Do Subarus Hold Their Value And Which Models Are Best

When shopping for a small SUV, two-seat sports car, or nimble hatchback, many buyers might think of Subaru, the brand built around exploration and, in Subaru’s own words, love. Oftentimes, these positive associations and brand image lead to people not wanting to give these cars up, meaning the used Subaru market is red-hot with used cars that hold a ton of their original value. From off-road-ready SUVs like the Crosstrek to rear-wheel-drive sports cars like the BRZ, this brand seems to have its entire lineup surviving well in the used car market. But why is this? What about Subaru makes its cars hold so much of their original purchase price, and which models hold up the best over time on the used market? In short, why do Subarus hold their value so well?

What Makes Subarus Hold Their Value So Well?

Dependability, Reliability, And Safety

Subaru, as a brand, carries a couple of main attributes that make it a smash hit in the resale value market. The first is the automaker’s famed all-wheel-drive system. Aside from the BRZ, every new Subaru sold today in America comes standard with an all-wheel-drive system, a feature that made Subaru famous in the late ’70s and early ’80s. This is Subaru’s party trick, as it’s one of the only automakers in the US to offer such a feature. This means that its cars are often more capable than their competitors, even in their base form. That off-road prowess continues down the line as its more serious off-road trims, known as the Wilderness models, are lifted, tuned versions of their normal cars meant to tackle any type of terrain thrown at them. This means that any Subaru you pick up is all-weather dependable, leading to higher prices, especially as more manufacturers hop on the trend of releasing more off-road-focused SUVs and SUV trims, like Honda’s HPD line and Toyota’s TRD Pro nameplate, to help capitalize on the success of Subaru’s technology.

Subaru

Another main pillar of Subaru’s success in the US is its dependability and safety. Subaru has long touted having one of the safest model lineups in the US, with its cars regularly winning IIHS top safety picks year after year. This gives peace of mind to drivers who know that if they were ever to get into an accident, they should come out the other side in good condition. This is further highlighted by brand commercials, which often feature testimonials from those who survived car crashes in Subarus. Like safety, the legendary dependability that Subaru carries is another strong factor in its cars’ second-hand success. Subaru models are exceedingly reliable, save for some boxer engine issues, and used models can often be found with a quarter million miles on them if treated right. These factors, balled together, mean that Subaru’s resale value is often one of the highest of brands around, competing with the likes of Toyota and Honda for slow depreciation rates and a high return on investment when considering how well Subarus hold their value.

Which Subarus Hold Their Value The Best?

2025 Crosstrek

Subaru

The Crosstrek has one of the lowest depreciation rates in America, and it’s easy to see why. This sub-$30k crossover comes standard with all-wheel drive, as do most Subaru models, while still getting almost 30 mpg combined, and having a five-star safety rating – the holy trifecta for a compact crossover. With a starting price of $26,560, it is also one of the cheapest compact crossovers you can buy with all-wheel drive, and only one of a few with all-wheel drive as standard. KBB states that after just three years, a Crosstrek will only lose 21% of its value, putting it at the top of its class for second-hand value, above cars like the Toyota Corolla Cross and Honda HR-V.

In fact, the Crosstrek has one of the best resale values of any SUV on the market today, while looking at the five-year mark, it still retains 51.1% of its value over five years, one of only three SUVs to do so. Wilderness trims tend to lose slightly less of their value due to a lower number of Crosstreks being that trim. If you’re looking for a used Crosstrek, we recommend finding one with the 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, which has an extra boost of power. If not, expect a 0-60 time of roughly 10 seconds.

2025 Outback

Subaru

The Outback is arguably one of Subaru’s most famous nameplates, and the market agrees. Over three million Outbacks have been sold in the US, and because of that, they’re a popular choice on the used market. The Outback loses 35% of its resale value over three years, a number that, while steep, does flatten out after year three, meaning you’re unlikely to lose more than half the Outback’s original value after five years. As an off-road wagon, the Outback is a much cheaper choice than other models from more premium brands, like the Audi A4 Allroad or Volvo V60 Cross Country.

That low entry price, combined with a lower load floor and larger rear space than some crossovers, means the Outback is a prime choice for those who need off-road power, without a fully-SUV offering, despite the Outback being a lifted wagon. The Outback is also expected to increase in value on the used market over the coming years, as the newest Outback, released for 2026, abandons most of its wagon style in exchange for a new SUV look and feel, leading some buyers to potentially search for pre-owned options.

2025 BRZ

Subaru

The BRZ is a slightly different model compared to the others on our list. Instead of being a five-door crossover, the BRZ is a two-door, two-seat, manual sports car. Now, while this means that it certainly isn’t a six-figure seller, the increased rarity of these types of cars means the BRZ has carved out quite a niche for itself on the used market. According to CarEdge, a Subaru BRZ will lose just 39% of its original value over five years, a number that, while on par with rivals like the Toyota GR86 and Mazda Miata, is still a very low number when looking at the used market as a whole, along with being similar to the WRX depreciation rate.

Typically, sports cars tend to see higher depreciation rates due to their relative exclusivity being lost after the first owner purchases the car, but the large and dedicated fanbase that the BRZ has makes sure that there will always be a market for these entry-level sports cars. These cars are hot sellers, and as we stated earlier, the decline in manual car sales year after year means that these cars are getting more valuable second-hand due to their inexpensive buy-in price, endless tunability, and that legendary Subaru reliability we’ve discussed earlier.

Which Subaru Holds Its Value The Worst?

2025 Subaru Solterra

Subaru

Subaru’s first EV has proven to be quite a tough sell. With a high MSRP of $38,540 and a low range of just 224 miles, the Solterra is not only a slow seller, but also an even slower seller when used. According to KBB, it is the worst Subaru for value retention, with over 60% of its original value lost in the first three years, meaning a three-year-old Solterra is worth just $18,000. This is also on par with the Toyota Bz4x, the Solterra’s sister car that shares the same battery and range, albeit without the option of FWD, like most Subarus.

On the bright side, this means that if you’re looking for a cheap, reasonably new EV, a used Solterra might not be a bad idea. However, these high depreciation rates mean that you’re only bound to lose more money the longer you own one of these second-hand Subies. Thankfully, Subaru has revealed the 2026 Solterra, which promises both a better range and a more competitive price. This means that the Solterra may become a smarter EV buy in the future, with slower depreciation rates, but only time will tell.

Sources: Subaru, EPA, IIHS, KBB, CarEdge