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.
| Model Years | Remote Start | Trim Levels |
| 2023 Subaru Impreza | Port installed. | Base, Premium. |
| 2022 Subaru Impreza | Port installed. | Base, Premium. |
| 2021 Subaru Impreza | Yes; Standard. | Sport, Limited. Base, Premium (optional). |
| 2020 Subaru Impreza | Yes; Standard. | Sport, Limited. Base, Premium (optional). |
| 2019 Subaru Impreza | Yes; Standard. | Sport, Limited. |
| 2018 Subaru Impreza | Yes; Standard. | Sport, Limited. Base, Premium (optional). |
| 2017 Subaru Impreza | NA. | – |
| 2016 Subaru Impreza | Yes; Optional. | Limited, Premium. |
| 2015 Subaru Impreza | NA. | – |
| 2014 Subaru Impreza | Yes; Optional. | All. |
| 2013 Subaru Impreza | Yes; Optional. | All. |
| 2012 Subaru Impreza | Yes; Optional. | All. |
| 2011 Subaru Impreza | Yes; Optional. | All. |
| 2010 Subaru Impreza | Yes; Optional. | All. |
| 2009 Subaru Impreza | Yes; Optional. | All. |
| 2008 Subaru Impreza | Yes; Optional. | All. |
| 2007 & earlier | NA. | – |
#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.
| Model Years | Remote Start | Trim Levels |
| 2023 Subaru WRX | Port installed. | Base. |
| 2022 Subaru WRX | Port installed. | Base. |
| 2021 Subaru WRX | Yes; Optional. | Limited. |
| 2020 Subaru WRX | Yes; Optional. | Limited. |
| 2019 Subaru WRX | Yes; Optional. | Limited. |
| 2018 Subaru WRX | Yes; Optional. | Limited. |
| 2017 Subaru WRX | Yes; Optional. | Limited. |
| 2016 Subaru WRX | NA. | – |
| 2015 Subaru WRX | Yes; Optional. | Limited. |
| 2014 Subaru WRX | NA. | – |
| 2013 Subaru WRX | NA. | – |
| 2012 Subaru WRX | NA. | – |
| 2011 Subaru WRX | NA. | – |
| 2010 Subaru WRX | NA. | – |
| 2009 Subaru WRX | NA. | – |
| 2008 Subaru WRX | Yes; Optional. | All. |
| 2007 & earlier | NA. | – |
#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.
| Model Years | Remote Start | Trim Levels |
| 2023 Subaru Legacy | Port installed. | Base, Premium. |
| 2022 Subaru Legacy | Port installed. | Base, Premium. |
| 2021 Subaru Legacy | Yes; Optional. | Base, Premium. |
| 2020 Subaru Legacy | Yes; Optional. | Base, Premium. |
| 2019 Subaru Legacy | NA. | – |
| 2018 Subaru Legacy | Yes; Optional. | All. |
| 2017 Subaru Legacy | Yes; Optional. | All. |
| 2016 Subaru Legacy | Yes; Optional. | All. |
| 2015 Subaru Legacy | Yes; Optional. | All. |
| 2014 Subaru Legacy | Yes; Optional. | All. |
| 2013 Subaru Legacy | NA. | – |
| 2012 Subaru Legacy | Yes; Optional. | All, except for 2.5GT. |
| 2011 Subaru Legacy | Yes; Optional. | All, except for 2.5GT Limited. |
| 2010 Subaru Legacy | Yes; Optional. | All, except for 2.5GT Premium, 2.5GT Limited. |
| 2009 Subaru Legacy | Yes; Optional. | All, except for Base, 2.5GT Spec B. |
| 2008 Subaru Legacy | Yes; Optional. | All, except for Base, 2.5GT Spec B. |
| 2007 & earlier | NA. | – |
#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.
| Model Years | Remote Start | Trim Levels |
| 2023 Subaru Crosstrek | Port installed. | Base, Premium, Premium SE. |
| 2022 Subaru Crosstrek | Port installed. | Base, Premium. |
| 2021 Subaru Crosstrek | Port installed. | Base, Premium. |
| 2020 Subaru Crosstrek | Yes; Optional. | Sport, Premium. |
| 2019 Subaru Crosstrek | Yes; Optional. | 2.0i Sport, 2.0i Premium. |
| 2018 Subaru Crosstrek | Yes; Optional. | All. |
| 2017 Subaru Crosstrek | Yes; Optional. | All, except for the base 2.0i. |
| 2016 Subaru Crosstrek | Yes; Optional. | All, except for the base 2.0i. |
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.
| Model Years | Remote Start | Trim Levels |
| 2023 Subaru Forester | Port installed. | Base. |
| 2022 Subaru Forester | Port installed. | Base. |
| 2021 Subaru Forester | Port installed. | Base, Premium. |
| 2020 Subaru Forester | Yes; Optional. | Sport, Premium. |
| 2019 Subaru Forester | Yes; Optional. | Sport, Premium. |
| 2018 Subaru Forester | Yes; Optional. | All. |
| 2017 Subaru Forester | Yes; Optional. | All. |
| 2016 Subaru Forester | Yes; Optional. | All. |
| 2015 Subaru Forester | Yes; Optional. | All. |
| 2014 Subaru Forester | NA. | – |
| 2013 Subaru Forester | NA. | – |
| 2012 Subaru Forester | Yes; Optional. | All. |
| 2011 Subaru Forester | Yes; Optional. | All. |
| 2010 Subaru Forester | Yes; Optional. | All. |
| 2009 Subaru Forester | Yes; Optional. | All. |
| 2008 & earlier | NA. | – |
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.
| Model Years | Remote Start | Trim Levels |
| 2023 Subaru Outback | Port installed. | Base. Premium (optional). |
| 2022 Subaru Outback | Port installed. | Base, Premium. |
| 2021 Subaru Outback | Yes; Optional. | Base, Premium. |
| 2020 Subaru Outback | Yes; Optional. | Base, Premium. |
| 2019 Subaru Outback | NA. | – |
| 2018 Subaru Outback | Yes; Optional. | 2.5i, 2.5i Premium. |
| 2017 Subaru Outback | Yes; Optional. | All. |
| 2016 Subaru Outback | Yes; Optional. | All. |
| 2015 Subaru Outback | Yes; Optional. | All. |
| 2014 Subaru Outback | Yes; Optional. | All. |
| 2013 Subaru Outback | Yes; Optional. | 2.5i Limited, 3.6R Limited. |
| 2012 Subaru Outback | Yes; Optional. | All. |
| 2011 Subaru Outback | Yes; Optional. | All. |
| 2010 Subaru Outback | Yes; Optional. | All. |
| 2009 Subaru Outback | Yes; Optional. | All. |
| 2008 Subaru Outback | Yes; Optional. | All. |
| 2007 & earlier | NA. | – |
#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.
| Model Years | Remote Start | Trim Levels |
| 2023 Subaru Ascent | NA. | – |
| 2022 Subaru Ascent | NA. | – |
| 2021 Subaru Ascent | NA. | – |
| 2020 Subaru Ascent | NA. | – |
| 2019 Subaru Ascent | Yes; Optional. | Premium, Limited, Touring. |
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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