Audi vs. Subaru
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of cars from Audi and Subaru contrasts the two brands across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which one is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of vehicle models, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and projected lifetime recalls based on recall history. This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which brand represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both Audi and Subaru cars.
When comparing the Audi brand to the Subaru brand, Audi has the advantage in the areas of horsepower, towing capacity and variety of models offered. Subaru has the advantage in the areas of new car pricing, used car pricing, depreciation, fuel efficiency, overall quality, reliability, safety, retained value and vehicle rankings.
Audi versus Subaru: Pricing and Value: Analyzing Audi versus Subaru pricing we see a lower new vehicle starting price for Subaru in 8 out of 8 vehicle comparisons. Subaru also has a lower used vehicle starting price in 7 out of 7 comparisons. Subaru models depreciate at a lower (better) rate in 11 out of 11 comparisons. The lower overall prices for Subaru, plus their lower depreciation rate, gives Subaru the overall advantage over Audi.
Audi versus Subaru: Horsepower, Fuel Efficiency and Towing Capacity: Audi vehicles offer higher maximum horsepower numbers in their base trim in 9 out of 11 model comparisons, with Subaru offering more horsepower in 2 comparisons. Subaru offers higher MPG for its vehicles in their base trim in 5 out of 9 comparisons. Audi vehicles have higher MPG in 2 comparisons, and both Audi and Subaru vehicles have the same MPG in 2 comparisons. Audi offers a greater towing capacity in 4 out of 6 comparisons.
Audi versus Subaru: Quality, Reliability, Safety, and Value Retention Ratings: A comparison of Audi versus Subaru overall quality ratings shows Subaru with higher quality ratings in 9 out of 9 model comparisons. In terms of reliability ratings, Subaru has the advantage in 6 out of 9 comparisons. Subaru has better safety ratings in 5 out of 7 comparisons. Audi and Subaru tie for safety in 2 comparisons. Subaru shows higher ratings for retained value in 11 out of 11 comparisons.
Best Car Rankings:
Most Reliable Car Rankings:
Best Cars for the Money Rankings:
Available Body Styles: Audi offers 22 SUVs, 4 wagons, 24 sedans, 3 coupes, and 2 convertibles. In comparison, Subaru offers 7 SUVs, 1 wagon, 2 sedans, and 1 coupe.
Drivetrain Options: Audi offers 34 gasoline vehicles, 1 plug-in hybrid, and 16 electric vehicles. Subaru offers 8 gasoline vehicles, 2 hybrids, and 1 electric vehicle.
Audi offers 50 all-wheel-drive models and 3 rear-wheel-drive models. Subaru offers 8 all-wheel-drive models and 1 rear-wheel-drive model.
New Car Pricing
SUVs
Audi Q3
$42,197 - $48,540
Audi Q5
$49,539 - $64,250
Audi Q5
$49,539 - $64,250
Audi Q7
$64,485 - $84,260
Cars
Audi A3
Not Yet Available
Audi A4
$43,191 - $53,047
Audi S4
Not Yet Available
