Subaru is a unique and beloved automotive brand that has cultivated a fiercely loyal following over the years. Known for their rugged, capable vehicles equipped with Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, Subaru has established itself as the go-to choice for outdoorsy, adventurous types who need a vehicle they can rely on in any weather or terrain.
But Subaru is much more than just a one-trick pony. The Japanese automaker offers an impressive range of vehicles to suit different needs and preferences, from practical family haulers to sporty performance machines. In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll take a closer look at the various types of Subaru cars available today.
A Brief History of Subaru
Subaru was founded in 1953 and is currently the automobile manufacturing division of Japanese transportation conglomerate Subaru Corporation (formerly known as Fuji Heavy Industries). The name "Subaru" is the Japanese name for the Pleiades star cluster, which is reflected in the company‘s logo.
Subaru first made a name for itself in the 1970s with the launch of the Leone, which was one of the first mass-produced passenger cars to feature an all-wheel drive system. This established Subaru‘s reputation for producing vehicles with excellent traction and handling in all weather conditions.
Over the decades, Subaru continued to refine its all-wheel drive technology and expand its lineup with a range of practical, versatile vehicles that appealed to drivers who valued capability and reliability over flashiness. Today, Subaru is the 22nd largest automaker by global production and has a particularly strong following in markets like the United States, Australia and Canada.
Subaru‘s Vehicle Types
Subaru currently offers a range of sedans, hatchbacks, crossovers, SUVs and performance cars. Let‘s take a closer look at some of the key models in each category:
Sedans and Hatchbacks
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Impreza: The Impreza is Subaru‘s compact car offering, available as a sedan or hatchback. It comes standard with all-wheel drive and is known for its sporty handling and impressive safety features. Higher trim levels offer additional creature comforts and tech features.
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Legacy: The Legacy is Subaru‘s midsize sedan, offering a more upscale and refined experience compared to the Impreza. It comes loaded with premium features like leather upholstery, heated seats, and a large touchscreen infotainment system on higher trim levels. Like all Subarus, it comes standard with all-wheel drive.
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WRX and WRX STI: The WRX and WRX STI are high-performance versions of the Impreza, tuned for driving enthusiasts. They feature turbocharged engines, sport-tuned suspension, and aggressive styling. The WRX STI kicks things up a notch with even more power, adjustable drive modes and track-ready upgrades.
Crossovers and SUVs
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Crosstrek: The Crosstrek is a lifted and more rugged version of the Impreza hatchback, designed for light off-road duty and adventurous types. It offers additional ground clearance, durable body cladding, and an advanced X-MODE traction system for tackling slippery conditions.
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Forester: One of Subaru‘s most popular models, the Forester is a compact SUV that hits the sweet spot for many buyers. It‘s spacious, practical and well-equipped, with standard all-wheel drive and advanced safety tech. The Wilderness Edition adds upgraded suspension and all-terrain tires for improved off-road capability.
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Outback: Often described as a "wagon on steroids", the Outback takes the Legacy sedan and transforms it into a rugged station wagon/crossover vehicle. It offers even more ground clearance than the Forester along with a host of outdoorsy features like built-in roof rails and a water-repellent interior. The Outback has a cultishly devoted following, especially in cold weather states.
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Ascent: The biggest vehicle Subaru makes, the Ascent is a 3-row midsize SUV designed for families. It can seat up to 8 passengers and offers a ton of cargo room, along with Subaru‘s full suite of safety tech and all-wheel drive. Upper trim levels are downright luxurious inside.
Electric and Hybrid Vehicles
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Crosstrek Hybrid: The Crosstrek Hybrid is Subaru‘s first plug-in hybrid vehicle. It mates the regular Crosstrek‘s flat-four engine with electric motors and a battery pack that allows for short all-electric driving. Subaru says it gets up to 90 MPGe.
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Solterra EV: Brand new for 2023, the Solterra is Subaru‘s first fully-electric vehicle. Jointly developed with Toyota, it‘s a compact electric SUV with standard all-wheel drive and an estimated range of over 220 miles per charge. Subaru is targeting it at eco-conscious buyers who still want the brand‘s signature all-weather capability.
Performance Cars
- BRZ: Developed as part of a joint venture with Toyota, the BRZ is Subaru‘s only rear-wheel drive vehicle. It‘s a small, lightweight sports coupe designed for maximum driver engagement, with sharp handling and a rev-happy four-cylinder engine. A new generation BRZ was just released with more power and tech.
Subaru‘s Key Technologies and Features
Across its lineup, there are a few key features and technologies that define the Subaru brand:
Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive
Standard on almost every Subaru model, this advanced full-time AWD system provides power to all four wheels simultaneously for maximum traction. The "symmetrical" in the name refers to the system‘s balanced front-to-back, side-to-side power distribution, with the engine and transmission mounted in line with the center differential. This low center of gravity and balanced weight distribution also improves the vehicles‘ handling.
