Subaru Dealership
Subaru Dealership Near Richlands, NC
Fourteen miles down NC-24, about 20 minutes from the historic district to ourlot. Every Subaru here starts at 8.7 inches of ground clearance with all-wheel drive standard, whichis the right starting point for a town where a lot of the roads are not paved.
About 20 minutes from RichlandsWhy Make the Drive
Why Richlands Drivers Choose Sport Durst Subaru
Richlands is closer to us than almost any town we serve, and the reasons tocome here are the practical kind: clearance, traction, a service bay that understands dust, and 20minutes instead of an hour to New Bern or Wilmington.
01
Fourteen miles, one road
NC-24 out of Richlands turns into N. Marine Blvd and ends at our lot. About 20 minutes. Nothing else in the Subaru network is close to that from here.
02
The clearance is already there
Every Subaru starts at 8.7 inches of ground clearance, and the Wilderness trims go to 9.3 or 9.5 inches. You are not lifting anything or fitting a skid plate after the fact.
03
X-MODE is standard on almost everything
Subaru's low-traction mode is standard on every 2026 Forester except the Base trim, and across the Outback, Crosstrek and Ascent lines. It is the setting for a wet field entrance.
04
Service that fits a working schedule
Express Service covers oil, tires, filters and inspection in one visit. Dust loads air filters faster on gravel roads, which is the kind of thing we check without being asked.
05
Real tow ratings, stated plainly
Ascent at 5,000 pounds, Outback at 2,700 or 3,500 depending on engine, Forester Wilderness at 3,500. We will tell you which trim actually does what you need rather than quoting the best number in the brochure.
06
Trade in what you have been running
Trucks, older SUVs and farm-use vehicles all come through our appraisal. Run the numbers online from Richlands first so the trip is a signature rather than an evaluation.
Inventory
New and Used Subaru Inventory, 20 Minutes from Richlands
What is on the lot changes weekly. If you want a Wilderness trim specifically,call first. They move quickly and they are the ones worth driving over for.
New Subaru
New Subaru Inventory
Forester and Crosstrek for daily use, Outback for the load, Ascent for eight seats and a 5,000pound tow rating. Wilderness versions of the first three add clearance and dual-function X-MODE.
Shop New Subaru InventoryPre-Owned
Used and Certified Pre-Owned
Trade-ins of every kind come through here, not only Subaru. Certified pre-owned models carryfactory-backed coverage, and there is a section under $15,000.
Shop Used InventoryThe Lineup
Shop Subaru Models Near Richlands
Ordered the way an inland county buys: clearance and capability first, then efficiency.
The Richlands Section
Ground Clearance on a Richlands Farm Road
Richlands was founded in 1880 and named for the soil along the New River, andthe town became the collection point for area farmers once the Dover and Southbound Railroad reachedit in 1905. That history is still visible in the road network. Taylor Farm, the Venters Farm HistoricDistrict and the Futral Family Farm are all on the National Register, and the lanes that serveworking land around them were never built for a low car.
So the spec worth reading first here is not horsepower and it is not screen size. It is groundclearance, followed by whether the vehicle has X-MODE, followed by what it will actually pull.
| Model and trim | Ground clearance | Low-traction mode | EPA combined | Max towing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crosstrek (Base, Premium, Sport, Limited) | 8.7 in | X-MODE | 29 mpg | Not published by Subaru |
| Crosstrek Wilderness | 9.3 in | Dual-function X-MODE | 26 mpg | Not published by Subaru |
| Forester (Base) | 8.7 in | Not available | 29 mpg | Not published by Subaru |
| Forester (Premium through Touring) | 8.7 in | X-MODE | 28 to 29 mpg | Not published by Subaru |
| Forester Wilderness | 9.3 in | X-MODE | 26 mpg | 3,500 lbs |
| Outback (Premium, Limited, Touring) | 8.7 in | X-MODE | 27 mpg | 2,700 lbs |
| Outback Limited XT and Touring XT | 8.7 in | X-MODE | 24 mpg | 3,500 lbs |
| Outback Wilderness | 9.5 in | Dual-function X-MODE | 23 mpg | 3,500 lbs |
| Ascent (all trims) | 8.7 in | X-MODE | 21 to 22 mpg | 5,000 lbs |
Ground clearance and X-MODE availability from the Subaru 2026 specs pages;EPA combined figures from fueleconomy.gov. Both checked September 8, 2026. Where the towing columnsays the figure is not published by Subaru, we have left it blank rather than repeat a number wecannot source. Ask us and we will confirm the rating for the exact trim and setup you are considering.Trailer brakes may be required.
The 0.6 inch that changes the answer
Every standard Subaru sits at 8.7 inches, which already clears more than most crossovers. TheWilderness trims add 0.6 to 0.8 inches on top of that, plus all-terrain tires, underbody protectionand revised approach and departure angles. Outback Wilderness is the tallest at 9.5 inches.
Whether that upgrade is worth it comes down to one question: how often do you leave pavement witha load in the back. Twice a year and the standard trim is fine. Twice a week in February and theWilderness earns its place.
