Where Subaru Ranks In The New Most American-Made Index

Discover the true American nature of the 2024 Subaru Outback, Crosstrek, Ascent, and Legacy models. Uncover their positions on the prestigious American-made index, a crucial benchmark for American manufacturing.

How American Is Your Subaru?

Every year, Cars.com ranks the most American-made cars. Where do the 2024 Subaru Outback midsize SUV, Ascent 3-Row SUV, and Legacy midsize sedan rank on the updated Cars.com American-Made index? There have been some changes. 

I'm following the 2024 Crosstrek subcompact SUV mark in America as it debuted in the U.S., manufacturing status at Subaru of Indiana Automotive (SIA). Find out more in my report here. 

Subaru's new ranking is a testament to its evolving manufacturing landscape. 

The four models are made in America at Subaru's plant in Indiana, but how American are they? Since 1994, the American Automobile Labeling Act has required automakers to include content information on vehicle labels for cars and trucks produced for U.S. sale. 

Cars says, "Our study ranks 100 vehicles judged through the same five criteria as it's been since the 2020 edition: assembly location, parts content, engine origin, transmission origin, and U.S. manufacturing workforce. More than 400 vehicles of model-year 2024 vintage were analyzed to qualify the 100 vehicles on the list."

There's Been A Change

The big news is that the latest rankings reveal a slight but significant shift for the three Subaru models manufactured in Lafayette, Indiana. They've managed to climb one spot higher in the top 100 models. This is particularly noteworthy for the Crosstrek, which is making its debut on the list this year. 

This is how Subaru's models made in the U.S. plant scored in 2023. 

• Subaru Ascent - 84
• Subaru Outback - 85
• Subaru Legacy - 86

In 2024, The three Subaru model ranking improves one spot.

• Subaru Ascent - 83
• Subaru Outback - 84
• Subaru Legacy - 85

The new 2024 Subaru Crosstrek, made in the U.S. for the first time, gets ranked. 

The next-generation Crosstrek makes the top 100 most American-made models and is #96 overall.

The Subaru Impreza compact hatch is no longer manufactured in the U.S., and the manufacturing shift to Japan was made last year to make room for the hot-selling Subaru Crosstrek with the 2.5-liter Boxer engine. 

The 3-Trim Crosstrek Shift

Let's delve into the manufacturing details of the all-new 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Sport, Wilderness, and Limited trim levels. These models are now made in Lafayette, Indiana. However, its ranking of 96th indicates that a significant portion of its crucial parts are still imported from Japan. 

But that could change.

Crosstrek's numbers could improve next year as U.S. suppliers manufacture more of its parts. We'll find out next year. 

Subaru Indiana Automotive (SIA) makes around 40 percent of Subaru's total global vehicle output. Subaru of America is the Japanese automaker's largest market, selling nearly 75 percent of its vehicles. 

The Outback, Ascent, and Legacy import major parts from Japan. 

The domestic content would be higher, but all four U.S.-made Subaru models import their significant drivetrain parts, engines, and transmissions from Japan.

The Subaru Outback and Legacy all ship 40 percent of their parts from Japan, while the Ascent 3-Row family hauler ships 30 percent of its parts from Japan.

Where's The Forester?

Where does the all-new next-generation 2025 Subaru Forester rank? The new Subaru Forester compact SUV, Impreza compact hatchback, WRX performance car, and BRZ sports coupe are built at the plant in Gunma, Japan, and have zero percent U.S. parts.

It's important to note.

The Subaru Forester will now be manufactured at Subaru of Indiana Automotive right after the last 2025 Subaru Legacy rolls off the assembly line. The Legacy sedan is going away forever. You can read my report here.

Which Automaker Builds the Most U.S. Cars?

Subaru has invested significantly in building more cars in the U.S.. Here are the top ten automakers. Surprisingly, Subaru is #6 on the list above General Motors.

1. Tesla Inc. (Tesla): 100.0%
2. Ford Motor Co. (Ford, Lincoln): 72.4%
3. Stellantis NV (Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, Jeep, Maserati, Ram): 66.8%
4. Honda Motor Co. Ltd. (Acura, Honda): 61.5%
5. Toyota Motor Corp. (Lexus, Toyota): 53.6%
6. Subaru Corp. (Subaru): 48.7%
7. General Motors Co. (Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC): 47.6%
8. Mercedes-Benz AG (Mercedes-Benz, Mercedes-AMG, Mercedes-EQ): 46.3%
9. Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance (Infiniti, Mitsubishi, Nissan): 44.1%
10. BMW AG (BMW, Mini, Rolls-Royce): 39.8%

Here's Something Interesting 

Did you know all Ford Maverick pickups and Bronco Sport vehicles are made in Mexico? The Mustang Mach-E, which comes from a separate Mexican plant, is also made in Mexico.

Also, GM's luxury Cadillac division might be all-American, but its premium Buick brand, one step down, builds the Encore GX and Envista in South Korea. 

Which are the most American-made vehicles? Here are the top ten. 

1. Tesla Model Y
2. Honda Passport
3. Volkswagen ID.4
4. Tesla Model S
5. Honda Odyssey
6. Honda Ridgeline
7. Toyota Camry
8. Jeep Gladiator
9. Tesla Model X
10. Lexus TX

Cars says, "The top 10 shifts considerably thanks largely to Tesla. The Texas-based all-electric automaker locked out the top four in the 2023 index, but its Model S sedan and Model X SUV come in at Nos. 4 and 9 this year, and noticeably absent from the top 10 is a vehicle that once ranked No. 1 outright in 2021: the Model 3 sedan."

Subaru aims to build all four of its top-selling models in America soon. The Outback midsize SUV, Crosstrek Sport, Wilderness, and Limited, Ascent 3-Row SUV, and now the next-generation Forester compact SUV will soon join the American-made family, a promising step towards a more American Subaru fleet. 

How important is it to you that the car you drive has a significant number of American-made parts? Click the red Add New Comment link below to join the conversation.

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: Subaru