How affordable are Subaru vehicles like the 2022 Forester, Outback, and Crosstrek compared with other mainstream automakers? Check out how much lower Subaru models are than other non-luxury brands.
Shoppers checking out the most affordable SUVs are hit with sticker shock because of the low supply of new cars. A new report from Kelly Blue Book with data from Cox Automotive says the average non-luxury new car price has now topped $43,072.
How affordable are Subaru vehicles like the 2022 Forester, Outback, Crosstrek, and other new models compared with other mainstream automakers? While the average new non-luxury car is $43,072, a Subaru vehicle is $35,231, nearly $8,000 less than the U.S. average.
A new report from LendingTree found nearly 40 percent of new car buyers are now reporting they regret their new car purchase. The most common regret? Buying the wrong make and model was number one followed by buying an expensive car they couldn’t afford, and third, not shopping around for the best deal.
What sets the Subaru brand apart?
The Subaru Forester, Outback, Crosstrek, and other new models all come standard with all-wheel-drive where most automakers charge extra for the all-weather feature. Subaru SUVs come with 8.7-inches of ground clearance for improved performance off-pavement.
The second-best overall fuel efficiency
Affordability has to include fuel mileage. The EPA says Subaru models rank second-best in the U.S. among automakers with a gas-powered lineup. Honda has the most fuel-efficient lineup after Tesla, which has an an-all-electric fleet. Subaru accomplished this with an all-wheel-drive lineup which is less fuel-efficient than a front-wheel-drive vehicle.
Top safety scores
Subaru gets the highest Top Safety Pick+ scores from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and earns five stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
The best resale value
Affordability also includes resale value. Kelly Blue Books' Best Resale Value Awards says the Subaru Crosstrek scores best Subcompact SUV, Subaru Forester wins Compact SUV, Subaru Outback takes home the best Midsize SUV 2-row, and Impreza is the Best Compact Car. Resale value can make the most significant difference when you trade in your vehicle after 3-5 years. You'll get more for your trade-in than other carmakers’ vehicles.
Subaru won't ever offer financing longer than 63 months
In a recent interview, President and CEO of Subaru of America Tom Doll explains why they don’t offer the same 72 months or even 84 months as other automakers. Doll says they look out for the customer now because they will see them in 4 or 5 years when they return to trade the all-wheel-drive vehicle in.
Doll says if they offer longer deals like some automakers, going beyond 63 months, it’s not the best for the customer. “When they return we want to make sure they have equity in their trade. We don’t want them to owe more than the car is worth, or their payments will be too high.”
If you buy a 2022 Forester, 2022 Outback, 2022 Crosstrek, or other new Subaru model, you likely won’t regret your decision because of its affordability, standard all-wheel-drive, fuel efficiency, safety, and resale value.
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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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