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Which Subaru models are the most reliable, and how does the Japanese automaker compare with other car brands' reliability? In the updated Consumer Reports reliability scores and who makes the most reliable new cars report, Subaru scores seven out of twenty-four car brands in the U.S. market. They stay the same in the overall ranking but drop their overall reliability score.
The ten most reliable car brands according to Consumer Reports
Toyota achieves the number one spot with a score of 72, tied with Lexus (72), BMW (65), Mazda (65), Honda (62), Audi (60), Subaru (59), Acura (57), Kia (54), and Lincoln (54). In last year's study, Subaru was number seven overall but scored 66 points in reliability.
Consumer Reports' new-vehicle reliability score is calculated on a 0-to-100 point scale, with the average rating falling between 41 and 60 points. The Subaru Forester, Crosstrek, Outback, Ascent, Impreza, and Legacy overall reliability scores also include road-test performance, owner satisfaction survey results, whether the model comes with critical safety systems, and crash test data from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
Which Subaru models are the most reliable?
The updated CR report says the 2023 Subaru Crosstrek subcompact SUV scores highest with a score of 80 and has "above-average" reliability. The 2023 Forester compact SUV is next, scoring 75 points. The Impreza (56), Outback (51), and Legacy (50) also have above-average reliability. The Ascent (44) scores lowest but is up considerably from last year's score of 18 points. CR did not have scores for the 2022 WRX and 2023 BRZ sports cars.
The 2023 Subaru Crosstrek scores best and is among the ten most reliable new cars you can buy today. CR says, "We expect the Subaru Crosstrek will be more reliable than the average new car." This prediction is based on data from 2020, 2021, and 2022 models that have had few problems.
CR's ten most reliable cars
According to Consumer Reports, the ten most reliable cars are the Toyota Corolla Hybrid, Lexus GX, Mini Cooper, Toyota Prius, Mazda MX-5 Miata, Lincoln Corsair, Toyota Corolla, Subaru Crosstrek, BMW 3 Series, and Toyota Prius Prime.
Is the 2023 Subaru Ascent reliable?
The 2023 Subaru Ascent 3-Row SUV is now on Consumer Reports' newly-recommended models list with improved reliability. CR says, "We expect the 2023 Ascent will have about average reliability compared to the average new car."
What Consumer Reports says about Subaru models
"It seems that Subaru has worked out most of the Ascent's kinks, so it improved to average predicted reliability. There were still reports of transmission issues, but fewer than in the past. The Outback and Legacy have average reliability, suffering from in-car electronics issues with its screen freezing, electrical system problems with the battery, and power equipment problems. The Impreza has average reliability, and the Crosstrek and Forester both had above-average reliability," Consumer Reports said.
Conclusion
According to Consumer Reports, the Subaru brand ranks in the top seven of twenty-four car brands in the U.S. market for reliability. All of Subaru's all-wheel-drive models stay consistent with last year's report in reliability except for the Ascent.
The 2023 Subaru Crosstrek scores highest among Subaru's models with well-above-average reliability, and the 2023 Subaru Forester is a close second. The 2023 Outback, Impreza, and Legacy are all expected to have above-average reliability. The 2023 Subaru Ascent makes a significant jump in reliability.
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Denis Flierl has invested over 30 years in the automotive industry in a consulting role working with every major car brand. He is an accredited member of the Rocky Mountain Automotive Press. Check out Subaru Report where he covers all of the Japanese automaker's models. More stories can be found on the Torque News Subaru page. Follow Denis on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
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Comments
Every time a car reliability
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Every time a car reliability headline pops up it’s a different line up. You all make this up as you go. Then when readership trends down you fabricate a new one. I’ve owned 3 Subies including my current 2021 Outback XT which is flawless btw. Over 200k on the first two with no major maintenance issues. Just keep shooting angles. It’s laughable to me.
Im on my 3rd subaru. My
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In reply to Every time a car reliability by John Hart (not verified)
Im on my 3rd subaru. My current one is the 2021 outback sports model. I'm in love. Seriously so. Doesn't miss a beat. I am a die-hard subbie fan and will keep buying them. Ps had an imprezza a xv now a 2021 outback. All purchased new. No issues. Excellent local dealer. They are such safe cars and living in the hills makes for safe driving. Great fuel economy as well. Getting 800km on a tank of petrol in the bigger outback. Could get over 900km on my xv. Admit to long country drives for many of the km. Can afford more expensive cars but choose a Subaru. In love.
I have an Outback Touring XT,
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In reply to Every time a car reliability by John Hart (not verified)
I have an Outback Touring XT, and it is a great car. My first Subaru was an Outback XT, and I was that was OK. It was 2020 and had some issues with freezing screens, and spurious reboots, and a couple of recalls.
The current car is much better, screen hangs still happen.
All in all the car is superb, turbo is snappy when needed and tame when called for.
Just purchased a 2021 used
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Just purchased a 2021 used Foresterbase model that has 22700 miles, they just told me it needs new 4 rotors! Why? Wouldn’t it need new calipers and brake pads as well for it to be working properly? It was sold before work was done I didn’t know this before I bought it!!! Also it has a trailer hitch they said in order for it to be certified it can’t have a trailer hitch, but I just paid for the vehicle 27,200, I signed and drove off with it the way it is. I agree to the rotors being replaced and expect calipers and brake pads to be done as well! Did I buy a new headache in buying a used Subaru?
I have been driving my 2004
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I have been driving my 2004 Subaru Impereza since 2008 and it is still running ! I haven had to put very much h money into it for repairs either, just usual wear and tear things, but I do always have the thought looming o er my head that I need to repair the head gasket and replace the timing belt but have never done this for the reason that it will news to have the entire engine pulled out to do this then who knows what else will need to be done at the same time! So for this reason I haven't. I just keep on driving it and it keeps running ! For a seventeen year old carits pretty amazing and fun to drive ! I absolutely recommend buying a Subaru !