Subaru has been perfecting its Symmetrical AWD system for decades and it shows. Subarus are renown for their ability to confidently tackle snow, ice, mud and other low-traction situations. For many Subaru buyers, especially those in cold climates, the AWD is one of the brand‘s biggest selling points.
EyeSight Driver Assist Technology
Safety has long been a core value for Subaru and they are an industry leader in advanced driver assistance tech. Subaru‘s EyeSight system uses dual color cameras mounted near the rearview mirror to scan the road for potential hazards. It enables features like adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, pre-collision braking and more.
According to Subaru, EyeSight has been found to reduce rear-end crashes with injuries by up to 85%. The latest version of EyeSight can even detect pedestrians and bicycles in the vehicle‘s path and automatically apply the brakes to avoid a collision. When equipped with EyeSight, the Subaru Legacy and Outback were two of the first cars ever to receive the IIHS‘s top "Superior" rating for front crash prevention.
Boxer Engines
Another signature Subaru technology is their use of "boxer" style engines in almost all their vehicles. In a boxer engine, the cylinders are arranged horizontally in two opposing banks, like a boxer throwing punches. This results in a lower center of gravity compared to traditional "inline" or "V" engine layouts.
Subaru says this gives their vehicles a handling advantage and allows for a more symmetrical drivetrain layout. Boxer engines are also known for their distinctive grumbling exhaust note, which has become a calling card of the brand. Some drivers find it charming, while others may describe it as "agricultural". Either way, it‘s synonymous with Subaru.
Subaru‘s Brand Image and Reputation
In an automotive market that‘s increasingly focused on flash and prestige, Subaru occupies a unique niche. Subaru doesn‘t try to be the sexiest, the fastest, or the most luxurious vehicle brand out there. Instead, they‘ve cultivated an image based around the rugged practicality and do-anything capability of their vehicles.
Subaru‘s target market tends to be the outdoorsy type – folks who regularly go hiking, camping, skiing, biking, kayaking, and need a vehicle that can keep up with their adventurous lifestyle. Subaru leans heavily into this association, with most models offering features like built-in roof rack mounts and accessory carriers. Their ads frequently show Subarus blazing confidently through snowstorms or down muddy trails to a campsite.
At the same time, Subaru also appeals to more pragmatic-minded buyers on the virtues of safety, longevity and reliability. Subarus regularly top the charts in those regards, with very high safety ratings and some of the lowest 5-year cost-to-own figures in the industry. According to Subaru, 97% of their vehicles sold in the past 10 years are still on the road today – a testament to their durability.
This combination of all-weather capability, bulletproof reliability, and sensible practicality has earned Subaru one of the most loyal customer bases in the industry. Many Subaru owners are lifers who would never consider driving another brand. This devoted following is a huge part of Subaru‘s success.
Environmental Sustainability at Subaru
While a lot of Subaru‘s brand identity revolves around a love for the great outdoors, the company also puts a big emphasis on protecting the environment. Subaru has set ambitious sustainability targets, aiming to reduce their environmental impact at every stage of a vehicle‘s lifecycle.
Some examples of Subaru‘s environmental initiatives include:
- Being the first automotive assembly plant in the U.S. to reach zero-landfill status, which they achieved back in 2004
- Using renewable energy and energy-efficient equipment to reduce CO2 emissions in their manufacturing process
- Increasing their use of recycled materials and plant-based plastics in their vehicles
- Offering partial zero emissions vehicles like the Crosstrek Hybrid and Solterra EV
- Partnering with the National Parks Foundation and organizations like Leave No Trace to promote responsible recreation
For environmentally conscious consumers who still need the practicality of an SUV or the all-weather assurance of all-wheel drive, Subaru offers a compelling option. As the company continues to electrify more of its lineup in the coming years, its eco-friendly bona fides should only grow.
Conclusion
As this deep dive has shown, there‘s much more to Subaru than meets the eye. While they may be best known for their outdoorsy Outback wagons and Forester SUVs, Subaru actually offers a diverse range of vehicles to suit many different needs and lifestyles.
What ties them all together is Subaru‘s unwavering commitment to capability, safety, reliability, and environmental stewardship. No matter which model you choose, you can feel confident that your Subaru will get you where you need to go – both on the road and in life. It‘s no wonder that Subaru inspires such fierce loyalty among its customers.
Of course, Subarus aren‘t for everybody. The brand‘s signature all-wheel drive system and boxer engines result in some quirks, like lower fuel economy ratings in some models. And Subaru‘s utilitarian interiors and infotainment systems can feel a bit spartan compared to some competitors.
But for the right buyer – someone who appreciates a vehicle that‘s as crunchy and dependable as a good pair of hiking boots – there‘s really no substitute for a Subaru. With a Subaru in your driveway, you‘ll be ready for whatever adventure life throws your way.