The trade is fuel. Outback Wilderness rates 23 mpg combined against 27 for the 2.5-liter Outback,and Forester Wilderness rates 26 against 29 for the standard gas Forester. That is a real cost on a14-mile-each-way trip repeated daily, and it is the honest counterargument.
Sources for the table:Subaru 2026 model specs and trim chartsand EPA estimates atfueleconomy.gov.More on the off-road lineup on ourSubaru Wilderness vehicles page. If you are weighing the Outback againstthe Forester, the 2026 Outback vs 2026 Forester comparison lays out the rest ofthe differences. Towing details are in theSubaru Outback towing guide.
Your Visit
Visiting Sport Durst Subaru from Richlands
Getting here
NC-24 southeast out of Richlands, past Half Moon, straight onto N. Marine Blvd. We are at 2400N. Marine Blvd. Fourteen miles, about 20 minutes, and NC-258 feeds into the same route if you arecoming from the Kenansville side.
In the showroom
Bring the question you actually have. If it is whether a Forester will carry what your truckcurrently carries, say so and we will measure it rather than talk around it. No pressure to decidethe same day.
Service and parts
Subaru-certified technicians and genuine Subaru parts. If the vehicle runs gravel daily, tell theadvisor at drop-off so filters and alignment get a closer look. Service and parts: (910) 427-5812.
Contact
Sales (910) 507-7316. Service (910) 427-5812. Or useour contact page and we will get back to you.
Sport Durst Subaru of Jacksonville
2400 N. Marine Blvd, Jacksonville, NC 28546
Sales (910) 507-7316
About 14 miles and 20 minutes from Richlands on NC-24.
Financing for Richlands and Northern Onslow County
Apply online and bring the approval with you. Twenty minutes each way is a short trip, and there is still no reason to make it twice for paperwork.
Reviews
What Our Customers Say
Reviews from Richlands, Beulaville, Catherine Lake and the inland side of Onslow County.
Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Sport Durst Subaru from Richlands, NC?
About 14 miles, or roughly 20 minutes. NC-24 runs southeast out of Richlands and becomes N. Marine Blvd in Jacksonville. Of the towns we serve, Richlands is one of the closest.
Which Subaru handles an unpaved farm lane best?
The Wilderness trims. Outback Wilderness sits at 9.5 inches of ground clearance, and Forester Wilderness and Crosstrek Wilderness both sit at 9.3 inches, against 8.7 inches on the standard trims. All three add dual-function X-MODE and underbody protection.
What does X-MODE actually do?
It retunes the engine, transmission and all-wheel-drive system for low-traction starts and adds hill descent control. In Richlands terms, it is the setting for pulling out of a wet field entrance or climbing a rutted lane without spinning a wheel. It is standard on every 2026 Forester except the Base trim.
Can a Subaru tow a small utility or livestock trailer?
Within limits, and the limits differ. Subaru rates the Ascent at 5,000 pounds, the Outback at 2,700 pounds on the 2.5-liter trims and 3,500 pounds on the turbo XT and Wilderness trims, and the Forester Wilderness at 3,500 pounds. Trailer brakes may be required. Confirm your specific trim and setup with us before you buy for towing.
Is ground clearance the same on the gas and hybrid Foresters?
Yes, 8.7 inches on both, and on every Forester except the Wilderness at 9.3 inches. The hybrid system does not change ride height, so a Premium Hybrid clears the same rut a Premium does.
Do you sell used trucks and non-Subaru vehicles?
Our used lot takes trades of every kind, so it is not Subaru-only. There is a dedicated used cars near Richlands page, plus certified pre-owned Subaru inventory and a section under $15,000. Stock changes constantly, so call before making the drive if you are after something specific.
How often does a Subaru need service if it runs gravel roads daily?
Follow the maintenance schedule, but expect to watch tires, alignment and cabin and engine air filters more closely than a highway car would need. Dust loads filters faster. Subaru Express Service handles all of that in one visit without holding the vehicle all day.
Is Richlands closer to your dealership than New Bern or Wilmington dealers?
Considerably. We are 14 miles away on one road. Getting to New Bern or Wilmington from Richlands means an hour or more each way, which turns a routine oil change into half a day.
Is all-wheel drive standard, or do I have to option it?
Standard on every trim of every Subaru model. There is no front-wheel-drive version in the lineup, so you cannot accidentally buy the wrong one, which matters on a farm road in February.
Can I start the paperwork before driving in from Richlands?
Yes. The credit application and the Guaranteed Trade-In Program both run online. Twenty minutes each way is not far, but there is no reason to spend it twice.
Come See Us from Richlands
Fourteen miles down NC-24. Closer than anywhere else you could buy one.
Shop New Subaru InventoryShop Used InventorySchedule ServiceGet FinancingContact UsCall (910) 507-7316
Sport Durst Subaru of Jacksonville, 2400 N. Marine Blvd, Jacksonville, NC 28546. Sales (910) 507-7316. Service (910) 427-5812.Hours and directions.
