Subaru makes some of the most popular vehicles, including the Outback and Forester. This automaker is also known for its reliable Crosstrek. Regardless, Subaru offers a plethora of vehicles that any adventurer would want to have. 

Each model boasts its own impressive features. Though Subaru vehicles offer many benefits, they have a few minor drawbacks too. But there’s one major issue with the brand, and it’s not exactly what you might think. 

What you can expect with a Subaru vehicle

The Japanese automaker is known for its vehicles with all-wheel drive as standard equipment, so you can go wherever you want with nearly any Subaru model you want. Whether you have a Forester, Outback, Ascent, Legacy, or Impreza, you can drive on various terrains without wishing you had chosen a model with AWD. In fact, the only late-model Subaru without AWD is the rear-wheel-drive BRZ sport coupe, TorqueNews reports.

Subaru also offers a wide variety of vehicles to meet myriad needs, especially its many crossover SUVs. They offer generous cargo space, enough room for families, and enough amenities and features to allow for safe and comfortable trips. 

The automaker’s vehicles are also known for their value because they provide a decent number of features and AWD on even base models. And if you want more luxury, you can opt for one of the higher trims. But expect to spend a bit more money for them. 

What is Subaru’s biggest problem?

The biggest issue with Subaru vehicles isn’t their performance, safety, or even reliability. It’s a matter of access. There just aren’t that many new-Subaru dealerships in the United States. 

Across the nation, you’ll find only about 625 Subaru dealerships, Cars101.com shows. Larger states, such as Florida and California, have the most dealers. But other states have a small fraction sprinkled throughout. 

Comparing those numbers to competitors, you’ll find Toyota has more than double the number of dealerships. According to Toyota‘s website, it has approximately 1,500 dealers in the United States. And Honda has just over 1,000, ScrapeHero reports. 

So what’s the big deal?

You might live in an area where finding a Subaru dealer isn’t a problem. But not everyone is that lucky. Some people have to drive quite a few miles to reach a dealership that sells Subaru vehicles. For instance, one of Florida’s largest cities, Miami, lacks a Subaru dealership. The closest one is nearly 30 miles north in the next county.

And if you have to drive a couple of hundred miles to the nearest dealer, it makes buying a Subaru vehicle more of a hassle than a fun experience. That especially if you want to go home and ponder whether you want to purchase a particular model. 

Another issue the distance poses is when you need to service the vehicle. If the warranty requires you to have an authorized dealership perform maintenance, that means you’ll be driving a long distance a few times a year to get it done. Add more trips if a recall pops up or a problem surfaces that the dealer needs to assess. 

Subarus are great vehicles, but the smaller number of dealerships makes buying one more difficult for some consumers.