Subaru Subtracts While Other Car Brands Add - How It All Stacks Up Now

Subaru is doing the opposite of most automakers who add new models and trim levels yearly to their U.S. lineups. Instead, Subaru is dropping trim levels left and right. For example, for the 2024 model year, Subaru recently dropped five trim levels from the 2024 Impreza and 2024 Crosstrek nameplates. And it still needs to be determined if they will drop trims from the Outback, Forester, Ascent, Legacy, WRX, or BRZ nameplates.

Subaru dropped six trims, the Impreza sedan with a CVT automatic transmission, the Impreza sedan 5-speed manual transmission and the Impreza hatchback 5-speed manual. The Crosstrek Base 6-speed manual trim, Premium 6-speed manual trim, and the Crosstrek plug-in hybrid trim level are also gone in 2024.

What's left is only three sixth-generation Impreza trims, the Impreza Base, Sport, and new RS with the 2.5-liter engine. That's a drop of 50 percent of the next-generation nameplate's lineup.

The third-generation 2024 Crosstrek is now down to four trim levels, the Base, Premium, Sport, and Limited trims. That's a drop of over 40 percent of the next-generation nameplate's lineup.

With Subaru, less is more

The Impreza sedan sales were dropping like a rock. So Subaru was wise in keeping only the hatchback body style and dropping all sedan trim levels. The hatch is fun, sporty, and cool-looking. It's just what a young demographic looks for in a compact car. As a result, the new Impreza sales should rebound quickly after the new models arrive this year.

The Subaru Crosstrek is now Subaru of America's best-selling model in its all-wheel-drive lineup, but Subaru is chopping models from the popular nameplate. The Japanese automaker is unafraid to mess with success as they sold few Crosstrek subcompact SUVs with the 6-speed manual transmission. You can only get the Crosstrek and Impreza with a Continuously Variable automatic Transmission (CVT.)

Why did Subaru drop the manual?

For 2023 models, to get Subaru's EyeSight suite of driver assist safety technology, buyers had to buy the Crosstrek Base and Premium trims with the Continuously Variable automatic transmission. Unfortunately, it's not compatible with the manual transmission.

All 2024 Impreza hatchback compact car trim levels and all 2023 Crosstrek subcompact SUV trim levels will come standard with EyeSight. The new models will now get the highest safety crash scores with the IIHS. And Subaru is well on its way to a goal of zero fatal accidents by the year 2030.

Subaru cut six new model trim levels from its 2024 Impreza and 2024 Crosstrek carlines, while other automakers add new models to their lineups. Does the small automaker know something the other car brands don't? We are going to find out soon. Look for the next-generation Impreza and Crosstrek with fewer trim levels to increase sales this year.

You Might Also Like: The 11 Most Significant Next-Gen Subaru Crosstrek Upgrades And One You Missed

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.

Subaru Report - We’ve got you covered! Check back tomorrow for more unique, informative SUBARU news, reviews, and previews you can trust.

Leave your comments below, share the article with friends, and tweet it out to your followers!

Photo credit: Subaru