What to Check Before Buying a Used Subaru in Ontario: EyeSight History, AWD Wear, and Value
July 31 2026,
A used Subaru is an easy vehicle to feel good about. Standard Symmetrical Full-Time All-Wheel Drive and a suite of EyeSight driver-assist features are part of the package on most model years, which means a used Subaru often comes with more standard capability than a new vehicle from another brand in the same price range. Knowing what to look for helps confirm that the specific vehicle you’re considering delivers everything that made it a strong choice when it was new.
This guide covers three areas worth getting to know before you buy: the vehicle’s EyeSight history, how the AWD system is holding up, and how to read the asking price against the vehicle’s trim and features.
Get to Know the EyeSight History
EyeSight is Subaru’s driver-assist system, using up to three windshield-mounted cameras to power features like adaptive cruise control, pre-collision braking, and lane departure warning. It comes on Subaru models equipped with a Lineartronic CVT, Subaru Performance Transmission, or automatic transmission, so it’s worth confirming the transmission type on any used model you’re comparing. Vehicles equipped with EyeSight have earned Superior ratings for front crash prevention from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, one of the highest marks a driver-assist system can achieve.
- Confirm the transmission type, since that determines whether EyeSight is included
- Take a look at the windshield near the camera housing to get a sense of its condition
- Ask whether the windshield has been replaced, and if so, whether the cameras were recalibrated as part of that work
- Try out adaptive cruise control and lane departure warning on a test drive to see the system in action
See How the AWD System Is Holding Up
Subaru’s Symmetrical Full-Time AWD system is engineered with fewer moving components than many competing AWD setups, which Subaru points to as one reason it tends to run efficiently and cost less to maintain over time. A short walk-around and a test drive are usually all it takes to get a feel for how the system is performing on a used model.
- Take a look at the tires. Matching tread depth and matching tire models across all four corners are both good signs
- Ask about maintenance history for the transmission and differential fluid
- Listen for a smooth, quiet feel during low-speed turns
- If possible, take the test drive route over a gravel section or a wet road to feel the AWD system respond
Compare the Price to the Value
Once you have a feel for the technology and the drivetrain, the last step is putting the price in context. Line up the used vehicle’s trim, mileage, and model year against current pricing for the same model line so the number in front of you makes sense. A vehicle history report is a useful reference point too, giving a clear picture of the vehicle’s ownership and accident history.
Trim level matters just as much as mileage when judging value. A higher trim with more standard safety and comfort features can be worth a higher asking price than a lower trim with fewer kilometres, so it helps to know exactly what equipment came standard on the specific trim and model year in question before comparing two listings side by side.
At a Glance: Used Subaru Buying Checklist
|
What to Check |
Why It Matters |
|
Transmission type |
Determines whether EyeSight is included |
|
Windshield condition |
Affects how well the EyeSight cameras read the road |
|
Tire match |
Even tread and matching tires support AWD performance |
|
Maintenance records |
Shows how consistently the AWD system was serviced |
|
Vehicle history report |
Gives a clear picture of ownership and accident history |
|
Trim and equipment |
Confirms the asking price lines up with the features included |
Learn More at Subaru of Maple in Vaughan
A used Subaru brings standard AWD and available EyeSight technology together in a package that holds its value well. Visit the team at Subaru of Maple in Vaughan to learn more about what to look for in a used Subaru and how it compares to the current lineup.
