According to research conducted by the website DealerRater®, 55% of car buyers test drive only ONE car before making a decision to purchase, and an additional 22% drive only two.
We get it: If it’s been a while or it’s your first time buying a car, the test drive is like a first date. You’re a little nervous; you have to make small talk with a stranger; and you’re in a completely unfamiliar environment.
This is your moment to learn everything about your next Subaru vehicle. So, what should you be doing? Kicking the tires? Raising the hood? Driving it around the block? In a short period of time, how do you figure out whether this car will be right for your daily commute five years down the road?
When you’re ready to purchase your next Subaru, we want you to get the most out of your time, before you even drive the vehicle out into traffic. We’ve put together a list of five tasks that will help make your purchase decision easier.
Do Your Research Upfront
A survey from J.D. Power suggests that new car shoppers take around four months to research and buy their new car. Subaru.com helps you compare both models and trim levels, and you can even build your own vehicle to help figure out pricing.
Subaru retailer websites provide not only information about the vehicles in general but also up-to-date information on which vehicles are available on their lot. All this information can help you narrow your search to two or three cars before you’ve even gotten to the retailer.
Get In and Out
You probably get in and out of your current vehicle at least twice a day. On a busy weekend, you can easily do it 25 times. If you smash your head on the windshield pillar or jam your knee against the dash every time, that car probably isn’t the right size for you.
Take the time to get in and out of a new Subaru multiple times. Understand the range of motion of the seats and the steering column to make getting in and out easier. Open the rear doors and get in and out to see if there’s enough room in the door opening. You’re the best judge of whether a particular model is sized right for you and your family.
Ask About the Technology
The average age of cars on the road today is about 11 years old, say industry experts at IHS Markit. If you haven’t purchased a vehicle in that time, safety technology that was barely invented then is available now to help prevent crashes before they ever happen.
Advanced driver assist technology such as Subaru EyeSight®1 – which includes Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keep Assist,2 Pre-Collision Braking3 and Pre-Collision Throttle Management – was the stuff of science fiction 20 years ago. Now, it’s a part of over a million Subaru vehicles on the road. Your retailer can help explain the benefits and advantages.
Bring the Kids
While you’re in front enjoying all the benefits of your new vehicle, your kids will spend the better part of their time in the back seat. Make sure to bring them along to see the vehicle from their perspective. Bring their car seats and boosters and, if they’re of the age when they’ll soon be out of a booster, sit in the back yourself to get an understanding of what the vehicle will be like for them when they’re bigger.
Pair Your Phone
If your last car was from the Cassette Era, you’re going to love how a new Subaru works with your mobile devices. Pairing your phone takes just a few seconds, and it will give you a much better sense of how you’ll live with your new Subaru day to day for years to come. If you’ve got your charging cable with you, you can also plug it into the USB outlet to learn how physically connecting the phone can simultaneously charge it, while allowing you to use all the functionality of Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™4 integration.
SUBARU STARLINK® Safety and Security Plus5 Curfew Alert
Once you’ve spent time on these five items, buckle up and test drive the vehicle to see how enjoyable it is to drive. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety reports that the average American spends more than 290 hours a year on the road, and this is the time to find out how your next Subaru can make that time more pleasant.
1 EyeSight is a driver assist technology that may not operate optimally under all driving conditions. The driver is always responsible for safe and attentive driving. System effectiveness depends on many factors, such as vehicle maintenance, weather and road conditions. See Owner’s Manual for complete details on system operation and limitations.
2 EyeSight is a driver assist technology that may not operate optimally under all driving conditions. Advanced Adaptive Cruise Control and Brake Light Recognition are designed to assist the driver and are not substitutes for safe and attentive driving. Lane Keep Assist operates only when the lane markings are visible. The driver is always responsible for safe and attentive driving. System effectiveness depends on many factors, such as vehicle maintenance, weather and road conditions. Lane centering function operates only when used in conjunction with Advanced Adaptive Cruise Control. See Owner’s Manual for complete details on system operation and limitations.
3 EyeSight is a driver assist technology that may not operate optimally under all driving conditions. The Pre-Collision Braking System is designed to provide automatic braking that either prevents a collision or reduces the severity of a frontal impact. The driver is always responsible for safe and attentive driving. System effectiveness depends on many factors, such as vehicle maintenance, weather and road conditions. See Owner’s Manual for complete details on system operation and limitations.
4 Android Auto™ is a trademark of Google, Inc.
5 Activation with subscription required. Features and availability vary by vehicle and trim level. See your retailer for details.
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