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Which new vehicles are the most popular with new car shoppers this winter? An updated report from Edmunds says two Subaru SUVs are now among the ten most popular models. The 2023 Subaru Forester compact SUV and the 2023 Subaru Outback midsize SUV will likely be hard to find in the new year because of the low inventory levels.
Last month the 2023 Forester compact SUV was the most researched Subaru model, and it's still ranked ahead of the Outback and Crosstrek. The Forester stays the hot model in Subaru of America's all-wheel-drive lineup this winter.
Edmunds' ten most researched new models today
The Edmunds ten most researched new vehicles by new car shoppers from first to last are the Honda CR-V, Honda Passport, Acura RDX, Mazda CX-30, Mazda CX-5, Genesis GV80, Honda Pilot, Subaru Forester, Subaru Outback, and Acura Integra.
What does Edmunds say about the Forester and Outback?
“Standard all-wheel drive makes the 2023 Forester perfect for outdoorsy weekend warriors in any trim. The redesigned 2023 Outback offers plenty of SUV capability and a long list of desirable features.”
The Subaru Crosstrek drops out of the top 10 and is now ranked sixteenth. Subaru has two more models that make up the top fifty popular new cars. The Subaru Ascent 3-Row family hauler moves up to twenty-seventh on the most researched list, and the Subaru Impreza compact sedan and hatchback are thirty-eighth.
What Edmunds says about the Crosstrek
“Compact and capable, the 2023 Subaru Crosstrek is an economical way to explore.”
Why are the Forester and Outback among the ten most popular new vehicles now? There are six reasons they are top picks for new car shoppers.
1. Affordability
They are affordable when many automakers charge more than the Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for their popular models. A recent report from Kelley Blue Book says the Subaru models have the lowest average transaction price of any U.S. automaker. Check each model's pricing below.
What is the price of the 2023 Subaru Forester?
All 2023 Forester trim levels increased by $550 in price, including destination and delivery. The 2023 Forester comes in six trim levels; The Base Forester starts at $27,620, Premium ($30,620), Sport ($32,190), Limited ($34,300), Wilderness ($35,245), and Touring ($37,720). Pricing includes dealer fees ($1,225).
What is the price of the 2023 Subaru Outback?
The 2023 Outback now comes in nine trim levels for U.S. customers; the base trim is priced from $29,620, Premium ($31,920), new Onyx Edition with a 2.5-liter engine ($34,720), Limited ($36,520), Touring ($41,070), Outback Wilderness ($39,670), Onyx Edition XT ($39,820), Limited XT ($40,920), and Touring XT ($43,520). Pricing includes $1,225 destination and delivery fees.
2. Fuel efficient with all-wheel-drive
The second reason is that the 2023 Subaru Outback and Forester are fuel-efficient SUVs. You can have an all-wheel-drive SUV and still get good fuel efficiency. The EPA ranked the Subaru lineup as the most fuel-efficient gas model lineup of any automaker. Check each model's fuel efficiency.
What is the 2023 Subaru Forester's gas mileage?
The Subaru Forester comes with standard all-wheel drive and gets an EPA-estimated 29 combined mpg and 26/33 city/highway mpg. A 2.5-liter four-cylinder
Boxer engine powers the Forester.
What is the 2023 Subaru Outback's gas mileage?
The EPA fuel mileage rating of the 2023 Outback XT 2.4-liter turbo is 22/29 city/highway mpg and 25 combined mpg. The estimated fuel economy of the standard 2.5-liter engine is 26/32 mpg city/highway and 28 combined mpg. The EPA says the 2023 Outback Wilderness gets an estimated 21/26 city/highway mpg and 23 combined mpg.
3. Standard all-wheel-drive
The third reason is that the Forester and Outback come standard with Subaru's Symmetrical all-wheel-drive system for all-weather and all-terrain performance. And it doesn't hurt fuel efficiency.
4. X-Mode for all-terrain capability
The two models feature X-Mode for additional all-weather capability, and some trim levels offer dual-function X-Mode for added deep snow and mud mode for all-terrain power.
5. Wilderness trim levels for outdoor enthusiasts
The Forester and Outback are the only models in Subaru of America's lineup that come in the outdoor-themed Wilderness trim levels for active customers who want to get further off the grid.
6. Safety technology
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) announced that the 2023 Forester, 2023 Outback, and 2023 Ascent were named 2022 Top Safety Pick+ winners by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The 2033 Crosstrek and 2023 Impreza are Top Safety Pick winners.
Why is the Crosstrek subcompact SUV out of the top ten?
Until this new report, the 2023 Crosstrek was in Edmund's top ten most researched new cars. But the Crosstrek needs a remodel, and some customers are waiting for the next-generation model, soon to be announced by Subaru of America. The 2024 Crosstrek will get significant upgrades worth waiting for.
Affordability, fuel mileage, all-weather, all-terrain capability, the rugged Wilderness editions, and safety are six reasons why the 2023 Subaru Forester and 2023 Subaru Outback are among the ten most popular new models this winter.
They will be harder to find in the new year because of the ongoing new car shortages and supply chain issues, although Subaru says inventory levels are improving in 2023.
Will you be shopping for Subaru vehicles this winter? Let us know your top model pick and why in the comment section.
You Might Also Like: The Next-Gen Subaru Crosstrek Gets A New Feature Outback Wilderness Doesn’t Even Have
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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