If you're shopping for a used car in Ontario, two brands come up more than any others in the reliability conversation: Subaru and Toyota. Both have earned strong reputations over decades. Both hold their value well. Both tend to attract buyers who keep vehicles for a long time. And both are well-represented in used car lots across the province.
But they're not the same, and the "better" choice depends almost entirely on what you actually need from a vehicle. We sell both at Marden Motors. Here's our honest take.
What Both Brands Do Well
Before getting into differences, it's worth acknowledging what these two brands share.
Both Toyota and Subaru build vehicles that routinely go 300,000+ kilometres with proper maintenance. Reliability surveys — J.D. Power, Consumer Reports, owner forums — consistently rank both brands at or near the top. If you're buying a well-maintained used Toyota or Subaru, you're starting from a strong position.
Both brands also have strong parts availability and a wide mechanic network. You won't struggle to find someone who knows how to work on either brand, which matters when you're buying used and the warranty is gone.
And both have strong resale value, which is relevant when you're buying used — strong resale means you'll pay a bit more, but you'll also recover more when you sell.
Where Subaru Stands Apart
AWD is standard. This is Subaru's biggest differentiator. Every Subaru (with the exception of the BRZ sports car) comes with Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive as standard equipment. Not an optional add-on. Standard. For Ontario buyers, this matters — you get winter capability without paying an upgrade fee and without having to find a specific trim or option package.
Ground clearance and a practical body. Models like the Forester and Outback combine AWD with genuine ground clearance and practical cargo space. The Outback in particular occupies a useful middle ground between sedan and SUV that works well for families who don't need a full-size SUV but want more than a standard crossover.
Active enthusiast community and long-term loyalty. Subaru owners tend to keep their vehicles and maintain them well. This makes the used market for Subarus relatively healthy — you can find high-mileage Subarus with documented maintenance that are still running strong. The flip side is that good used Subarus sell quickly and command prices that reflect their reputation.
The known issues to watch for. Subaru's horizontally-opposed (boxer) engines have some known weaknesses. Head gasket issues were common in the EJ-series engines from the late 1990s through mid-2000s — mainly the 2.5L naturally aspirated engine in Foresters, Outbacks, and Legacies from that era. If you're looking at a Subaru older than 2010, specifically ask about head gasket history and look for signs of coolant leaks or contamination.
The FB-series engines introduced around 2012–2013 largely addressed the head gasket problem, but they introduced oil consumption issues on some vehicles — the 2013–2016 Forester with the 2.5L engine in particular. Check oil level at every inspection and ask sellers how frequently they add oil between changes.
CVT transmissions on newer Subarus (2010 and up on many models) have had some reliability concerns at high mileage. A transmission fluid service history and a test drive that includes highway acceleration is worthwhile.
Where Toyota Stands Apart
Legendary powertrain reliability. Toyota's reputation for reliability is largely built on engine and transmission durability. The 2GR-FE V6 found in RAV4s, Highlanders, and Venzas, the 1GR-FE in 4Runners, the 2AR-FE four-cylinder in Camrys and RAV4s — these are engines known for going hundreds of thousands of kilometres with minimal issues. Well-maintained, they're remarkably trouble-free.
Better resale and wider model range. Toyota's lineup covers more ground than Subaru's. If you're looking for a compact sedan (Corolla), a midsize car (Camry), a compact crossover (RAV4), a mid-size SUV (Highlander, 4Runner), or a pickup (Tacoma, Tundra), Toyota has all of them. Subaru's lineup is narrower.
Hybrid options with proven track records. Toyota's hybrid technology — the Prius, and hybrid versions of the Camry, RAV4, and Highlander — is mature, well-understood, and reliable. Used Toyota hybrids have strong track records. If fuel economy is a priority and you're comfortable with hybrid technology, a used Toyota hybrid is worth considering.
AWD costs extra (and is optional). Toyota's AWD is not universal across its lineup. You'll pay more for an AWD-equipped RAV4 than a FWD one, and some models don't offer AWD at all. If AWD is a priority, you need to specifically search for it in the options, which narrows your used market and typically increases price.
Known issues to watch for. Toyota isn't problem-free either. Some model years of the RAV4 and Highlander have had transmission hesitation complaints. Early Tacoma frames had serious rust problems — if you're looking at a first or second-generation Tacoma (2004–2015), frame inspection is critical in Ontario where road salt is heavy. And some Toyota transmissions have known fluid issues that lead to slipping when maintenance is deferred.
Our honest take: If AWD is important to you, Subaru is typically the better value because AWD is standard — you're not paying an option premium. If you're prioritizing long-term powertrain reliability across a wider range of vehicles, Toyota's track record is hard to beat. Both are strong choices. The question is which one fits your specific needs.
Cost Comparison in the Used Market
Used prices for both brands reflect their strong demand. You're unlikely to find a "deal" on a well-maintained Toyota Camry or Subaru Forester — too many buyers want them. What you're buying is predictability: lower repair risk, lower likelihood of surprise maintenance costs, and a vehicle that will sell well when you're done with it.
Roughly speaking, in Ontario's used market, comparable year-mileage examples of both brands tend to price similarly. A 2019 Subaru Forester with 90,000 km and a 2019 Toyota RAV4 with 90,000 km will be in similar price territory — typically $28,000–$35,000 depending on trim and condition.
Where price differences emerge: Toyota tends to hold value slightly better at the top end (Camry, RAV4 XLE trim and above), while Subaru offers better standard-equipment value at lower trims because AWD is included. A base Subaru Forester gives you AWD included; a base Toyota RAV4 may be FWD only.
Which Should You Buy?
Choose Subaru if: AWD is a priority, you want a practical crossover or wagon format, you're comfortable with slightly more model-year-specific research to avoid the known engine and CVT issues, and you want a vehicle with a strong owner community.
Choose Toyota if: you want a wider range of vehicle types to choose from, powertrain reliability with fewer model-year caveats is your top priority, fuel economy is important and hybrid models appeal to you, or you need a truck (Tacoma, Tundra) — Subaru doesn't have one.
In either case, a pre-purchase inspection by an independent mechanic is worthwhile. A good inspection on a Subaru specifically checks for head gasket seepage and oil consumption. On a Toyota, it checks transmission fluid condition and any signs of deferred service.
What We Have on the Lot
Subaru is consistently our most popular brand — Foresters, Outbacks, and Crosstreks move quickly. We also carry Toyotas when good ones come through — RAV4s, Corollas, and occasionally Tacomas. Every vehicle we put on the lot has been inspected and we price based on honest condition assessment.
If you're weighing Subaru versus Toyota and want to see both in person, come in. We're happy to walk you through what's in stock and what to look for on each.