Subaru is a Japanese car manufacturer established in 1953. Initially specializing in aircraft manufacturing, the company eventually transitioned to cars with great success especially in Japan. Its first vehicle, the Subaru 360 is one of the most iconic cars in Japan released in 1958. Powered by a 423 cc EK51 I2 engine, its body design is akin to Volkswagen's Beetle, only a lot smaller. It's a relatively simple two-door vehicle - enough for many Japanese to use this as daily transport. Because of its size and design, it's often called a "kei car" - a small, street legal vehicle in Japan.
Early Years
Subaru was established in 1953 and their first car, Subaru 360 introduced in 1958.
Subaru entered the US market in 1968, but the first Subaru vehicles were sold in the US through Malcolm Bricklin. It was in 1972 that Subaru fully entered the US market and they quickly established their identity with customers.
The Subaru Leone was a robust station wagon introduced to the US in 1972. When introduced, it was considered Subaru's largest car to date measured at 157.3 inches long and 59.1 inches wide. Initially introduced as a front wheel drive vehicle, Subaru introduced an All-Wheel-Drive or AWD version in 1974 which gave the company its identity as an all-road vehicle.
Who Owns Subaru?
Subaru, also known as Subaru Corporation, is a publicly-traded company so it is owned by its shareholders.
It is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
Some Major Shareholders Include:
- Toyota Motor Corporation - 20%
- The Master Trust Bank of Japan, Ltd. - 14.84%
- T Japan Trustee Services Bank, Ltd. - 4.89%
Iconic Subaru Cars
To fully understand Subaru's place in the car industry after the Subaru Leone, here are some of their iconic cars that truly represent the brand.
Subaru BRAT
This unique looking vehicle was introduced in 1978 and became one of the most unique vehicles at that time. It's technically a truck with up to 1.8L Flat-Four Engine and could reach a top speed of 95 mph. The truck is 173 inches long and 63 inches wide and it features two back facing seats on the back which was installed to circumvent tariffs when imported to the US.
Subaru Legacy
Introduced in 1989, Subaru's identity as an off road vehicle was taking shape and the Legacy made it clear what they could offer their customers. Powered by an AWD 2.5L Flat-Four or 2.4L Turbo engine, you'll be hard pressed to find a sedan with this much power under the hood with its price range. It was actually longer than the BRAT, measuring close to 178 inches long, 67 inches wide. Newer models measured 190 inches in length and 72 inches in width.
Subaru WRX
Outside the US, Subaru is also making waves in racing. Using their experience in their absolute domination of the World Rally Championship, Subaru introduced a powerful compact car in 1992. Using a 2.0L or 2.5L Turbocharged Flat-Four engine, this relatively small (180 inches long, 71 inches wide) vehicle can reach up to 155 mph nd accelerate from 0-60 mph in six seconds.
The Subaru Outback - An Off-road Adventure Awaits
In the US, nearly 20% of Americans are actively participating in some form of outdoor activities and they need the right vehicle to fulfill that need. While trucks generally dominate this type of market, the Subaru Outback has also made a name for itself as a preferred vehicle for many outdoorsy individuals.
1st Generation
It all started with the 1st Generation of Subaru Outback when it was released in 1996. Blending the daily use functionality of a sedan and capability of an SUV, this crossover wagon featured a raised body to handle different types of road condition and enough power under the hood to handle the challenges. It was 181.9 inches long and 67.5 inches with 2.2L Flat-Four as its engine. The Outback came equipped with AWD capability, solidifying its position as a reliable companion for adventure seekers.
Subaru Outback XT
Subaru pushed the envelope further with the introduction of the Subaru Outback XT in 2005. It's a unique Outback considering it's the first one that uses a turbocharged engine (2.5L Turbocharged Flat-Four) which gives the vehicle additional power to handle different road conditions. The Outback XT was measured at 189.0 inches in length and 69.7 inches in width. Because of the engine, it can reach a top speed of up to 140 mph.
Subaru Outback Touring XT
The Subaru Outback Touring XT was introduced in 2020 and provides a significant upgrade to the Outback model as it focuses on luxury while maintaining its power and off-road capability.
Using premium materials for the interior and advanced technology, a refined driving experience was delivered. It retained the XT turbocharged engine but was larger than previous models (191.3 inches long /73.0 inches wide). It was not as fast as the first XT (with a top speed of 130 mph)
Subaru Outback Wilderness
Subaru Outback Wilderness is the latest Outback and the company did not hold back in their upgrades when they introduced this vehicle in 2022.
Owners don't have to think twice about off-roading when using this vehicle as it uses the powerful 2.4L Turbocharged Flat-Four engine.
It also features a higher clearance - 9.5 inches from the ground to ensure it can handle your next rugged road trip. With a rugged design and all-terrain tires, the Outback Wilderness is Subaru's ultimate off-road vehicle to date.
Subaru's Next Generation of Vehicles
With its impressive AWD systems and off-road design, Subaru is actively exploring the next generation of vehicles.
In 2022, Subaru introduced their first all-electric SUV - the Solterra EV, developed in collaboration with Toyota.
The Subaru Solterra EV is 184.6 inches long, 73.2 inches wide, and 65.0 inches high.
Subaru's future vision focuses on sustainability, electrification, and advanced technology.
The latest Subaru vehicles actually include the 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid SUV (183.3 inches length and 72.0 inches width) and the 2026 Crosstrek Hybrid is in the works.
Subaru plans to introduce larger and smaller vehicles to cater to different customers and they are committed to EV technology while not losing focus on their renowned off-road capability.
