- Subaru’s November sales surged, but the Forester and sports models show worrying trends.
- The Crosstrek and Outback continue to drive Subaru’s success, even as other models struggle.
- The electric Solterra crossover shows promise but still has a very long road ahead to success.
The threat of tariffs under a second Trump administration, combined with the looming threat of higher sticker prices, appears to have triggered a sense of urgency in American car buyers. The prospect of paying more down the road has them rushing to dealerships sooner rather than later. For the most part, manufacturers are benefiting from this surge in urgency, with November showing solid sales growth across the board.
Subaru’s Record-Breaking November
This includes Subaru, which posted its best November on record, with sales jumping 8.2% year-over-year to 57,690 vehicles. This marks the brand’s 28th consecutive month of growth. So far, Subaru has delivered 605,854 vehicles in the US, representing a solid 5.5% increase over the same period last year. Not bad for a company that hasn’t always been considered a heavyweight contender.
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Two of Subaru’s three bestsellers—the Crosstrek and Outback—are thriving, with November gains of 13% and 14.5%, respectively. The Crosstrek, in particular, had its best November on record and now leads the charge as Subaru’s top-selling model, with 164,723 units moved in the first 11 months of 2024. That’s a 14.9% increase over 2023.
In contrast, the new-generation Forester isn’t performing as well, posting a 1.6% decline in November with 14,843 units sold. On the other hand, its year-to-date sales still show a healthy 15.7% increase, though that appears to be largely thanks to strong early months fueled by the popularity of its predecessor.
Meanwhile, the Ascent (+7.1%) and Impreza (+13.6%) both saw gains in November, while the soon-to-be-discontinued Legacy took a hit, dropping 12.3% in the same period.
Mixed Signals From the Sports Models
Not everything is smooth sailing in Subaru’s lineup, though. The BRZ and WRX, two models with dedicated followings, have seen a dip in sales, with the BRZ down 23.2% year-to-date and the WRX off 27.9%. That said, both cars posted strong gains in November, with the BRZ up 21.7% and the WRX up 23.2%. Whether this momentum will hold remains to be seen, especially with Subaru’s recent decision to discontinue the entry-level WRX model, which previously started at $32,735 and now begins at a considerably higher $35,750.
Solterra Shows Progress, But No Blockbuster Yet
On a more promising note, the Solterra, Subaru’s electric crossover developed in partnership with Toyota, has been gaining traction. November was its best month yet, with sales rising 13% year-over-year to 1,067 units. Year-to-date, the Solterra has seen a more impressive 42.5% increase, with 11,282 units sold since January.
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While these figures indicate progress, they’re hardly a reason to break out the champagne. After all, the only vehicle in Subaru’s lineup doing worse in sales is the underperforming BRZ. So, while the Solterra shows potential, it still has a long way to go before making any significant impact on Subaru’s sales chart. We’ll need to wait for the December figures to see if it gains traction, but for now, the Solterra is firmly in the middle of the pack among America’s best-selling EVs in 2024—that is, if you exclude Tesla models, which account for nearly half of all EV sales.