Aug 25, 2025

Discovering the Best Subaru for City Driving: A Comprehensive Guide for Sunset Hills Drivers

If you’re navigating the bustling streets of Sunset Hills, MO, or nearby areas like Fenton, Webster Groves, and Richmond Heights, finding a vehicle that suits urban life is crucial. Subaru offers a range of models tailored for various lifestyles, but which Subaru is the best for city driving? This guide will explore the top Subaru models ideal for urban environments, comparing size, reliability, comfort, and efficiency to help you make an informed choice. For personalized assistance or to explore our extensive inventory, visit us at 10100 Watson Rd, Sunset Hills, MO 63127 or call us at (314) 476-9638.

Table of Contents


Why the Subaru Impreza Excels in City Driving

When considering the best Subaru for city driving, the Subaru Impreza stands out as a top contender. Its compact hatchback design is perfectly suited for navigating the tight streets and crowded parking lots common in urban areas like Ladue, Glendale, and Oakland, MO. Measuring approximately 176.4 inches in length and 71.7 inches in width, the Impreza offers a manageable footprint without sacrificing passenger comfort.

Fuel efficiency is a vital factor for city commuters. The Impreza boasts excellent fuel economy, averaging around 28 miles per gallon in the city and 36 miles per gallon on the highway, thanks to its efficient Subaru Boxer engine paired with a CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission). This efficiency translates to fewer stops at the pump, which is especially appreciated by drivers in Richmond Heights and Crestwood who often face stop-and-go traffic.

Safety is another critical consideration for city driving. The Impreza comes standard with Subaru’s renowned EyeSight Driver Assist Technology, including adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and pre-collision braking. These features provide an extra layer of protection in busy urban environments and are especially valuable in neighborhoods like Webster Groves and St Louis where pedestrian activity can be high.

The hatchback version of the Impreza offers versatile cargo space, ideal for grocery runs or transporting gear for weekend adventures outside the city. Its rear seats fold flat, creating up to 20.8 cubic feet of cargo area, giving you flexibility without bulk.

For Sunset Hills residents interested in test driving the Impreza or exploring our current models, check out our New Subaru Impreza Inventory.

Size and Space: Forester vs. Outback for Urban Living

Two other popular Subaru models that often come up in city driving discussions are the Forester and the Outback, both offering all-wheel drive and rugged versatility but different size profiles.

Exterior Dimensions and Maneuverability

The Subaru Forester measures about 183.3 inches in length and 72 inches in width, making it slightly smaller than the Outback, which stretches to 191.9 inches long and 74.2 inches wide. While the Outback’s larger size offers more cargo space, the Forester’s compactness makes it easier to maneuver through narrow streets and tight parking spaces in areas like Chesterfield and Twin Oaks.

Interior Space and Cargo Capacity

Despite being smaller, the Forester surprisingly offers 111.6 cubic feet of passenger volume, exceeding the Outback’s 109 cubic feet. This translates to more headroom and legroom, making the Forester a comfortable choice for daily urban travels or family trips in Creve Coeur.

When it comes to cargo, the Outback leads with 32.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 75.6 cubic feet with seats folded, perfect for hauling larger loads after shopping trips or weekend excursions. The Forester offers 29.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 74.4 cubic feet folded, which is still generous for city usage.

Ride Height and Ground Clearance

Both models offer excellent ground clearance, with the Outback at 9.5 inches and the Forester at 8.7 inches, allowing drivers from Glendale or Fenton to confidently drive over curbs or navigate less maintained city roads during inclement weather.

For those interested in exploring these models further, view our New Subaru Forester Inventory and New Subaru Outback Inventory.

Reliability and Longevity: Subaru Models That Last

Sunset Hills Subaru is proud to offer vehicles known for their durability and long lifespan, essential for city dwellers who rely on their cars daily. Models like the Forester, Outback, and Crosstrek are engineered to surpass 200,000 miles with routine maintenance.

The Forester, for example, features a robust 2.5-liter Boxer engine that balances power with reliability. With proper care, drivers in Maplewood and Valley Park commonly see their Foresters last well beyond 15 years. Routine maintenance is key, and scheduling service with our expert technicians ensures your Subaru stays in peak condition. You can easily Schedule Service and Diagnostics with us online.

Similarly, the Outback is celebrated for its longevity, combining ruggedness with technology that supports long-term ownership. Its strong resale value in the region reflects its reliability.

For those considering used models, our Used Vehicle Inventory offers thoroughly inspected Subarus with excellent histories, giving you confidence in your purchase.

Explore our available parts for maintenance and repairs at our Parts Department to keep your Subaru running smoothly.

Comfort and Ride Quality: Which Subaru Offers the Smoothest City Ride?

Comfort is paramount when driving through urban areas like Sappington, Lakeshire, or Richmond Heights, where traffic and road conditions can vary. The Subaru Legacy is often praised for offering the smoothest ride among Subaru models, thanks to its longer wheelbase and advanced suspension system.

Its cabin is well-insulated from road noise, providing a quiet and relaxing environment. Features like ventilated front seats and premium materials make it an excellent choice for longer commutes or weekend drives.

The Outback also delivers a comfortable ride with spacious seating and available Napa leather upholstery in higher trims, making it a favorite for drivers seeking both luxury and practicality.

To browse these comfortable models, visit our New Subaru Legacy Inventory or New Subaru Outback Inventory.

Affordability and Value: Best Budget-Friendly Subaru Options

Budget-conscious drivers in Sunset Hills and surrounding communities appreciate the value offered by the Subaru Impreza and Crosstrek. The Impreza stands as Subaru’s most affordable model, starting at a competitive price point and featuring standard all-wheel drive, which is rare in its class.

The Crosstrek offers a slightly higher starting price but rewards with increased ground clearance and versatility, making it ideal for drivers who want a small SUV with urban agility and weekend adventure capabilities.

Both models maintain strong resale values and low maintenance costs, essential for maximizing your investment.

Check out our current offers and specials in the Current New Car Specials and Current Service and Parts Specials pages to find great deals.

Explore our inventory for these models here:

Trade-In and Service at Sunset Hills Subaru

Maximize the value of your current vehicle by using our trade-in tool. Find out how much your car is worth with our easy-to-use Get your value trade resource. Our team is here to provide fair appraisals and smooth trade-in experiences.

Maintaining your Subaru’s performance is essential for city driving. Our skilled technicians at Sunset Hills Subaru provide expert maintenance and repairs using genuine parts. Schedule your next appointment conveniently online at Schedule Service and Diagnostics.

Whether you need routine oil changes, brake service, or genuine replacement parts, visit our Parts Department to find exactly what you need to keep your Subaru in top condition.


Finding Your Ideal Subaru in Sunset Hills and Beyond

When choosing the best Subaru for city life, it’s essential to balance size, comfort, reliability, and price. The Impreza is a standout for urban commuters, while the Forester and Outback offer more space and versatility for families or those with active lifestyles. For the smoothest rides, the Legacy and premium trims of the Outback provide added comfort.

We invite you to explore our extensive New Subaru Inventory and Used Vehicle Inventory to find models tailored to your needs. Visit us at 10100 Watson Rd, Sunset Hills, MO 63127 or call (314) 476-9638 to schedule a test drive or consultation today.

Experience the Subaru difference with a vehicle built for the city and beyond.