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Time to read 12 min
We all reach seasons throughout our lives when we get that itch to look at new vehicles. Whether it be because our personal situations have changed and new challenges come knocking at the door, or its because our old ride isn't as inspiring or interesting as it was when it first winked at us on the dealer lot or in the advertisement. No matter how or why the bug has bit us, the purpose of buying a vehicle that is new to us generally has a need attached to its overall personality. Today, the Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) market contains the most populated segment of vehicles for the consumer and loaded with all types of styles, sizes, degrees of comfort, luxury, recreational definition, and other options built by every major car manufacturer in the world. Since the first SUVs hit the road back in the early 1980s they have successfully changed the way we think about the everyday vehicle and what we need to function both as commuters, utilitarians, and pursuers of recreation. It's funny to think back about 60 plus years ago and look at the landscape of the consumer automotive marketplace and how the average suburban driver looked at their favorite mode of transportation. If any of us were to travel back, step out of our Time Machine, and begin to explain to the average consumer that in the future a large percentage of people would be driving bigger, rugged, all-wheel-drive vehicles that could not only travel on paved roads and highways, but also conquer dirt, mud, deep snow and other off-road obstacles. As their heads start to tilt and their faces begin to contort, we would continue to explain that these vehicles are also comfortable enough to drive each day to work, bring kids to school, go grocery shopping or even take for a camping weekend or pack up the dog and family for a day at the beach with relative ease.
If we honestly consider the response knowing what the world looked like in the early to mid 60's, we must admit that there would be a lot of laughter, doubt, and questions like, "Why?, "How?, and a simple "What, did you say?"...due to their distance from any of what we see as need in the modern world. To most of us here in the present day, the absence of the SUV would be an insane prospect only because it has become a major thread in our world of convenience and self-reliance to conquer the ever-changing times and technological advances. According to a 249-page report published in 2022 by Market and Markets, "The SUV market is projected to reach 1,221.7 billion US dollars by 2027...", while continuing to explain that, "the growth of the market includes the advanced comfort and automatic safety features, premium SUVs offer, and the benefits like better maneuverability, larger space, and better comfort compared with sedans, are drawing the consumer inclination towards compact SUVs in developing countries." We can all agree that if car makers had the ability to build these vehicles in the 1960s and could show how beneficial, advantageous, and versatile these models would prove to be when compared to the textbook sedan of the day, people would have quickly tilted their heads in the other direction and joyfully anticipated the arrival of this "space-aged" tool of the future. Obviously, whatever our needs are today, the very standard offerings that satisfy specific drivetrain options, off-road functionality, towing ability, spacious and comfortable seating, or price can be achieved by investing in an SUV. But, as a member of our unique community of enthusiasts, which one of Subaru's SUV offerings would serve your needs and enhance your life. Let's try to break it down.
The majority of consumers look at the purchase of any vehicle as both a major investment decision and a very personal commitment. This is due to all the information one must digest to move through the process and finalize the connection between their heart and the important piece of machinery that has come into their life. Consider the variables involved in this decision when investigating the purchase of an SUV. If we were to divide the group by purpose we might see some of the interested take a more practical route due to their overall need versus their wants, where those who have a bit more flexibility and ability may have their hearts connected to more recreational pursuits and dreams of adventure. The current SUV can be all things to all people since the days of rough and ready vehicles designed more for work and/or pleasure have faded away leaving room for a lot in between. As members of the Subaru community, we are well aware of the brand's stable of offerings which all wear badges that can easily shine for a diverse group of consumers, but each carves a clear definition of itself based on its individual strengths and designs. Currently, Subaru offers five SUV models which are sub-categorized to appeal to specific groups that may have one primary need, but a secondary want that the vehicle can satisfy without having to change its lane. First, the Subaru Crosstrek is what the industry has affectionately labeled as the "Compact SUV", a vehicle that has affordability, safety, functionality, durability, and comfort placed on the table for a driver who needs a vehicle to get back and forth to work, be strong enough to help out with a few weekend projects, be both the small family vehicle or dependable rugged companion during what could be a multitude of roadway challenges, and have some fun in its back pocket if some recreation is earned after life hits pause for a moment or two.
