10 Cars Brands With the Lowest Maintenance Costs, Subaru Squeezes In

Are Subaru vehicles expensive to maintain? 

How much does maintaining a new Forester, Crosstrek, Outback, and other Subaru models cost? A new report from CarEdge ranks all car brands and gives the ten-year and five-year maintenance costs. Subaru sneaks it at number ten. 

In this report, I'll list the top ten automakers with the lowest maintenance costs, and then I'll give information on each Subaru model and how much they cost to maintain over five and ten years. 

The 10 Least Expensive Car Brands to Maintain - 10-Year Maintenance Cost

1. Toyota $5,445
2. FIAT $6,443
3. Volkswagen $6,496
4. Mitsubishi $6,593
5. Honda $6,684
6. Mazda $6,836
7. Hyundai $7,167
8. Kia $7,254
9. MINI $7,262
10. Subaru $7,374

Subaru models average around $7,374 for maintenance and repair costs during their first 10 years of service. This beats the industry average for popular brands by $925. There is also a 20.98% chance that a Subaru will require a major repair during that time. 

However, this is 2.44% better when compared with the other auto manufacturers in this segment that CarEdge has studied.

How does Subaru measure up against Toyota, the top-ranked company in this segment?

Toyota models average around $5,445 for maintenance and repair costs during their first 10 years of service. This beats the industry average for popular brands by $2,854. There is also a 14.50% chance that a Toyota will require a major repair during that time. 

This is 8.92% better when compared to the other auto manufacturers in this segment that CarEdge studied.

It's worth noting that Subaru also secures a spot in the top ten least expensive car brands to maintain over a five-year period.

The 10 Least Expensive Car Brands to Maintain after 5 Years

1. Toyota $1,780
2. FIAT $2,012
3. Mitsubishi $2,049
4. Volkswagen $2,060
5. Honda $2,121
6. Mazda $2,148
7. Hyundai $2,246
8. MINI $2,285
9. Kia $2,318
10. Subaru $2,325

What are Subaru's most and least expensive models to maintain over ten years?

• Ascent - $8,472
• Outback - $8,386
• Forester - $8,337
• Crosstrek - $8,210
• BRZ - $6,616
• Subaru WRX - $6,577
• Subaru Legacy - $6,264
• Impreza - $6,129

Subaru Ascent

The Ascent 3-Row family hauler, its largest model, is Subaru's most expensive model to maintain and will cost about $8,472 for maintenance and repairs during its first ten years of service. 

This is more than the industry average for popular SUV models by $222. There is also a 23.97% chance that an Ascent will require a major repair during that time. This is 0.50% worse than similar vehicles in this segment.

Subaru Outback

A Subaru Outback midsize SUV will cost about $8,386 for maintenance and repairs during its first 10 years of service.

This exceeds the industry average for popular SUV models by $136. There is also a 23.97% chance that an Outback will require a major repair during that time. This is 0.50% worse than similar vehicles in this segment.

Subaru Forester

A Subaru Forester compact SUV will cost about $8,337 for maintenance and repairs during its first ten years of service.

This is more than the industry average for popular SUV models by $87. There is also a 23.97% chance that a Forester will require a major repair during that time. This is 0.50% worse than similar vehicles in this segment.

Subaru Crosstrek

A Subaru Crosstrek subcompact SUV will cost about $8,210 for maintenance and repairs during its first ten years of service.

This beats the industry average for popular SUV models by $40. There is also a 23.97% chance that a Crosstrek will require a major repair during that time. This is 0.50% worse than similar vehicles in this segment.

Subaru Legacy

A Subaru Legacy midsize sedan will cost about $6,264 for maintenance and repairs during its first ten years of service.

This is more than the industry average for popular sedan models by $301. There is also a 17.73% chance that a Legacy will require a major repair during that time. This is 0.92% worse than similar vehicles in this segment.

Subaru BRZ

A Subaru BRZ sport coupe will cost about $6,616 for maintenance and repairs during its first ten years of service.

This beats the industry average for popular coupe models by $791. There is also an 18.74% chance that a BRZ will require a major repair during that time. This is 0.23% better than similar vehicles in this segment.

Subaru Impreza

A Subaru Impreza compact hatchback will cost about $6,129 for maintenance and repairs during its first ten years of service.

This is more than the industry average for popular sedan models by $168. There is also a 17.73% chance that an Impreza will require a major repair during that time. This is 0.92% worse than similar vehicles in this segment.

Subaru's least and most expensive models to Maintain after 5 Years

1. Subaru Impreza $1,913
2. Subaru Legacy $1,981
3. Subaru BRZ $2,091
4. Subaru WRX $2,137
5. Subaru Crosstrek $2,548
6. Subaru Forester $2,612
7. Subaru Outback $2,636
8. Subaru Ascent $2,679

How much does it cost to maintain the 2024 Subaru Solterra? 

The Subaru Solterra EV is too new and has insufficient data to determine its maintenance costs. 

Subaru all-wheel-drive vehicles require extra maintenance.

It's worth noting that every Subaru model comes standard with all-wheel drive (except for the rear-drive BRZ), which can introduce more complexity than straightforward front- or rear-wheel-drive systems.

One Subaru service that's a bit more complex is the continuously variable transmission (CVT) fluid change. The vehicle must be running while on the lift to change the fluid. You'll also need OEM Subaru CVT fluid when you do this service. 

Because of Subaru's unique drivetrain, I recommend that a certified Subaru technician perform this service. Your vehicle's life will be prolonged if performed as recommended (every 30,000 miles).

Subaru's all-wheel-drive vehicles are not the most or the least expensive to maintain. However, they are among the ten least costly car brands for five-and-ten-year maintenance costs.  

I am Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Writer since 2012. I’ve invested over 13 years in the automotive industry in a consulting role, working with every major car brand. I am an experienced Rocky Mountain Automotive Press member. You'll find my expert Subaru analysis here. Follow me on my X SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.

Photo credit: Subaru