Chevy vs Subaru Reliability Comparison Guide
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When it comes to reliability, both Chevrolet and Subaru have a good reputation for building reliable cars. Just as the models and features of these car brands differ greatly, their standards for reliability are also different.
Chevy is known for producing reliable sedans, trucks, and SUVs, while Subaru is known for its all-wheel drive vehicles that are built to handle harsh weather conditions. When looking at reliability ratings, it's best to compare similar models from each brand.
Considering the reliability of Chevy and Subaru, Subaru is more reliable than Chevy. Subaru has relatively higher reliability ratings than Chevy, better safety ratings, and also cheaper repair and maintenance costs. Although Chevy beats Subaru in dependability scores, better pricing, and cargo space, the superior reliability of Subaru is unrivaled.
Here's a detailed review, to give you a better understanding of the Chevy vs Subaru Reliability comparison.
Table of Contents
A Detailed Comparison
| Features | Chevy | Subaru |
| Gas Mileage | ||
| Safety | ||
| Design | ||
| Technology | ||
| Durability | ||
| Repair and Maintenance Cost | ||
| Engine and Performance |
Which is Better?
It is very hard to compare the reliability of Chevy and Subaru. Subaru is a very reliable car brand, popular for its impressive traction and ability to handle the worst terrain, due to its All-Wheel-Drive system.
Consumer Reports once recommended the Subaru Impreza as one of the most dependable cars. However, we will need to compare the reliability of Chevy and Subaru from all angles, citing the different features of both car brands.
Chevy vehicles are good vehicles. With the monstrous burst of power and amazing performance, there are a lot of reasons to like them.
In most scenarios, Subaru offers more reliable options than Chevy, although the models in its lineup are not as versatile as Chevys. You get cheaper maintenance costs and fewer chances of repair from Subaru.
According to Repairpal, Subaru has a reliability rating of 3.5/5.0, ranking 14th out of 32 car brands. This is compared to Chevy which only ranks 20th out of 32 car brands with a reliability rating of 3.5/5.0.
Although Chevy beats Subaru on the 2022 JD Power dependability survey, Subaru is the top-rated brand in Consumer Reports 2022 rankings.
With Subaru cars, you'll have a higher sense of safety than with Chevys. Us News and World Report tagged it as one of the Top 10 safest cars in the world. This is evident in the number of safety awards that the brand has compared to Chevy.
The truth is, if you are to call up a mechanic to choose between a Chevy and a Subaru, he will go for Subaru. They are easier to work on, and you can drive them for a long time with only basic maintenance.
Design
Subaru and Chevrolet are two popular car brands that offer a wide range of vehicles. While both brands have a reputation for producing reliable and durable vehicles, there are some key differences in the design of their cars. As expected, both brands adopt different design philosophies.
Subaru is known for its focus on all-wheel drive and rugged, outdoor-oriented vehicles. The brand's signature "boxer" engine, which has horizontally-opposed cylinders, is also a unique feature that sets it apart from other car manufacturers. Subaru vehicles adopt a rugged and durable design, with heavy-duty cladding and high ground clearance.
On the other hand, Chevrolet is known for producing a wide range of vehicles, including cars, trucks, and SUVs.
The brand's design is often focused on providing a comfortable and spacious interior, with many models featuring advanced infotainment systems and driver-assist technologies.
Chevrolet vehicles also tend to have a sporty and sleek design, with smooth lines and a low stance.
With Subaru you'll get tougher vehicles, but with limited varieties. Chevy has more assorted cars in its lineup for you to choose from.
Winner: Both
Engine and Performance
In terms of performance, Subaru vehicles are better off with off-road and all-weather capabilities. Although Chevy has great engines and amazing power, with more focus on offering a smooth and comfortable ride on paved roads.
You'll get powerful V8 engines from Chevy, just as well as its smaller, more fuel-efficient four-cylinder engines.
Chevy has more of a reputation for building cars that are fun to drive, with good handling and responsive steering. But Subaru's all-wheel drive vehicles offer excellent performance in a variety of weather conditions.
