Audi Vs Subaru: Which Is The AWD Champion?

Every time I thrash the keyboard on something related to all-wheel drive, invariably I end up ticking off either the Audi fanboys, or the Subaru fanboys. Even in my recent piece on inexpensive AWD Subie alternatives, I basically say that Subarus are so awesome they deserve their own list, then give praise to the A4. But no, that wasn’t good enough, as evidenced by the comments lambasting me for not choosing more Audis, or those who said Subarus are way better - despite the article specifically not being about Subarus.

Hey, it’s all good - getting vocal with that kind of passion for automobiles is what makes Car Throttle so great. So now I’ll see if I can destroy the space-time continuum by throwing Audi and Subaru into an all-wheel drive death match through the decades. Some might say the deck is already stacked against Audi since I’m something of a Subie fan, and since I’ve dished out plenty of hate on Audi reliability.

Don’t worry, Audi lovers, because I’m very open minded when it comes to cars. And to go a step further, both Audi and Subaru are already winners in the AWD world. They have great all-wheel drive systems that are similar in many applications, so consider this comparison as a best-of-the-best instead of winners and losers. Of course, I also I realise that everything I say will be simultaneously praised by one camp and condemned by the other, sort of like betting equal amounts on black and red then spinning the Roulette wheel. I’m never going to win, but I’m not going to lose either. Those are good enough odds for me!

This has to be a no-brainer. Audi pretty much wrote the book on high-performance all-wheel drive in the 1980s while Subaru was still working primarily with part-time systems in their passenger cars. Yes, the Leone was garnering some success in the World Rally Championship, but only in the latter half of the decade after Group B was eliminated and Audi had departed.

Naturally everyone loved the Ur-Quattro, but the 80 and 100 (4000 and 5000 in the U.S.) were also thoroughly enjoyable cars to drive and were actually quite reliable, despite the bad rap given to the 5000 in the States. Still, the most iconic images of all-wheel drive performance through the 1980s are of Audi Quattros dominating Group B stage rally in the WRC.

Early 1990s: Advantage Audi

Sorry, Subie fans. Things were looking up with the Legacy and the fine-tuning of Subaru’s symmetrical all-wheel drive system, and who can forget Colin McRae’s epic drive in a Legacy RS during the 1992 Manx Rally? The Impreza was born, and the love-it-or-hate-it SVX (personally I love it) dared to challenge traditional grand touring markets with weird windows, a boxer-six engine and all-wheel drive.

As good as all that was, there was a sense that serious Subarus were still works in progress. Interiors were cheap, build quality was a bit dodgy, fatal rust issues were commonplace, and not all its performance models were available in global markets. Meanwhile, Audi launched the S2 in select markets and the S4 worldwide, the latter based on the C4 platform. The entire C4 cars with Quattro underneath were as engaging to drive as they were well-crafted, and the boosted S4 made a great sound that matched the fun. Yeah they were expensive, but they were worth it.

Late 1990s: Advantage Subaru

Everyone has heard me talk about the abysmal reliability of the B5-series Audis so I won’t spend much time on the subject. The twin-turbo S4’s delectable performance was offset by its inability to not constantly break down, and sky-high repair bills to get it back on the road. Similar problems could be seen through the rest of the Audi line as well. They looked good, they drove great, but none of that matters when they spend so much time sitting in pieces inside a repair shop.

Not that Subaru was immune to such things - head gaskets were becoming problematic and the kick-butt performance models of both the Legacy and Impreza still weren’t offered worldwide. But quality was improving, styling was on the upswing, performance in the non-turbo models had increased, and they were affordable to the masses. Nobody would mistake the interior of a Legacy wagon for that of an A6 Avant, but both were available with a manual transmission and both were enjoyable to drive. And of course Subaru and its symmetrical all-wheel drive systems had scored three consecutive manufacturer championships for 1995, 1996 and 1997.

Early 2000s: Advantage Subaru

This is a close call, but I must stick with Subaru. Audi was still getting quality under control across the board, especially with its high-performance models. Lower-end models were continually getting more horsepower, though Audi’s Quattro systems in non-performance applications tended to behave more like front-wheel drive. Still, they were strong performers, and they had some of the best looking designs in Audi’s history.

On the other side, Subaru finally went global with the WRX, and though I pretty much despise the 2002 bug eye design, it was one hell of a fun car to drive for the price. For those who didn’t want a WRX, the Forester 2.5XT was a total sleeper with a manual, and even the Legacy Outbacks had some serious fun factor, not to mention increasing levels of refinement and luxury. Audis were well regarded for their on-road all-wheel drive prowess, but Subarus were building a rep for going pretty much anywhere - usually sideways and always fast.

Late 2000s: Advantage Audi

This is another tough call, but I think Audi really got its groove back through the latter part of the naughties, while Subaru lost some of its edge. I know that comment will infuriate STi owners, but Subaru fell victim to the bigger is better trend. The entire Impreza line grew softer and less engaging, including the WRX. Meanwhile the turbocharged Forester lost its manual transmission option, and while the Legacy GT was exciting for a larger sedan, its price was uncomfortably close to much more premium brands.

Audi on the other hand delivered an A4 with as much power as the performance-oriented Legacy GT, never mind the S4’s 339bhp V8. Reliability was improved, performance models were more focused, and while both Audi and Subaru were evolving their all-wheel drive systems through increasingly complex levels of electronic control, I think Audi’s system was a bit more enthusiast-oriented across all lines.

2010s: You decide...

Those are my thoughts on the last 30 or so years of all-wheel drive excellence from Audi and Subaru. For our current decade I think both manufacturers have some hits and misses, but to be honest, I’m not sure who’s in the lead. I leave that discussion up to you…