Subaru’s 2 Hot SUVs And A Dark Horse

Subaru has two hot models whose sales volume is not surprising. But one model unexpectedly wins. I’ll explain why in my report.

The Subaru brand is not taking a break before summer. Subaru of America (SOA) now has 22 straight months of yearly month-over-month growth. It’s not a surprise that the Subaru Forester and Crosstrek are the hot all-wheel-drive SUVs for the Camden, N.J. automaker, but there is a dark horse model that wins big. 

SOA is not slowing down, and that’s before the new 2025 Forester arrives. Here’s what happened in May that I expected, and something unexpected. 

Subaru Keeps The Momentum Going

Subaru of America reported 58,356 vehicle sales for May 2024, a 7.0 percent increase compared with May 2023 (54,531). SOA also reported year-to-date sales of 267,215, a 7.3 percent increase compared to 2023.

Jeff Walters, President and Chief Operating Officer of Subaru of America, says, “Subaru’s retailers continued to drive our growth and dedication to customers with our twenty-second consecutive month of sales increases.”

“We’re also proud to have moved up a spot to number 15 in the 2024 Axios Harris Poll 100 Reputation Rankings, which measures the public reputation of top companies in America, building our status as a trusted household name.”

Stay tuned for my report on this new award.

Subaru’s 2 Hot SUVs

The Forester compact SUV was again the hottest model, with 15,345 vehicles sold, a 45 percent increase over May 2023. Crosstrek was the second hottest SUV, with 13,836 vehicles sold, a 32.3 percent increase over the same month in 2023. 

The fifth-generation Forester has been the hottest model this year and continued to have the highest percentage of sales volume increase. And that’s before the all-new sixth-generation 2025 Forester arrived. In my report, which you can read here, the first 2025 models arrived last week and will count in June’s sales. 

The Forester is the overall volume leader for SOA in the first five months, with 81,741 models delivered to customers. Forester is now up 61.4 percent in 2024. 

Crosstrek Wilderness Arrives 

The newly remodeled 2024 Crosstrek subcompact SUV is the other hot all-wheel-drive SUV for SOA. It’s no surprise because of the new rugged Crosstrek Wilderness trim level. Crosstrek is the model most taken off-road by customers, and now outdoor enthusiasts have the Wilderness trim level that’s already set up to get further off the trail. Read my report on Wilderness here.

Crosstrek sales increased by 3.3 percent in the first five months of 2024. Along with Forester and Solterra, It is only the third model to see an increase in sales for the year. 

The 2024 Subaru Outback Is The Top Pick

Even though sales decreased by 3.7 percent in May, the Outback midsize SUV did not disappoint. The Outback was the top seller for SOA, with 16,506 vehicles sold in May compared with 17,146 models delivered in May 2023. 

The Outback (64,850) and Crosstrek (64,368) are neck-and-neck for the second-highest total sales volume for the year. The Outback edged ahead by 482 model sales through the first five months. This will be the race to watch. 

The Dark Horse 

The Subaru Solterra EV was the surprise model and achieved its best month ever, with 1,546 all-electric vehicles sold in May compared with 436 models delivered in May 2023. Solterra beat its previous record (1,456) from last month. 

The Solterra has increased 73.0 percent in the first five months of 2024, with 4,149 EVs sold to U.S. customers. This is the largest percentage increase of any Subaru model this year. 

Subaru Says Move Em’ Out

As I reported last month, the Solterra is being offered with exceptional financing and lease terms now. Subaru of America made a concerted effort and incentivized the Solterra so U.S. retailers could move the 2023 models of its lots to make room for the 2024 Solterra EV. 

It worked. And SOA isn’t done offering 0% APR financing for 72 months. You can get that on the newly upgraded 2024 Solterra through July 1, 2024. Subaru says no down payment is required.

Subaru of America is also offering the 2024 Solterra for a 36-month $329-per-month lease with $0 down and $329 due at lease signing on some trim levels. Note: Make sure you read the fine print. 

Troy Poston, Senior Vice President of Sales, Subaru of America, says “May was another milestone month for Subaru with strong sales and continued recognition of our focus on safety. With numerous models in our lineup receiving notable recommendations as top choices for teen drivers, we’re confident that the Subaru family will continue to grow for generations to come.”

As long as Subaru Corporation can keep delivering new 2025 Forester models to U.S. retailers, SOA should have a hot summer. Stay tuned. 

Don’t Leave Yet, We Want To Hear From You

Do you own a Subaru Forester? Will you trade it in on the remodeled next-gen 2025 Forester? If so, what do you like most about the compact SUV? Click the red Add New Comment link below and let us know.

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: Tucson Subaru