Which subarus are made in the USA?
Subaru currently assembles several models in the United States at Subaru of Indiana Automotive in Lafayette, Indiana, including the Legacy, Outback, and Ascent.
Beyond those U.S.-built models, the automaker's lineup is produced largely abroad, with Japan serving as a major hub and some vehicles assembled in other regions. This article outlines which Subarus are manufactured domestically for the North American market and how that fits into Subaru's global production strategy.
Which Subarus are built in the USA?
These models are produced at Subaru's U.S. manufacturing facility in Lafayette, Indiana, at Subaru of Indiana Automotive (SIA).
- Legacy
- Outback
- Ascent
At the Lafayette plant, Subaru has focused on mid-size sedans/wagons and a three-row SUV, aligning with demand from American families and SUV buyers.
Where the rest of Subaru's lineup is built
Subaru's remaining models are manufactured outside the United States, with Japan and other regions serving as major production centers. Cars are imported to North America from these facilities, and production can shift based on capacity, supply chains, and strategic planning.
In practice, models such as Forester, Crosstrek, WRX, Impreza, and BRZ are currently produced at plants outside the United States. The exact country and plant can vary by model year, so buyers should consult Subaru's official materials for the most recent information.
Summary
Subaru's U.S.-made lineup consists of the Legacy, Outback, and Ascent produced at SIA in Lafayette, Indiana. The rest of Subaru's models are primarily built overseas and imported for North American sales.
Which is more reliable, the Toyota RAV4 or the Subaru Forester?
The Toyota RAV4 generally has a reputation for higher long-term reliability than the Subaru Forester, with lower average annual repair costs and less frequent, severe repairs. However, the Subaru Forester has a strong reputation and a higher rating from Consumer Reports and J.D. Power, particularly with the newer models. Both are considered good choices, and recent model years of the Forester have been redesigned to be more reliable.
You can watch this video to learn about the reliability of RAV4 and Forester: 1mAutomotive Anonymous YouTube · Dec 14, 2024
Toyota RAV4
- Higher reliability rating: Often ranks higher in reliability surveys and has lower average annual repair costs.
- Longer-term ownership: Has a strong reputation for minimizing long-term issues and frequent maintenance, partly due to its engine technology and hybrid options.
- Lower repair costs: Has an average annual repair cost of $429, which is significantly lower than the Forester's $632.
Subaru Forester
- Strong safety and ratings: Earned a higher overall rating from Consumer Reports and a highest-tier safety rating from the IIHS.
- Improving reliability: Recent redesigns have made reliability improvements, such as reintroducing mechanical thermostats and eliminating less reliable systems.
- Average repair costs: Has an average annual repair cost of $632 and average frequency and severity of repairs compared to other vehicles.
Which one is right for you?
- Choose the RAV4 if: Your priority is maximum long-term reliability and the lowest ownership costs, especially over many years of ownership.
- Choose the Forester if: You want a vehicle with a strong safety record, good visibility, and a capable all-wheel-drive system. You should consider the model year, as reliability has been improving with recent redesigns.
This video compares the performance and features of RAV4 and Forester: 52sAutoMobiYouTube · Oct 30, 2025
Why is Subaru shutting down production?
Subaru is not shutting down production entirely, but is making strategic shifts in manufacturing, such as moving some Canadian-bound production out of the U.S. due to tariffs and discontinuing the Legacy sedan in favor of SUVs. Additionally, past production halts in its Japanese factories were temporary and caused by the global semiconductor shortage.
Production shifts and discontinuation
- Legacy sedan: Subaru is ending U.S. production of the Legacy sedan in 2025, reflecting a market shift from sedans to SUVs and crossovers.
- Outback production: Production of the Outback will be moved from the Lafayette, Indiana plant to Japan for the 2026 model year, a decision partly influenced by tariffs on U.S. imports to Canada.
- Focus on SUVs: The Lafayette, Indiana plant will switch to producing the hybrid Forester SUV.
Past temporary shutdowns
- In early 2022, Subaru temporarily suspended production at its Japanese plants due to interruptions in the supply of parts containing semiconductors.
- These shutdowns were not permanent and were caused by the global chip shortage, which affected many automakers.
What Subaru models are still made in Japan?
Subarus are made in six factories around the world, four of which are in Japan: Subaru-chō, building the Impreza, WRX, BRZ, and Crosstrek, as part of an 82-acre facility in Ota, Gunma Prefecture, Japan.
What percentage of a Subaru is made in the USA?
Subaru surprisingly makes 48.7% of all its vehicles at Subaru of Indiana Automotive (SIA) in Lafayette, Indiana, that are sold in the U.S. market. Another 5% are shipped to Canada. So, around half of U.S.-made Subaru models are sold in North America.
