Subaru Has 2 Hot SUVs And One Is Not Named Forester

It's 24 months straight, thanks to two hot SUVs.

For 24 consecutive months, Subaru of America has been riding high, all thanks to the exceptional performance of two of its SUVs.

It's been two years and counting that Subaru of America (SOA) has been on an upward trend. The Camden, N.J. automaker announced July marks 24 months of yearly month-over-month growth, a significant achievement in the competitive automotive industry. This growth can be attributed to the consistently high sales of the Crosstrek and Outback models in July. Here are the results and what it means for customers. 

Two Subaru SUVs are the top picks for customers, the top-selling models, and one is not named Forester. 

Troy Poston, Senior Vice President of Sales at Subaru of America, says, "Another month of strong Crosstrek and Outback sales represents positive momentum as Subaru remains positioned for growth." 

Can the Crosstrek get any hotter?

Crosstrek sizzles hot.

The all-new 2024 Crosstrek was the top seller among all Subaru nameplates last month and achieved its best July ever with 15,318 vehicles sold, a 36 percent increase over the same month in 2023 when SOA delivered 11,241 Crosstreks to customers. 

Crosstrek now has 94,818 models delivered through seven months in 2024 compared with 87,371 in 2023, an 8.5 percent increase. Surprisingly, Crosstrek is still in third place in sales, just behind the Outback.

Two factors help Crosstrek achieve its best in July.

1. Crosstrek is now built in the U.S.

Subaru Corporation's strategic decision to shift Crosstrek production from Japan to the U.S. factory was a clear demonstration of our commitment to our North American customers. This move not only reduced shipping delays but also enhanced their ownership experience. 

This has resulted in increased inventory for U.S. retailers. 

2. The all-new Crosstrek Wilderness arrives with excitement. 

Subaru of America introduced the new Crosstrek Wilderness, which was a quick success. Outdoor enthusiasts and those with active lifestyles appreciate the new rugged model. It received significant upgrades as it joined the Wilderness family. Read my Wilderness model guide report here. 

Outback stays hot. 

The popular Outback is not far from the Crosstrek, with 14,204 vehicles sold to U.S. customers. SOA delivered 14,204 Outback midsize SUVs to customers in July compared with 12,430 in July 2023. That's a 14.3 percent increase. 

Outback now has 95,907 models delivered through seven months in 2024 compared with 93,833 in 2023, a 2.2 percent increase. Outback is still in second place in sales behind the Forester.

Get the Outback now. 

The 2025 Outback has arrived, but Subaru still has some 2024 Outback models to sell. To encourage sales, Subaru is offering customers 0% for 36 months of financing through September 3, 2024. This special financing offer is part of Subaru's strategy to transition to the new model year and does not reflect the Outback's sales performance. 

If you want an American-made Outback, the time is getting short. Check out my report on why the Outback production is shifting to Japan. 

Forester is ice cold. 

Forester had a significant drop in sales in July, with 10,682 vehicles sold to U.S. customers compared with 14,504 in July 2023. Forester dropped 26.4 percent as Subaru Corporation switched from the 2024 Forester to the all-new 2025 Forester compact SUV. 

Subaru says, "Demand is increasing as Subaru builds inventory transitioning to the all-new 2025 Forester model."

Subaru let the inventory of the 2024 Forester dwindle to make room for the all-new redesign of the next-generation 2025 Forester. It's at Subaru showrooms across the U.S. now. 

SOA has delivered 103,531 Forester models to customers in 2024 compared with 75,814 in the first seven months of 2023. Forester leads all other nameplates for the number one sales ranking, up 36.6% for the year.  

Poston says, "Forester's sustained recognition for outstanding safety continues to drive new and returning customers to the Subaru brand and our retailers."

I will watch the new Forester closely and see if customers take to it as much as they did the fifth-generation model. Stay tuned. Read about the Forester's transition to the U.S. plant here. 

The Solterra EV has achieved its best July ever, marking a significant 66 percent increase over the previous year. This success is a testament to the growing popularity of the Japanese automaker's new electric SUV, sparking excitement among EV shoppers. 

Special EV incentives help. 

Subaru of America's special financing and manufacturer incentives are helping Subaru retailers sell more of the new electric SUVs. 

Subaru sold 1,261 Solterra EVs in July compared with 758 in July 2023, a 66.4 percent increase. SOA has sold 6,646 Solterra models in the first seven months of 2024, compared with 3,730 in 2023. Solterra has increased 78.2 percent over 2023. 

The rest of Subaru's lineup is in negative figures for July. 

While the Crosstrek, Outback, and Solterra have increased sales, all other Subaru models have decreased in July. 

• Ascent -1.4%
• BRZ -12.9%
• Forester - 26.4%
• Impreza - 7.9%
• Legacy - 17.1%
• WRX - 27.7%

New Subaru hybrid and electric vehicles are coming by 2025 and 2026. They should help Subaru continue the upward trend in sales. Read my report here for more details on the seven new models coming for U.S. customers. 

I am Denis Flierl, a top Torque News reporter 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: Subaru