Dodge vs Subaru: Which Is More Reliable?
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Subaru has risen speedily to contend with some of the most reliable brands in the industry. Recently named the best car brand in 2022 by Consumer Reports, you have every reason to compare the reliability of Subaru and other car brands.
The always-on symmetrical all-wheel drive system, and the Subaru eyesight technology, there are a lot of reasons why people choose the Subaru.
But, Is Subaru more reliable than Dodge? The answer is simple! Yes, Subaru is more reliable than Dodge. The Subaru brand records higher reliability ratings, more safety ratings, and even cheaper repair and maintenance costs.
In terms of engine performance, Dodge engines deliver the most power and speed, but Subaru offers better fuel efficiency.
Here's a detailed comparison of Dodge vs. Subaru reliability to help you make better decisions.
Table of Contents
Dodge vs. Subaru Reliability: A Detailed Comparison
| Features | Dodge | Subaru |
| Design | ||
| Gas Mileage | ||
| Engine and performance | ||
| Safety | ||
| Repair and Maintenance Cost | ||
| Technology | ||
| Durability |
Dodge vs. Subaru Reliability: Which is better?
Dodge has a good thing going on for them. In 2019, Dodge improved their brand principles and production deliveries to the extent that it made it to the Consumer Reports Top 10 reliability study.
However, things have changed, and Subaru is now more of a better option than Dodge, especially in terms of reliability.
According to RepairPal, Dodge has a reliability rating of 3.5/5.0, ranking 19th out of 32 car brands. This is compared to Subaru, which has a reliability rating of 3.5/5.0 but ranks 14th out of 32 car brands.
The 2022 Consumer Reports reliability rating rates Subaru as the seventh most reliable car brand, while Dodge is nowhere near the list.
However, Dodge steps up its game ranking higher than Subaru on the 2022 JD Power Dependability survey. Dodge is the 8th most dependable car brand, while Subaru struggles below the industry average.
You must understand that the reliability of a car brand goes beyond its ratings — features, strengths, and weaknesses help you arrive at a better conclusion.
Amongst the huge differences between Subaru and Dodge, both brands share some similarities. For instance, Both Subaru and Dodge offer a 36-month/36,000-mile basic warranty and a powertrain warranty of 5 years/60,000 miles.
Aside from the warranty coverage, there's nothing similar about both brands. Dodge builds engines that you can rely on for amazing performance, speed, and power, but Subaru does better with gas mileage.
With Subaru, you are getting better safety technology, cheaper repair and maintenance cost, and also a cheaper initial cost of purchase.
Dodge vs. Subaru Reliability: Design
Dodge and Subaru have different things that they stand for when it comes to design. Both brands adopt different design philosophies, and languages, adhering to different principles, making them deliver unique vehicles that are peculiar to their users.
From a sketchy view, it's justifiable to define the Dodge vs. Subaru design differences as American vs. Japanese engineering principles.
As an American brand, Dodge will try to uphold the culture and values of American designs, just as Subaru will do the same.
For Subaru, designs are only a simple way of granting users the peace of mind that they deserve. The brand integrates dynamism and enjoyment, making each vehicle a relentless pursuit of excellence.
Subaru's design philosophy, adapting to a continuously changing environment while standing firm in rooted values, takes into cognizance the need to achieve high levels of safety, dynamic performance, and efficiency. And, to be sincere, Subaru didn't fail in their promise to deliver just as they said they would.
With Subaru, you're getting functional designs, right from the exteriors to the interiors. The interior designs embody the need to achieve the highest expression of quality immersed with bold elements and refined styles. The goal is to create an undeniable, unavoidable identity for Subaru cars.
With the choice of leather, contoured surfaces, signature six-star design, horizontally opposed engines, and a blend of light and shadows, there's this gentle comfort that comes with admiring Subaru cars, an appeal to always get into them.
On the other hand, Dodge cars are known for their bold and aggressive designs, which are meant to attract those who enjoy standing out on the road. However, there isn't much of a well-defined design philosophy, as seen in Subaru.
However, one thing is certain, while Subaru takes pride in its All-wheel-drive vehicles, Dodge lays more emphasis on muscle cars and powerful engines.
