Last updated: 2026-10-10
Land Rover vs Subaru: Which Make Is More Reliable?
Land Rover
2 models tracked
Subaru
8 models tracked
Subaru comes out well ahead of Land Rover on reliability. It has fewer complaints per car sold, lower repair costs, and lighter recall impact. Land Rover's Defender 110 rates well, but the Range Rover Sport pulls its lineup down to mixed.
Is Land Rover More Reliable Than Subaru?
| Metric | Land Rover | Subaru |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Reliability Score | 58/100 | 73/100 |
| Models Tracked | 2 | 8 |
| Avg Recalls per Model | 100 | 15 |
| Avg Complaints per Model | 472 | 1084 |
Land Rover Models
2 models ranked by reliability
Land Rover vs Subaru: The Verdict
The more reliable brand is Subaru, and the gap is large. Owners file 2.3 complaints per 1,000 sold, against 4.2 for Land Rover. Subaru also comes out stronger on complaint severity, repair costs, and recall impact. Spread of problems across systems is even.
Raw counts can mislead. Subaru has far more complaints in total, but it has eight models in the data to Land Rover's two, so the per-sale rate is the fairer measure. Land Rover has 200 recalls on just two models, while Subaru has 121. Both brands show an improving recent trend.
Where Land Rover and Subaru Differ Most
| Component | Weight | Land Rover | Subaru |
|---|---|---|---|
| Complaint Severity Owner complaints weighted by component severity | 35% | 50/100Mixed | 62/100Good |
| Repair Costs Annual maintenance and repair expenses | 30% | 40/100Mixed | 73/100Good |
| Recall Impact Safety recalls weighted by severity (park-it, park-outside) | 20% | 64/100Good | 84/100Excellent |
| Issue Diversity How many different systems have reported problems | 15% | 79/100Good | 79/100Good |
Dig into the components and repair costs stands out — Subaru outscores by 33 points there, which carries significant weight in the final number.
Land Rover vs Subaru: Strengths and Weaknesses
Land Rover
Strengths
- Above-average reliability (58/100 average)
- Focused issue profile — problems concentrated in fewer areas
- Reliability trending upward in recent model years
Subaru
Strengths
- Strong overall reliability (73/100 average)
- Minimal recall impact — fewer safety-critical recalls
- Focused issue profile — problems concentrated in fewer areas
- Reasonable maintenance costs ($605/year avg)
- Reliability trending upward in recent model years
- 8 of 8 models rated Good or Excellent
- Below-average repair frequency
Weaknesses
- 74 fire-related complaints across lineup
- Above-average repair severity when issues occur
Land Rover vs Subaru Reliability by Vehicle Type
How the two makes compare within each vehicle category they both compete in:
| Category | Land Rover | Subaru | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| SUVs(1 vs 5 models) | 60/100 | 72/100 | Subaru |
| Sedans(1 vs 3 models) | 57/100 | 74/100 | Subaru |
Subaru wins 2 out of 2 shared categories.
Common Problems: Land Rover vs Subaru
| Component | Land Rover | Subaru |
|---|---|---|
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | 11%94 | 33%2,612 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 29%244 | 23%1,805 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 12%100 | 16%1,248 |
| POWER TRAIN | 12%99 | 5%405 |
| VISIBILITY | 1%5 | 6%461 |
| ENGINE | 8%70 | 3%272 |
| STEERING | 8%66 | 2%191 |
| AIR BAGS | 3%22 | 3%223 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 4%35 | 2%167 |
| STRUCTURE | 4%30 | 2%124 |
Share of each make's complaints, with counts below.
Land Rover vs Subaru Complaint Severity: Crashes, Fires, and Injuries
Land Rover
33
Crash reports
17
Fire reports
42
Injury reports
Subaru
289
Crash reports
74
Fire reports
154
Injury reports
Every Land Rover and Subaru Model Ranked
Land Rover Models
Subaru Models
Land Rover vs Subaru Reliability Trend by Year
Land Rover's reliability is improving — recent model years average 67/100, up from earlier years. Subaru's reliability is improving — recent model years average 81/100.
Both makes are trending improving in recent model years — neither is pulling away.
| Model Year | Land Rover | Subaru | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 70/100(2) | 82/100(6) | Subaru |
| 2025 | 64/100(2) | 79/100(8) | Subaru |
| 2024 | 64/100(2) | 77/100(8) | Subaru |
| 2023 | 55/100(2) | 75/100(8) | Subaru |
| 2022 | 56/100(2) | 74/100(7) | Subaru |
| 2021 | 56/100(2) | 72/100(6) | Subaru |
| 2020 | 42/100(1) | 68/100(7) | Subaru |
| 2019 | 56/100(1) | 63/100(7) | Subaru |
| 2018 | 47/100(1) | 67/100(6) | Subaru |
Models tracked per year in parentheses.
Who Should Buy Land Rover vs Subaru?
If you want a Land Rover, make it a Defender 110, which rates good. Look for a 2024, since it draws far fewer complaints than 2022 or 2023. Check for a failed DC/DC converter, which can trigger a dash warning and then a full shutdown. Skip the Range Rover Sport unless the price is right. Its screens freeze or go black, and coolant pipes near the supercharger can split. Avoid the 2018 and 2020 years. The 2025 and 2026 Defenders are too new to judge.
If low risk matters most, shop Subaru. Every model in the lineup rates good. The Legacy is the strongest of them. Take a 2024 and skip 2019 and 2020. For a family SUV, the Ascent also rates good, with 2024 the safer year and 2019 the one to avoid. Test the CVT on the highway and ask about battery drain. On any Subaru, inspect the windshield for cracks.
The Bottom Line: Land Rover or Subaru?
For most used-car shoppers, the safer buy is a Subaru, and the Legacy is the strongest single model across both lineups. A 2024 is the safer year. Independent repair-cost data puts Subaru at $605 a year on average. The data shows no matching Land Rover figure, so the cost gap is not quantified. Choose a Defender 110 only if you want it, and favor the 2024.
Land Rover vs Subaru: Common Questions
Is Land Rover more reliable than Subaru?
Which brand has more recalls, Land Rover or Subaru?
Which is cheaper to repair, Subaru or Land Rover?
What goes wrong most often on Land Rovers?
Do Subarus have a common problem to check before buying?
Comparing Land Rover vs Subaru? Run a VIN check on any specific vehicle before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.
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How we score Land Rover and Subaru models
Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.