Five Subaru Models Rank High in KBB Cost-to-Own Ratings

June 27th, 2023 by

Kelly Blue Book 5 Year Cost To Own Logo

The most obvious cost of a car is its purchase price. But after that comes the variety of ownership costs. The most obvious of these is fuel cost, and many people do take it into consideration. Other ownership costs can be a little less obvious and sometimes a bit harder to determine. Fortunately, Kelley Blue Book does just that in their annual 5-Year Cost to Own study. And Centennial Subaru is happy to report that Subaru models came out very well, with two cars and three SUVs emerging as winners in their categories.

Study Methodology

KBB looks at governmental, insurance industry, service industry, and historical data to develop estimates of the total vehicle-related costs a new car owner will likely have to cover during their first 5 years of ownership. After the purchase price, the study takes into account:

  • Fuel – Based on 15,000 miles per year
  • Maintenance – Based on the manufacturer’s recommended service schedule and the costs thereof
  • Insurance – The average per model in each state for collision and liability
  • Repairs – Based on a no-deductible extended warranty
  • Financing – Using interest rates at the time of the study
  • State fees – Including sales tax, license, and registration
  • Depreciation (Loss in Value) – The difference between initial price and average worth after five years.

This is based on averages, and your ownership may differ. Your yearly mileage may differ significantly from 15,000 miles per year, or maybe you didn’t finance your car. But all things being equal, this is a good way to compare a model’s ownership costs vs its competitors.

KBB divides the industry’s available models into 26 segments so vehicles are compared against competing models. And this is how Subaru earned 5-Year Cost to Own Awards covering the majority of its model lines. Here are the Subaru award winners:

SUV Winners

Subaru Forester Parked in Front of a Mansion

2023 Subaru Forester

Segment: Compact SUV

5-Year Cost to Own: $37,367

Compared to segment avg: -$3,635

Subaru Outback Driving on a Mountain Road

2023 Subaru Outback

Segment: 2-Row Midsize SUV

5-Year Cost to Own: $41,222

Compared to segment avg: -$8,772

Subaru Ascent Driving on a Rural Road

2023 Subaru Ascent

Segment: 3-Row Midsize SUV

5-Year Cost to Own: $47,833

Compared to segment avg: -$5,087

Car Winners

Subaru Impreza Parked on a City Curb at Night

2023 Subaru Impreza

Segment: Compact Car

5-Year Cost to Own: $31,041

Compared to segment avg: -$1,936

Subaru BRZ Parked in an Empty Lot

2023 Subaru BRZ

Segment: Sports Car

5-Year Cost to Own: $39,908

Compared to segment avg: -$16,519

“We are thrilled to receive the 2023 Kelley Blue Book 5-Year Cost to Own Award for Ascent, BRZ, Forester, Impreza, and Outback from Kelley Blue Book,” said Jeff Walters, President, and Chief Operating Officer, Subaru of America, Inc. “These awards reinforce our commitment to providing customers with vehicles made to the highest standards of safety, reliability, dependability, and value.”

The awards do reinforce just that, and to see what that looks like up close, come to Centennial Subaru and look at its lineup, knowing that the models have been shown to keep paying dividends throughout your time of ownership.