You would think that drivers and families would opt for the most reliable Subaru SUV in the lineup. However, a majority of buyers are picking a different model instead. See which one will last the longest, and which one is the most popular. 

Which model is the most reliable Subaru SUV? 

According to J.D.Power, the most reliable Subaru SUV in the lineup is the 2024 Subaru Forester with a score of 84 out of 100. 

Scores between 70 and 80 are average while scores between 81 and 90 are above average. Anything between 91 and 100 is best. 

It’s the first among the five competitive SUVs available. Then the Subaru Crosstrek is in second place with a score of 83, so it’s not far behind. The three-row Ascent has an 82, and the Outback has an 80. 

The least reliable SUV in the lineup is the Subaru Solterra which only got a 67. Unfortunately, this electric SUV launched with a few issues that needed to be corrected. 

Now, you may expect the Forester to be the most popular model as it’s a convenient size and highly reliable. However, most drivers pick the Subaru Crosstrek instead. 

The Crosstrek sold 159,193 SUVs in 2023 and the Forester only moved 152,566 models. It was only 6,627 units behind. 

So far for 2024, the Crosstrek has 147,775 sales and the Forester has 143,529 sales. There are still a couple of months left in the year for the Forester to catch up, but it’s currently down by 4,246 models. 

While the Crosstrek is rocking a recent redesign, the Forester is kicking off a new generation for 2025. Some folks may be waiting for the 2025 Forester to drop. 

Also, more buyers could be attracted to the Crosstrek because it’s more affordable. It has an MSRP of $25,195 while the 2024 Forester has an MSRP of $27,095. However, both options are bargains with standard AWD and stout reliability scores.