Known for their outdoor vehicles, Subaru is a company that makes long-lasting cars. You’ve probably seen the commercial that shows a father cleaning garbage out of his car and reminiscing on all the memories that he had with the car and his daughter. After he remembers her first day of school, her breaking her ankle during a high school sports game, and her prom, the screen flashes to the present where he’s passing the car down to her.

This is what Subaru is all about – family values and following tradition. Read ahead to find out more about Subaru, how they got started, and the cars that they offer.

How the Company Got Started

Subaru cars are fairly easy to spot on the road, but have you ever spotted one in the air? You might not expect that Subaru started out as a company that madeSubaru Old Car airplanes. In 1917, they opened as the Nakajima Aircraft Company, an aircraft manufacturer. Currently, they make Boeing aircrafts.

After a few decades in this industry, they rebranded in 1953  as Fuji Heavy Industries – an automobile manufacturer. Before expanding to other countries, the company got its start in Japan. They were known for making unique, “fun to drive” cars that the average person never dreamed they could own. In 1958, their first vehicle, the “Subaru 360” was released. This opened the door for many more vehicles like the Forester, Legacy, and Impreza. By the mid 1970s, they had released a truck, station wagon, coupe, and outdoors-type models.

Many companies have bought stake in the overheading company of Subaru, Fuji Heavy Industries. Some examples are Nisaan, General Motors, and Toyota.

The Logo

Subaru Logo HistoryLike their quality of cars, Subaru’s logo has remained vastly unchanged except for color over the past 70 years. The cluster of stars represents the Japanese meaning of the word “Subaru,” which is Pleiades, or the Taurus constellation. Because it is known as a luxury vehicle maker in Japan, the stars also represent the company’s stellar quality vehicle and other products. In 2003, the logo was changed to add the word “Subaru” in all capital letters underneath the traditional star logo. It has not changed since then.

Sales

According to statistics compiled by CarSalesBase, Subaru has sold slightly over 8 million cars in the United States since 2000. Their sales and market sharing both have taken off since around 2010, showing a great increase from previous years. In 2016, they reached their highest peak of sales ever, despite having a massive growth peak in the late 1960s. Since 2016, sales have slightly dropped but have remained high. The company consistently sells more than 500,000 vehicles per year.

Subaru Sales Data

Many Different Models

Subaru has a wide selection of vehicles available for purchase. Here’s a list of the ones currently available:

Model

Avg Asking Price

Picture

Description

Used: $18,990

New: $23,400

The Impreza is available in a sedan (sport) and 5-door hatchback model and has a passenger volume of up to 100.9 cubic feet. It gets 36/28 MPG H/C and features All-Wheel drive.

Used: $16,987

New: $29,945

The Legacy is available in multiple models, including a 260-horsepower turbocharged one. It has up to 105.5 cubic feet of passenger room and gets 35/27 MPG H/C. It features upgraded safety technology, and a BOXER engine.

Used: $21,990

New: $28,295

The Crosstrek is one of Subaru’s most popular vehicles. It is a compact SUV that has a cargo volume of up to 55.3 cubic feet and gets 34/27 MPG H/C. It has symmetrical all-wheel drive, has 8.7 inches of ground clearance, and can travel on outdoor terrain easily.

Used: $18,990

New: $31,920

The Forester is another SUV by Subaru that offers EyeSight Driver Assist Technology, among many other upgraded safety features. It has up to 111.6 cubic feet of passenger volume and can get 33/26 MPG H/C.

Used: $17,590

New: $35,145

The Outback is another fantastic vehicle for the outdoors. With 75.7 cubic feet of cargo volume and all-wheel drive, the ground clearance of up to 9.5, and 33/26 MPG H/C, the Outback stands out among other similar vehicles.

Used: $31,990

New: $37,995

The Ascent is Subaru’s largest vehicle, offering up to 153.5 cubic feet of passenger space. It has a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds, gets 27/21 MPG H/C, and features a standard direct-injection turbocharged BOXER engine.

Used: $20,590

New: $28,777

The BRZ is Subaru’s sport option, offering up to 228 horsepower and 30/21 MPG H/C. It is a 6-speed automatic lightweight vehicle and features sport performance tires, a fold down rear seat.

Used: $12,995

New: $32,095

The WRX is another sporty option from Subaru, offering 27/20 MPG H/C and up to 268 horsepower. It features up to 268 lb-ft torque, symmetrical all-wheel drive, and track-tuned suspension. 

Most Popular Model

Although the statistics for 2021 have not been released for Subaru’s most popular model, chances are that it will be the Forester. For the past several years, the Forester has been the one of the best selling vehicles for the company with last year being it’s all-time high. It set a record for selling 180,179 units in 2020, according to MotorBiscuit. Other models like the Outback, the 2019 top seller, are a hit with customers as well.

Geographic Popularity

Subaru started their popularity in Japan where they originated. With it being the location of their first manufacturing plant, Subaru built three more factories in Japan to handle the demand of people wanting cars in the country. By 1989, the demand in the United States had increased to the point where it was clear a factory was needed there as well. Subaru built their first factory in Lafayette, Indiana then. All Impreza, legacy, Outback, and Ascent vehicles are made for North America in this factory.

Sustainability

As a company that takes pride in making vehicles that are good for those who love the outdoors, Subaru is also committed to being a sustainable company. However, they do not have many hybrid options compared to other car companies. Despite this, they have committed to green manufacturing. This means that the practices they use to make their cars follow sustainability guidelines, producing little to no waste and using technology that promotes environmentally friendly practices. In 2021, they celebrated 10 years of being a “zero landfill manufacturer,” making them the first manufacturing plant in the United States to do so.

Safety

Subaru also takes safety very seriously. Their website features their motto: “There’s safe, then there’s SUBARU safe.” They pride themselves on helping teens become educated on safe driving practices and promoting distraction-free driving. They created Subaru EyeSight to help detect signs of drowsiness in drivers, along with other signs that a driver may not be paying attention. Other safety features that their vehicles feature are:

  • Adaptive Cruise Control
  • Pre-Collision Braking
  • Lane Keep Assist and Sway Warning
  • Pre-Collision Throttle Management
  • Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive
  • Vehicle Dynamics Control
  • Rear Cross Traffic Alert
  • Blind Spot Detection
  • Advanced Protective Systems
  • Starlink Safety and Security, including SOS emergency assist, Automatic Collision Notification, and Enhanced Road Assistance

Throughout their history in car manufacturing, their models have ranked number one on some of the most notable safety ranking platforms like Kelley Blue Book and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Selling a Subaru for Cash?

After learning all about how valuable Subaru cars are, are you looking to sell your old one? If so, let us help you. Zippy Cash for Cars can help you get the best value for your money with our services, leaving you with enough funds to purchase a brand new Subaru with ease. For more information on how to sell your Subaru with us, contact us here.

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