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Subaru Says It's Dirty Now, But It Will Clean Up With 2 New Models This Spring

How is Subaru doing after the first two months of 2023? Subaru now has five winners and three losers. And with two new models coming for customers, Subaru could clean up. Check out the report here.

It's been a rough two years for Subaru of America, but things are finally looking up. If Subaru's sales in the first two months are any indication, it could be a good year for Subaru of America. A new CEO starts April 1, 2023, and SOA has things going in the right direction for the new boss, with two new models coming this spring. So look for Subaru to pick up the pace now.

SOA reported another sales increase in February, continuing the upward trend in 2023. Subaru says sales were up 2.1 percent last month, the seventh consecutive month of month-over-month sales increases for the Camden, N.J. automaker.

2024 Subaru Impreza

SOA delivered 45,790 new Subaru vehicles to customers for February 2023 compared with February 2022 (44,866). "We had a strong showing in February and our seventh consecutive monthly increase. Subaru car buyers are looking for the adventurous driving experience our vehicles offer," said Jeff Walters, the new President, and Chief Operation Officer at Subaru of America.

Subaru February winners

Crosstrek

The hot Crosstrek started the year hot, and in February, the subcompact SUV got red hot. As a result, the 2023 Crosstrek was SOA's overall sales leader again. In addition, Crosstrek was the top performer by volume, achieving its best February ever with 14,816 vehicle sales, surpassing its previous record set in February 2022 (14,476).

2023 Subaru Crosstrek
Photo credit: Michael's Subaru

The Crosstrek also had a record month in January to start the year. The hot Crosstrek is up 14.7 percent for the first two months of the year, the most of any Subaru nameplate.

Outback

The newly upgraded 2023 Subaru Outback midsize SUV increased 5.5 percent in February, with 9,108 models sold compared with 8,637 in February 2022. As a result, the Outback drops to third place in the lineup. Outback is up 1.9 percent in the first two months of 2023.

Legacy

The 2023 Subaru Legacy midsize sedan had a surprise jump in sales, up 7.7 percent, with 1,526 models delivered to customers compared with 1,417 in February 2022. However, the Legacy sedan is down 3.9 percent in the first two months of 2023.

WRX

The next-generation 2022 Subaru WRX was up 8,280.7 percent in February, with 2,598 performance models delivered to customers. The WRX had another massive increase over last February 2022 when it only had 31 sales because Subaru Corporation switched to the new model. As a result, the WRX achieved its best February ever and is up 1137.6 percent in 2023.

BRZ

The next-generation 2022 BRZ sports coupe had 368 sales in February, up 5.4 percent from February 2022, when SOA delivered 349 models to customers. BRZ is up 2.9 percent in the first two months.

Solterra

The all-new 2023 Subaru Solterra EV, in its third month of sales, had 347 compact SUV sales in February. The Solterra is a winner, and SOA has already sold its U.S. allotment of the automaker's first new electric model.

February Losers

Forester

In February, the 2023 Subaru Forester compact SUV finished second in SOA's lineup. However, Forester continued its slide and dropped 10.9 percent, with 10,030 models sold compared with 11,255 in February 2022. Forester drops 18.7 percent in the first two months.

Ascent

The refreshed 2023 Subaru Ascent is the fourth best-selling SUV in the lineup, with 4,406 3-Row SUVs delivered to customers in February. However, the Ascent was down 15.0 percent compared with the 5,181 models sold in January 2022. The Ascent is down 15.6 percent in the first two months.

Impreza

The 2023 Subaru Impreza compact sedan and hatchback continue their slide before the next-generation hatchback arrives this spring. SOA delivered 2,591 compact models to customers in February, down 26.4 percent compared with 3,520 sales in February 2022.

Subaru of America positions itself to take advantage of the return to normalcy as inventory improves. Subaru has a new CEO and COO and two all-new next-generation models coming this spring: the 2024 Impreza hatchback and the 2024 Crosstrek subcompact SUV. After two bad years, it's shaping up to be a good year for Subaru of America. Look for Subaru to pick up the pace now.

You Might Also Like: Subaru Is Counting On 2 New Models For Success This Year - They Are Not EVs

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 USA

Comments

Don (not verified)    March 18, 2023 - 4:44PM

Are we sure Subaru didn’t hire old Toyota Prius designers that got axed before the latest (finally good looking) Prius was released? All the bulbous chunks of car bits sticking out are classic Toyota, across all their vehicles. Gaudy.

Andrew (not verified)    March 19, 2023 - 3:27PM

In reply to by Don (not verified)

my first Toyota was a 1992 Camry, which was an all new design.
The recent designs are outrageous and not anywhere close to the great body style of my 1992.
I've passed. by some of the newer designs and wonder if they were wrecked because as you said they have bulbous chunks sticking out.

Lubacca (not verified)    March 19, 2023 - 8:56AM

Just give me a refreshed Baja with the 6MT with hill-holder, a hydrogen burning engine, heated and cooled premium cloth seats, and a full size spare please, in case of offroading.. if it's one thing I really despise, it's the tire repair goo. This has to stop..
I LOVE my 2019 crosstrek, but I would absolutely disown it, in order to get my hands on the latest Baja. Oh, and please sell it in Canada.
Thanks for your consideration.

Bruce Ruble (not verified)    March 19, 2023 - 1:35PM

What about PICK UP TRUCKS !
Put the SQUEEZE ON THE BIG 3 and TOY Boy pickup Trucks !
Not ELECTRIC EITHER !
Mabey like a CHO CHO TRAIN ?
Modified but Better than HYBRED ?
Come on Man !
Trump 2024 !

Steven Peterson (not verified)    March 19, 2023 - 6:33PM

New Impreza hatchback and new Crosstrek. Those aren't new models, that is an added trim option and a redesigned existing model. The US market is ripe for mini trucks and Subaru is letting Toyota's influence prevent them from taking a stake in that market share. The Baja and Brat would be excellent nameplates for a return in 2024, but I don't see that happening as Toyota won't want them cutting into their Tacoma market share.

Roger (not verified)    March 19, 2023 - 9:28PM

Subaru please bring back the Baja pickup this year or soon. Its time to have the Subie pickup back on the lineup.

NMK (not verified)    March 19, 2023 - 10:08PM

2024 impreza RS was enough to make me a buyer. I placed my order 3 weeks ago. The 2.5 should be just right on that small hatchback.

Traveler (not verified)    March 20, 2023 - 5:26PM

Why do you say things like "10,030 models sold?" Subaru dells cars, not models. It's got only a handful of models, not tens of thousands.