What are Subaru hoods made of?
Subaru hoods are primarily steel, with aluminum used on select models to save weight; carbon fiber hoods are rare and usually limited to specialty editions or aftermarket options.
Across Subaru's lineup—from sedans and crossovers to sports cars—the material choice for the hood has evolved to balance durability, safety, and performance. The standard approach remains stamped steel, while some sportier or efficiency-focused variants employ aluminum to reduce weight. Carbon fiber remains uncommon in factory production and is more often found in limited editions or aftermarket upgrades.
Material choices across Subaru's lineup
The following overview outlines the typical factory materials used for Subaru hoods in recent model years. Availability can vary by model and market.
- Steel hoods: The default material for most Subaru passenger cars and SUVs, offering durability, straightforward repair, and cost-effectiveness.
- Aluminum hoods: Used on select sport-oriented or weight-conscious variants to reduce overall front-end weight and improve performance or efficiency. Not universal across all trims or years and can vary by model.
- Carbon fiber hoods: Rare in factory production and more commonly seen on limited editions or as aftermarket upgrades. Carbon fiber offers notable weight savings but comes with higher cost and maintenance considerations.
These material choices influence repair costs, dent resistance, paint durability, and overall vehicle weight distribution. For a given Subaru model and year, the exact hood material should be verified through official specifications or a dealership.
How to verify your model's hood material
To confirm the hood material for a specific Subaru, rely on primary sources and direct checks. The steps below provide guidance, but always verify with official documentation for your exact vehicle.
- Consult the owner's manual, official Subaru brochures, or the vehicle's window sticker (Monroney label) for material specifications or weight-related notes about the hood.
- Ask a Subaru dealership or customer service representative for the exact hood material by VIN, especially for used or special-edition models.
- During a physical inspection, note that aluminum hoods can feel slightly different in weight and may have distinct paint adhesion characteristics; consult a body shop or service center if you need confirmation beyond visual cues.
Understanding the hood material helps with maintenance planning, potential repairs, and decisions about aftermarket modifications. If considering aftermarket carbon fiber options, consider warranty and insurance implications.
Why material choice matters
Weight reduction from aluminum or composites can improve performance and efficiency, but may affect dent resistance and cost. Steel remains the baseline for durability and affordability. Subaru continues to balance weight, safety, and value across generations, leading to variations in hood material by model and year.
Summary
Subaru hoods are mainly steel, with aluminum used selectively on certain models and trims to reduce weight. Carbon fiber is rare in factory versions and typically reserved for limited editions or aftermarket options. For any specific model-year, verify the hood material through official specifications or a dealership.
What are car hoods made of?
Car hoods are typically made of steel or aluminum, with steel being traditional and strong, while aluminum is lighter and often used for fuel efficiency. Other materials like fiberglass and carbon fiber are common in aftermarket or high-performance applications, offering unique benefits like custom designs or lightweight strength.
| Material | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
| Steel | Durable, strong, and affordable | Heavy, which can impact fuel efficiency |
| Aluminum | Lighter than steel, which can improve efficiency and handling | More expensive to repair and may dent more easily |
| Fiberglass | Lightweight and highly moldable for custom shapes | Less durable and more prone to cracking under heavy impact |
| Carbon Fiber | Extremely strong and lightweight, ideal for performance | Premium choice, most expensive option |
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Are Subaru heads aluminum?
The engine block and cylinder heads on the Subaru engines are made of aluminum. The aluminum cylinder heads and sealed to the aluminum engine block utilizing a metal cylinder head gasket that is fairly thin. The cylinder heads are also sealed to the engine block using metal cylinder head bolts.
How to tell if a hood is aluminum or steel?
These hoods are aluminum. For sure the fenders are steel. All you need is your refrigerator magnet steel is a magnetic metal aluminum on the other hand is not all right i hope that quick little trick.
What metal are subarus made of?
Highly Rigid Body
For an ideal balance of both of these qualities, Subaru has created a highly rigid and lightweight body by comprehensively using aluminum materials and high tensile steel plates throughout the vehicle.
