Skip to main content

4 Little-Known Subaru Facts That Will Leave You Scratching Your Head

The Subaru brand is a fascinating car brand with many unique facets waiting to be explored. Here, you'll uncover intriguing information about Subaru of America, the Forester, and other models that will spark your curiosity.

Not your typical automaker.

The Subaru brand is a treasure trove of unique aspects, and I will uncover a few of them in this report. How does this unique brand's distinctiveness shape its future customer base? Here, I'll explore information about the Japanese automaker that will pique your curiosity and leave you wanting to know more. 

Subaru's unique approach to car manufacturing sets it apart as one of the most intriguing car brands. It's not your typical automaker, often marching to the beat of a different drummer. (Read more in my report here.) This uniqueness is evident in its unwavering commitment to safety, its pioneering all-wheel drive technology, and its steadfast dedication to the environment. That’s not the head-scratcher. 

The newly remodeled 2025 Forester compact SUV is an excellent example of how Subaru stands out. Here are a few surprising statistics that will leave you intrigued. 

1. Popular before the remodel.

I knew the Forester was a popular model, and it's now the number one most-researched car or SUV on Consumer Reports' website. The compact SUV is the only model that gets this much attention. That statistic shows what new model shoppers are looking at now. And the Forester was at the top before the next-generation remodel. Find out more in my report here, but there's more. 

2. Forester loyalty is sky-high.

Subaru revealed that of all Forester households actively looking to buy a new vehicle, a staggering 72 percent will choose another car from the brand. This sky-high loyalty rate is a testament to the brand's appeal, leaving me wondering why the automaker has such a strong bond with its Forester customers?

Subaru owners are known for their loyalty, but Forester owners take it to another level. Their unwavering faith in the brand and the model is evident when they are ready to trade in their older model, as they are highly likely to choose another Forester or purchase another Subaru model. 

3. Forester buyers have been around the block. 

Forester buyers are older than all car buyers' median age. A recent report from Automotive News (by subscription) says that Subaru Forester buyers are older than the average in the auto industry. The average age of a Forester buyer today is 62 versus 60 for the auto industry. However, Subaru hopes to attract younger buyers — to the retooled, sixth-generation Forester. 

Did Subaru shoot themselves in the foot? Find out why they may have in my new Forester report here, where I delve into the changes in the 2025 Forester, its reception among consumers, and its potential impact on Subaru's brand image and customer base. 

The Subaru Forester is aging well.

In car years, the Subaru Forester, now 27 years old, is getting old. However, it's aging well, having proven its reliability and longevity. The fact that buyers from 1997 still purchase the 2025 Forester compact SUV today is the most intriguing fact. It’s a testament to the model’s enduring appeal. 

I can think of a few reasons why. Its high safety ratings, EyeSight driver assist features, and robust all-wheel-drive all-weather and all-terrain performance. 

4. Female buyers are in love with Subaru.

Another interesting statistic is that YouGov profiles reveal that females are just as likely to own cars as males. Okay, that's not a head-scratcher. The next one is. YouGov says that the car brands with the strongest and largest female audience are Mini number one and Subaru number two. Nissan is a distant third. Check out the interesting stats and the most prominent female buyers per brand percentage. 

  • Mini 45%
  • Subaru 44%
  • Nissan 30%

YouGov says, "Mini and Subaru are viewed as iconic but attainable. Comments indicate that the design and The Italian Job movie have shaped strong brand recognition and a positive perception of Mini."

The Subaru WRX played a prominent role in the film Baby Driver, which attracted a male audience. You can read my report here. 

Female buyers want to get further away.

That leaves me wondering why the association with the outdoors has driven strong brand appeal and recognition for Subaru with female buyers. Many younger, active females strongly desire to escape the city and drive their vehicles like the Crosstrek further from civilization. The Subaru is the ideal vehicle. 

There's something for everyone. 

That tells me that a younger demographic of active females of mountain bikers, hikers, snowboarders, surfers, kayakers, and campers are drawn to the Subaru brand. They love the new 2024 Subaru Crosstrek.

Many females with young families are drawn to the Subaru Outback because it rides like a car and has the utility and versatility of an SUV. It's perfect for growing families. 

We know now that many seasoned females over 62 love the Subaru Forester the most. You can read my report here on how the Forester offers more comfort than ever. 

Subaru says it's more than a car company. These examples show why Subaru differs from others and leave us scratching our heads.

How about you? 

What draws you to the Subaru brand? Click the red ‘Add new comment’ link below and let us know.

I am Denis Flierl, a top Torque News reporter 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 SubaruReportAll Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierlFacebook, and Instagram.

Photo credit: Subaru

Comments

Stephen Martin (not verified)    July 29, 2024 - 8:07AM

The only problem i have is the fact that some dealership,s are dishonest,brampton is one,kingston,s ian smith after multiple email,s back and forth,took car to get quote on tradein,and test drive wrx sport tech,with 23,000$ to put down,we went to kingston subaru,it was raining,no one else was in lot,waited 25 minutes,with wife in rain,gave up,drove home,and email from gm ian smith,told him why just telling me now to book appt,told him,the day i have to make appt to buy new car,is day i buy bus pass,then i won,t use another dealership,they had wrx rs,with two grand off,then salesman,s office computer went down for five day,s,no return email,s,found out later,his office computer went down,and no backup,manager sold car to another dealership in all of this,why denis,i have bought new car,s,i know the pitfall,s,the scam,s,in twenty yrs,what has really changed,same shit,different era,then in all of this they end rs after one yr,i have never been so frustated with a company,or it,s rep,s,i complained to subaru canada,as you would know,that went to shitshow,there way of fixing problem,is to send email to ian smith,telling him to call me,he had that chance,so tell me denis,i read all this subaru news,but tell me,would you buy a subaru after the b,s i have endured,sorry,but i know subaru i thought was a decent company,the ppl i have dealt with are very suspect,do i think chev,is better,no,but no worse.i was wrx all the way,but the treatment drove me away. Oh then the Ts comes out,and they found out shen i sent belleville subaru,your post about wrx Ts,no real info there, ordering nope,info from dealer nope,i,m a vet,they gave me charity discount of five hundred,that was it,why do they not change msrp,to mandatory selling retail price,there is no real argument for suggested,that is benchmark price.

Garnett Simpson (not verified)    August 2, 2024 - 6:25PM

Over the many years that I worked as a nurse, I never feared being able to drive in the worse rain, fog, ice or snow, at all times of the night and day. I always got to the hospital and back from my shift safely!!
Now that I am retired, I still can’t give up the safety and reliability of a Subaru!! I will be a Subaru driver for life!!