Subaru Cars with Remote Start (9 Models: New & Used)
Remote start allows drivers to fire up the car’s engine from the comfort of their homes or an approximate distance, cooling down or heating the vehicle’s interior ahead of time in extreme heat or cold.
Select Subaru cars and SUVs can start remotely, although feature availability depends on the model year.
Do All Subarus Have Remote Start?
Most Subaru cars and SUVs gained remote start capability in 2008.
Except for the BRZ coupe, almost every one of the latest Subaru comes with an available remote engine start port, so owners can retrofit a remote starter and activate the feature via the carmaker’s subscription service.
For shoppers after a used car, check each Subaru’s corresponding table to see which model years have the convenience feature.
Subaru Cars with Remote Start
#1 Subaru Impreza
The Subaru Impreza is a small car available in sedan, hatchback, and wagon body styles, depending on the model year.
Select trims of newer Subaru Impreza variants made in 2022 and beyond come with a pre-installed remote-start port, allowing drivers to install the remote starter and activate a Safety and Security Plus subscription to use the function.
Remote engine start was standard in most of Subaru Impreza’s upper trims manufactured from 2018 to 2021.
Pre-2017 Impreza models had the feature as an option.
#2 Subaru WRX
WRX is a higher-performance version of the regular Impreza, with brisk acceleration, engaging handling, and standard all-wheel drive.
While older models with the feature were in short supply, the 2017 to 2021 Subaru WRX sedans at least had remote-start on the Limited trim.
2022 and newer versions of Subaru WRX have the remote-start port, so owners can install the device and subscribe to the carmaker’s Safety and Security Plus services to activate the feature.
#3 Subaru Legacy
Legacy is Subaru’s midsize sedan that competes against all-stars like the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord.
Except for 2013 and 2019, most Subaru Legacy sedans made between 2008 and 2021 had remote-start as optional equipment.
2022 and newer Subaru Legacy owners get a pre-installed remote-start port, particularly in the lower trims, requiring retrofitting the device and activating a Safety and Security Plus subscription to use the feature.
#4 Subaru BRZ
BRZ is a two-door, entry-level sports coupe and Subaru’s sole model with rear-wheel drive.
Most Subaru BRZ coupes made between 2013 and 2015 had remote start functionality in the higher trims, leaving the base variant without it.
2016 and newer BRZ models, including the second-gen, which appeared at the beginning of 2022, cannot start remotely.
Subaru SUVs with Remote Start
#5 Subaru Crosstrek & Crosstrek Plug-In Hybrid
Crosstrek is Subaru’s smallest crossover and competes in the extra-small SUV class.
Remote engine start has been optional for Subaru Crosstrek SUVs from 2016 to 2020, with trims like Sport, Premium, and Limited sporting the feature; 2019 and 2020 Limited did not.
For 2021 and onwards, the Subaru Crosstrek comes with a pre-installed remote-start port.
Subaru introduced the plug-in-hybrid variant in 2019 – older hybrids aren’t the plug-in type – but, unfortunately, no Crosstrek PHEVs have remote start capability.
#6 Subaru Forester
Subaru Forester is a small SUV with above-average off-road capability in the class.
Every 2009-2012 and 2015-2018 Subaru Forester had optional fob-based remote start functionality.
Between 2019 and 2020, only Forester’s Sport and Premium trims had remote start capability.
When Subaru moved to install remote-start ports in the 2021 and newer Subaru Forester SUVs, it only limited the port to the standard model, leaving Sport, Premium, Limited, Wilderness, and Touring without the feature.
While the Forester remains a solid choice, several other compact SUVs with remote engine start are strong alternatives worth considering.
#7 Subaru Outback
Subaru Outback is a midsize two-row SUV.
Since the latest generation debuted in 2020, the 2020 and 2021 Subaru Outback had an optional remote start in the two lowest trims.
The 2022 and newer Subaru Outback SUVs had a pre-installed remote-start port in the base trim, leaving the higher trims like Limited, Touring, Onyx, and Wilderness without the feature.
Buyers after a used 2008 to 2018 Subaru Outback with a fob-operated remote start will be happy to find the functionality’s availability in most models.
#8 Subaru Ascent
As Subaru’s largest SUV with three rows of seats, the Ascent is an excellent choice for larger families, with generous ground clearance for light off-roading and all-wheel drive.
Shoppers wanting remote engine start capability in the Subaru Ascent will need to opt for one of 2019’s upper trims, like Premium, Limited, and Touring, as the 2020 and newer SUVs cannot start remotely.
Subaru Electric Vehicle with Remote Start
#9 Subaru Solterra
The new-for-2023 Subaru Solterra is the marque’s first all-electric SUV.
Subaru Solterra cannot perform remote start using the key fob; still, owners can start the EV remotely from the Solterra Connect smartphone app, available via a trial or paid Remote Connect subscription.
Alternative Makes & Models with Remote Start
A host of mainstream car manufacturers produce cars and SUVs that can start remotely, and they include:
- Toyota cars with remote start.
- Honda cars with remote start.
- Mazda cars with remote start.
- Nissan cars with remote start.
- Hyundai cars with remote start.
- Kia cars with remote start.
- Volkswagen cars with remote start.
- Ford vehicles with remote start.
- Chevy vehicles with remote start.
- Jeep SUVs with remote start.
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