The 9 Most Popular New SUVs, CR Says 3 Subaru Models Top Its List Now

Crowdsourcing can help when buying a new vehicle. How will it benefit you?

Crowdsourcing, a method of obtaining information or services by soliciting input from a large group of people, can be particularly helpful when buying a new vehicle. It allows you to tap into other car buyers' collective knowledge and experiences, providing valuable insights and recommendations.

Many savvy shoppers do most of their research online before stepping on the new car dealer's lot. It's a smart way to arm yourself with good information and be ready to buy the new vehicle you want. 

If you are looking to buy a new Subaru Forester, Crosstrek, or Outback, you've come to the right place. In my report here, Find out why it's the best time to buy a new Subaru.

You can "crowdsource" your new car pick by checking what other shoppers are checking out the most. Consumer Reports is a good resource because it is a trusted website for the latest information on new models. The latest Consumer Reports data can be seen with a subscription, but if you aren't a subscriber, it's not a problem. 

I've listed CR's nine most popular new SUVs so you can see what other shoppers are researching the most. Subaru is one of the car brands that has been studied the most again. 

Subaru has 60% of the top-five picks this fall. 

Subaru Forester is #1

According to Consumer Reports' updated list of the ten most popular new SUVs today, the Subaru Forester is the most popular model, the Subaru Crosstrek is number four, and the Subaru Outback is number five overall. These rankings are not just based on popularity but also on the unique features and performance of these models, which I will cover in detail. 

Consumer Reports says, "The ten vehicles highlighted here represent CR.org's top car model pages, meaning they're the vehicles that are the most searched for by people coming to our site."

First, I've listed the top ten most researched cars and SUVs (nine are SUVs), starting with the most popular model. Then, I will give further details on the Forester compact SUV, Crosstrek subcompact SUV, and Outback midsize SUV and why they have received such high ratings and positive reviews, making them the best picks now. 

1. Subaru Forester
2. Honda CR-V
3. Toyota RAV4
4. Subaru Outback
5. Subaru Crosstrek
6. Mazda CX-5
7. Chevrolet Equinox
8. Toyota Camry
9. Toyota Highlander
10. Honda Pilot

It's not surprising that nine of the most popular new models are SUVs, and only one is a sedan. SUVs are the hottest vehicle segment because they offer exceptional utility and versatility. Sedans do not. 

CR says, "Many of these models sit at the top of our vehicle rating charts because of their high Overall Score, which means they scored well in our road tests, have good reliability, come with key active safety features, and performed well in crash tests."

Why are Subaru vehicles among the top 5 value picks? 

The three Subaru SUVs provide more space, higher seating positions, and better off-road capabilities than the competition, making them a popular choice for many car buyers.

I would say this is a testament to the value for money and reliability that the Forester, Crosstrek, and Outback models offer. And there's more I'll explain further in this report. 

What does CR say about the #1 Subaru Forester compact SUV?

• Price Range:  $27,095 - $37,395
• CR MPG:  Overall 28 / City 20 / Hwy 38 mpg
• #2 of 31  Compact SUVs

"This popular compact SUV delivers the combination of a roomy interior, excellent visibility, commendable fuel economy, simple controls, a comfortable ride, and responsive handling. The 2.5-liter four-cylinder combined with the continuously variable automatic transmission yields 28 mpg overall, among the best in class. But acceleration isn't exhilarating, and the engine's noise isn't the most pleasant." 

"The cabin is roomy, with a particularly generous rear seat and easy access. The controls are simple to use, including an infotainment system that's compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Blind spot and rear cross-traffic warnings aren't available on the base trim and are optional on the Premium trim; they're standard on the others." 

Here is the new pricing for shoppers looking at the 2025 Subaru Forester.

The 2025 Forester comes in five trim levels: The Base trim starts at $31,090, Premium ($33,390), Sport ($35,890), Limited ($37,390), and Touring ($38,490). Pricing includes destination and dealer fees ($1,395).

It's important to note that the redesigned 2025 Forester is available at U.S. retailers now and received a significant price increase. Check out my report here for additional information. 

