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4 Reasons Why You Say Subaru Drivers Are The Worst

If you are buying a 2020 Subaru Forester, Outback, Crosstrek, or WRX, beware that other drivers don’t like you. Here’s four reasons why.

Some car brands like Subaru just can’t catch a break and their drivers are judged rightly or wrongly. According to custom license plate suppliers Click4Reg, Subaru Forester, Outback, Crosstrek, and WRX/STI drivers have the worst reputations among all car brands. They surveyed over 2,000 drivers to reveal the most common impressions people have of drivers of each car brand. If you drive a Subaru, it's not good for you.

Why are Subaru owners seen as the worst drivers more than all others on the road? You have probably heard jokes about Subaru owners. They drive too slow, or the back of their cars is full of stickers, or they are driven by granola-eating hippies from the 60s, or that their cars are too loud. Some of these things might even be true. The survey reveals some interesting findings.

Stickered-up Subaru Outback

When asked for their opinions on different car brands, it’s easy for people to speak up, especially when it’s about other drivers as everyone has an opinion. When asked “Do you think Subaru owners are likely to be fast or slow drivers?”, 40 percent (800 people) said, if they get behind a Subaru, they are likely to be a slow driver. They did not break it down by model, but we are guessing it’s Forester and Outback as some owners tend to be more conservative drivers.

The other interesting findings found 20 percent of respondents said they wouldn’t even date a Subaru driver. 32 percent said they dislike Subaru owners, and a whopping 75 percent agreed that Subaru owners are bad drivers.

This was not in the survey done by the custom license plate suppliers, but Subaru WRX and WRX STI drivers have a reputation for being the most annoying. If you live near a Subaru WRX or WRX STI owner you’ve probably been woken up or annoyed by their loud exhales pipes.

The Subaru Boxer engine has a unique sound and WRX/STI drivers like to make their performance cars even louder by installing custom exhaust systems. It’s called the “Subie rumble” and WRX/STI owners are proud of it.

Subaru WRX exhaust

If you buying a new 2020 Subaru Forester, Outback, Crosstrek or WRX/STI, just know you are already disliked by a lot of other drivers on the road. It’s because the perception out there is, you drive too slow, your Outback is full of stickers, you don’t know how to drive, and your WRX/STI is too loud. If you are in a long line of cars looking to merge into slower traffic, don’t be surprised if they don’t let you in. But you love your Subaru and you don’t care what they think.

You Might Also Like: New Subaru Crosstrek Is Involved In The Most At-Fault Accidents Than Any Car In America

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Photo credit: Subaru USA, Subaru Canada

Comments

Bob (not verified)    January 7, 2020 - 8:56AM

In reply to by Jon (not verified)

You are the problem with traffic issues in the NW. the slow roll at 5mph is the most maddening habit of our awful drivers. Right, drive slow so only a few cars can get through the light behind you. People like you should be rammed to go the speed limit. Douche!

morphd (not verified)    October 11, 2019 - 12:12PM

In reply to by Denis Flierl

I drive a Subaru Forrester and I'm doing my utmost to dispel the notion that Subaru drivers are slow. I'm usually one of the faster drivers on the road (not the fastest as I'll let the worst speed demons pass me so they can get caught).

I will add that I try to be a courteous driver, avoiding tailgating or other annoying/risky behavior. Also when I'm in "sightseeing mode" on two lane roads and more interested in admiring the scenery than getting from point A to point B as quickly as possible, I'll try to pull over and let the speed demons pass safely (and sometimes I'll tail them for awhile just to prove I know how to take the curves etc. - times when having a six speed manual is exhilarating!).

Josh Bjornsen (not verified)    October 9, 2019 - 12:34PM

2000 people is nothing lmao. at least Subaru drivers use their blinkers, unlike shitty BMW drivers. also when there is a drop of water on the road were not going 15 under the speed limit. most Subaru drivers I see are going over the speed limit or casually driving like a normal person....

Ted (not verified)    October 9, 2019 - 2:29PM

In reply to by James Scott (not verified)

You r the type of person who gets in the left laneat the last second in some weak attempt to police the roads on ur way to the home depot where u will park in contractor parking so u can pick up a couple chinese garden figurines while some poor overworked carpenter pushes 500 lbs of lumber through the snow to where you should be parked

Pat wolfe (not verified)    October 9, 2019 - 1:34PM

I disagree with your opinion on Subaru drivers. I have noticed an appreciable increase of manic, or Mario Andretti type, drivers in hybrids on the roads. Toyota Prius drivers top the list!!

Nicholas A Boyd (not verified)    October 9, 2019 - 1:48PM

I feel like this survey was conducted like so.

Do you like or dislike those stupid subura drivers?
Do you believe those slow subaru drivers are fast or slow?
Do you think those really annoying exhaust systems on the wrx are annoying or not annoying?

