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Subaru's best certified pre-owned picks and one that's missing.
Vincentric, a trusted authority in the automotive industry, announced that Subaru has two models, the Subaru Outback midsize SUV and the Subaru Legacy midsize sedan, which are the best in their category. Every year, I cover the Vincentric Best CPO Awards, a prestigious event in the automotive world, giving car shoppers an idea of what certified pre-owned models offer the best value and are the lowest cost to own.
Many customers are looking for a 3-year-old Subaru because of the price of new cars. In this report, you will learn about the best value options, allowing you to make a financially savvy choice.
Vincentric says the Outback and Legacy are the best.
Last year, Subaru earned its third consecutive win for Best CPO Value SUV Brand. This year, Nissan takes it away from Subaru.
Vincentric says, "Noteworthy model-level winners were the Subaru Outback with an impressive eighth victory in a row for Midsize SUV, and the Subaru Legacy, which earned the award for the fifth time."
Subaru walks away with two new awards this year. Three Subaru models scored highest last year: the Outback, Crosstrek, and Legacy.
The Outback is impressive with its eighth victory in a row for the Midsize SUV, the Legacy won the Midsize sedan segment for the fifth time, and the Crosstrek failed to win the Compact SUV segment for the third consecutive year.
Where is the Crosstrek?
The Crosstrek, Subaru of America's best-selling SUV, is missing from this year's list. The Crosstrek failed to win an award this year, but it's still a great option if you are looking for a 3-year-old small SUV. It's arguably the best subcompact SUV in America. Find out more in my report here.
What does it mean for customers?
With the cost of new vehicles rising, the Outback, Crosstrek, or Forester are an excellent choice for customers looking for a 3-year-old Subaru vehicle, especially if you want the best value, low ownership costs, Subaru's excellent Symmetrical all-wheel-drive all-weather technology, and lower fuel costs.
The Outback is Vicentric's pick for the best midsize SUV.
The Outback midsize SUV and Legacy midsize sedan get individual segment awards because they have lower-than-expected ownership costs. To get the Vincentric Best CPO Value in America award, they measured the vehicle's cost of ownership using eight different cost factors: depreciation, fees and taxes, financing, fuel economy, insurance, maintenance, opportunity cost, and repairs.
"The Vincentric Best CPO Value in America Awards are designed to take the guesswork out of shopping for a certified pre-owned vehicle," said Vincentric President David Wurster.
"Many consumers choose the route of a CPO vehicle to save money on the initial purchase price while still having the peace of mind of a manufacturer warranty."
"However, they may not know which models can continue to save them money into the future. Our awards can be used as a guideline to help consumers have confidence that their next vehicle purchase will deliver strong value, low ownership costs, or both."
What does Vincentric say about the Subaru Outback as the best midsize SUV?
Key Contributing factors:
- 9.2 percent below expected ownership costs
- Lowest Cost of Ownership in its Class
- Outperformed 26 Competitor Models
What does Vincentric say about the Subaru Legacy as the best midsize sedan?
Key Contributing factors:
- 6.4 percent below expected ownership costs
- Outperformed 18 Competitor Models
It's important to note that the Subaru Legacy has been discontinued after the 2025 model year. However, this doesn't mean customers should shy away from purchasing a Legacy sedan. Subaru will still have parts and warranty service available for all model years, ensuring continued support for Legacy owners.
How does Vincentric deterime the best picks?
To determine the 2025 Vincentric Best CPO Value in America Award winners, Vincentric conducted a statistical analysis to reveal which vehicles had lower than expected ownership costs given their market segment and price.
They analyzed over 18,000 vehicle configurations using eight cost factors: depreciation, fees and taxes, financing, fuel, insurance, maintenance, opportunity cost, and repairs. The costs were measured after incorporating the specific CPO warranty offered by the manufacturer while also applying the mileage requirements necessary to be authorized as an OEM CPO vehicle.
Each CPO vehicle was evaluated in all 50 states plus Washington DC, assuming each would be driven 15,000 miles annually over five years.
Conclusion:
For its 2025 Best CPO Value in America Awards, Vincentric says the Subaru Outback and Subaru Legacy are your best CPO picks this year. However, the Crosstrek and Forester are also excellent choices.
It’s Your Turn:
Will you be shopping for a certified pre-owned Subaru model or a new 2025 model year? If so, click the red Add New Comment link below and let us know.
I am Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Reporter since 2012. My 30+ year tenure in the automotive industry, initially in a consulting role with every major car brand and later as a freelance journalist test-driving new vehicles, has equipped me with a wealth of knowledge. I specialize in reporting the latest automotive news and providing expert analysis on Subaru, which you'll find here, ensuring that you, as a reader, are always well-informed and up-to-date. Follow me on my X SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.
Photo credit: Denis Flierl via Subaru
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