5 Reasons Denver Subaru Drivers Should Consider Stepping Up To a New or Used Audi
Denver ranks as America’s 4th city with the highest number of Subarus on the road. To be precise, there are close to 110,000 Subarus running on the roads of Denver.
These staggering numbers of Subarus are justifiable.
One, Subarus are some of the lease expensive all-wheel drive new cars you can buy at the dealership. And among the vehicles in this price range, it is one of the few with impressive quality.
But do you know that buying a new or used Audi over a Subaru is one of the better car investments you can make?
How?
Well, continue reading. We will give you 5 reasons why a new or used Audi is better than your current Subaru.
Why Compare an Audi to a Subaru?
To be fair, let’s turn our focus away from the high-end Audi vehicles like the Q7 and instead, look at the entry and mid-level models.
The 2018 Audi A4 and Subaru WRX for instance, are similar cars in many respects. To start with, they both have 4 cylinder engines. In addition, both of these engines are turbo-charged.
Their performance numbers are similar, though some stark differences can be seen in certain tests.
As a matter of fact, both the Audi A4 and the 2018 Subaru WRX outpaced the Volkswagen Golf R in Motor Trend’s figure 8 test. The WRX did it in 25.7 seconds, while the Audi A4 did it in 25.3 seconds.
But in as much as these cars share some similarities, there are some stark differences between them. These differences are responsible for the different driving experience you’ll get from a new or used Audi compared to a Subaru.
What are they?
Read on to find out.
A New or Used Audi Offers Better Reliability
Consumer Reports did a survey on car reliability, and Audi came out two positions higher than Subaru. The Audi was ranked number 4 out of a possible 27. The Subaru on the other hand, came in at number 6.
Why so?
A couple of factors can make the Subaru less reliable than the Audi. Let’s have a look at the 2018 Audi A4 and the 2018 Subaru WRX for instance.
Cast Iron vs Aluminum Engine Block
The engine in the 2018 A4 is made of cast iron. The WRX, on the other hand, uses aluminum. This is where the problem comes in.
The cast iron engine block in the A4 has a higher thermal resistance. This means that the block doesn’t warp or crack under high temperatures, which is exactly what the WRX’s engine could do.
Thus, the A4’s engine is capable of running at higher temperatures than the WRXs engine, which makes it more reliable in tough driving conditions that push the engine to the limit.
Steel vs Rubber Camshaft Drive Belt
Another notable difference between the Subaru and the Audi is in the camshaft drive belt. The A4 uses a hardened steel chain to drive the camshaft. The Subaru, on the other hand, uses a rubber drive belt.
How does this affect reliability?
Hardened steel chains require almost zero maintenance. But in the case of rubber belts, they require regular replacement. Additionally, if the rubber belt is not changed at the correct time, it can fail and cause catastrophic engine failure if the pistons hit the head of the open valves.
All these differences are notable in most new and pre-owned Audi and Subaru vehicles. Not just the 2018 A4 and WRX.
Audi Vehicles Have Better Fuel Economy and Range
Generally, Audi vehicles have better fuel economy than Subarus, something visible when you compare several new or used Audi and Subaru models.
For instance, the 2018 Audi A4 has an EPA rated 24/33 mpg for city and highway respectively. This is for the 2.0L 252 horsepower 4-cylinder engine with a manual transmission.
If you put in an automatic, this value changes to 23/34 mpg for city and highway respectively.
These two established values are better than that of the 2018 WRX. The WRX’s best fuel economy was rated at 21/27 mpg for city and highway respectively.
This result is reiterated when you compare the 2016 Audi allroad and the 2016 Subaru Outback. The allroad has a rated 24mpg combined fuel economy. The Outback, on the other hand, has a rating of 22mpg combined, for the 3.6L 6cylinder automatic.
But wait, don’t we have a 2.5L 4cylinder 2016 Outback?
