By The Numbers - Subaru's Worst-And-Best-Performing Cars May Surprise You
What Subaru models are the most popular, and which had the worst sales performance in 2020? It was a down year for the Subaru Forester, Outback, Crosstrek, and Ascent SUVs. We would expect the Legacy sedan and Impreza to be the worst-performing models. Sales of sedans and small cars are down in the U.S., and it's no surprise the Impreza dropped 34.3 percent in 2020. The Legacy dropped 22.3 percent.
But the popular Subaru Outback and Ascent SUVs were the next two worst-performing models in Subaru's stable of all-wheel-drive models. The Ascent and Outback were both down double digits in 2020. The Ascent 3-Row family hauler dropped 17.5 percent, and the Outback SUV/crossover was down 15.4 percent in 2020.
The all-new Ascent was competing well in the 3-Row category but saw the third most significant drop in the lineup. In 2019, the Outback was the top-selling model for Subaru of America. In 2020 after a complete remodel, it dropped to the number two spot behind the Forester compact SUV.
What are the best-performing Subaru models?
The Subaru Forester was the best performing model in both sales and percentage from the previous year. Forester only dropped 1.8 percent compared with last year that saw record sales for Subaru of America (SOA).
Photo credit: Competition Subaru
The biggest surprise came from Subaru's sports cars. The Subaru BRZ rear-drive sports coupe saw a drop of just 2.9 percent in 2020. The sport-tuned Subaru WRX and performance-tuned WRX STI were only down 3.0 percent for the year. It is a surprise because it's before both cars get a complete remodel.
Photo credit: Budds Subaru
The Subaru Crosstrek subcompact SUV outperformed the Outback and Ascent in the SUV category. The Crosstrek was down 8.7 percent for the year and the third best-selling model for Subaru of America. The newly-refreshed 2021 Crosstrek arrived last summer and was a hot model for SOA.
By the numbers from worst to best
Subaru Impreza -34.3 percent
Subaru Legacy -22.3 percent
Subaru Ascent -17.5 percent
Subaru Outback -15.4 percent
Subaru Crosstrek -8.7 percent
Subaru WRX and WRX STI -3.0 percent
Subaru BRZ -2.9 percent
Subaru Forester -1.8 percent
The 2021 Subaru Forester, Outback, Crosstrek, and Ascent will bounce back as the automaker recovers in 2021. Check out the four new models coming this year below.
You Might Also Like: 4 New Subaru Models That Debut This Year - 2 Are Planned, 2 Will Be A Surprise
Denis Flierl has invested over 30 years in the automotive industry in a consulting role working with every major car brand. He is an accredited member of the Rocky Mountain Automotive Press. Check out Subaru Report where he covers all of the Japanese automaker's models. More stories can be found on the Torque News Subaru page. Follow Denis on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
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Photo credit: Subaru
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