Subaru Vs Audi Who Makes The Best AWD Cars? Why Your Subaru Wins

With everyone going stir crazy because we’ve been locked up for so long, it’s time to think about getting outside. Your Subaru has Symmetrical all-wheel-drive and it comes standard on every model the brand makes. Is it the best system for those with active lifestyles? Let’s compare your Subaru Forester, Outback, or Crosstrek with the other all-wheel-drive leader Audi Quattro and see who the winner is when it comes to getting far away from civilization. We’ll start with a little history of both brands.

Subaru didn’t create something out of nothing, they reimagined what was already there. Until 1970, four-wheel drive was limited to serious off-road vehicles like Jeep, but Subaru thought, “why can’t we offer an ordinary passenger car and fit it with an all-wheel-drive system?” That’s what they did with the Subaru Leone that made its debut in June 1971. It was followed by the Subaru Leone 4WD Station Wagon in September 1972. They took a small vehicle and created the sport utility vehicle market.

1972 Subaru Leone 4WD Station Wagon

The car's popularity snowballed to the point where it became the world's top-selling 4WD passenger car and is the origin of the Subaru Symmetrical all-wheel-drive system that’s on your Forester, Outback, and Crosstrek.

Today, Subaru offers four different all-wheel-drive systems in its current stable of vehicles. Subaru doesn't have a “one type fits all” approach with its multi-purpose vehicles. The Forester, Outback, Crosstrek and other models all come standard with Symmetrical all-wheel drive, but each vehicle gets a “tailored” version to fit a particular powertrain or model. These four all-wheel-drive versions are what sets Subaru all-wheel-drive system apart from most other automakers that offer all-wheel-drive on its SUVs. You can read a detailed explanation of all four here.

What sets Subaru apart from Audi?

There are three differences between Subaru and Audi. Subaru Symmetrical all-wheel-drive is standard equipment on every Subaru model. All models from Audi are available with Quattro but you pay extra to get it.

Audi began adapting all-wheel-drive to their cars in 1980 with the first production Quattro all-wheel-drive system. They took the idea from parent company Volkswagen who built the Iltis off-roader in the 1970s. Today, Audi offers five Quattro technologies, all based on the idea of sending needed power to each wheel. You can read about each system here.

The second difference between Subaru and Audi is a feature on your Subaru Forester, Outback, Crosstrek, and Ascent called X-Mode. No other automaker, including Audi, offers anything like it.

Subaru Crosstrek comes standard with X-Mode

X-Mode controls the engine, transmission, all-wheel-drive torque split and braking system when road conditions are challenging and there is a need to capitalize on the grip. It uses your vehicle’s CVT transmission to direct power to the wheels that need the most traction. This is useful in every day driving where there is snow, ice, mud, or wet conditions on the road, but it has tremendous value for extreme off-road capability.

Subaru adds dual-function X-Mode

Forester and Outback get even more off-road capability with a new available dual-mode X-Mode, available on Forester Sport, Limited, and Touring, and the Onyx Edition XT. The new dual-function X-Mode has settings for snow, dirt, and mud and adds additional capability when you get into deep snow and mud and steep inclines when you are farther away from civilization.

Extra ground clearance

Subaru Forester, Outback, Crosstrek, and Ascent all come with 8.7 inches of ground clearance. No other automaker offers this kind of ride height, including Audi. You don’t need expensive suspension upgrades, and along with Hill Descent Control, your Subaru can ascend and descend rocky trails with ease.

Your Subaru vehicle is uniquely designed to be much more than a safe urban all-weather commuter when we do get back to normal. You don't pay extra for Subaru’s Symmetrical wheel-drive system, and your Forester, Outback, and Crosstrek come standard with X-Mode and extra ground clearance. Spring is a good time to get outside and put your vehicle to the test.

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Denis Flierl has invested over 30 years in the automotive industry in a variety of roles. All of his reports are archived on our Subaru page. Follow Denis on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Subaru Report. Check back tomorrow for more Subaru news and updates at Torque News!

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Photo credit: Subaru, Audi