Audi S5
$70,482 - $81,535
Audi A6
$59,135 - $78,929
Other Comparisons
Audi Q5 (Plug-in Hybrid)
$57,941 - $69,475
Audi Q5 (Plug-in Hybrid)
$57,941 - $69,475
New Car Pricing
SUVs
Subaru Crosstrek
Not Yet Available
Subaru Forester
$31,888 - $43,559
Subaru Outback (suv)
$32,586 - $46,228
Subaru Ascent
$40,483 - $54,484
Cars
Subaru WRX
$37,369 - $50,192
Subaru WRX
$37,369 - $50,192
Subaru WRX
$37,369 - $50,192
Subaru WRX
$37,369 - $50,192
Subaru Legacy
$28,193 - $40,533
Other Comparisons
Subaru Forester
$31,888 - $43,559
Subaru Outback (suv)
$32,586 - $46,228
Used Car Pricing
SUVs
Audi Q3
$34,998 - $45,207
Audi Q5
$41,698 - $56,991
Audi Q5
$41,698 - $56,991
Audi Q7
$51,967 - $71,989
Cars
Audi A3
Not Yet Available
Audi A4
$35,291 - $47,907
Audi S4
Not Yet Available
Audi S5
Not Yet Available
Audi A6
$47,998 - $71,140
Other Comparisons
Audi Q5 (Plug-in Hybrid)
$43,937 - $65,867
Audi Q5 (Plug-in Hybrid)
$43,937 - $65,867
Used Car Pricing
SUVs
Subaru Crosstrek
Not Yet Available
Subaru Forester
$28,888 - $38,988
Subaru Outback (suv)
$28,999 - $40,745
Subaru Ascent
$36,466 - $51,991
Cars
Subaru WRX
$34,130 - $47,543
Subaru WRX
$34,130 - $47,543
Subaru WRX
$34,130 - $47,543
Subaru WRX
$34,130 - $47,543
Subaru Legacy
$24,999 - $34,318
Other Comparisons
Subaru Forester
$28,888 - $38,988
Subaru Outback (suv)
$28,999 - $40,745
5-Year Depreciation (Lower is better)
SUVs
Audi Q3
50.3%
Audi Q5
58%
Audi Q5
58%
Audi Q7
60.9%
Cars
Audi A3
51.6%
Audi A4
55%
Audi S4
52.2%
Audi S5
52.4%
Audi A6
60.9%
Other Comparisons
Audi Q5 (Plug-in Hybrid)
60.3%
Audi Q5 (Plug-in Hybrid)
60.3%
5-Year Depreciation (Lower is better)
SUVs
Subaru Crosstrek
33.6%
Subaru Forester
37.2%
Subaru Outback (suv)
43.3%
Subaru Ascent
49.7%
Cars
Subaru WRX
35.3%
Subaru WRX
35.3%
Subaru WRX
35.3%
Subaru WRX
35.3%
Subaru Legacy
40.8%
Other Comparisons
Subaru Forester
37.2%
Subaru Outback (suv)
43.3%
Horsepower / Torque
SUVs
Audi Q3
184 hp / 221 foot-lbs
Audi Q5
201 hp / 236 foot-lbs
Audi Q5
201 hp / 236 foot-lbs
Audi Q7
261 hp / 273 foot-lbs
Cars
Audi A3
201 hp / 236 foot-lbs
Audi A4
201 hp / 236 foot-lbs
Audi S4
349 hp / 369 foot-lbs
Audi S5
362 hp / 406 foot-lbs
Audi A6
261 hp / 273 foot-lbs
Other Comparisons
Audi Q5 (Plug-in Hybrid)
362 hp / 369 foot-lbs
Audi Q5 (Plug-in Hybrid)
362 hp / 369 foot-lbs
Horsepower / Torque
SUVs
Subaru Crosstrek
180 hp / 178 foot-lbs
Subaru Forester
180 hp / 178 foot-lbs
Subaru Outback (suv)
182 hp / 176 foot-lbs
Subaru Ascent
260 hp / 277 foot-lbs
Cars
Subaru WRX
271 hp / 258 foot-lbs
Subaru WRX
271 hp / 258 foot-lbs
Subaru WRX
271 hp / 258 foot-lbs
Subaru WRX
271 hp / 258 foot-lbs
Subaru Legacy
182 hp / 176 foot-lbs
Other Comparisons
Subaru Forester
180 hp / 178 foot-lbs
Subaru Outback (suv)
182 hp / 176 foot-lbs
MPG (city/highway/combined)
SUVs
Audi Q3
22 / 29 / 25
Audi Q5
23 / 29 / 26
Audi Q5
23 / 29 / 26
Audi Q7
20 / 26 / 22
Cars
Audi A3
Not Yet Available
Audi A4
26 / 36 / 29
Audi S4
20 / 29 / 24
Audi S5
19 / 28 / 22
Audi A6
24 / 31 / 26
Other Comparisons
Audi Q5 (Plug-in Hybrid)
25 / 27 / 26
Audi Q5 (Plug-in Hybrid)
