Aug 13, 2021
A red 2020 Subaru Outback kicking up dust in a dry field

You casually start searching online for used vehicles in the area, but you’re inundated by your options that range from sports cars and coupes to sedans, crossovers, and trucks. Does this sound familiar? As your premier Charlotte used car dealer, we know exactly how it feels to try to find the right used car, and that’s why we’re here to help you narrow down your search for the perfect vehicle.

Your search can begin and end with the Subaru brand. Subaru has a stellar reputation in the automotive industry thanks to decades of building reliable, capable, top-quality, and safe vehicles that can log hundreds of thousands of miles with ease. Because of this and the innovation you’ll find in every Subaru, buying a used Subaru is one of the best decisions you can make. Don’t believe us? Here’s everything a used Subaru has to offer!

Subaru’s Exclusive Boxer Engine

Automobile engines may all serve the same purpose, but they don’t all operate the same. The Subaru Boxer engine is evidence of that thanks to its horizontally-opposed layout that puts the pistons on their sides in a left-right configuration rather than the normal inline engines that position the pistons in an up-down configuration. The pistons move like a boxer’s fists in a fight (hence the name), but instead of moving in the same direction as in a traditional engine, the pistons move in opposite directions. Why is any of this remarkable?

Function is a huge factor when you’re building a vehicle, and traditional engines take up a lot of room under the hood. Subaru’s Boxer engine is significantly more compact than other engines because of the horizontal layout of the pistons. Because the engine is smaller, it sits lower in the vehicle and gives the Subaru a lower center of gravity that adds to its stability.

The movement of the pistons in opposite directions also contributes to the vehicle’s stability. The cylinders are separated by a crankshaft and equally distribute the weight of the engine along the centerline of the vehicle as they move in opposite directions. Along with the Boxer engine’s shortened length, this contributes to the Subaru’s overall balance. This makes the Subaru more stable when changing directions and navigating tight corners, as well as more agile and responsive, all of which add to your overall safety when you’re behind the wheel.

A close up showing the turbo charged boxer engine in a white 2016 Subaru WRX.

Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel-Drive

Another benefit to buying a used Subaru is that every model comes standard with symmetrical all-wheel drive. No other automaker outfits their entire lineup with standard all-wheel drive, and that makes Subarus an even better value. So, what exactly is symmetrical all-wheel drive, and why is it different from other all-wheel drive systems?

Unlike other front-wheel drive-based standard all-wheel drive systems, Subaru’s symmetrical standard all-wheel drive is not an afterthought but is designed as an inherent part of the car. It is designed to give you peace of mind when you’re navigating wet, slippery, snowy, or icy conditions. The system sends power to all four wheels to maximize traction when you need it most and, in turn, accelerate through hazardous terrain. By constantly responding to the vehicle’s needs, the standard all-wheel drive system gives you better stability and more control when you’re in the driver’s seat.

The standard all-wheel drive system works behind the scenes in conjunction with a suite of other tools that are designed to add stability to your Subaru even when the road says otherwise. The Vehicle Dynamics Control system automatically monitors your steering and braking to help keep the Subaru on its path, while the Anti-Lock Braking System prevents the brakes from locking, which can cause the vehicle to skid or veer off its path. The Electronic Brake-Force Distribution senses the vehicle’s weight in terms of passenger and cargo load to optimize the distribution of the brakes between the front and rear wheels. Lastly, the Brake Assist system can sense when a collision is imminent and apply hard emergency braking to bring the Subaru to a quick stop.

A close up of a person using the STARLINK feature in a 2016 Subaru Legacy.

Subaru’s Safety and Driver-Assist Technology

You’ll find a wide variety of safety and driver-assist technology when you start shopping for a used Subaru. Older models have fewer driver-assist features than newer models, but that doesn’t discount their reliability or exceptional safety ratings. The Subaru brand has built its reputation on safety and is one of the few automakers in the industry that’s had every model in its lineup earn a Top Safety Pick rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. But what makes Subarus so safe?

Subaru introduced its EyeSight technology on the Legacy and Outback in 2013 and 2014 and has since added the technology to every vehicle in its fleet. The suite serves as an extra set of eyes on the road and has proven to reduce rear-end crashes with injuries by up to 85 percent thanks to tools like Pre-Collision Throttle Management, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, and Pre-Collision Braking. The suite is also home to Blind Spot Detection which makes changing lanes easier, while Lane Keep Assist and Sway Warning keep you centered in your lane. Adaptive Cruise Control monitors the flow of traffic and adjusts your cruising speed as needed to maintain a safe distance from the vehicles ahead.

Along with the introduction of EyeSight, Subaru also introduced STARLINK Safety and Security. While EyeSight gives you another set of eyes on the road, STARLINK gives you the comfort of knowing you’ll always have help when you need it most. The STARLINK suite includes services like the Automatic Collision Notification, which notifies a STARLINK advisor when the airbag deploys. If the driver fails to respond to the advisor, the advisor can contact emergency personnel. You can also use the SOS button in the vehicle to contact a STARLINK advisor in the event of an emergency or if you need roadside assistance.

Since STARLINK’s introduction, Subaru has continued to expand the service to drivers, and that means you can continue to enjoy the same benefits if your used Subaru is equipped with the technology. For example, the STARLINK Safety Plus Package includes the features listed above, as well as maintenance notifications, a monthly vehicle health report, and diagnostic alerts that are designed to keep your Subaru running at its best at all times. The STARLINK Safety Plus & Security Plus Package gives you even more peace of mind by adding Stolen Vehicle Recovery Service and a Vehicle Security Alarm Notification, as well as a vehicle locator and remote control over the doors, horn, and lights.

It’s Time to Join the Subaru Family

When you think of the Subaru brand, what immediately comes to mind? Do you think of its unique Pleiades logo or vehicles that inspire adventures in the great outdoors? Do you think of family-oriented SUVs that are designed to withstand all the demands of your daily life and your weekend adventures? Or do you think of words like reliable, practical, affordable, and long-lasting?

Whatever comes to mind, Subaru’s impeccable reputation in the automotive industry is undeniable, and that’s why millions of drivers swear by the Subaru brand. When you get behind the wheel of any Subaru, new or used, you can drive into the future with confidence because you know that your Subaru can log tens of thousands of miles while keeping you and your passengers safe and connected wherever the road takes you. If you ask us, that’s the recipe for an epic adventure.