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I see them all over the Pacific Northwest, Rocky Mountains, and New England, and parts of the Great Lakes but much less in the rest of the US. Maybe the buying public continues to see them as vehicles that are mainly useful in snowy conditions, but not excited enough to buy them otherwise? I find them to be a great overall value and a good driver's car for the price, especially used.
For a # of years they have offered AWD as standard on every vehicle. I'd have to guess that a good portion of the country wouldn't want the price and mileage penalty that comes with AWD.
However, it appears that Subaru will no longer offer AWD as standard on all vehicles. The 2013 BRZ is RWD only.
For a # of years they have offered AWD as standard on every vehicle. I'd have to guess that a good portion of the country wouldn't want the price and mileage penalty that comes with AWD.
However, it appears that Subaru will no longer offer AWD as standard on all vehicles. The 2013 BRZ is RWD only.
The BRZ is also the exception, being a joint venture with Toyota. The only reason it is not offered with AWD is that there's not any physical room for it, according to Subaru.
As far as price goes though, you don't really pay much of a premium for the AWD system, they're, at least in my experience, competitive.
They're a good value, and not bad to drive. I like the Forester quite a bit. Although I'm not sold on the looks, I can really appreciate the sure footed qualities, practical exterior dimensions, gigantic sunroof, easy height to get in and out, and the utilitarian interior. (I have lived with a few of them for a couple weeks as rentals). Some Subaru models are still available with a manual transmission, which earns the entire brand plenty of points with me. Too few manuals anymore.
With respect to being regional, it kind of seems that way. When I think of Subaru, I think "daily driver" and "bad weather". I don't see a whole lot of them here in the valley (Phoenix area), although there are several dealers. There are plenty of them in the high country only a short distance to the north. Many of them in my neighborhood near Lake Michigan too.
The BRZ is also the exception, being a joint venture with Toyota. The only reason it is not offered with AWD is that there's not any physical room for it, according to Subaru.
As far as price goes though, you don't really pay much of a premium for the AWD system, they're, at least in my experience, competitive.
And I sat in one and fired it up today, Just started at a dealership and we had one with mfg plates on it to promote a local event this weekend. Was pretty nice, the motor was insanely low mounted inside the engine bay, looks better in person then in pics - nice-ish interior but the one we had was not a production vehicle. Excellent stick feel, liked the wheel - but honestly even at the estimated 2,500 lbs, the N/A motor IMO is going to end up being a big detractor in terms of anemic strait line performance, least stock. And once you see the 'back seat' (lol), you might believe the no room for AWD.
As for regional, I'm in Toledo, OH (Great Lakes) and Subaru is definitely a car brand people respect and buy in this area.
Don't see many out here in the Southwest but I think that's mainly due to the fact that their AWD systems aren't necessary in our climate. You just don't see many people driving Subaru's out here.
For a # of years they have offered AWD as standard on every vehicle. I'd have to guess that a good portion of the country wouldn't want the price and mileage penalty that comes with AWD.
However, it appears that Subaru will no longer offer AWD as standard on all vehicles. The 2013 BRZ is RWD only.
The new Subaru Impreza gets 37mpg highway so I don't think the mileage penalty is really applicable now.
They're a good value, and not bad to drive. I like the Forester quite a bit. Although I'm not sold on the looks, I can really appreciate the sure footed qualities, practical exterior dimensions, gigantic sunroof, easy height to get in and out, and the utilitarian interior. (I have lived with a few of them for a couple weeks as rentals). Some Subaru models are still available with a manual transmission, which earns the entire brand plenty of points with me. Too few manuals anymore.
With respect to being regional, it kind of seems that way. When I think of Subaru, I think "daily driver" and "bad weather". I don't see a whole lot of them here in the valley (Phoenix area), although there are several dealers. There are plenty of them in the high country only a short distance to the north. Many of them in my neighborhood near Lake Michigan too.
I've always wondered why Phoenix seems to have so many Subaru dealers?! I hardly see them on the roads, they're almost exotic out here. I've always thought they were kind of ugly and mediocre unless you needed the AWD capabilities which one obviously doesn't in the Valley.
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Just started at a dealership and we had one with mfg plates on it to promote a local event this weekend. Was pretty nice, the motor was insanely low mounted inside the engine bay, looks better in person then in pics - nice-ish interior but the one we had was not a production vehicle. Excellent stick feel, liked the wheel - but honestly even at the estimated 2,500 lbs, the N/A motor IMO is going to end up being a big detractor in terms of anemic strait line performance, least stock. And once you see the 'back seat' (lol), you might believe the no room for AWD. 