25 / 27 / 26
MPG (city/highway/combined)
SUVs
Subaru Crosstrek
Not Yet Available
Subaru Forester
26 / 33 / 29
Subaru Outback (suv)
26 / 32 / 28
Subaru Ascent
20 / 26 / 22
Cars
Subaru WRX
19 / 26 / 22
Subaru WRX
19 / 26 / 22
Subaru WRX
19 / 26 / 22
Subaru WRX
19 / 26 / 22
Subaru Legacy
27 / 35 / 30
Other Comparisons
Subaru Forester
26 / 33 / 29
Subaru Outback (suv)
26 / 32 / 28
Max Towing Capacity
SUVs
Audi Q3
4400 lbs
Audi Q5
4400 lbs
Audi Q5
4400 lbs
Audi Q7
7700 lbs
Other Comparisons
Audi Q5 (Plug-in Hybrid)
2000 lbs
Audi Q5 (Plug-in Hybrid)
2000 lbs
Max Towing Capacity
SUVs
Subaru Crosstrek
3500 lbs
Subaru Forester
3000 lbs
Subaru Outback (suv)
3500 lbs
Subaru Ascent
5000 lbs
Other Comparisons
Subaru Forester
3000 lbs
Subaru Outback (suv)
3500 lbs
iSeeCars Overall Quality Ratings
SUVs
Audi Q3
Not available
Audi Q5
8.1 / 10
Audi Q5
8.1 / 10
Audi Q7
7.8 / 10
Cars
Audi A3
7.7 / 10
Audi A4
7.7 / 10
Audi S4
7.6 / 10
Audi S5
7.5 / 10
Audi A6
7.5 / 10
Other Comparisons
Audi Q5 (Plug-in Hybrid)
7.5 / 10
Audi Q5 (Plug-in Hybrid)
7.5 / 10
iSeeCars Overall Quality Ratings
SUVs
Subaru Crosstrek
8.6 / 10
Subaru Forester
8.6 / 10
Subaru Outback (suv)
8.3 / 10
Subaru Ascent
Not available
Cars
Subaru WRX
8.5 / 10
Subaru WRX
8.5 / 10
Subaru WRX
8.5 / 10
Subaru WRX
8.5 / 10
Subaru Legacy
8.4 / 10
Other Comparisons
Subaru Forester
8.6 / 10
Subaru Outback (suv)
8.3 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Ratings
SUVs
Audi Q3
Not available
Audi Q5
7.9 / 10
Audi Q5
7.9 / 10
Audi Q7
7.4 / 10
Cars
Audi A3
7.3 / 10
Audi A4
7.7 / 10
Audi S4
7.4 / 10
Audi S5
7.4 / 10
Audi A6
7.5 / 10
Other Comparisons
Audi Q5 (Plug-in Hybrid)
7.9 / 10
Audi Q5 (Plug-in Hybrid)
7.9 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Ratings
SUVs
Subaru Crosstrek
8.0 / 10
Subaru Forester
8.0 / 10
Subaru Outback (suv)
7.8 / 10
Subaru Ascent
Not available
Cars
Subaru WRX
7.6 / 10
Subaru WRX
7.6 / 10
Subaru WRX
7.6 / 10
Subaru WRX
7.6 / 10
Subaru Legacy
7.7 / 10
Other Comparisons
Subaru Forester
8.0 / 10
Subaru Outback (suv)
7.8 / 10
iSeeCars Safety Ratings
SUVs
Audi Q3
8.0 / 10
Audi Q5
9.0 / 10
Audi Q5
9.0 / 10
Audi Q7
9.0 / 10
Cars
Audi A3
8.0 / 10
Audi A4
8.0 / 10
Audi S4
Not available
Audi S5
Not available
Audi A6
8.0 / 10
Other Comparisons
Audi Q5 (Plug-in Hybrid)
Not available
Audi Q5 (Plug-in Hybrid)
Not available
iSeeCars Safety Ratings
SUVs
Subaru Crosstrek
9.0 / 10
Subaru Forester
9.0 / 10
Subaru Outback (suv)
9.0 / 10
Subaru Ascent
10 / 10
Cars
Subaru WRX
9.0 / 10
Subaru WRX
9.0 / 10
Subaru WRX
9.0 / 10
Subaru WRX
9.0 / 10
Subaru Legacy
9.0 / 10
Other Comparisons
Subaru Forester
9.0 / 10
Subaru Outback (suv)
9.0 / 10
iSeeCars Resale Value Ratings
SUVs
Audi Q3
7.8 / 10
Audi Q5
7.3 / 10
Audi Q5
7.3 / 10
Audi Q7
7.1 / 10
Cars
Audi A3
7.7 / 10
Audi A4
7.5 / 10
Audi S4
7.7 / 10
Audi S5
7.6 / 10
Audi A6
7.1 / 10
Other Comparisons
Audi Q5 (Plug-in Hybrid)
7.1 / 10
Audi Q5 (Plug-in Hybrid)
7.1 / 10
iSeeCars Resale Value Ratings
SUVs
Subaru Crosstrek
8.9 / 10
Subaru Forester
8.7 / 10
Subaru Outback (suv)
8.2 / 10
