Subaru has some pretty good models, especially if you factor in reliability. But, if you’re in the market to buy one of the brand’s vehicles, which one do you buy? Here, we explore which Subaru model is considered the best of the lineup, and which one is the worst, according to TrueCar. 

What is so good about the 2023 Subaru Outback?

TrueCar named the 2023 Outback as the best Subaru model for 2023. As with all Subaru models, you get all-wheel drive as a standard feature.

Powering this vehicle is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 182 hp paired with a CVT. You can upgrade to a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that can generate 260 hp, which gives it more pep than the base model, but it will cost you more. Fuel economy ratings for this model are 26 MPG in the city and 32 MPG when traveling on the highway. 

When it comes to long commutes, you can count on the 2023 Outback to offer a comfortable ride with its cloth upholstery (on the base model), supportive seats, and roomy cabin. Cargo storage is another impressive feature of this Subaru version. You get 33 cubic feet of storage behind the rear seats. 

As for safety features, you get automatic braking, Hill Start Assist, braking assist, and Traction control. Other equipment offered includes an 11.6-inch touchscreen, stability control, and hill descent assist. The price for the Outback starts at around $29,620. 

What did critics not like about the 2023 Subaru Outback?

The 2023 Subaru Outback isn’t without its faults, however. The brand offers nine trim levels with this model, but none is a performance version. It also doesn’t perform well in off-road driving when you select one of the regular trims. If you choose the Wilderness version, you’ll handle rougher terrain better. 

As for looks, some critics aren’t too keen on the traditional wagon-like styling the Outback comes with. This model saw some changes to its front end, such as a larger grille and new front bumper, but it still has the old station wagon design. 

Subaru’s Outback offers an upgraded turbocharged engine, which helps increase power, but it’s an expensive option to add. Getting it would mean upgrading to a higher trim, which could cost you around $6,000. 

The worst-rated Subaru model and why it was listed last

While the Outback was the best on the list, the 2023 Subaru Impreza was the worst. It does have some benefits though.

The base model is affordable at $20,815, and you can upgrade to the Premium 5-door CVT version, which will only cost around $24,715. There are also a few models that have a manual transmission, which is something you don’t get all that often nowadays. 

Why is it last on the list? Well, it’s likely for a few different reasons. First, its fuel efficiency ratings are just mediocre. There are plenty of other models similar to it that offer much better ratings. The Impreza offers 31 MPG combined, which is average, but other similar vehicles are offering more. 

Another reason why it’s considered the worst is the engine. Powering it up is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder that generates 152 hp. TrueCar feels it lags quite a bit when it comes to acceleration. That’s unfortunate since that’s the only one offered for this model. 

Subaru’s models are impressive for the most part. Some, like the Outback, outshines its competition, and others, like the Impreza lags behind. While the Impreza may be the worst of the Subaru lineup for 2023, it still has a few good qualities.