Where Subaru Ranks Now With All Car Brand’s Dealer Fees - They Keep Rising

Are Subaru's destination and delivery fees (dealer fees) reasonable compared with other automakers? An updated study from Consumer Reports (by subscription) reveals Subaru is among nine car brands with the least expensive dealer fees. 

What are dealer fees, and do you have to pay them?

Dealer fees are non-negotiable and are added to every new Subaru vehicle sold. CR says, "Manufacturers describe destination charges as covering the cost for transporting the vehicle, averaged across all corners of the country."

photo credit: Competition Subaru

However, a 2021 investigation by Consumer Reports found that these charges often far exceed the actual cost of transporting a vehicle. Consumer Reports says the fees are not included in advertising and frequently take buyers by surprise.

How do Subaru's dealer fees compare with those of all other automakers?

Here are nine of the least expensive automaker dealer fees.

1. Mini $995 - All cars and SUVs
2. BMW $995 - All cars and SUVs
3. Audi $1,095 - Cars only
4. Buick $1,095 - Envista
5. Chevrolet $1,095 - Malibu, Trax
6. Honda $1,095 - Accord, Civic
7. Toyota $1,095 - Cars only
8. Nissan $1,115 - Altima, Sentra, Versa
9. Subaru $1,120 - BRZ, Impreza, Legacy, WRX

photo credit: Tucson Subaru

The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek, Forester, Outback, Ascent, and Solterra all have destination and delivery fees of $1,345.

Which automakers have the most expensive dealer fees?

1. Ford $2,095 - F-150 Lightning
2. Jeep $2,000 - Grand Wagoneer, Wagoneer
3. Cadillac $1,995 - Escalade
4. Chevrolet $1,995 - Silverado 1500; Suburban; Tahoe
5. Ford $1,995 - Bronco, Expedition, F-150, F-250, F-350
6. GMC $1,995 - Sierra 1500, 2500HD, 3500HD, Yukon, Yukon XL
7. Lincoln $1,995 - Navigator
8. Ram $1,995 - 1500, 1500 Classic, 2500HD, 3500HD
9. Toyota $1,850 - Sequoia, Tundra
10. Rivian $1,800 - R1S, R1T

Subaru's dealer costs are still below the average of all car brands.

10 Car Brands With The Best Resale Value, Why Subaru Gets The Top Spot @SubaruReport @torquenewsauto#subaru #forester #outback #subaruforesterhttps://t.co/1le9VJKP37
— Denis Flierl (@DenisFlierl) January 29, 2024

MY TAKE

As you can see, Subaru is not the least expensive for dealer fees, but they are in the lower tier of car brands for the fees. 

Every automaker adds destination charges to a new vehicle's sticker price. The automaker charges them for delivering the car from the factory to the dealership. Unfortunately, destination and delivery fees are non-negotiable. They are added to the final price of every Subaru that you purchase.

photo credit: Tucson Subaru

When I report on any new Subaru model, I always include destination fees in pricing so customers know the actual cost, not the advertised amount.

Subaru Says The 2024 Solterra Has No Price Increase - How They Secretly Sneak One In @SubaruReport @torquenewsauto photo @TucsonSubaru#subaru #solterraev #subarusolterra #solterra2024https://t.co/qRwRi3qwo5
— Denis Flierl (@DenisFlierl) January 26, 2024

Thanks for reading, everyone. I hope you enjoyed the Subaru dealer fee story. See you tomorrow for my latest Subaru Report.

For additional articles related to new Subaru models, here are a few of my top stories you may enjoy. 

My Must-Read Top Picks

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Watch my previous report: Don't Take Consumer Reports' Advice for Best Subaru Oil Recommendation

I am Denis Flierl, a 12-year Torque News senior writer with 20+ years of Subaru and automotive journalism experience. I enjoy bringing you, the Subaru fans and customers, the most up-to-date Subaru news, reviews, and new model information. You'll find the latest Subaru stories on the Subaru page. Follow me on my The Dirty Subaru website, Dirty Subaru blog, SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.

I’ve got you covered! - I cover all Subaru all the time - It’s called the “Subaru Report.” Check back daily for my expert Subaru analysis!

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photo credit: main image Competition Subaru