Subaru's Lowest 5-Year Cost-To-Own Vehicles And The One Surprise Model

How expensive are Subaru vehicles to maintain? Kelley Blue Book (KBB) compiled the lowest 5-year cost-to-own expenses in their respective categories. Subaru now has two new models that score best in their class (last year, they had four), and one may be a surprise.

Vehicles are model year 2023 unless marked with an asterisk, which indicates 2022 models. Here's how the cars fare with out-of-pocket repair costs. KBB says the 2023 Subaru Outback is the best midsize SUV, and the 2023 Subaru BRZ is the top sports car.

The BRZ is a surprise because, typically, sports cars are expensive to maintain. However, the BRZ is the fourth least costly Subaru model to maintain. (See the complete Subaru rankings below.)

The 2023 Subaru Crosstrek, 2023 Forester, 2023 Ascent, 2023 Legacy, and 2023 WRX all scored one of the top three lowest 5-year cost-to-own in their class.

What does it mean for SUV shoppers?

KBB adds up all costs associated with a vehicle for five years to generate the winners. Costs such as fuel, maintenance, repairs, financing, insurance, and one of the most significant factors of all, depreciation, are all factors that affect a vehicle's total ownership costs.

KBB says customers now spend an average of $548.32 fixing their cars, according to data from Kelley Blue Book's parent company Cox Automotive, which maintains a database of auto repair and replacement costs.

The automobiles listed below have the lowest 5-year cost-to-own expenses in their respective categories. Vehicles are model year 2023 unless marked with an asterisk, which indicates 2022 models. Here's how the cars fare with out-of-pocket repair costs.

Sporty Compact Car

Mini Hardtop 2 Door: $1,426
Honda Civic*: $1,667
Subaru WRX: $2,132

Midsize SUV/Crossover

Subaru Outback: $1,768
Subaru Ascent: $1,882
Ford Bronco: $2,057

Midsize Car

Honda Accord: $1,667
Toyota Camry Hybrid: $1,726
Subaru Legacy: $1,758

Sports Car

Subaru BRZ: $1,804
Ford Mustang: $1,872
Chevrolet Camaro: $1,872

Compact SUV/Crossover

Kia Sportage Hybrid: $725
Hyundai Tucson Plug-in Hybrid*: $676
Subaru Forester: $1,784

Subcompact SUV/Crossover

Hyundai Venue: $680
Subaru Crosstrek: $1,807
Nissan Kicks: $1,786

Subaru's 2023 model ranking from least to most 5-year cost-to-own.

Subaru Legacy: $1,758
Subaru Outback: $1,768
Subaru Forester: $1,784
Subaru BRZ: $1,804
Subaru Crosstrek: $1,807
Subaru Ascent: $1,882
Subaru WRX: $2,132

The only Subaru model missing from KBB's top three model ranking is the 2023 Subaru Impreza compact car.

In KBB's lowest 5-year cost-to-own rankings, the 2022 Subaru Outback wins the Midsize SUV/Crossover SUV segment, and the 2023 BRZ scores the best Sports Car. They are ranked the best in their category for fuel mileage, maintenance and repair costs, financing, insurance, and one of the most significant factors; depreciation.

The 2023 Subaru Crosstrek subcompact SUV, 2023 Forester compact SUV, 2023 Ascent Midsize SUV/Crossover, WRX sporty compact car, and Legacy Midsize car score among the top three models.

You Might Also Like: Find Out Subaru’s 1-10 Year Repair Costs According To New Consumer Reports Data

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: main image Schumacher Subaru