Considering a New SUV? 3 Features Set A Subaru Apart From All Other Family Vehicles

When you are checking out a new SUV, most shoppers aren’t crawling under the vehicle to check out its mechanical systems. On the test drive its hard to tell how it will handle in all driving situations, and you have to rely on what the salesperson tells you.

We’ll look at three features the 2020 Forester, Outback, Crosstrek, and Ascent all come standard with that sets them apart from all other SUVs you could buy.

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In our experience with Subaru vehicles over the last 30 years, here is what we've learned. Subaru vehicles stand out in three areas. They offer stability in inclement weather, they will stay on an intended line, and any family member can drive with confidence regardless of skill level. Subaru's core mechanical systems heighten stability, traction, and agility to deliver improved performance.

Weight Balance

It starts with the Boxer engine that sits low in the chassis giving all Subaru vehicles a lower center of gravity. Subaru is the only automaker that uses the Boxer design in every vehicle and they use a horizontally-opposed piston design.

This is important because the Forester, Outback, Crosstrek, and Ascent SUVs sit higher with 8.7-inches of ground clearance offering better off-pavement abilities. The low center of gravity gives the vehicles improved stability in all driving situations over other SUVs.

They offer less body lean in the corners. A Subaru Forester even though it sits higher off the ground, won’t lean as much as other SUVs and gives better stability when taking a sharp corner or if you need to make a quick turn to avoid something in the road.

Less body lean during quick turns

Full-Time all-wheel-drive

Subaru is the only automaker offering full-time all-wheel drive on every SUV and car they make. Even the performance-tuned Subaru WRX and WRX STI models come standard with Subaru’s Symmetrical all-wheel-drive system. The all-weather capability gives you the confidence you’ll make it home safely in whatever weather you might encounter on the road. Subaru SUVs will handle deep snow, ice, dirt, mud, sand, and any loose surface without getting stuck. You don’t have to engage it, because it’s a full-time AWD system automatically there when you need it.

X-Mode

If you do take your Subaru Forester or other model off-pavement, it comes standard with X-Mode. No other family SUV offers an off-road feature like it. We won’t go into detail here and you can read a full explanation of how it can be used to get out of a “sticky” situation.

You Might Also Like: How Subaru’s X-Mode will Get You Out of a Sticky Situation [Video]

Denis Flierl has invested over 30 years in the automotive industry in a variety of roles. All of his reports are archived on our Subaru page. Follow Denis on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Subaru Report. Check back tomorrow for more Subaru news and updates at Torque News!

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Photo credit: Subaru Global