The brand's famous boxer engine is a unique design, which features horizontally opposed cylinders that provide a low center of gravity and excellent balance. Subaru cars are built to handle well on rough terrain and snowy conditions.
Durability is also more guaranteed on Subaru than on Chevy.
Winner: Subaru
Safety and Technology
When it comes to safety, both Chevy and Subaru have a good reputation for building safe cars. Chevy cars feature a variety of safety technologies, including lane departure warnings, automatic emergency braking, and rearview cameras.
Subaru cars are also known for their safety features, including the EyeSight driver assist technology and STARLINK Safety and Security, which includes Automatic Collision Notification and SOS Emergency Assistance.
However, Subaru wins the safety category.
Eleven Subaru cars are earning the IIHS Top Safety Pick(+) award. This is compared to Chevy which has only one car. Subaru’s safety ratings cut across small cars, midsize cars, small SUVs, and Midsize SUVs.
The impressive safety ratings of the Subaru brand are because of its heavy investment in passenger protection.
Anti-lock brake system, eyesight driver assist technology, adaptive cruise control, pre-collision braking system, lane keep assist, and Throttle Management, there are a lot of reliable safety features on Subaru.
Infotainment options are great on both brands. On Chevy vehicles, you get the Chevy Infotainment 3 system, the mobile app, navigation Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto Compatibility.
Subaru offers an all-in-one STARLINK Multimedia system, which features a variety of apps, a navigation system, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay compatibility. It's pretty much the same technology on both brands, with different applications.
Winner: Subaru
Gas Mileage
Finally, when it comes to gas mileage, Chevy cars are known for their good fuel economy, just like Subarus. The truth is, the gas mileage of Chevy and Subaru vehicles ultimately depends on the specific models that you are comparing.
Chevy's small cars and trucks are good on gas, and there are lots of Chevy models with hybrid or electric Powertrain options.
Subaru vehicles also have good fuel efficiency, especially on their smaller vehicle models like the Impreza or Crosstrek. Subaru vehicles have higher fuel efficiency than Chevy.
Subaru’s all-wheel-drive system is more fuel efficient than traditional systems, which can help boost overall gas mileage.
For instance: The 2021 Chevy Equinox with a 1.5-liter turbo engine gets an EPA-estimated 31 mpg on the highway and 26 mpg in the city, while the 2021 Subaru Forester with a 2.5-liter engine gets an EPA-estimated 33 mpg on the highway and 26 mpg in the city.
On the other hand, the 2021 Chevy Malibu with a 1.5-liter turbo engine gets an EPA-estimated 36 mpg on the highway and 29 mpg in the city, while the 2021 Subaru Legacy with a 2.5-liter engine gets an EPA-estimated 35 mpg on the highway and 27 mpg in the city.
Subaru Impreza and Chevy Cruze are two amazing cars that are good on gas, but Subaru Impreza gets better gas mileage than Cruze.
In conclusion, while Subaru has better fuel efficiency, it's important to compare specific models to get a better sense of the gas mileage differences between the two brands.
Winner: Subaru
Repair and Maintenance Cost
Subaru has a cheaper repair and maintenance cost than Chevy. According to Repairpal, you'll get an average annual repair cost of $617 on Subaru, compared to Chevy which gets $649.
Chevy vehicles have an average 0.3 chance of visiting the repair shop and a 15% chance of major repairs. Subaru simply gets 0.3 and 13% respectively.
Winner: Subaru
Conclusion
Subaru models like the Outback, Legacy, and Ascent have been consistently good in terms of reliability and build quality. Known for their all-wheel drive, the Subarus have been praised for their versatility and dependability in both on-road and off-road conditions.
On the other hand, Chevy models have had higher problems related to in-car electronics, as well as with body and sunroof leaks.
However, Chevy’s SUVs and Trucks have been on a positive note for dependability and ruggedness. While the Subarus are more reliable than Chevy, the choice is yours to make.
It's just a question of Chevy versus Subaru, which is more reliable but also a question of which specific model is the best fit for your needs and preferences.