If so then this is a bs survey. You need to give people options. Let them choose between multiple car manufacturers. You'll get bad results if you focus on any one single brand. To many surveys are skewed to say exactly what they want them to say. This isn't the 2016 presidential election. We don't need you lying to us about your surveys.

Bob (not verified)    October 9, 2019 - 2:21PM

I just find Subaru drivers to be uninterested drivers. Their stickers and roof box mean more to them than paying attention. They’re not weaving in and out of traffic, but they’re making left turns from the right lane throwing a peace sign. Unless they’re just the “little old ladies” at heart that bought it for the safety features (new models). Then all bets are off. Probably still not speeding though. Wrx drivers balance that out though.

I think THULE should sell rebranded Subarus. Maybe sell them at reí. They’re pretty much just a marketing campaign on a Toyota anyway.

mike (not verified)    October 9, 2019 - 2:42PM

Subaru cult: they swill IPA, wear imitation Pendleton plaid shirts over black hoodies, imitation Red Wing boots, skinny jeans, and flat-billed baseball hats. Beards & BO. Silly stickers smothering their rooftop rocket boxes, rooftop tents they never use, and really wished they bought an XC60!

Scott (not verified)    October 9, 2019 - 3:07PM

I'm sorry, this article is completely wrong... The cock/douche-ometer (ie. jerk drivers) goes way higher for the following:

VW, BMW, Audi, Jaguar, any super car, truck owners, any EV driver (I like EVs, just not the drivers), any super luxury car (Rolls, Bentley, etc), Rovers (Range and Land), Wrangler owners, Renault (actually any French car owners), Fiat, and lastly NEARLY ALL MOTORCYCLE owners. All are much more inclined to drive aggressively, not let you in a lane, completely and totally douchey...

Amy (not verified)    October 9, 2019 - 3:16PM

I think your article maybe a little bias due to word choice here, it sounds like the study highlights the specific model of car. The survey area seems rather small to make any conclusive arguments about a whole brand with several styles of car. HOWEVER, that area sure seems to have a lot of niche car owners. Lol. Blasted tailpipe! There are more people than we care to admit being questionable drivers in any vehicle. The more you look, the more humbling or terrifying it can be.

My Name (not verified)    October 9, 2019 - 3:24PM

I've NEVER heard anyone say anything about Subaru drivers, and never noticed anything bad about them myself. I own a Jeep and can't wait to pay off so I can get a Subaru instead. There should be an article about Jeep drivers (not including myself) for being arrogant. "It's a Jeep thing, you wouldn't understand." What the fock is that? I don't understand either.

Mike (not verified)    October 9, 2019 - 3:26PM

I don't know about other Subaru drivers but I am an older conservative with a liberal wife who I love. I drive fast fast. She drives slow. We don't have any stickers on our car & we don't much care what anyone thinks about it or us. We love our Outback!

Deanna (not verified)    October 9, 2019 - 4:27PM

I say my 1st Subaru has saved my life, my second saved my husband's life, and if you don't like my stickers on my 3rd, roll along. Haters gonna hate.

Now, let's talk about dudes with jacked trucks with the testicles hanging on the hitch...

Doug Adil (not verified)    October 9, 2019 - 4:27PM

What language was this "news story" translated from?
"the back of their cars is full of stickers"
"This was not in the survey done by the custom license plate suppliers"...wtf does that mean? And the best..."you’ve probably been woken up or annoyed by their loud exhales pipes". Yes those loud exhales pipes that Subaru drivers love. Torque News must be hurting for content.

Adam (not verified)    October 11, 2019 - 5:51AM

In reply to by Doug Adil (not verified)

Welcome to the Denis' articles...this guy has an absolutely terrible time trying to figure out tense and an even bigger problem with concise word choice. The content is there but this site and specifically this writer are screaming for better editing.

SLOW 2019 IMPREZA (not verified)    October 10, 2019 - 1:27PM

This poor excuse for an article reads like a junior high homework assignment written the morning it was due. If you were trying to be serious, don't quit your day job. If you were trying to be funny, you're only being laughed at.

Subaru drivers buy their cars for practicality and longevity. Regarding WRX noise, there are tuner cars of all makes with fart-pipes. Stereotyping it as a Subaru thing is pretty stupid.

When the author of this trash rag "article" gets old enough to drive, I hope daddy buys him a '96 Outback in forest green. Delete this.

Don Garrison (not verified)    October 10, 2019 - 2:01PM

I am 73 now. Have 1 2019 Forester for its safety features. I have had My Corvette ( 1984 ) My Porsche ( 924 ) My Lincolin, My Cadallic, My Mercedes Benz, My Volvo, My 1950 Bentley--Love the Forester !