Another larger, but more powerful Compact Subaru SUV option from the brand is the Forester, a mix of style and luxury to give any driver performance, space, comfort, and durability while also retaining some capabilities for handling the extremes and being open for long trips and extended recreation without overwhelming the driver with size and awkward handling. The third offering from our favorite car maker is the popular Subaru Outback which steps into the light as a Midsize SUV with more room like its sibling Forester combined with an energy to hit both the highway and the trails with a large portion of spirit under its hood. The Outback opens up a big box of possibilities with an impressive measure of ground clearance and a rugged personality that can deliver both smart performance and excitement for anyone who is looking for more than a daily driver with a powerful stance. The Subaru Ascent is another offering from this brand that has been designed to give the driver who needs room, style, and luxury a strong arm of safety to support the needs of a growing family or an individual who wants additional muscle to step up as a fully functioning large format utility vehicle. The Ascent's lines give the impression of being a thinner, sleeker vehicle when in truth it keeps all its space hidden within between its 3 rows of seats ready to handle up to 8 passengers comfortably with the benefits of X-MODE traction control, Subaru's symmetrical all-wheel drive, EyeSight driver assist, and other technology that makes this the largest and safest utility vehicle in the brand's collection. With the EV momentum not showing any signs of slowing, the Solterra, Subaru's all-wheel drive electric SUV, is another option for those who want many of the options gifted by the other offerings, but without the emissions. Depending on the specific needs of the driver, any one of these cars could serve the faithful enthusiast well and become this owner's long term solution.
Walking into our outline of comparison, we first need to concentrate on the more practical individuals in the community. Depending on the available budget, there are a couple of good options for an individual, couple, or small family that wants a dependable all-wheel drive vehicle that can do all the things a comfortable four door sedan can do, but also be that dependable service vehicle, the after work or after school taxi, or the weekend getaway driver that can make life a little sweeter. In this category, the Subaru Crosstrek, and the Subaru Forester can deliver practicality, safety, and fun to its driver without being a cumbersome beast that is hard to park, difficult to maneuver in traffic and really frustrating to handle in tight space situations. All three can be great daily drivers in all weather conditions in any region. If your daily challenges involve snow, dirt roads, muddy pathways, or seasons of unpredictable inclement weather the Crosstrek and Forester would be great solutions. Both models have a number of trim levels including their Base, Premium, Sport, Limited, and the Wilderness model which can satisfy those enthusiasts who might want to add some adventure onto their practical nature. The Crosstrek Wilderness package gives the driver who needs affordable but durable transportation a great list of fun, sporty, and safety-covered features that will get them over rough roads, dirt, mud, and snow easily. The smaller Crosstrek has the best ground clearance specifications within the collection with a stylish look and feel that could make anyone think they are behind the wheel of a sedan not a fully equipped all-wheel-drive. The larger and more powerful and uniquely stylish Forester can give more space, more performance while being a safe and supportive server of recreational fun throughout the year. Both models are perfect choices for busy daily commuters who need both that comfortable ride and safe functionality whether staying close to home, loading up after a home store visit, or traveling into the wild for the holidays.
Now, if you need comfort for your weekday travels back and forth to the workplace, but find yourself daydreaming of the trails, mountains, and situations when you are not just dealing with extreme conditions caused by nature, but you are purposefully hitting them head on for sport and pleasure, you are the personality type who requires both dependability and performance out of your vehicle. The enthusiast who wants a canvas to build upon which will satisfy his craving for roadway style and off-road performance should look into, again, the Subaru Crosstrek, and the Subaru Outback to get two individual flavors of vehicle type that will provide a wide range of capabilities during the week and deliver a rewarding experience on the weekends whether traveling overland for camping, fishing, or just seeking some challenging trail riding and hillclimbing to put the vehicle through its performance paces. The enthusiast who wants a heightened off-road driving experience and a vehicle that has a lot of modification potential to make sure it delivers on the day dreams would not be disappointed with either the Crosstrek or the Outback. Both vehicles are nice examples of how Subaru gives this faction of the community a great set of choices for off-roading by providing, again, as we have mentioned, their well engineered Dual Mode X-Mode with HDC, Snow/Dirt, and Deep Snow/Mud modes to handle a wide selection of terrain situations that any off-road enthusiast would be happy to confront and conquer. Stepping up to the Wilderness trim on both models will again give the driver that style and sleek look that any true enthusiast craves, but also clicks one notch above to prove it to be a great choice for hitting the less-than civilized pathways with full confidence because of its high safety rating. Subimods has a great selection of upgrades and accessories designed for both the Subaru Crosstrek and Subaru Outback which can prepare the vehicle for these extreme excursions by giving the vehicle a lift, providing the suspension with a robust boost, and arming the exterior with the needed shielding to allow some dramatic exploration without inflicting to much pain on the vehicle's body and undercarriage. Two vehicles with varied potential and a lot of creative possibilities just waiting to come to life.