The truth is that most Subaru vehicles tend to get more headroom and legroom than Dodge vehicles. While this is a huge advantage for drivers, it wouldn't serve as a pointer for us to elevate Subaru's designs above Dodge's. The build quality of vehicles from both brands is superb. Your choice among them will depend on your choices and needs.
Winner: Both
Dodge vs. Subaru Reliability: Engine and Performance
Dodge's high-performance engines are not a secret in the auto industry. It's hard, almost impossible, to find a brand with engines that can defeat the power delivery and speed of Dodge's engines.
Some Dodge engines deliver up to 797 horsepower. That's enough to race you through zero to sixty miles per hour in just 3.7 seconds. While Subaru cannot beat Dodge's engine performance, the brand balances the equation by providing better gas mileage.
Subaru engines capture the need for reliability, longevity, and fuel efficiency. They are not as fast and powerful as Dodge's. The driving experience might not be as thrilling and challenging as what you'll get from Dodge, but enough to get you, your family, and your friends to and fro your destination safely.
Let's compare a few Dodge vs. Subaru engines.
The 2023 Dodge Charger has multiple engine options; 3.6l V6, 5.7L V8, 6.2, and 6.4 V8 engines. These engines vary in performance ranging from 292 hp to 717 HP. This is way better than the 2022 Subaru WRX's 2.4L engine, which delivers 271 HP.
This is a similar case with the Dodge Charger as against Subaru's legacy. You are also getting up to 717 HP, although the Subaru Legacy steps up to 260 HP.
Winner: Dodge
Dodge vs. Subaru Reliability: Gas Mileage
It's a clear win for Subaru in terms of gas mileage. What the Subaru brand couldn't achieve with engine performance, they made up for it with fuel efficiency. However, there are a few cases where Dodge vehicles deliver better gas mileage than Subaru's.
For instance, with the 2023 Dodge Charger, you are getting a gas mileage of 19/30 MPG. This is slightly better compared to the 2022 Subaru WRX, which delivers 19/26 MPG.
However, aside from these, there are better gas figures on the Subaru than on the Dodge. The 2022 Subaru Legacy returns 27/35 mpg, while the 2023 Dodge Charger returns 19/30 MPG.
Dodge Durango records 19/26 MPG, while Subaru Ascent records 20/26 MPG. Although the Dodge Challenger beats the Subaru WRX with better gas mileage, you'll always get better fuel efficiency on Subaru than on Dodge.
Subaru is a better option if you're concerned about saving money on gas.
Winner: Subaru
Dodge vs. Subaru Reliability: Safety and Technology
Dodge and Subaru are superb options when it comes to the reliability of safety and technology. However, Subaru takes things a step further to beat Dodge at providing better passenger protection and overall safety for users.
There are 11 Subaru vehicles earning the 2022 IIHS Top Safety Pick (+) Award. This is compared to Dodge, which doesn't have a single appearance in the 2022 awards.
The credit for Subaru's superb safety ratings goes to its eyesight technology.
The Subaru eyesight technology, which features a suite of driver assistance systems and advanced safety systems, includes:
- Adaptive cruise control
- Lane keep assist
- Pre-collision braking
- Pre-collision throttle management
And lots more.
It is important to mention that these features can vary depending on the Subaru model that you choose. However, the efficiency and efficacy of the Subaru eyesight technology are so high that all 2022 Subaru test models returned with the highest safety ratings.
For technology, both Subaru and Dodge aren't lacking. You are getting a range of systems that include navigation systems, sound, smartphone integrations, and lots more.
Winner: Subaru
Dodge vs. Subaru Reliability: Repair and Maintenance Costs
It is relatively cheaper to repair and maintain a Subaru than a Dodge. Subaru designs its cars as budget-friendly options that are structured to offer affordable plans to drivers.
According to RepairPal, the annual average repair cost for Subaru is $617, while that of Dodge is $634. It is important to note that the repair cost of both brands is cheaper than the average cost across all brands.
You must also know that with Subaru, you'll have fewer chances of visiting a repair shop or encountering severe damage, unlike with Dodge.
Winner: Subaru
Conclusion
Subaru gets a clear win above Dodge, especially when it comes to reliability. However, you can consider Dodge's models for engine performance.
Your choice between Dodge and Subaru models depends on if you're willing to trade fuel efficiency, safety, and cheaper repair and maintenance costs for engine performance.
It is also important to mention that Subaru cars are cheaper than Dodge, even as used cars.
