Watch: These 6 Heartwarming Subaru Dog Commercials Are A Must-See (2024)

Most automakers use out-of-the-box advertising to promote their vehicles. BMW, for example, has a whole universe consisting of BMW M drivers – called M-Town. Chevrolet usually makes jokes to advertise their cars. Subaru, on the other hand, features dogs.

Subaru created the ‘Dog Tested. Dog Approved’ commercial campaign where they use dogs in different human-like circ*mstances. This not only showcases that the Subaru models are great for humans but also offers the opportunity to make sure that the products are man’s-best-friend-friendly.

The Subaru PR team created the ‘Barkley family’ of Golden Retrievers to appeal to a wider audience of dog owners. This canine family is in every dog-related Subaru advertisem*nt and adds some pretty heartwarming fun to the whole mix. Here are some of Subaru’s new advertisem*nts to look out for.

On Repeat – Subaru Crosstrek

The first of the dog-centric advertisem*nts show the Barkley family driving in the new Subaru Crosstrek, with a track playing in the background from the made-up ‘Puppy Dance Jamz’. The puppy sitting in the backseat is bobbing its head to the tune and when the music ends, it gets fussy. The two parent dogs look at one another and one of them then restarts the song and the puppy becomes happy again.

Crosstrek Specs

Subaru then has the narrator mention the larger touchscreen – which keeps all occupants happy. The narrator finishes every advertisem*nt off with the “Dog Tested, Dog Approved” slogan. The Crosstrek may be the smallest of the current Subaru models, but it still features the same symmetrical all-wheel drive as the larger vehicles. The Crosstrek is also among the most reliable and most fuel-efficient of the Subaru range.

Glamping Trip – Subaru Ascent

The Glamping Trip ad sees two Dalmatians emerging from a tent after the Barkleys arrive. In tow behind the Ascent is a fancy doghouse, complete with fake grass, flowers, some light bulbs on the front, and even a fire hydrant. The narrator points out the Ascent’s impressive 5,000 lbs towing capacity.

Ascent Specs

The Subaru Ascent is the largest of the Japanese automaker’s products, featuring the same engines and all-wheel-drive system as the rest. The Ascent is a great family vehicle and is a great option within the segment occupied by the Mazda CX-90 and Toyota Grand Highlander.

Toys­ – Subaru Forester

Toys sees one of the parent dogs returning home in their Subaru Forester, only to hear a squeaking sound coming from outside. When checking, the dog finds that the two younger Barkleys have made a mess with their toys in the front yard, resulting in them driving over some of said toys.

Forester Specs

The Narrator states that the Forrester is able to ‘tackle unexpected terrain’. The Forester is quite a good vehicle within a segment overflowing with models – from the Honda CR-V to the Kia Sportage. The Forester offers a little something special and rally-inspired, not to mention the flat-4 soundtrack.

College – Subaru Impreza RS

College starts out with the Barkley family saying goodbye to their oldest child as they are on their way to university. It is a sad time and the parents run after the car and howl as it drives off into the great unknown.

Impreza Specs

The narrator states that the Impreza is the perfect car for this as it is roomy and economical for a college student. The specific trim used in the advert is the Impreza RS, which gets the larger 2.5-liter flat-4 producing 182 hp and 178 lb-ft of torque. Sadly, the car only comes with a CVT for better all-round performance of the all-wheel-drive system.

Everybody In­ – Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness

The Everybody In advert shows the Barkely family running up the ladder of the Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness. It is at first unknown why they do so until a skunk arrives at the foot of the ladder. The four dogs then look on through the door of the roof tent in adorable fashion, before the door is closed off to keep Mr Skunk at the bottom.

Crosstrek Wilderness Specs

The Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness is a more off-road-orientated version of the regular Crosstrek, but it features a slightly lifted ride for better clearance and a reinforced roof to handle the rigors of the great outdoors – such as a roof tent. The Crosstrek Wilderness is also fitted with more rugged-looking plastic wheel arches and some more off-road-friendly tires for better grip.

Bikers – Subaru Outback

The last of the dog-themed Subaru adverts involves the Barkley family arriving at a restaurant called Rufus’ Ruff Café, where the biker dogs are sitting outside on their metal beasts. The Barkelys look at them and moan, while the bikers growl and bark. The narrator notes that the Outback is more powerful than expected, fitting in with the rough and ready visuals.

Outback Specs

The Subaru Outback is one of the Japanese company’s most popular models all over the world as it combines the utility of an SUV with the space of a wagon, without the obnoxiously high driving position. The standard Outback comes with the same 2.5-liter flat-4 as in the Impreza RS, but the more powerful engine mates a turbocharger to the 2.4-liter flat-4 producing an impressive 260 hp.

Both engines get a fake 8-speed automatic in the form of a CVT, but the gearbox does a good job of mimicking the gears. The Outback can tow 2,700 lbs with the standard engine, rising to 3,500 for the turbocharged version.

What We Think

With the absolute number of crossovers and SUVs on sale today, automakers are doing whatever they can to be noticed. Subaru – while being a quite well-known manufacturer – needs to make sure people are buying their cars. After the Impreza WRX STI was discontinued and replaced with the normal WRX based on a different platform, the company diverted much of its resources to these family-orientated crossovers and SUVs.

While these cars are good, they are not quite as cool and exciting as the rally-bred sedans of the past. So, using some really adorable dogs in various human-simulated situations is quite a good and funny way to draw attention to Subaru as a family brand. It gives forth a playful attitude, while also showcasing the durability of their vehicles.

Long story short, we approve – and we hope Subaru makes a bunch more adverts featuring the Barkleys. And who knows, maybe they would even spark a competing automaker to introduce the McCatty family driving slick little city cars or the Gatto family, driving sexy Italian sports cars.