To Finish The Year Subaru Now Has 8 Big Winners, And Then There’s One Black Sheep

Which Subaru models performed the best to finish 2023? Subaru of America has eight winners and one big loser. Here are the surprising results.

Every year, I do year-end Subaru of America (SOA) sales results to show which models are performing the best and which are the worst. It was an interesting and surprising year as SOA rebounded in 2023 with 632,086 vehicle sales, a 13.6 percent increase compared with the calendar year 2022. 

The Camden, N.J. automaker reports 17 consecutive months of increased sales. That's quite an accomplishment, with SOA saying that all Subaru nameplates are up from the previous year except for one, which is now the family's black sheep. Here are the year-end results. 

Starting with the highest percentage increase, here are the Subaru model rankings for 2023.

1. Forester +33.7%
2. WRX +32.3%
3. BRZ +25.2%
4. Legacy +12.9%
5. Impreza +12.6%
6. Outback +9.9%
7. Crosstrek +2.6%
8. *Subaru Solterra +865.4% (only two months - not a full year) 
9. Ascent -4.9% 

As you can see, Subaru of America had all its models increase in sales in 2023 except for one model, the Subaru Ascent. 

I wrote previously that the Subaru Forester was the hot model to finish the year. The compact SUV saw the most significant percentage increase from 2022. 

I also reported the 2024 Subaru Ascent 3-Row family hauler recorded its sixth consecutive month of sales decline. Ascent was the only model in SOA's lineup to decrease year over year. The Ascent is down 4.9 percent to finish the year, with 60,543 models delivered to families in 2023. How did this happen?

My Take

As I have said in previous stories, the 3-Row SUV, the Ascent, needs something to spark interest. An all-new second-generation Ascent will likely come in a new Hybrid trim level. This is speculation on my part, as Subaru has yet to release the 2025 Ascent details. A new 2025 or 2026 Ascent Hybrid would make it competitive with the Toyota Highlander Hybrid, Kia Sorento Hybrid, Ford Explorer Hybrid, Hyundai Tucson Plug-in Hybrid, and Mazda CX-90 PHEV. 

What's next for the Ascent?

According to a report from Automotive News (by subscription), the 2025 Subaru Ascent is expected to be completely redesigned. Subaru of America will announce it in the second half of 2024. 

The Subaru Ascent needs to catch up to the competition and requires a complete remodel for that to happen. It's coming soon, but will Subaru do enough to satisfy its U.S. customers? Stay tuned. For now, the Ascent is the Subaru family's black sheep.

Thanks for reading, everyone. I hope you enjoyed this Subaru year-end results story. See you tomorrow for my latest Subaru Report.

For additional articles related to new Subaru models, here are a few of my top stories you may enjoy. 

My Must-Read Top Picks

• New Report - Subaru Just Made A Huge Leap In The Global Race To Electrify Its AWD Lineup
• The Next-Generation Subaru Forester, 5 New Features And Its 5 Secret Upgrades
• Head To Head 2024 Subaru Forester Vs. 2024 Honda CR-V, And The Winner Is..

Watch Hidden Features on the Subaru Ascent: Subaru's 3rd Row SUV

I am Denis Flierl, a 12-year Torque News senior writer with 20+ years of Subaru and automotive journalism experience. I enjoy bringing you, the Subaru fans and customers, the most up-to-date Subaru news, reviews, and new model information. You'll find the latest Subaru stories on the Subaru page. Follow me on my The Dirty Subaru website, Dirty Subaru blog, SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.

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photo credit: Subaru USA