Subaru
Confidence in Motion: The Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive Revolution
Introduction
Subaru’s identity is built on a foundation of unique engineering. While other brands offered all-wheel drive as an option, Subaru made it a core philosophy, building nearly every car around its symmetrical full-time AWD system. Combined with the distinctive character of the boxer engine, this formula created vehicles renowned for their all-weather security, rally-bred performance, and rugged durability, forging an unbreakable bond with owners who value practicality and driving confidence above all else.
| Detail | Information |
| Founded | 1953 (as Fuji Heavy Industries, renamed Subaru Corp. in 2017) |
| Parent Company | Subaru Corporation (FHI) |
| HeadQuarters | Tokyo, Japan |
| First Car | Subaru 360 (1958) – “Ladybug” |
| Core Technology | Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (AWD) |
Iconic Subaru Engines
- EJ20: 2.0L Turbocharged Flat-4 (Impreza WRX STI, GC/GD/GR). The heart of the rally legend. A turbocharged boxer engine famous for its distinctive sound, tunability, and rally-winning performance.
- EJ25: 2.5L Turbocharged Flat-4 (Impreza WRX STI, later models). The larger-displacement evolution, offering more torque. Also known for its use in naturally aspirated forms in many Subarus.
- EZ30/EZ36: 3.0L & 3.6L Flat-6 (Outback, Tribeca, Legacy). A smooth, powerful, and naturally aspirated horizontally-opposed six-cylinder engine.
- FA20: 2.0L Turbocharged Flat-4 (Subaru BRZ, WRX VA). A modern, direct-injection boxer engine. In the BRZ, it was naturally aspirated and co-developed with Toyota for high-revving performance.
- EA71/EA81: 1.6L & 1.8L Flat-4 (Old-school Leone, Brat). The rugged, air-cooled (and later water-cooled) engines that started Subaru’s AWD legacy.
Legendary Subaru Models
- Subaru Impreza WRX STI (1994-2021): The iconic rally car for the road. Forged in the heat of World Rally Championship (WRC) competition, it became a symbol of performance and all-weather capability.
- Subaru 22B STI (1998): The holy grail. A limited-run, wide-body, turbocharged homologation special built to celebrate Subaru’s third WRC manufacturers’ title. The most coveted Subaru ever made.
- Subaru Legacy (1989-Present): The sophisticated flagship. The car that proved Subaru’s AWD technology could be refined and luxurious, often serving as the base for high-performance Spec.B models.
- Subaru Outback (1994-Present): The adventure wagon. A lifted, rugged version of the Legacy wagon that invented the “crossover” segment and became Subaru’s best-selling model.
- Subaru BRAT (1978-1994): The quirky utility vehicle. A Leone ute with two rear-facing jump seats in the bed to circumvent US import tariffs on trucks, becoming a cult classic.
- Subaru SVX (1991-1996): The futuristic GT. A stunning, aircraft-inspired coupe with unconventional window-within-a-window design and a powerful EG33 flat-6 engine.
- Subaru XT (1985-1991): The wedge-shaped wonder. A radically styled, technologically advanced coupe with aircraft-inspired controls and available AWD.
Born in the Dirt
Subaru’s performance reputation wasn’t forged on test tracks; it was earned on the world’s most grueling gravel roads. The partnership with Prodrive and drivers like Colin McRae and Richard Burns led to three consecutive World Rally Championship manufacturers’ titles (1995-1997). This success directly translated to the WRX and STI road cars, which were packed with rally-proven technology like a driver-controlled center differential (DCCD) and a visceral, turbocharged boxer rumble that became the brand’s anthem.