The Top 10 Things Every Subaru Customer Needs To Know

You may have owned a Subaru for years, or you may be a new Subaru owner. Regardless, here are my top picks that every Subaru owner should know to start the new year. If you read my Subaru reports regularly, you likely have seen some of these stories but not all. 

Happy New Year everyone. I hope you enjoy the top ten things every Subaru owner should know in 2024. 

1. Subaru Is One Of Only 9 Automakers With 100% Auto Emergency Braking Tech

How safe are Subaru vehicles? You know I cover Subaru safety extensively if you regularly read my reports. A new report from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) reveals Subaru is one of only nine automakers that have fulfilled an auto brake pledge.

What does it mean for customers who buy a new Subaru vehicle?

Subaru equips 100 percent of its vehicles in the U.S. market with automatic emergency braking (AEB). Subaru uses EyeSight safety technology in all its 2024 model-year vehicles.

2. New Subaru Model Reliability Ranked Best To Worst, One Stands Above The Rest

Are Subaru vehicles reliable? According to an updated Consumer Reports ranking (by subscription), one Subaru model is far ahead of the others. I cover Subaru's reliability scores annually, and this year's scores are worth noting for shoppers looking for a 2024 model-year Subaru vehicle. 

Subaru's 2024 models ranked from best to worst, and the reliability score rated from 0 to 100. 

1. 2024 Subaru Crosstrek (99) 
2. 2024-2025 Subaru Forester (82)
3. 2024 Subaru WRX (78)
4. 2024 Subaru BRZ (76)
5. 2024 Subaru Impreza (69)
6. 2024 Subaru Outback (50)
7. 2024 Subaru Ascent (49)
8. 2023 Subaru Solterra (47)
9. 2024 Subaru Legacy (47)

Two Subaru models are predicted to be much more reliable than the average new car: 

• Crosstrek subcompact SUV
• Forester compact SUV 

Three models are predicted to be more reliable than other new cars: 

• WRX performance car 
• BRZ sport coupe
• Impreza compact hatchback 

Four Subaru models are predicted to have about average reliability when compared to other new cars: 

• Outback midsize SUV 
• Ascent 3-Row SUV 
• Subaru Solterra compact electric SUV
• Subaru Legacy midsize sedan 

3. Subaru's New High-Performance Microchip Tech And How It Affects Customers

I covered the Subaru microchip shortages and how they negatively affected its new model production. Subaru is being proactive and will develop new microchip technology for its new electric models and next-generation vehicles. 

Subaru Corporation announced they will be involved with a large consortium of companies producing advanced microchips for their automobiles. Its new automobiles will use advanced microchip semiconductors for autonomous driving technology and multimedia systems.

How it affects Subaru customers

In 2030 Subaru vehicles, customers will see new autonomous vehicle technology. Subaru aims to have zero fatal accidents in its vehicles. Customers will see faster touchscreen functions on its multimedia systems. 

The announcement says ASRA aims to establish in-vehicle chiplet technology by 2028 and to install SoCs in Subaru and the automaker's vehicles from 2030 onward. 

11 New Subaru Vehicles Are In The Pipeline In The Next Four Years @SubaruReport @torquenewsauto#subaru #forester #wrxsti #sti #outback #ascent #solterra #crosstrek #imprezahttps://t.co/se4QPMXQOc
— Denis Flierl (@DenisFlierl) December 27, 2023

4. 11 New Subaru Vehicles Are In The Pipeline In The Next Four Years

Eleven new Subaru vehicles are scheduled to launch in the next four years. Two vehicles will be all-new nameplates that are not in the lineup now. The others are redesigns or refreshes. 

5. Subaru's Two Hardest To Find Models In 2024

I monthly cover the Subaru Corporation (Gunma, Japan) and the Subaru of Indiana Automotive factory production numbers. It gives customers an idea of which models will be in shorter supply and harder to find. Some models will be more plentiful.

