What’s important to you when choosing a car? If you want reliability, safety, and affordability (and let’s be honest, who doesn’t?), you should have a close look at the 2019 Subaru lineup. There, you’ll find a range of vehicles that appeal to a variety of driving needs, but that all share the brand’s commitment to building safe cars that last.
Consider this: according to Subaru, 97 percent of their cars sold within the last ten years are still on the road. That’s a huge draw for people who want a vehicle that lasts. In addition, Kelley Blue Book named Subaru the brand with the lowest five-year ownership costs and the brand has also won awards for residual value and overall value. Because of that, Subarus are popular with budget-conscious buyers.
Subarus are also super safe, especially for people dealing with wintry driving conditions. Nearly all Subaru models come with standard all-wheel drive. In addition, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has named many Subaru models top safety picks for their great collision detection system.
Most Subaru models come standard with a manual transmission and cloth seats. However, there are plenty of trim options available, and it’s easy to upgrade to more luxurious models with automatic transmission, leather seats, moon-roofs and plenty of tech features. That’s especially true since Subarus generally have a low starting price, so you may have room to upgrade.
Has that piqued your interest in buying a Subaru? If so, check out this 2019 Subaru buying guide, with an overview of each of the brands nine vehicles:
For Urban Families – The Subaru Impreza
The Impreza is Subaru’s compact car. It’s available as either a sedan (which has 12.3 cubic feet of cargo space) or as a hatchback (which has 20.8 cubic feet of cargo space). The Impreza comes standard with all-wheel drive, and a 152-horsepower engine that gets 27 mpg combined fuel economy on the 2019 model. The Impreza has lots of space (with 36.5 inches of legroom in the rear), so it’s a good car for families. It was redesigned in 2017 and has had few changes since, so opting for a used Subaru Impreza can help you save big.
For Commuters – The Subaru Legacy
The Legacy is a Subaru’s mid-sized car. It comes with seating for five, and 15 cubic feet of trunk space, more than many competitors. Most models of the Legacy come with a 175-horsepower engine that gets a combined 29 mpg of fuel economy, making it great for people who drive long distances. There is a 256-horsepower V6 available only on the highest of the Legacy’s five trims levels. The Legacy comes with standard all-wheel drive, and the 2019 model has many driver-assist features. Because of that, it was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS. The current generation of the Legacy launched in 2015, but it had a significant refresh in 2018, and added driver-assist features for the 2019 model.
For Weekend Warriors – The Subaru Crosstrek
The Crosstrek is Subaru’s subcompact SUV, which comes with a 152-horsepower engine and standard all-wheel drive. The Crosstrek has seating for five, with 38 inches of leg room in the rear row and 20 cubic feet of cargo space. The 2019 Crosstrek was named a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS. The Crosstrek was redesigned for 2018, adding more legroom and cargo space, so to optimize your cabin it’s best to choose a 2018 or 2019 model.
For Families – The Subaru Forester
The Forester is a compact SUV that stands out for its spacious interior and gas mileage. The Forester was entirely redesigned for 2019. The new generation comes standard with all-wheel drive and a 182-horsepower engine that gets 29 mpg combined fuel economy. It has an impressive 34.4 cubic feet of cargo space. The previous generation also came with standard all-wheel drive, but it had two engine options: a 170-horsepower engine that got 28 mpg combined, or a 250-horsepower turbo-four engine that got 25 mpg combined. In both generations, the Forester comes standard with a touchscreen and Bluetooth.
For The Hippies – The Subaru Outback
The Outback is Subaru’s wagon option. It’s built on the same frame as the Legacy, and has many of the same options, as well as the same engines: a 175-horsepower engine (standard) or a 256-horsepower V6 (available on the highest two trims), both with all-wheel drive. The Outback has 39.5 inches of legroom in the rear seats, and 35.5 cubic feet of cargo space. The Outback can tow up to 2,700 pounds when properly equipped, making it great for people with teardrop trailers or small boats. The 2019 Subaru Outback is a Top Safety Pick+, according to the IIHS. The most recent generation of the Outback launched in 2015, and introduced forward collision braking and other standard safety features. As of 2019, a suite of driver-assist features including lane-departure warning comes standard.
For Large Groups – The Subaru Ascent
The Ascent is the newest offering from Subaru (introduced in 2019) and the only Subaru that has three rows of seating. The Ascent seats 7-8 people, depending on whether you choose bucket seats or a bench in the middle row. The Ascent has 38.6 inches of legroom in the middle row and 31.7 inches in the third row, which means adults may find it uncomfortable. The Ascent comes with standard all-wheel drive and a 260-horsepower turbo-four engine that gets 23 mpg combined fuel economy. The Ascent comes standard with adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist and other safety features, which earned the 2019 model a Top Safety Pick+ recognition.
For The Jock – The BRZ
The Subaru BRZ is the only car in the lineup that doesn’t come with all-wheel drive. Instead, you’ll get a rear-wheel drive coupe, with 205-horsepower four-cylinder engine that gets 24 mpg combined on the 2019 model. The BRZ comes with seating for four, although with only 29.9 inches of legroom in the back seat, the BRZ is better suited to two people. With racing seats, a cockpit-inspired interior, and great performance, the BRZ will give you a sports-car experience without the sports-car price tag.
For The Exec – The Subaru WRX
The Subaru WRX is a performance sedan that is practical enough for everyday driving. With nearly 35 inches of legroom in the back seat, the WRX is comfortable for adult passengers. It comes with all-wheel drive and a turbo-charged four-cylinder engine that produce 268 horsepower and gets 23 mpg combined fuel economy. The performance-orientated STI model has a 310-horsepower engine. The first generation of the WRX debuted in 2015 and is still going, although a 2018 refresh updated the cabin and exterior, so for the most up-to-date look you should opt for that year or later.
Subaru’s lineup spans a wide-range of vehicles, from a sports car to a family wagon to a three-row SUV. That means the manufacturer can offer something for just about everyone.
