Not all Subarus have all-wheel drive, but most do
Subaru offers all-wheel drive on nearly every model in its lineup, but it is not standard on every trim level or year. The brand has built its reputation around AWD — it appears on sedans, crossovers, wagons, and trucks — but you will find front-wheel-drive options on some entry-level trims of the Impreza and the older Crosstrek. If you are shopping used or looking at a specific model year, checking the window sticker or VIN decoder matters, because the availability of AWD has shifted over time and varies by generation.
The reason this matters: a model name alone does not tell you the drivetrain. Two Subaru Crosstreks from different years can have different drivetrains, and the price difference between front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive on the same model can be several thousand dollars. Confirming the drivetrain before you buy protects you from discovering you bought the wrong version after the sale.
Key Takeaways
- Subaru's Outback, Forester, Crosstrek (2018 and newer), and Ascent come standard with all-wheel drive across all trim levels.
- The Impreza and Crosstrek models from 2017 and earlier offer front-wheel-drive options on base trims, so you must confirm the drivetrain before buying used.
- The BRZ is rear-wheel drive only, and the Solterra electric crossover starts as rear-wheel drive with all-wheel drive as a paid option.
- You can confirm the drivetrain on any Subaru by checking the window sticker, decoding the VIN, or asking a dealer — the model name alone is not enough.
Subaru models that are always all-wheel drive
Outback — the wagon-crossover hybrid — has been all-wheel drive only since the early 2000s. Every trim, every year in the current generation comes with AWD. This is Subaru's flagship all-wheel-drive vehicle, and the brand does not offer a front-wheel-drive version.
Forester — the compact crossover — is all-wheel drive standard across all trims. Subaru discontinued the front-wheel-drive version in 2013, so any Forester from 2013 onward is all-wheel drive. If you find a used Forester from 2012 or earlier, check the VIN to confirm, because those years had front-wheel-drive options.
Crosstrek — the subcompact crossover — shifted to all-wheel drive standard in 2018. Older model years (2013–2017) offered front-wheel drive on base trims. This is a critical distinction for used-car shoppers: a 2017 Crosstrek may be front-wheel drive, but a 2018 Crosstrek is always all-wheel drive.
Ascent — the three-row crossover launched in 2019 — comes with all-wheel drive on every trim level. Since this model is newer, all used Ascents on the market are all-wheel drive.
Subaru models with front-wheel-drive options
Impreza — the compact sedan and hatchback — still offers front-wheel drive on the base trim of new vehicles. Higher trims come standard with all-wheel drive. If you are shopping used, check the specific year and trim, because availability has changed across generations and the base trim has shifted between front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive depending on the model year.
The Impreza is the only current Subaru sedan or crossover where you will encounter a front-wheel-drive option on a new vehicle. All other sedans in the lineup — the Legacy and Outback — are all-wheel drive only. This makes the Impreza the entry point for buyers who want a Subaru but do not need or want to pay for all-wheel drive.
Subaru models that are not all-wheel drive
BRZ — the sports car co-developed with Toyota — is rear-wheel drive only. Subaru does not offer all-wheel drive on this model because the car is engineered for performance on dry pavement, and all-wheel drive would add weight and complexity that works against the lightweight, nimble design. If you want a Subaru sports car with all-wheel drive, this model does not exist.
Solterra — the new all-electric crossover — comes in both rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive versions. The base model is rear-wheel drive, and all-wheel drive is a paid option that increases the price. This is different from most of Subaru's lineup, where all-wheel drive is bundled into the base price rather than offered as an upgrade.
How to confirm the drivetrain on a specific Subaru
On a new vehicle, the window sticker (Monroney label) lists the drivetrain in the specifications section. It will say "All-Wheel Drive" or "Front-Wheel Drive" explicitly. This label is attached to the car at the dealership and is your most reliable source for new vehicles.
On a used vehicle, the VIN decoder on Subaru's website or a third-party service like Edmunds will tell you the drivetrain for that specific car. The VIN encodes the model year, generation, and drivetrain, so you do not have to guess. You can also contact a Subaru dealer with the VIN and they will confirm it in seconds. This is especially important for used Impreza and Crosstrek models from 2017 and earlier, where front-wheel drive was common on lower trims.
If you are looking at a private sale, ask the seller for the original window sticker or Monroney label, or request the VIN and decode it yourself before you visit. Do not rely on the seller's word or the model name alone. Taking five minutes to verify the drivetrain can save you from buying the wrong vehicle.
Why Subaru emphasizes all-wheel drive
Subaru's marketing has centered on all-wheel drive for decades, and the brand has invested in making it standard rather than optional on most models. This is partly a product strategy — all-wheel drive costs more to manufacture, so Subaru bundles it into the base price rather than offering it as an upgrade — and partly a market position. In regions with snow and rough terrain, all-wheel drive is a selling point that justifies the higher price.
The trade-off is that Subaru vehicles tend to cost more than competitors' front-wheel-drive equivalents, even on entry-level trims. If you do not need all-wheel drive, a Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla will be cheaper, though you lose the all-wheel-drive option entirely on those models. Subaru's strategy is to make all-wheel drive the default rather than the exception, which appeals to buyers in certain climates but raises the cost of entry for everyone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do all new Subarus come with all-wheel drive?
No. The Impreza base trim still offers front-wheel drive, and the BRZ is rear-wheel drive only. The Solterra electric crossover starts as rear-wheel drive. But the Outback, Forester, Crosstrek, and Ascent are all-wheel drive standard across all trims.
Can I add all-wheel drive to a front-wheel-drive Subaru?
No. The drivetrain is built into the frame and transmission during manufacturing. You cannot retrofit all-wheel drive onto a front-wheel-drive Subaru. If all-wheel drive matters to you, buy a model or trim that comes with it from the factory.
Is a used Crosstrek always all-wheel drive?
No. Crosstrek models from 2017 and earlier came with front-wheel drive on base trims. Starting in 2018, all-wheel drive became standard. Check the VIN or window sticker to confirm the drivetrain on any used Crosstrek before you buy.
Why is the BRZ not all-wheel drive?
The BRZ is a sports car designed for handling and performance on dry pavement, and Subaru and Toyota engineered it as rear-wheel drive to match that purpose. All-wheel drive adds weight and complexity that would work against the car's lightweight, nimble design.
Does all-wheel drive cost extra on Subarus?
On most current Subaru models, all-wheel drive is included in the base price, not an optional upgrade. On the Impreza, the front-wheel-drive base trim is cheaper than the all-wheel-drive trims. On the Solterra, rear-wheel drive is the base and all-wheel drive costs extra.