reliable brand in America according to Consumer Reports. The Subaru Impreza is a quick, reliable vehicle available in several styles. With lease extensions and short term rentals there is always a solution. Bought a 2018 XT Forester and I love it. According to the most recent reports from ReliabilityIndex (2018), the average cost of repairs across all Subaru models is £562.37. The Subaru brand is well-known for producing reliable and safe vehicles.According to Subaru, it’s been named Kelley Blue Book’s Most Trusted Brand for five years running, number one in owner satisfaction for two years in a row by ACSI (American Customer Satisfaction Index), and Lowest Ownership Cost – Popular Brand award winner by IntelliChoice. The Forester is also off the road for quite some time, with an average time of 4.47 hours. Scared you won't be able to keep up with monthly payments due to the current climate? Subaru engines through at least the 2008 model year have head gaskets prone to failure. If you’re looking for something that will handle your daily commute with minimal fuss year after year, Subaru is known for making some of the most reliable midsize sedans, such as the Impreza and the Legacy. But in Subaru Impreza WRX STI, WRX and Forester, you will find turbocharged EJ20 and EJ25. Consumer Reports ranked Subaru #1 in overall performance and value, Subaru’s quality has declined in the past few years. Their cars have remained popular with a core set of buyers, with marketing targeted specifically to their niche in the automotive market. The axle and suspension appears to be the main problem, accounting for 38.46% of all problems, followed by the engine. The 2019 model has a larger interior, but in reviews the cost far outweighed any benefits offered by the vehicle. Breakeryard say these are some common problems with the Legacy: The Legacy is a rather expensive vehicle to repair, with average costs coming in at around £851.42, though this also goes with just 3.39 hours off the road when are taken to the garage. The 2020 Subaru lineup is quite impressive, with the new BRZ topping the performance charts and earning awards for great value, but you will pay more for a new car. 2005-present Subaru’s are devoid of head gasket issues and quite reliable. That might depend on your definition, but the brand has received numerous awards and recognitions over the years for its general reliability, low long-term cost of ownership, and high performance. Luckily for the owners who had these issues, the turnaround on repairs was incredibly quick, with cars off the road for no more than 12-hours. I love my 2005 Legacy GT(turbo) wagon and it has been trouble free. The Subaru Outback has been one of the most popular wagon-style vehicles in the United States for many years. 10 most reliable car brands ... Subaru . With the almost traditional shape of an estate, the vehicle has high ground clearance and is, like all other Subarus, four-wheel drive. Thank you for your feedback.