Subaru Ascent
7.8 / 10
Cars
Subaru WRX
8.8 / 10
Subaru WRX
8.8 / 10
Subaru WRX
8.8 / 10
Subaru WRX
8.8 / 10
Subaru Legacy
8.4 / 10
Other Comparisons
Subaru Forester
8.7 / 10
Subaru Outback (suv)
8.2 / 10
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings
SUVs
Audi Q5
#4 of 28 in
Best Luxury Small SUVs
Audi Q5
#4 of 28 in
Best Luxury Small SUVs
Cars
Audi A3
#12 of 30 in
Best Luxury Compact Cars
Audi A4
#9 of 30 in
Best Luxury Compact Cars
Audi S4
#15 of 30 in
Best Luxury Compact Cars
Audi S5
#8 of 25 in
Best Luxury Hatchbacks
Audi A6
#9 of 24 in
Best Luxury Midsize Cars
Other Comparisons
Audi Q5
#3 of 9 in
Best Hybrid Luxury Small SUVs
Audi Q5
#3 of 9 in
Best Hybrid Luxury Small SUVs
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings
SUVs
Subaru Forester
#3 of 19 in
Best Small SUVs
Subaru Outback
#6 of 19 in
Best Small SUVs
Cars
Subaru WRX
#6 of 24 in
Best Compact Cars
Subaru WRX
#6 of 24 in
Best Compact Cars
Subaru WRX
#6 of 24 in
Best Compact Cars
Subaru WRX
#6 of 24 in
Best Compact Cars
Subaru Legacy
#3 of 13 in
Best Midsize Cars
Other Comparisons
Subaru Forester
#3 of 19 in
Best Small SUVs
Subaru Outback
#6 of 19 in
Best Small SUVs
iSeeCars Most Reliable Car Rankings
SUVs
Audi Q5
#4 of 28 in
Most Reliable Luxury Small SUVs
Audi Q5
#4 of 28 in
Most Reliable Luxury Small SUVs
Cars
Audi A3
#18 of 36 in
Most Reliable Luxury Small Cars
Audi A4
#9 of 36 in
Most Reliable Luxury Small Cars
Audi S4
#15 of 36 in
Most Reliable Luxury Small Cars
Audi S5
#16 of 36 in
Most Reliable Luxury Small Cars
Audi A6
#9 of 24 in
Most Reliable Luxury Midsize Cars
Other Comparisons
Audi Q5
#3 of 20 in
Most Reliable Luxury Plug-in Hybrid SUVs (PHEV)
Audi Q5
#3 of 20 in
Most Reliable Luxury Plug-in Hybrid SUVs (PHEV)
iSeeCars Most Reliable Car Rankings
SUVs
Subaru Forester
#4 of 19 in
Most Reliable Small SUVs
Subaru Outback
#5 of 19 in
Most Reliable Small SUVs
Cars
Subaru WRX
#11 of 37 in
Most Reliable Small Cars
Subaru WRX
#11 of 37 in
Most Reliable Small Cars
Subaru WRX
#11 of 37 in
Most Reliable Small Cars
Subaru WRX
#11 of 37 in
Most Reliable Small Cars
Subaru Legacy
#3 of 13 in
Most Reliable Midsize Cars
Other Comparisons
Subaru Forester
#4 of 19 in
Most Reliable Small SUVs
Subaru Outback
#5 of 19 in
Most Reliable Small SUVs
iSeeCars Best Cars for the Money Rankings
SUVs
Audi Q5
#3 of 27 in
Best Luxury Small SUVs for the Money
Audi Q5
#3 of 27 in
Best Luxury Small SUVs for the Money
Cars
Audi A3
#8 of 32 in
Best Luxury Small Cars for the Money
Audi A4
#4 of 32 in
Best Luxury Small Cars for the Money
Audi S4
#13 of 32 in
Best Luxury Small Cars for the Money
Audi A6
#6 of 18 in
Best Luxury Midsize Cars for the Money
iSeeCars Best Cars for the Money Rankings
SUVs
Subaru Forester
#4 of 18 in
Best Small SUVs for the Money
Subaru Outback
#9 of 18 in
Best Small SUVs for the Money
Cars
Subaru WRX
#14 of 22 in
Best Small Cars for the Money
Subaru WRX
#14 of 22 in
Best Small Cars for the Money
Subaru WRX
#14 of 22 in
Best Small Cars for the Money
Subaru Legacy
#4 of 7 in
Best Midsize Cars for the Money
