When you’re shopping for a car or SUV, it’s easy to become awash in a vast sea of possibilities and feel like you’re drowning (or at least treading water). Even when you’ve narrowed down your choices to the models you’ll find at your favorite Subaru dealer, you’re still looking at a lot of possibilities just for individual models, even without digging into different trim levels and other available options. With so much to choose from, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and simply give up or to lose focus and end up with a vehicle that’s not right for you. But don’t fret because I’m going to take you through the current 2022 and 2023 Subaru lineup, and by the end of this, you should have a good sense of which one (or two) will work for you and meet your needs.
Subaru Impreza
To start with, we’ll take a look at several cars that Subaru offers. While some brands have largely abandoned the sedan market, Subaru understands its importance. The Impreza is a compact sedan that’s perfect if you want a four-door model, but you need something to fit into a modest lifestyle. Its small design is great for navigating busy city streets or finding parking spots pretty much anywhere you go, plus it still has a 152-hp engine that makes it fun to drive.
The 2022 Impreza is available in two different configurations: as a standard sedan or a five-door hatchback. They both have the same engine options and overall performance, but the hatchback gives you a more functional interior layout. The sedan version has a trunk with 12.3 cu.ft. of cargo space, while the hatchback version gives you 20.8 cu.ft. of rear cargo volume that expands to 55.3 cu.ft. when you put the rear seats down.
Subaru Legacy
Next up is the 2022 Subaru Legacy, which is a midsize sedan, so if you want a larger car with more room inside for your passengers to stretch out, then this is a great choice. The Legacy has two different engines available, starting with a 2.5L Boxer-4 engine that delivers 182 hp and 176 lb-ft of torque. If you want more power, then there’s an available 2.4L Turbo Boxer-4 engine that boosts that up to 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque for incredible performance.
With its larger design, the Legacy has more trunk space than the standard Impreza, though not as much as the five-door Impreza model, with 15.1 cu.ft. of space in the back. With an available 11.6-inch infotainment display, the Legacy is also one of the most-well-equipped sedans on the market. This combination of bold performance, sleek design, and innovative technology all come together beautifully to remind me why great cars are still so popular among many drivers.
Subaru WRX
Next, we have the first of two sports cars available from Subaru, giving you a couple of great options if performance is your main priority. The 2022 Subaru WRX is a performance compact sedan, so if you like the design and small size of the Impreza, but want a more exhilarating driving experience, then this is a great choice. It features a 2.4L Turbo Boxer-4 engine that delivers 271 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, which comes paired with a 6-speed manual transmission standard.
You also get Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (AWD) standard on the WRX, which makes it easy to stay in control with excellent traction even in rough road conditions. There’s an available Subaru Performance Transmission with paddle shifters if you prefer some control, but you’re not a fan of manual transmissions. For truly exceptional performance, check out the GT trim, which features Recaro performance design front seats, electronically adjustable dampers, and the Subaru Performance Transmission, all standard.
Subaru BRZ
If you’re looking for more of a conventional sports car, then take a look at the 2022 Subaru BRZ, a sleek two-door model that’s been designed for fans of sporty engineering. It features Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) for a balanced driving experience that feels responsive and incredibly fun. You get a 2.4L Boxer engine in the BRZ, which delivers 228 hp and has an available 6-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters.
The BRZ features a track-tested suspension and Torsen limited-slip differential for a precision driving experience that adapts to the road and gives you a comfortable ride. Standard features on the BRZ include LED headlights and keyless access with Push-Button Start, while available options include LED Steering Responsive headlights, plus 18-inch alloy wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires.
Subaru Crosstrek
Next up, we have the first of our SUV models. The 2022 Subaru Crosstrek is a subcompact SUV, so if you want a small model that’s easy to enjoy, then this is a great fit. You have a few different engines to choose from on the Crosstrek, including a 2.0L Boxer-4 with 152 hp and a 2.5L Boxer-4 engine with 182 hp. There’s even a hybrid engine available that gives you 148 hp along with an estimated 90 MPGe fuel efficiency and up to 480 miles from a full tank.
