March and Q1 2025 sales numbers are on the books. And few manufacturers will have been more excited to get that press release out than Subaru. The Japanese brand sold 71,478 vehicles in March, the best sales month in the company’s history. The figure showed 16.6 percent year-over-year growth from March 2024. And it was Subaru’s 32nd straight month of sales growth in America.
Key Takeaways
- Subaru had its best sales month ever in March 2025
- Much of that success was due to the Forester, which also had its best-ever sales month
- Subaru Crosstrek and Outback sales have also been strong
- Even the Solterra EV had a great month in 2025
- But Trump’s tariffs are looming
The Subaru Forester Had Its Best Sales Month Ever
The Subaru Forester sold 22,570 units in March, the compact crossover’s best sales month ever. Subaru has sold 49,865 Foresters to date in 2025 and looks poised to reclaim its mantle as Subaru’s overall best-selling vehicle. The Forester is finally adding a hybrid model for 2025 to better compete with the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V.
March was also a big month for Subaru’s other hit crossovers. The Subaru Crosstrek sold 18.169 units, a 25.1 percent year-over-year increase from March 2024. Both the Crosstrek (13.6 percent) and the Outback (13.4 percent) are up double digits in year-to-date sales.
Subaru also sold 1,154 Solterra EVs in March, a jump of 158.7 percent from the previous March. The Solterra, at least for now, remains outmoded compared to EV competitors. However, strong Subaru incentives like $0 down payment leases and 0 percent APR financing have helped move 2024 Solterras off the lot.
But Tariffs Are Coming For Subaru Like Any Other Manufacturer
Subaru is not as badly situated as other automakers with the Trump administration’s 25 percent tariffs. Subaru builds the Outback, Ascent, and 2.5-liter Crosstrek SUVs in Indiana. And the brand was already moving Forester production to the U.S. later in 2025. However, the tariffs could still hit hard and threaten Subaru’s affordable lineup and sports cars. Subaru has not raised prices yet due to tariffs. But the brand has informed its retailers that it can’t guarantee current pricing after April 2, 2025.
TopSpeed’s Take
March was a strong month for the automotive industry writ large. However, Subaru has been outpacing other manufacturers. The brand is up 9.1 percent in Q1 2025 over Q4 2024 vs. the 4.5 percent industry average. But the looming tariffs will cause many to wonder how long the sales success at Subaru and other brands will last. A probable increase in prices may dampen sales moving forward. Much of the March boom may have been buyers looking to purchase their vehicles before the tariffs hit.
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