5 reasons you should buy a Subaru

There are a lot of options out there when it comes to which car you should buy. Everyone will tell you theirs is the best and even provide some proof to back it up. But what a driver wants in a Vehicle greatly depends on their lifestyle, budget, and desires.

If the following characteristics apply to you, a Subaru would be the perfect vehicle for you.

1. You drive in the wintertime.

One of Subaru's many claims to fame is that their cars are well-equipped for harsh weather conditions, such as snow, ice, and heavy rain. And if you drive in an area with particularly rough winters (like our hometown - Johnstown, Pennsylvania), investing a car with all-wheel-drive should be high priority.

Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system lies along the centerline of the vehicle, so it balances weight distribution between both sides on all four wheels. On a rough or slippery road, the driver will have more control over the vehicle thanks to the balancing reaction of the cars gripping wheels. Subaru's AWD provides a more proactive than reactive approach to driving in difficult conditions.

It's scientific, but simpler than you think.

So, which ones come equipped with all-wheel-drive? Pretty much all of them.

2. You make safety a priority.

Subaru has been making safety a priority for decades. The vehicles have been consistently praised for all-around safety by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), Euro New Car Assessment Program (Euro NCAP), Japan New Car Assessment Program (JNCAP), and the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP). The reasons behind Subaru’s superior safety are many.

For one, the EyeSight assist system prevents accidents before they even happen. EyeSight uses cameras that are able to process a 3D environment, recognizing other cars, pedestrians, and cyclists, and calculates their distance and speed of travel. EyeSight sees what our own human eyes might not see. The system may then apply automatic breaks to prevent or reduce the severity of a collision. EyeSight also maintains a safe distance behind the car in front of you, alerts you if you start swaying into another lane, and stops the vehicle if the wrong pedal is pressed.

EyeSight is available on select Subaru Forester, Impreza, Legacy, Outback, WRX, and XV Crosstrek models.

Other ways Subaru vehicles keep its drivers safe include:

• Symmetrical all-wheel-drive - Provides balanced control in rough conditions.
• High-rigidity body - Enhances collision safety.
• Hill Start Assist - Keeps the car steady while driving uphill.
• Vehicle Dynamics Control - Prevents your car from skidding.
• Active Torque Vectoring - Provides better control over steering.
• Anti-lock brake system (ABS) and electric brake-force distribution (EBD) – Delivers precise brake lock control and distribution of braking pressure.
• Break-away engine - Slides under the floor during a collision.
• SRS airbags - Provide protection to drivers and passengers.
• Shock absorbing seats - Reduces chance of injury during a collision.
• Safety pedal - Protects the lower legs in the event of a collision.

3. You are environmentally conscious.

When you think of an all-wheel drive vehicle, your first thought might be "gas guzzler". However, Subaru managed to manufacture its cars to be tough but fuel efficient. You can have all-wheel drive and fuel efficiency at the same time. Even the speedy WRX gets 20 miles per gallon in the city and 27 on the highway. Fuel efficiency isn't just good on your wallet, but also on the environment.

Every 2015 Impreza and XV Crosstrek, along with select Foresters, Outback, and Legacy models, are certified as Partial Zero Emissions Vehicles (PZEV).  These vehicles are certified because they follow the most stringent guidelines and testing by the California Air Resources Board.

The company itself has a history of environmental stewardship. In 2003, the Indiana manufacturing facility became the first and only plant in U.S. history to earn Backyard Wildlife Habitat Status. That same year, International plants became Zero Landfill. The following year, Subaru became the first U.S. manufacturer to achieve zero-landfill status. In 2007, 2008, and 2009 respectively, Subaru won the Wastewise Gold Achievement Awards for industrial recycling, climate change, and community involvement.

4. You want a car that will last a long time.

Another claim to fame of Subaru vehicles is longevity. Subaru owners should not be surprised if their cars get to 200,000, even 300,000 miles, especially if they keep them well-maintained. The Legacy and Outback in particular have been cited by Consumer Reports to really go the distance.

The reason Subarus last so long has much to do with the materials used to build them, especially the engine. Subaru uses the unique BOXER® engine, which lays flat and brings a nice combination of balance, power and efficiency to the vehicle. The pistons move horizontally, like a boxer punching (hence the name).

The BOXER® engine lasts longer because its design demands less vibration than a typical engine. Because they are positioned horizontally, each piston cancels the vibration of the opposite piston. The pistons always stay lubricated, reducing wear and friction compared to "dry starting" Inline and V-type engines.

See how the BOXER® engine works

It's no wonder why over 94% of Subaru vehicles sold within the last 12 years are still driving today.

The best news? All Subaru vehicles contain the BOXER® engine.

5. You like a "smart" car.

We already discussed the EyeSight assist system and how it prevents accidents and keeps drivers and passengers safe. If that isn't smart enough for you, get a load of StarLink

StarLink is Subaru's new in-vehicle technology that brings additional safety, entertainment and cloud and app connectivity to your vehicle. Hear the latest news, acquire recipes, get the weather report, and listen to music, podcasts, audiobooks, and other multimedia content through Pandora, Aha, and SUBARU STARLINK apps and SiriusXM Satellite Radio. Using the MySubaru app, you can connect your phone to your Starlink system and use your device to lock and unlock your car, access your horn and lights, and even locate your vehicle on a map.

Other features of StarLink include:

• Automatic collision notification
• SOS emergency assistance
• Enhanced roadside assistance
• Stolen vehicle recovery
• Monthly vehicle health report
• Diagnostic alerts
• Vehicle security alarm notifications
• Bluetooth hands free technology
• PANDORA, AHA, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, SiriusXM,and  HD Radio
• Harman Kardon premium audio system

Vehicles with available StarLink include the 2015 Impreza, 2015 Legacy, 2015 Outback, 2015 XV Crosstrek and Hybrid, and 2016 WRX.

5 models of the 2016 Subaru Forester have available safety and security features.

See how STARLINK works

It's not really a mystery why Subaru owners are so loyal. Once you have one, it's hard to want anything else. Finding a car that is tough, safe, reliable, intelligent, efficient, and affordable all at the same time used to be a pipe dream, but Subaru made it a reality.

The sales team at Spangler Subaru will be more than happy to answer any of your questions about the topics discussed here.