Inside the Crosstrek, you’ll find a small SUV that’s clearly been designed for daily use, thanks to a surprisingly spacious interior with two rows of seating. You get 20.8 cu.ft. of cargo space in the rear of the Crosstrek and 55.3 cu.ft. of total cargo volume behind its rear seats. Combine that with up to 1,500 lbs of towing capacity, and you have a subcompact SUV with a lot to offer.
Subaru Forester
Our second SUV from Subaru is the 2022 Forester, a compact model that’s perfect if you want something a bit bigger than the Crosstrek without going too large. The Forester features a 2.5L Boxer-4 engine that delivers 182 hp and 176 lb-ft of torque, which gives you plenty of power to enjoy on the road. Like many other Subaru models, the Forester comes with Symmetrical AWD standard on every model, and the base trim gets an estimated 26 MPG in the city and 33 MPG on the highway.
With more than 8 inches of standard ground clearance, the Forester is a great option for a weekend of camping or any other adventure you have in mind. Thanks to its larger size, you get nearly 29 cu.ft. of cargo volume in the rear of the Forester, with 74.2 cu.ft. of total cargo volume available behind the front seats. If you love the great outdoors, then check out the Wilderness trim, which includes a raised suspension for 9.2 inches of clearance, all-terrain tires, and StarTex water-repellent upholstery that’s easy to keep clean.
Subaru Outback
For an even-bigger option, the 2022 Subaru Outback is a midsize SUV with two engines available, starting with a 2.5L Boxer-4 engine that delivers 182 hp. If you want more power, then there’s a 2.4L Turbo Boxer-4 engine available with 260 hp and impressive overall performance. The standard engine gives the Outback up to 2,700 lbs of maximum towing capacity, while the available engine boosts that limit to 3,500 lbs.
This is another great option for heading outside, thanks to 8.7 inches of ground clearance and Subaru’s standard Symmetrical AWD. The Wilderness trim features a raised suspension with 9.5 inches of ground clearance, plus 17-inch wheels wrapped in Yokohama GEOLANDAR all-terrain tires. Combine that with its StarTex water-repellent upholstery and Anodized Copper-finish interior accents, and you have an SUV that’s both stylish and functional.
Subaru Ascent
If you have a large family and need an SUV that can handle anything you throw at it, then the full-size 2023 Ascent is a great choice. This is a three-row model with seating for either seven or eight passengers, depending on the configuration you choose. It’s powered by a 2.4L Turbo Boxer-4 engine with 260 hp and can handle up to 5,000 lbs of towing.
You get nearly 18 cu.ft. of cargo volume behind the rear seats in the Ascent, with 47.5 cu.ft. of space behind the second row and 86.5 cu.ft. of total cargo volume behind the front seats. With its available Touring trim, the Ascent comes with a Harman Kardon premium sound system, a panoramic power moonroof, and second-row captain’s chairs for an incredibly comfortable ride for your passengers.
Subaru Solterra
Finally, we have the 2023 Solterra, which is Subaru’s newest model, and it’s their first entry into the modern electric vehicle market. The Solterra is a compact SUV with an estimated 220 miles of range from a full charge. One of the most impressive aspects of the Solterra is that it continues Subaru’s commitment to AWD and features their Symmetrical AWD system standard, making it the first electric SUV to do so.
This dual-motor system delivers 215 hp and 248 lb-ft of torque, which allows the Solterra to zip along nicely, making it incredibly fun to drive. The Solterra has 8.3 inches of ground clearance, so it’s great for going camping, with short overhangs that make it particularly maneuverable on rough terrain. With up to 30 cu.ft. of cargo space inside and a low load height, the Solterra is easy to pack up with everything you need.
This is one more great option in a lineup that has something for everyone. Now, you just need to choose the one that’s right for you.