Yes, we do. But the problem is, compared to the allroad, it underperforms. The 2.5L 4cylinder only produces 175 horsepower, compared to the allroad’s 220 horsepower. To match the Audi’s performance, you need to step up to the 3.6L engine, which is significantly less efficient than that on the allroad.
Subaru Vehicles Produce More Emissions
Comparing the 2018 Audi S3 and the 2018 Subaru WRX reveals interesting emissions data from EPA.
According to EPA data, the Audi S3 produces 7 tons of carbon (IV) oxide per year. This is compared to WRX’s 7.6 tons. This difference is attributed to the fuel economy values.
The S3 has an EPA rated 25 mpg combined, while the WRX lags in at 23 mpg combined.
Thus, upgrading to a new or used Audi is the better investment if you desire to spend less on gas, and contribute less to global warming.
A New or Used Audi Has a Better Interior Build Quality
Most auto experts agree that Audi never goes wrong with its interior. But that cannot be reiterated for Subaru.
For instance, the 2016 Audi allroad has a lush interior, featuring a mix of wood, aluminum, and leather. Its direct competitor, on the other hand, the 2016 Subaru Outback, has more of a plastic-y look and feel.
The base model allroad is fitted with aluminum interior trim, leather upholstery, eight-way power seats, a panoramic sunroof, power tailgate, split-folding rear seatbacks, 10-speaker audio system, satellite, and Audi’s MMI interface.
On the other hand, the Subaru Outback has no wood, lots of plastic and a few aluminum strips.
But isn’t that justified by the cost margins?
Not exactly.
A new or used Audi will be a couple of thousand more expensive than a Subaru. However, many Colorado drivers will find that the extra costs compared to the highly improved interior and exterior quality is well worth the investment.
A New or Used Audi Has Better Safety and Driver Assist Features
If you are still not convinced on spending more for a good interior, then the safety argument may convince you.
Audi vehicles have more sophisticated safety and driver assist features than Subarus. Let’s relook the 2018 Audi A4 and the 2018 Subaru WRX comparison.
For starters, the 2018 A4 has pretensioners that tighten the seatbelts and reduce slack in case of a collision. On top of this, the system also has force limiters which regulate the pressure the seatbelt applies to the passenger.
This technology is installed in both the front and rear seatbelts. In the WRX, this technology is not present in the rear seatbelts.
Also, the A4 is fitted with pre-crash pretensioners which tighten in case the system predicts an impending collision. This happens right before the collision, in real time. This technology is not present in the Subaru WRX.
In case of a crash, the A4 has Secondary Collision Brake Assist which applies the brakes automatically. Applying the brakes at this point prevents secondary crashes from happening. This, in turn, reduces the severity of the injuries. The WRX also does not have this technology.
Insurance Quotes Are Cheaper for Audis
According to research, the Subaru WRX AWD is one of the most expensive cars to insure right now. The 2018 Subaru WRX costs $870 more to insure than the 2018 Audi A4. This is over a period of five years.
According to the insurance company research, the WRX is classified as more of a sporty vehicle, which insurers tend to believe can easily get involved in a crash. This raises its insurance quote.
On the other hand, lots of new or used Audi vehicles fall into the luxury sedan segment. Thus, insurers tend to believe they are not driven fast and dangerously. As a result, the insurance quote is significantly lower.
Your Next Step … Move from a Subaru to an Audi at Prestige Imports
Yes, Subarus and some entry to mid-level Audi’s satisfy the same consumer market. The two cars can compete on certain performance and drivability measurements. But, if you look at the two with a critical eye, one will inevitably come out on top. And that’s usually the Audi.
New and used Audi vehicles not only offer better performance and quality but also better reliability and safety. And that is what driving a car is all about.
When the time come to upgrade from that old Subaru, make sure to stop by Prestige Imports and take a closer look at our new, certified pre-owned, and used Audi offerings. You’re sure to get the best offer on an Audi vehicle, and you’ll learn what sets The Prestige Experience apart .
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