The enthusiast who is looking for a larger, dependable vehicle that, like the other Subaru models we have mentioned, can take on many important utility responsibilities and tasks without being a recreational provider, does have two more models to pick out of the collection. While providing needed performance, extreme comfort, flavors of style and luxury, and delivering a sense of space, stability, and safety while on the backroads, city streets, or highways of whatever region it travels, both the Subaru Ascent and the Subaru Solterra can serve as two individual solutions that bring the purpose of the SUV to a new level. Again, this larger mid size SUV does not lose any of its Subaru born personality while delivering 3 rows of seating comfort and long trip touring capabilities. The Ascent is a safe, roomy vehicle that was designed to serve families, travelers, and anyone who needs a comfortable all-wheel-drive touring machine with enough room to haul the kids, cousins, and a dog with ease. Also, since a lot of larger touring vehicles fail to deliver good fuel economy, the 260-hp turbocharged Ascent checks this box by providing between 26-28 mpg on the highway, according to recent testing from Car and Driver. If the adventurous enthusiast wants to bring a trailer or camper along on a cross-country family vacation, the Ascent has a towing capacity of 5000 pounds which amplifies its appeal and could make it a great choice for the family who wants to take seasonal vacations and not worry about space or capabilities along the way. Jumping over the fence, we have the last option in this car maker's SUV hopper, the Subaru Solterra, the Electric Vehicle offering which may be completely different from its gas-powered siblings, but the designers behind the board in Japan made sure it had the same comforting and rugged personality as the brand demands. Although this is an electric SUV, it is still equipped with a standard all-wheel drive system which can encounter some challenging environments, extreme weather conditions, and confront some light off-roading demands if needed. The Solterra has a dual-motor powertrain that produces 215 horsepower and a good acceleration for an SUV of its size. This electric vehicle has a driving range of only 227 miles per charge, but could serve as an economical commuter or a spacious transporter on a well-planned electric-fueled road trip vacation. The Solterra was designed with up to 30 cubic feet of cargo space when the rear seat section has been flattened. Both vehicles, born in different worlds, could deliver satisfaction to the most practical of drivers who want travel-ready dependability and to be forever faithful to the Subaru brand.
Take a look at the selection of upgrades we have in the Subimods catalog for the Subaru Crosstrek, the Subaru Forester, the Subaru Outback, and the Subaru Ascent. Scroll through our product rotator below to sample some of the quality products we have available.
As always, the Subimods team works hard to provide aftermarket solutions that raise the Subaru platform of choice above the average to meet and fulfill the dreams of the true enthusiast.
If you want a more exciting, dynamic daily drive, more performance on the track, or memorable adventures in the off-road world, we are here to help. We would be very interested in your thoughts regarding this article and would encourage your feedback and comments regarding Subaru's collection of sport utility vehicles.
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For more information regarding aftermarket parts for your Subaru, please visit our website and explore the section dedicated to your platform. We would be happy to serve you!
Bryon Turcotte - Marketing Writer/Analyst
Turcotte has worked as a writer, journalist, and digital content developer for 30 years. He began his career in music journalism in 1995 then worked for several years as both a staff writer, managing editor, and a freelancer for both regional and national music publications. Over the next three decades his contributions extended beyond the music industry as he served within the realms of higher education, science and technology, manufacturing, and finance. He has been serving as a content developer and writer on the Subimods Marketing team since August 2023.
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