Subaru’s reputation is backed by decades of history

Subaru has a reputation for capability that is backed by generations of improvement and innovation

The first Subaru cars rolled off the production line in 1954. Kenji Kita, the CEO of Subaru’s parent company at the time, Fuji Heavy Industries, decided that the company needed to break into the automotive industry. In part, this was thanks to the success of the common ancestor of every Subaru vehicle – the Fuji Rabbit. This small scooter was the first Japanese-made scooter to reach speeds of 60 mph. The abundantly successful Rabbit was a staple of the post-war automotive industry and Japanese popular culture.

Subaru started to become a player in the automobile industry when it released the Subaru 360 in 1958. This compact car quickly became one of the most popular vehicles in Japan. Over 392,000 were produced before the model was discontinued in 1971. 

The 360 played a major part in the history of Subaru, but it was the Subaru 1000 that introduced consumers to the iconic Subaru Boxer engine in 1965. Boxer engines get their names from the unique movement of their pistons. The pistons of these powerful engines are said to resemble a boxer’s punch. Subaru still uses this style of engine in their entire lineup of cars today.

As Subaru’s reputation grew, the accolades began to roll in. In 1975, the Subaru GF was named “Import Car of the Year” by Road Test magazine. Then in 1978, The four-door model of the Subaru DL was nominated for the same award. Subaru had become a well-established player in the automotive industry. 

Legendary Capability

It wasn’t until 1980 that Subaru vehicles became widely recognized for their capability on and off the road. 1980 was the first time that a Subaru team was present in the World Rally Championship. Rallying takes place on racetracks that are mainly off-road. These races are designed for only the most capable vehicles. Subaru has been the proud manufacturer of legendary rally cars such as the Impreza S3 and WRX STi.

Over the years, capability and reliability have become increasingly more embedded in the DNA of every Subaru model. This has become intertwined with Subaru’s reputation for safety features that are ahead of their time. Whether you find yourself behind the wheel of a Solterra EV SUV or a WRX, you’ll be experiencing decades of history that have made the Subaru experience what it is today.