What does CR say about the #4 2024 Subaru Crosstrek subcompact SUV?

• Price Range:  $25,195 - $32,195
• CR MPG:  Overall 29 / City 20 / Hwy 41 mpg
• #1 of 11  Subcompact SUVs

"The Crosstrek received a number of important updates for 2024. It's still essentially a raised Impreza hatchback with a very comfortable ride, standard all-wheel drive, and a decent amount of cargo room for the class. Responsive handling, mostly simple controls, and a practical—but not fancy—interior round out the package." 

"Acceleration from the standard 2.0-liter engine is tepid, and the engine can get loud, but it returned 29 mpg overall in our tests. The optional 2.5-liter has more oomph. Blind spot and rear cross-traffic warnings are available only on higher trims."

For shoppers looking at the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek, here is the pricing.

For 2024, the Crosstrek is available in Base, Premium, Sport, Limited, and Wilderness trim levels. The Base trim starts at $26,540. 

The 2024 Crosstrek Premium has a starting price of $28,085, Sport ($30,935), and Limited ($32,440). The all-new Crosstrek Wilderness costs $33,540. Pricing includes destination and delivery fees ($1,345).

What does CR say about the #5 2025 Subaru Outback midsize SUV?

• Price Range:  $28,895 - $42,795
• CR MPG:  Overall 24 / City 16 / Hwy 32 mpg
• #2 of 16  Midsized SUVs

"Subaru's Outback is a smart alternative to an SUV. Although lower than a typical SUV, it can easily haul long items. The base 2.5-liter four-cylinder does the job but can feel strained when quicker speed is needed. The optional 260-hp, 2.4-liter turbo engine transforms the wagon with effortless acceleration." 

"The ride is very comfortable, and the handling is responsive and secure. However, some tasks through the large infotainment screen require more than one step, and the system is slow to respond to inputs. Thoughtful details, such as built-in crossbars and a dual-position cargo cover, are nice touches. The Wilderness model has a higher ground clearance. Both blind spot warning and rear cross-traffic warning are optional."

For shoppers looking at the 2025 Subaru Outback, here is the pricing.

The Base is priced at $30,290, Premium ($32,590), Onyx Edition ($37,500), Limited ($39,250), Touring ($41,740), Onyx Edition XT ($40,755), Wilderness ($41,355), Limited XT ($41,590), and Touring XT ($44,190). In addition, destination and delivery fees are included in the price above ($1,395).

Why does Subaru have three of the top five picks? 

Subaru vehicles score high in the Consumer Reports' most researched new models because they are the best value picks every year. That includes pricing, features, and resale value. Find out more about Subaru's resale value in my report here.

Subaru's Symmetrical all-wheel-drive technology.

All three SUVs come with Subaru's excellent Symmetrical all-wheel-drive technology, providing superior all-weather and severe-weather performance. You won't be sitting on the side of the road waiting for a tow when the weather gets scary this fall and winter. 

Wilderness trims set the three SUVs apart from the crowd. 

In addition to getting the highest road test scores, reliability, owner satisfaction, and safety, Subaru Forester, Crosstrek, and Outback have 8.7 inches of ground clearance, they have X-Mode for additional all-terrain performance, and the 2024 Forester, 2025 Outback, and 2024 Crosstrek have the rugged Wilderness trim levels for outdoor enthusiasts. There is something for everyone.

I've also included the eleventh through the twentieth most popular SUVs and most researched on the Consumer Reports website. 

CR's 11th Through 20th Most Popular SUVs and trucks. 

• Ford Escape
• Hyundai Tucson
• Toyota Highlander Hybrid
• Nissan Rogue
• Toyota RAV4 Prime
• BMW X5
• Ford F-150
• Ford Explorer
• BMW X3
• Jeep Grand Cherokee

Conclusion:

The redesigned 2025 Subaru Forester, 2025 Outback, and next-generation Crosstrek are smart picks for SUV shoppers. On the CR website, they are among the top five most popular models this fall. 

What about you? Are you researching any new Subaru models? Which ones? Let us know in the comments below.

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: Tucson Subaru