How to Properly Test Drive a Car: A Complete Guide for Sunset Hills Drivers

At Sunset Hills Subaru, we understand that test driving is a crucial step in choosing the right vehicle for you and your family. Whether you’re from nearby communities like Maplewood, MO, Maryland Heights, MO, or Fenton, MO, taking the time to properly evaluate a Subaru during a test drive ensures confidence, safety, and satisfaction with your purchase. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about how to conduct an effective test drive, including planning your route, understanding dealership policies, and making the most of your experience.

For questions or to schedule your test drive, call us at (314) 476-9638 or visit us at 10100 Watson Rd, Sunset Hills, MO 63127.

Table of Contents

• Planning Your Test Drive: Learn how to prepare your route and choose driving conditions that reflect your daily life for the most accurate vehicle evaluation.
• Do Salespeople Join You on the Test Drive?: Understand dealership practices regarding salesperson accompaniment and how it may affect your experience.
• Can You Test Drive Alone?: Explore the insurance and dealership policies that influence whether you can drive solo during your test drive.
• How to Request a Test Drive: Tips on what to say when asking for a test drive to keep the process smooth and respectful.
• How Many Cars Should You Test Drive?: Discover why comparing multiple vehicles helps you make a well-informed decision.
• Should You Schedule Your Test Drive or Just Show Up?: Advantages of booking ahead to maximize your time and options.
• Can You Take a Car to a Mechanic During a Test Drive?: Clarify your options for professional inspections before purchase.
• How Long Should a Test Drive Last?: Guidelines on duration to ensure thorough assessment.
• Can You Bring Your Dog or Pets on a Test Drive?: Understand dealership policies on pets during test drives.
• Explore Subaru Inventory at Sunset Hills Subaru: Links to browse new and used Subaru models, special offers, and parts to support your ownership journey.
• Schedule Service and Explore Trade-In Options: How to maintain your Subaru and maximize your trade-in value.

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Planning Your Test Drive

Before setting out on your test drive, planning a route that mirrors your typical driving conditions is essential. Drivers from Creve Coeur, MO, Richmond Heights, MO, or Chesterfield, MO will benefit from selecting roads that include a mix of highways, city streets, and rougher pavement to evaluate handling, comfort, and safety features like Subaru’s EyeSight driver assist.

Taking a preliminary drive along your intended route in your current vehicle can help you familiarize yourself with turns and stops, allowing you to focus fully on the Subaru during your test drive. Aim for a minimum of 30 minutes behind the wheel to experience acceleration, braking, steering responsiveness, and cabin noise under varied conditions. Testing over speed bumps or through uneven parking lots helps assess suspension comfort and control.

During your drive, make use of the Subaru infotainment and connectivity features such as Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ to ensure seamless integration with your devices, something especially valued by drivers in communities like Oakland, MO and Webster Groves, MO. Planning your test drive thoughtfully will provide a clearer picture of how the vehicle fits your lifestyle.

Expert Tips for Route Planning

• Include highway segments to test merging and acceleration.
• Drive through local neighborhoods for stop-and-go traffic experience.
• Incorporate hilly terrain if your commute includes elevation changes.
• Test during different times of day, including low light, to observe visibility and lighting.

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Do Salespeople Join You on the Test Drive?

One frequent question from prospective buyers in Valley Park, MO and Glendale, MO is whether a salesperson must accompany them on the test drive. Dealership policies vary, but many Subaru dealerships, including Sunset Hills Subaru, allow customers to test drive vehicles alone or with a salesperson depending on insurance guidelines and customer preference.

When salespeople accompany you, they provide useful information about the vehicle’s features and can answer questions in real time. However, some buyers prefer privacy to focus on the drive without feeling pressured. If you prefer to test drive alone, communicate this upfront to your salesperson. If the dealership requires a staff member’s presence, ask to drive on varied routes—not just a predetermined smooth path—to get a genuine feel for the vehicle.

Benefits of Having a Salesperson Along

• Immediate answers to questions.
• Assistance with vehicle controls.
• Safety oversight during the drive.

When You Might Prefer to Drive Solo

• To experience the car in your own way.
• To better assess comfort without distractions.
• To reduce sales pressure during the process.

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Can You Test Drive Alone?

Insurance policies often dictate whether a customer can take a Subaru for a test drive alone. At Sunset Hills Subaru, we follow manufacturer-backed insurance and liability standards that prioritize safety while accommodating customer preferences whenever possible.

If you’re from Ladue, MO, Concord, MO, or Twin Oaks, MO, and want to test drive solo, ask our team whether this is feasible. If allowed, we recommend confirming that the dealership’s insurance covers accidents during your drive for peace of mind.

