2024 Subaru Prices: MSRP, Invoice Price, Actual Dealer Cost, and Holdback

Subaru Prices: How to Get the Best Deal on a New Subaru.

Subaru Prices - MSRP, Factory Invoice Price, and Dealer Holdback

Knowing the dealer invoice price is important when buying a new Subaru. This is the amount the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car. It might differ from the MSRP (Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price) shown on the window sticker and what the dealer pays for the vehicle.

If you’re planning to buy a new Subaru and want to learn about dealer invoice pricing or how to save by paying less than the MSRP, this article will give you all the information you need to make a well-informed decision.

Subaru Price Tip: It’s challenging to find a new Subaru at a reasonable price. Consumers frequently pay more than the suggested retail price. You can still find a great deal on a new Subaru by using an online shopping service to compare car prices and request quotes.

Table of Contents

Understanding Subaru Pricing Terms

Before we look into the specifics of Subaru prices, it’s crucial to grasp the general terms used in car pricing:

MSRP (Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price): The price manufacturers recommend dealerships sell the car for.
Invoice Price: The dealer pays the manufacturer for the car. The invoice price includes the cost of making the car and sometimes additional fees that dealers pay.
Actual Dealer Cost: The dealer’s real cost is the invoice price minus any incentives like rebates, holdback, and other allowances.
Holdback: The manufacturer returns a portion of the vehicle’s price, usually a percentage of the MSRP or invoice price, to the dealer. Dealer holdback boosts dealership profitability, allowing dealers to sell cars at or near invoice prices while making a profit.

What are Subaru Invoice Prices and MSRP?

Knowing these two numbers is essential when determining a fair price for a new car.

The MSRP (Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price) for a Subaru is the price the maker suggests dealers charge for the car. This price is set based on the model, trim level, color, options, and other factors. The MSRP is also the price on the car’s sticker when it arrives at the showroom.

The Subaru factory invoice price is what the dealership pays the manufacturer for the car before getting any discounts or incentives. This price includes the cost of any features added at the factory.

Dealers get their cars at wholesale prices directly from the manufacturer. The invoice price is what the dealer pays the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) for each vehicle.

However, the invoice price isn’t the same as what it costs the dealer to bring a new car to the lot. The dealer’s cost includes the invoice price plus shipping, storage, and other fees. This is key in negotiations because understanding how much the dealer has spent helps you see where they might be willing to negotiate.

While not everyone can buy a new car at or below the invoice price, knowing these prices helps you make informed offers during negotiations.

How Subaru’s MSRP Compares with Competitors

Subaru’s pricing strategy often aligns closely with its direct competitors, such as Honda, Toyota, and Ford.

Comparatively, Subaru models are priced to offer unique advantages like standard all-wheel drive and a sterling reputation for durability, which justifies any premium over comparably sized models from other manufacturers.

Real-Time Bargain Hunting: Turn to Edmunds for instant access to the latest and greatest local deals, saving you time, money, and stress.

Find the Best Price in Your Area ➙

How to Find the Subaru Invoice Price

You have the advantage of being aware of the essential elements of finding a Subaru at a reasonable price when you search online.

You have more negotiating power with the dealer if you know the Subaru invoice price and the MSRP. It’s not always easy to find because dealers don’t always publish the prices they pay for the cars they buy.

Some helpful free resources include RydeShopper, Edmunds, and MotorTrend.

RydeShopper and Edmunds are two of the best car-buying tools available online to assist you in finding the invoice price of any specific model and trim level.

Enter basic information into the tools, and they will present you with an itemized list describing the current MSRP and invoice for the selected make, model, and trim.

The Difference Between Subaru Invoice Price and Dealer Cost

The Subaru factory invoice prices include hidden benefit margins like dealer holdback and manufacturer-to-dealer discounts.

The actual dealer cost, which can be much less than the dealer’s invoice price, is the sum a dealer pays the manufacturer for a brand-new vehicle.

How Much is Subaru Dealer Holdback?

The dealer holdback is a cost element added to the factory invoice price of a new car; it typically represents 2-3% of MSRP. The dealer holdback, which some Subaru dealers will agree to, is NOT a discount or rebate but somewhat extra money.

Subaru dealer holdback is 2% of total MSRP (may vary in the Northern U.S.A.)

To determine the dealer holdback percentage, multiply the total MSRP by 2% of the full MSRP (may vary in the Northern U.S.A.) to get the total amount available.

The manufacturer typically sends the dealer this percentage every three months for each car they sell over time. Understanding that holdback isn’t always negotiable is crucial, and some Subaru dealerships won’t even talk about the exact dollar amount.

How to Calculate Actual Dealer Cost on a Subaru

How to calculate the Dealer Cost of a New Subaru:

Subaru Factory Invoice Price
– Dealer Holdback¹
– Customer Rebate²
– Dealer Incentive²
+ Destination Fee
= Actual Dealer Cost

¹Subaru dealer holdback is 2% of total MSRP (may vary in the Northern U.S.A.).
²If is applicable.

How to Find the Best Lowest Local Subaru Price

When negotiating your best deal, use the Subaru invoice price as leverage. The sticker might be discounted for you.

You can save a ton of money on your purchase if you can negotiate a lower price than the Subaru invoice price!

Get the start you need for your next new Subaru by finding the best price in your local area with RydeShopper below.

2024 New Car Price Guides

About the author
My name is Carlton Wolf, and I’ve been in the car business since 1994, both retail and wholesale. I created the Auto Cheat Sheet to better educate buyers about the deceptive sales practices used by many dealerships throughout the country. Please understand that not all car dealers are dishonest. However, you never know who you’ll be dealing with, though. I’m willing to share my knowledge and experience with anyone who listens. Keep in mind that I’m a car guy, not a writer.