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Subaru

XT

Subcompact Cars · model years 1985 to 1991

Includes XT and XT 4WD as listed by the EPA.

The verdict

Year by year

Year by year summary for the Subaru XT
YearTrimsMPGFuel costRecallsComplaintsTop complaintsVerdict
19854Gas20.5$3,275no datano datano data
19866Gas22.5$2,975no datano datano data
198713Gas23$2,900no datano datano data
19886Gas22$3,050no datano datano data
19897Gas22$3,050no datano datano data
19907Gas22$2,85010no data
19917Gas22$2,85011SEAT BELTS 100%

How the numbers moved

Combined MPG, median1985: 20.5 to 1991: 22
Owner complaints1990: 0 to 1991: 1
How we score each year

We compare each year of the Subaru XT to the model's own typical numbers, not to other cars. A year reads solid when its recalls, owner complaints, and federal investigations sit at or below what is typical for this model, mixed when some of those numbers run above typical, and avoid when they run far above it. Deaths, reported fires, and an NHTSA advisory to park outside count against a year no matter what this model's baseline looks like.

A year is scored only when NHTSA has both complaint and recall counts for it. Complaint data often lags for the newest years, so a recent year can read not enough data even while its recall count already shows in the table. When the history is too thin, we say not enough data instead of guessing. Service bulletins are routine maintenance guidance from the manufacturer and do not lower a year's score.

Scores run 0 to 100, higher is better. Recall, complaint, and investigation figures come from NHTSA records. Fuel economy, fuel cost, and horsepower figures come from the EPA, shown as the median across the year's trims.

Information is gathered on a best-effort basis from public sources, may be incomplete or out of date, and is not purchasing or financial advice. Verify with the manufacturer or dealer before buying.