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2020 Subaru Outback, best SUVS, best wagons, best crossovers
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By Denis Flierl Nov 20 2019 - 6:39am

Subaru Created Amazing Success With The New Outback No Automaker Will Ever Duplicate

The Subaru Outback is pulling off an amazing feat. See what Subaru is doing with the new 2020 Outback that no other automaker in America will pull off again.
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2020 Outback XT
Outback cabin
Outback adventure
All-wheel-drive

Subaru has created a nice market with the SUV-alternative Outback and is doing what no other automaker has been able to accomplish. Whether or not the Outback is a wagon or crossover is up to debate, but basically the Subaru Outback is a lifted wagon with a “go-anywhere” attitude, and the Japanese automaker is having unbelievable success with it.

The Outback wagon is the best-selling vehicle in Subaru of America’s stable of all-wheel-drive models and the newly-redesigned 2020 Outback gets better with a new turbocharged engine and more safety and high-tech features for customers. A report from CNBC says wagons have nearly vanished from US roads and what Subaru is doing defies all odds.


2020 Subaru Outback

Global wagon sales account for only 3 percent of all new cars sold, and in the U.S., the segment only represents a very small number of all auto sales. Since 2008, wagon sales have dropped from 3.69 percent in the U.S. and now the segment only represents 1.4 percent of all auto sales. But Subaru dominates the segment and has 1.2 percent of all wagon sales in the U.S. market.

Data from J.D. Power shows the hot-selling Outback makes up an overwhelming 85.7 percent of all wagon sales in the US. All other wagon sales account for just 0.2 percent of all sales.


Subaru Outback defies the odds

Volkswagen Golf SportWagen and Golf Alltrack wagon sales have been so dismal, the German automaker is dropping the two models in the U.S. at the end of 2019, leaving the newly-remodeled 2020 Subaru Outback model change with virtually no competition.

Through the first six months of the year, Volkswagen reported it sold just 5,123 SportWagens and Alltracks combined in the U.S., down 36 percent from the previous year. In contrast, Subaru of America delivered 93,711 Outback models to customers in the first 6 months of 2019, up 3.0 percent from a year ago. Subaru has now delivered 152,036 Outback models to customers through October 2019 making it the top model for the Japanese automaker in America for the fourth year in-a-row.

The SUV-alternative Outback is an amazing success story and defies the odds. While the competition is pulling out of the U.S. market, Subaru of America is gearing up to sell record numbers of the all-new 2020 Subaru Outback model.

You Might Also Like: Subaru Pitches New Outback To Outdoor Enthusiasts, See Who Really Buys It

Denis Flierl has invested nearly 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!

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Comments

ms wrote on November 20, 2019 - 8:11pm
And no other manufacturer would want the following: Several hundred thousand defective engines, frames that have poor welds, electronics that fails, and the thinnest sheet metal bodies in the auto industry.
mike wrote on November 20, 2019 - 11:28pm
you must work for a competitor to make such untrue statements
Lee Taplinger wrote on November 21, 2019 - 8:43am
Well he does have a point. Subaru set a galactic record for blown head gaskets and just when they were hoping they got that under control then their slew of defective piston rings.
Michael wrote on November 20, 2019 - 11:06pm
Definitely can say i wouldn't buy one again. Have had two newer Subaru outbacks. Electronics issues galore, eats oil, doesn't last over 100k miles.
mike wrote on November 21, 2019 - 12:21am
you are an exception, so many Subaru owners are REPEAT customers cause they make great stuff
Eric wrote on November 21, 2019 - 7:28am
Can not say the same. Just tipped over 170k in my 2015, only had to change two wheel bearings in the life of the car (plus oils and brakes) just put in an order for the new 2020, which will be my 4th Subaru
Joel wrote on November 21, 2019 - 12:17pm
I had a '93 legacy turbo it went 220k without engine work,and was still running fine when I sold it.The motor if not the whole car was made in japan
mike wrote on November 20, 2019 - 11:28pm
we are the proud owners of a 2020 limited 2.5 outback it is a magnificent vehicle
Mark wrote on November 21, 2019 - 12:38am
I have had over 50 cars since I got my license. I now have the 2020 Outback Touring Turbo. Fastest , smoothest, very comfortable and quiet It handles like a sports car,I absolutely love it and feel the safest in this car. I traded in my 2017 Ford Raptor for it. I am very happy
D. Trump wrote on November 21, 2019 - 5:06am
We have a 2018 Limited model and love it. Second Subaru in family (3014 Legacy Limited). Love them!
Craig wrote on November 21, 2019 - 12:39am
"But Subaru dominates the segment and has 1.2 percent of all wagon sales in the U.S. market." Please reconsider what you've written here, as, on the face of it, it is absurd.
Lee Taplinger wrote on November 21, 2019 - 8:45am
I know it seems odd, but if 10 station wagons are sold in the US in a year and they're all Outbacks then Subaru sold 100% of all wagons.
John Livernois wrote on November 21, 2019 - 10:55am
That's not what it says. Wagons are 1.2% of the market. Subaru got 1.2% of that 1.4%. And now they have 100% of the Wagon market.
Greg wrote on November 22, 2019 - 11:14pm
THIS. definitely missed a proofreader
Kary wrote on November 21, 2019 - 9:40am
The following language in the article needs to be re-worked, because it makes zero sense. " Since 2008, wagon sales have dropped from 3.69 percent in the U.S. and now the segment only represents 1.4 percent of all auto sales. But Subaru dominates the segment and has 1.2 percent of all wagon sales in the U.S. market. [I think you probably mean 87% of all wagon sales.] Data from J.D. Power shows the hot-selling Outback makes up an overwhelming 85.7 percent of all wagon sales in the US. All other wagon sales account for just 0.2 percent of all sales." [That may be mathematically correct--I haven't checked,but it's comparing apples and oranges--percent of wagon sales to percent of all sales.]
Thomas J Semenoff wrote on November 21, 2019 - 3:24pm
When will Subaru be offering 0% Interest rate on new Outbacks?
Mike wrote on November 21, 2019 - 3:39pm
They do not offer promotions on new models Similar to what most do No need to try and move hot new models Only models with inventory built up
Lee Taplinger wrote on November 23, 2019 - 12:33pm
Especially late summer, early fall with new year models coming in. Combine that with inventory build up and you can get a real bargain. 0% interest or even low interest costs the financing arm thousands of dollars. 5 and 6 year loans used to be unheard of, now with higher car prices they're common. The finance charge over 6 years is quite enormous.
Eumesmo wrote on December 1, 2019 - 11:15pm
I have a 2002, but why don't you mention that their cvt transmition (from Jatco) isn't reliable and probably won't last more than 100.000 miles?