Key Considerations

• Insurance coverage specifics.
• Dealership policies on solo test drives.
• Customer driving history and license verification.

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How to Request a Test Drive

Approaching the dealership with a clear, respectful request helps set the right tone. From nearby Sappington, MO and Lakeshire, MO, customers have found success with simple, direct communication such as:

“I’m interested in the [Subaru model] and would like to take it for a test drive to see how it fits my daily driving needs.”

Mentioning that you’re evaluating multiple models or comparing vehicles can help sales staff understand your intent without pressure. If you have a trade-in vehicle, you can politely indicate you’re considering it but haven’t made a final decision.

Helpful Tips When Requesting a Test Drive

• Be upfront about your interest level.
• Express appreciation for the salesperson’s time.
• Specify if you want to drive alone or with accompaniment.
• Mention if you want to explore specific vehicle features during the drive.

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How Many Cars Should You Test Drive?

The typical buyer in the St. Louis, MO metro area test drives around three vehicles before making a final decision. Testing multiple Subaru models such as the Outback, Forester, and Ascent allows you to compare features like cargo space, AWD performance, and comfort levels.

At Sunset Hills Subaru, we encourage customers to explore our extensive New Subaru Inventory and Used Vehicle Inventory to find the right fit. Taking your time prevents buyer’s remorse and ensures you select a vehicle that complements your lifestyle.

Why Multiple Test Drives Matter

• Compare drivability and comfort across models.
• Evaluate technology interfaces and safety features.
• Understand pricing differences with insight from the dealership.

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Should You Schedule Your Test Drive or Just Show Up?

Scheduling your test drive in advance maximizes efficiency, especially for busy families from Richmond Heights, MO, Crestwood, MO, and St Charles, MO. Appointments allow our team to prepare your desired Subaru model, minimizing wait times and ensuring a smooth experience.

You can easily book your test drive online or by calling (314) 476-9638. Planning ahead is especially helpful if you want to test multiple models or take advantage of our Current New Car Specials.

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Can You Take a Car to a Mechanic During a Test Drive?

While it’s uncommon for dealerships to allow customers to take a test vehicle directly to a mechanic, at Sunset Hills Subaru, we encourage prospective buyers to request professional inspections before purchase. This helps uncover any issues not evident during the test drive, especially for used vehicles.

Our Service Department professionals are also available to assist with inspections and maintenance, so after your purchase, you can Schedule Service and Diagnostics conveniently. Additionally, should you need Subaru-approved replacement parts, visit our Find Subaru Parts page.

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How Long Should a Test Drive Last?

Standard test drives typically last between 15 and 30 minutes, enough to evaluate basic handling and comfort. Extended test drives, which some dealerships offer, can last up to 24 hours, allowing you to experience the Subaru in varied conditions—including your daily commute around Webster Groves, MO or weekend adventures near Valley Park, MO.

Longer drives offer insight into fuel economy, cabin comfort, and the practicality of features like standard AWD and EyeSight driver assist. If an extended test drive interests you, please ask our team during your visit.

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Can You Bring Your Dog or Pets on a Test Drive?

For safety and hygiene reasons, Subaru dealerships, including Sunset Hills Subaru, do not allow pets on test drives. We recommend arranging pet care so you can focus fully on your vehicle evaluation, ensuring the best experience and safety for all parties.

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Explore Subaru Inventory at Sunset Hills Subaru

Ready to find your perfect Subaru? Browse our comprehensive selections online:

• Explore the latest Subaru models from the Outback to the Forester, and performance options like the WRX and BRZ.
• Check out our Used Vehicle Inventory for certified pre-owned choices.
• Take advantage of Current New Car Specials and Service and Parts Specials.

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Schedule Service and Explore Trade-In Options

Maintaining your Subaru is essential to its longevity and safety. Use our convenient online link to Schedule Service and Diagnostics with our expert technicians. To maximize the value of your current vehicle, use our tool to Get your value trade and explore trade-in offers.

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Ensuring a Confident and Safe Purchase with Sunset Hills Subaru

Test driving is more than a formality—it’s your opportunity to connect with your next Subaru on a personal level. From planning your route to understanding dealership policies, every detail matters. At Sunset Hills Subaru, conveniently located at 10100 Watson Rd, Sunset Hills, MO 63127, our team is here to help you navigate the process with transparency and care. Call us today at (314) 476-9638 to schedule your no-pressure test drive and experience the reliability, safety, and family-friendly practicality of Subaru firsthand.

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