As Subaru Corporation announced production for November in Japan and the U.S. factories, two models will remain the hardest to find in 2024. The Forester and Crosstrek will have the tightest supply after the new year.

The Next-Generation 2025 Subaru Outback Announcement And What’s Coming @SubaruReport @torquenewsauto#subaru #outback #subaruoutback #outbackwilderness #outbackhybridhttps://t.co/uDUtsfO2vx
— Denis Flierl (@DenisFlierl) December 19, 2023

6. The Next-Generation 2025 Subaru Outback Announcement And What's Coming

Subaru of America will announce the remodeled 2025 Subaru Outback next, which could be coming soon. The next-generation 2025 Outback will get significant upgrades from the 2024 model year.

7. 6 Easy Tips To Winterize Your Subaru All-Wheel-Drive Vehicle Now

Here are the six best tips to prepare your Subaru all-wheel-drive vehicle for winter. Some of this report comes from Bradley Iger, a contributor to Subaru Drive. 

• Start with an under-the-hood inspection.
• A coolant flush is recommended
• A brake fluid flush is often overlooked
• A cabin air filter change is essential
• See the road with new wiper blades
• The right tires are crucial for severe winter driving

8. Consumer Guide Says Two Subaru Models Are Now Your Best Buy Picks

Which new car models are the best buys of 2024? According to Consumer Guide Automotive's award-winning editorial team, the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek and 2024 Subaru Outback are the best in their category and are your top picks now.

9. Don't Take Consumer Reports' Advice For Your Subaru's Oil

Consumer Reports says you don't need synthetic oil unless you drive in severe environments, but I can't entirely agree. Everyone drives in a harsh environment unless you live in a climate where the temperature is always 70 degrees, and you don't drive in traffic. 

For newer Outback, Forester, Crosstrek, and other new Subaru models, Subaru says, "Synthetic oil, specifically 0W-20, is highly recommended for optimal engine performance and protection."

If you want your Subaru vehicle to last the longest, you should use 0W-20 Synthetic oil. 

10. This Is What Subaru Season Looks Like

If you are a new Subaru vehicle owner, you may not know about the Subie season. What is it? You won't find seasoned Subaru owners sitting on the couch on the weekends this winter. While others are inside trying to stay warm, Subaru all-wheel-drive vehicles play in the snow. It's called Subie season. 

The New Subaru Baja Wilderness You’ll Want To Play In The Snow With This Winter @SubaruReport @torquenewsauto#subaru #subarubaja #baja #subarubajapickup #bajapickuphttps://t.co/RyWKGPwbVr
— Denis Flierl (@DenisFlierl) December 30, 2023

A Subaru is not an ordinary automobile. You are now officially a part of a culture that loves its cars like a family member. Your Subaru will make your commute to work in the snow fun. You'll fall in love with your Subaru more when it snows, and you will become a Subaru fanatic and believer.

Thanks for reading, everyone. I hope you enjoyed the top ten picks that every Subaru owner should know. I look forward to 2024, keeping you informed and bringing you the best Subaru stories. See you tomorrow for my latest Subaru Report.

For additional articles related to new Subaru models, here are a few of my top stories you may enjoy. 

My Must-Read Top Picks

• Subaru’s Best And Worst New Vehicles in 2024
• Head To Head Redesigned 2025 Subaru Forester Vs. All-New 2024 Subaru Crosstrek
• Even If You Don’t Snowboard, Every Subaru Owner Should Attend This Event

Watch 7 Subaru Winter Driving Features And One That's Still Missing On Many Models

I am Denis Flierl, a 12-year Torque News senior writer with 20+ years of Subaru and automotive journalism experience. I enjoy bringing you, the Subaru fans and customers, the most up-to-date Subaru news, reviews, and new model information. You'll find the latest Subaru stories on the Subaru page. Follow me on my The Dirty Subaru website, Dirty Subaru blog, SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.

I’ve got you covered! - I cover all Subaru all the time - It’s called the “Subaru Report.” Check back daily for my expert Subaru analysis!

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photo credit: Subaru USA