Our Top Subaru Bumper Guard Picks
Overland.Reviews is visitor supported, and we may earn a commission if you purchase through one of our links.If you own an overlanding Subaru vehicle and often drive it to camp or off-road trails, there are ample chances to damage the front part of your vehicle. Why?
The front-end portion of your vehicle is frequently its weakest link. So aside from the usual road trash, you have to worry about wildlife, debris, and, of course, other vehicles.
One of your primary objectives should be to protect your bumper, grille, and headlights from damage, and there’s no better way to do it than with a complete and attractive bull bar or grille guard.
If you drive in remote areas with a high chance of encountering wildlife on the road, then a grille guard is a must-have item. But, don’t know which one is great for you? In this guide, we’ll go through this topic in detail.
We’ll discuss what grille guards are! If they’re legal, how much they cost, and whether they’re worth the money. As a prime example, we will present the Warn series of Subaru Winch Mounts and Grill Guards, for Subaru Cross Trek, Forester, and Outback models, which are all well suited for overlanding.
What is a Bumper Grille Guard? | Is It Really Worth?
As previously stated, the word grille guard has expanded to cover various items such as bull bars, brush guards, bumper guards, and push bars. However, everyone has their style and application, so here’s a broad summary.
Complete grille guards, also known as brush guards, frequently span the whole width of your vehicle’s front end. It protects the grille, bumper, headlamps, and other components.
They are also custom-made to suit your vehicle’s front end, allowing your headlights and cooling components to operate correctly. Grille guards may contribute to the design of a car, giving it a more dynamic & aesthetic look without being overly aggressive.
This is why winch mounts and bumper guards are some of the more popular Subaru Overland subaru overland Accessories.
Buying Guide: What to Watch for in a Bumper Grille Guard?
Compatibility
At first, make sure of the adaptability before buying bumper grille guards or bull bars. Then you want to examine what kind of material and the diameter of the tube it is composed of!
Most bullbars generally employ a three-inch tube, whereas grille guards are designed to fit your front end in various sizes.
Get the Bolt-On with No Drilling Based Guard
Look for an ideal grille guard that requires minor modification. Some guards are free from drilling stuff, and you should pick them at the first point. Also, consider adding other equipment, like lighting or an off-road winch.
Front-End Coverage
How much shielding do you require from front-end debris while overlanding? If your driving habits are limited to traveling about the neighborhood, you could be satisfied without protection.
If you are an overlander and like to travel off-road, then buy a robust Bumper Grille to protect the front end of your Subaru.
Accessories
Keep in mind any other equipment you’d like to utilize on your vehicle while searching for a bumper Guard or Bull Bar. Do you require a solid location to attach your winch? If this is the case, get a strong winch plate-based bumper guard. Looking for increase lighting, consider a bumper guard with build in provisions for various offroad lights.
Our Favorite Subaru Bumper Guards of 2025!
2018+ Subaru Cross Trek Warn Semi Hidden Winch
This WARN winch mount is perfect for an Overland Subaru Cross Tek. The bolt-on installation is fairly quick and easy and will protect your Cross Trek while overlanding back-country forest roads.
Features:
- Semi-Hidden Winch Mount
- Improve Approach Angles
- Easy to Install – Minimal Plastic Trimming
- Provision for 1/2″ D-Rings and License Plate
- Tested with Axon 45, Axon 55, VRX 45 Winches
2019+ Subaru Forester Warn Semi Hidden Winch
Overlanding a Subaru Forester requires the right gear to protect the front-end while traversing forest roads. The Warn Subaru Forester winch integrates seamlessly into from bumper and complements the Subaru existing style with an aggressive look.
Features:
- Semi-Hidden Winch Mount
- Easy to Install – Minimal Plastic Trimming
- Provision for 1/2″ D-Rings and License Plate
- Tested with Axon 45, Axon 55, VRX 45 Winches
2020+ Subaru Outback Warn Semi Hidden Winch
Overland Subaru Outbacks are some of the more popular overlanding vehicles on the market. The Warn Subaru Outback winch mount is the perfect accessory for the more aggressive Overland Outback owners that need a little piece of mind with recovery gear.
Features:
- Semi-Hidden Winch Mount
- Easy to Install – Minimal Plastic Trimming
- Provision for 1/2″ D-Rings and License Plate
- Tested with Axon 45, Axon 55, VRX 45 Winches
- Weighs: 80 lbs
WARN Crosstrek and Forester Bumper Guard
Compatible:
- 2018+ Subaru Cross trek
- 2019+ Subaru Forester
Price Tested: $170.99 USD
Features:
- Bolts on to Semi Hidden Winch Mount Kit (listed above)
- Includes mounts for lights
WARN Subaru Outback Bumper Guard
Features:
- Bolts on to Semi Hidden Winch Mount Kit (listed above)
- Includes mounts for lights