Known for making AWD standard in almost every one of its vehicles, Subaru is also a top pick for safety, scoring well on crash tests and evaluations year after year. If you keep it well-maintained, you could get between 150,000 and 200,000 miles out of your Subaru before you have to tackle any major issues.

Subarus have great handling, excellent resale value, and a reputation for reliability, which you can preserve if you drive wisely and service the car appropriately.

Here to show you what kind of longevity you can expect from your Subaru is

Jerry

, the

car insurance

comparison

super app

. We’ve put together a guide to the brand's reliability, lifespan, and maintenance expectations. Plus, read until the end to find out how to save money on your

Subaru car insurance costs

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How many miles can a Subaru last?

Subarus can last from around 150,000 to 200,000 miles.

Please keep in mind, though, that each vehicle is different. The standard of maintenance, driving history, crash history, and ownership history can all impact its lifespan. But if you keep up with its regular maintenance schedule and address any mechanical issues promptly, you should be able to drive your Subaru for a long time without any big, expensive problems.

MORE:

Basic car maintenance schedule

How many years do Subarus last?

The expected lifespan for a Subaru is between 10 and 15 years depending on how many miles you put on it a year and what your driving habits are.

Driving 15,000 miles a year means you’d reach 150,000 miles in 10 years. That said, different driving styles can mean more or less

wear and tear

over the years. If you punch the gas a lot and rely heavily on your brakes to slow down instead of coasting when you can, you’ll see diminished performance sooner than someone who drives more conservatively.

MORE:

Common Subaru transmission problems

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How reliable is a Subaru?

Like any other car, the Subaru’s reliability depends largely on how well it's cared for and whether the maintenance schedule is kept up. Presuming your Subaru is well-maintained and well-loved, it should be a very reliable car for many years. In 2022 alone, Subaru received awards for quality, dependability, and performance from J.D. Power.

Most reliable: 2020 Subaru Forrester

J.D. Power rated the 2020 Subaru Forrester with 82/100 from its verified consumer rating index. It ranked in 4th place for compact SUVs, following stiff and high-end competition from the

BMW X4

, the

Lexus NX

, and the

Porsche Macan

The 2020 Subaru Forrester also earned accolades from Consumer Reports, which gave it a 5/5 for reliability and customer satisfaction.

Least reliable: 2012 Subaru Impreza

2012 was just not a good year for the Subaru Impreza—it was abysmal. The 2012 Impreza was plagued with mechanical problems which were sometimes quite dangerous. Drivers reported unexpected acceleration, causing the car to lunge forward in a sudden and unexpected burst of speed, sometimes even while they were idling and pressing the brake.

Others reported sudden stalling at highway speeds. Both issues created tremendous road hazards and are to blame for more than one accident.

Are Subarus expensive to maintain?

Current data from

AAA

shows that the average annual maintenance cost for a car, across makes and models, is $792. The total average maintenance and repair cost for a Subaru comes in much lower at just $607 per year.

Remember—those figures are just averages, and the cost to repair and maintain an individual vehicle could vary quite a bit from that range.

Brakes

The Subaru’s

brake pads can usually last from 30,000 to 70,000 miles

depending on your driving habits. If you’re in a lot of stop-and-go traffic, or you tend to punch the brake pretty hard, your brake pads will probably wear down sooner than someone who cruises the highway and coasts before a stop.

Tires

Expect your Subaru’s tires to last 30,000 to 60,000 miles, meaning you’ll need replacement every four to six years. That is if you keep your tires properly inflated and get your usual rotations, which will ensure that the tires wear evenly.

MORE:

How to check and add air to car tires

Transmission

The impressive Subaru transmission can last from 200,000 to 300,000 miles, meaning it could very well outlast other major mechanical functions of the car. To keep your transmission going, make sure to warm your car up a little before driving off, use the right gear when you’re driving a manual, and don’t switch gears while the car is moving if you’re in an automatic. Also, be sure to check and

change your transmission fluid

as needed.

MORE:

A complete guide to Subaru safety ratings

How to prolong the lifespan of your Subaru

If you want to keep your Subaru safely on the road as long as possible, then you need to make sure that you drive safely and keep up with the car’s maintenance needs. That includes everything from tire rotations, to oil changes, to periodic washing and cleaning.

Here’s some information on how to keep your Subaru running:

Follow your maintenance schedule: Your Subaru owner’s manual should outline a complete and thorough schedule to follow for car maintenance and services. Sticking to this schedule will preserve your Subaru’s resale value and keep it running smoothly.

Buy quality parts and fluids: Value brands might save you a few dollars upfront, but using cheap and poorly made parts can cost more in the long run. Go with a reputable brand that you can trust when buying replacement parts, transmission fluid, coolant, and engine oil.

Tune in to your car: An obvious sign that something is wrong is when your

Check Engine Light

is illuminated. But if you pay close attention to your car, you should know how it typically sounds and feels when you drive. A deviation from the norm could mean your car needs checking out.

Keep it clean: Not only will your car look and feel better if you keep it clean, but it could run better and last longer, too. Grime and grit in your car’s crevices can exacerbate mechanical issues and wear and tear.

Key Takeaway Staying on top of your Subaru’s maintenance and repair needs is the best way to keep it running for a long time.

Saving on car insurance on your Subaru

Besides keeping up with maintenance and repairs, you also need to take good care of your Subaru by getting the right insurance coverage. That’s easy to do—and you can save money on it—if you use the

Jerry

app.

Jerry helps its users find

cheap car insurance

, and they handle all the legwork and paperwork that goes into it. You just need to open the app, answer a few basic questions, and look over the list of competitive car insurance quotes that Jerry retrieves for you.

Once you find the policy you like, Jerry makes switching over easy. They’ll even help you cancel your old insurance!