Trade talks and tariff debates often make people think twice about where their purchases come from. With something like produce or wine, the answer is usually straightforward. But cars? That’s a different story. No vehicle rolling off a lot is 100% American-made. Parts—from tires to electrical components to paint pigments—are sourced from countries all over the world. And the badge on the hood? It doesn’t always tell you the whole story. Domestic brands often import vehicles from other countries, and many foreign-headquartered brands, including Subaru, have assembly plants in the U.S. Five Star Subaru takes pride in informing customers that several popular Subaru models are assembled in the United States.
Unlike larger automakers, Subaru operates just one manufacturing plant outside its native Japan. Nestled in Lafayette, Indiana, the Subaru of Indiana Automotive (SIA) facility sits at the heart of America’s midwest. For more than 35 years, this plant has been producing some of Subaru’s best-loved models. The four vehicles currently rolling off its assembly line are:
The Legacy holds the distinction of being the Lafayette plant’s original model, built during the facility’s co-ownership era with Isuzu, which simultaneously produced pickup trucks there. The Outback, derived from the Legacy wagon, naturally found its home in the same facility. As American consumers increasingly gravitate toward SUVs and crossovers, 2025 will mark the Legacy’s final production year. However, the Lafayette plant’s future remains secure, with the redesigned 2026 Outback carrying on production there.
The Ascent began production in 2018, coinciding with the launch of Subaru’s largest model. The Impreza is Subaru’s most popular model and was designed specifically for the global market, where compact sedans remain a favored vehicle category. It has always been manufactured at Japanese plants, with many models exported to foreign markets.
Subaru’s choice to build cars in the U.S. was made long before any debate about tariffs or other political matters arose. The key factors driving domestic vehicle production in the U.S. include:
The high quality of vehicles from its U.S. plant has helped Subaru earn its reputation for quality, high resale value, and the titles of 2025 Best Overall Automotive Brand and 2025 Most Reliable Automotive Brand from Consumer Reports.
Visit Five Star Subaru to explore all the impressive models in Subaru’s lineup. Whether built for city streets or mountain trails, Subaru crafts and engineers vehicles that drivers trust and cherish—and for which they keep coming back to the brand to buy again.
