No brand owns the adventure crowd like Subaru. Symmetrical all-wheel drive, real ground clearance, and the Wilderness trims turned the Crosstrek, Outback, and Forester into the default rigs for camping, ski trips, forest-road exploring, and weekend overlanding. And there's one upgrade Subaru owners reach for more than any other: a clean front-bumper light bar.
It makes sense. A bar adds the distance and spread your factory headlights never had once you're off pavement — and the dual-color white + amber DRL look has become a signature of the built-Subaru scene. This guide covers every light bar M&R Automotive makes for the Crosstrek, Outback, Forester, and Ascent: the two builds, how they fit, how they wire, and how to choose. All bolt-on. No cutting, no drilling.
Why a light bar is the go-to Subaru upgrade
Subarus are built to get you to the trailhead — but they leave the factory with headlights tuned for lit roads. Once you're on a dark forest road or setting up camp after sunset, that light runs out fast. A bumper light bar fixes it two ways: it throws real distance down the road and lays down a wide spread up close. And because M&R makes a vehicle-specific, ready-to-go bracket for each model — mounted low on the front bumper — it looks integrated, not bolted-on. Owners consistently call the fit perfect and love running the amber DRL as a daytime signature.
SLIM vs PRO: the two builds
Every Subaru model comes in the same two builds. The difference is optics and output.
PRO — the brightest, longest-throwing build
The PRO uses a TIR (total internal reflection) optic for a tighter, longer beam, a 304-aluminum housing, and thermal management. It's dual-color: pick a White or Yellow main beam, always with a street-safe amber DRL. From $439.99.
SLIM — lower profile, lower price
The SLIM keeps a tighter profile and a friendlier price with a wide Spot + Flood pattern for broad, close-up coverage. Choose White, Amber, or dual White + amber DRL. From $284.99.
Here's how the PRO and SLIM beams compare, zone for zone:
Kits for every Subaru
Each model gets its own vehicle-specific bracket and bar, in both SLIM and PRO. Pick your Subaru:
Prefer the value build? Grab the SLIM for your model: Crosstrek SLIM, Outback SLIM, Forester SLIM, or Ascent SLIM — all from $284.99.
Outback owners: add a reverse light
Backing into a dark campsite? The 2020–24 Outback Reverse Light is a bright white flood pair with an amber or red backlight you can wire as a turn signal. From $229.99.
| Model | Years | SLIM from | PRO from |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crosstrek | 2018+ | $284.99 | $439.99 |
| Outback | 2020–24 | $284.99 | $439.99 |
| Forester | 2019–24 | $284.99 | $439.99 |
| Ascent | 2019+ | $284.99 | $439.99 |
Wiring & control
Most Subarus don't come with factory AUX switches, so here's the straight answer on wiring. Each bar comes with over 6 feet of wire — enough to reach AUX switch wiring if your Subaru happens to have it. If it doesn't (most don't), you have two options: source a generic relay/switch harness (Amazon/eBay) or build your own.
The easy route — and what most Subaru owners choose — is the Wireless 8-Switch Harness. It powers the bar with no AUX switches and no wires run through the firewall, controlled from a rechargeable magnetic remote in the cab. Wire the white/yellow main beam to a switch (off-road only) and the amber DRL to a constant/ignition source so it runs as a street-safe daytime light. Here's the connection guide:
Installation
Every kit is a bolt-on using a vehicle-specific, powder-coated black bracket — no cutting, no drilling. The bracket mounts to existing points behind the front bumper; most owners have it on in an evening with basic hand tools. One five-star reviewer summed the install up as insanely bright and super easy. Here's the full install on video:
White, amber, or yellow? Choosing your beam
White is the brightest, longest-throwing, most natural light — the default for open running. Yellow (on the PRO) cuts through dust, fog, snow, and rain better with less glare-back — a smart pick if you drive weather. The amber DRL is a street-safe daytime accent you can run anywhere, and it's the look most Subaru owners are after. The white and yellow main beams are for off-road use only.
FAQ: Subaru LED Light Bars
Which Subarus do these fit?
The Crosstrek (2018+), Outback (2020–24), Forester (2019–24), and Ascent (2019+), each with its own vehicle-specific bracket. That includes the Wilderness trims — we've fit the Outback Light Bar PRO on the Outback Wilderness with a perfect fit.
Do I have to cut or drill?
No. Every kit bolts on to existing points behind the front bumper with a powder-coated bracket — no cutting, no drilling.
What's the difference between SLIM and PRO?
PRO uses a TIR optic and thermal management for a tighter, longer beam (White or Yellow + amber DRL). SLIM is the value build with a wide Spot + Flood pattern (White, Amber, or dual).
How do I wire it if my Subaru has no AUX switches?
Use the M&R Wireless 8-Switch Harness for switch-free control with no firewall drilling, or a generic add-on harness. Each bar includes 6+ feet of wire.
Are they street-legal?
The amber DRL is street-safe and can run on the road. The white and yellow main beams are for off-road use only.
Keep exploring
More from M&R for the adventure crowd:
- Subaru's First Hybrid Wilderness — our breakdown of the newest Forester Wilderness
- Ineos Grenadier Light Bar Guide — a boxy-4x4 dream build
- The Wireless Switch Harness, Explained — how to power lights with no firewall drilling
Or browse the full Subaru collection and the M&R Automotive blog.
Shop the Build
Ready to light up your Subaru? Bolt-on, no drilling:
- Subaru LED Light Bars — Crosstrek, Outback, Forester, and Ascent
- Wireless 8-Switch Harness — control it from the cab, no firewall drilling
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