Not Honda or Toyota This Automaker Earned the Highest Road-Test Scores
Honda and Toyota usually dominate quality conversations, but recent road-test results tell a different story. One unexpected car brand outperformed the usual leaders, earning the highest scores for driving performance, comfort, and real-world usability.
Subaru Forester
Okay, so the Subaru Forester, man, this thing’s like the reliable buddy you never knew you needed, you know? Full-time AWD that just grips everything, whether it’s snow or mud or whatever, and Consumer Reports loves it for road tests ’cause it handles like a dream without feeling truckish. Spacious inside, good tech now with the eye-sight safety stuff, um, honestly not the flashiest but it’ll outlast your ex’s drama. Starts around $30k new, which feels fair for all that peace of mind. Kinda changes my mind, though, maybe it’s boring on purpose?
Subaru Outback
The Outback, dude, it’s like Forester’s taller weirder cousin, perfect for overlanding fantasies without going full Jeep. That boxer engine hums smooth, AWD is standard, and road tests say it’s comfy for miles, super quiet even at highway speeds. Roof rails for bikes or kayaks, leather options, you know, it’s the car for road trips where you forget it’s working hard. Around $28k to start, not gonna lie, best value if you hate breakdowns. Why’d I ever doubt Subarus?
Subaru Crosstrek
Alright, Crosstrek, small but mighty, like the adventure hatchback nobody asked for but now can’t live without. Ground clearance for light trails, AWD that punches above its weight, and CR gives it top scores for how it corners without drama. Fuel economy’s decent too, like 30 mpg highway, tiny jokes aside it’s not trying to be a Civic. New ones from $25k, honestly, steal for city folks who weekend warrior. Feels right, you know?
Subaru Impreza
Impreza, the sedan or hatch, uh, it’s the everyday hero with rally DNA sneaking in. Symmetrical AWD means no fishtailing in rain, road tests praise the steering feel, precise like a sports car lite. Affordable parts, lasts forever, I mean compare to a Corolla and this one’s got more soul. Base model $23k or so, so yeah, why pay more for less grip? Sometimes I think it’s underrated genius.
Subaru Ascent
Ascent, Subaru’s big three-row SUV, whoa, seats eight easy, towing up to 5k pounds without sweating. CR road scores high ’cause it’s stable, comfy ride, all the safety tech standard now. Leather, nav, moonroof in higher trims, random observation, it’s like a minivan that doesn’t scream soccer mom. Starts at $35k, worth it for families who hate fights over legroom. Changes my mind, Subarus do big right.
Subaru Legacy
Legacy sedan, old-school cool, long hood, smooth boxer-four or six, AWD that eats potholes. Road tests love the balance, quiet cabin, features like adaptive cruise forever. Not sporty flashy but reliable as your coffee mug, you know? Around $26k new, honestly better than Camry for wet roads. Joke is, it’s the sleeper sedan king.
Subaru WRX
WRX, okay now we’re talking fun, turbo flat-four snarling 271 hp, AWD launch control, handles like it’s on rails per CR scores. Recaros, big brakes, eye-sight safety too, um, it’s daily drivable but track weekends? Yes please. Starts $33k, not gonna lie, bang for buck beats most. But wait, too extreme for coffee runs? Nah.
Subaru BRZ
BRZ, the sports coupe collab with Toyota but Subaru soul, rear-drive purity, 228 hp boxer revs forever. Road tests rave balanced chassis, neutral handling, no nanny nonsense. Lightweight, manual option, personal opinion, purest driving joy under $30k. Like, why go Mustang when this grins more? So yeah, grin factor high.
Subaru Solterra
Solterra, their electric crossover, AWD dual motors, 8-inch ground clearance for EV trails. CR digs the smooth power delivery, long range around 220 miles, fast charging. Bidirectional power for camping, quiet as a mouse, starts $45k with incentives maybe less. Honestly, green without suck, changes my mind on EVs.
