11 Subarus, from a 360 that Consumer Reports rated unacceptable to the WRX

Subaru arrived in America with a tiny, slow car and built a loyal following around all-wheel drive, boxer engines and practical wagons. Its range grew through trucks, coupes, rally cars and a few missteps. Here are eleven Subarus that trace that arc, from the 360 to the WRX and beyond.

1. Subaru 360: Unacceptable Debut

Priced at $1,290 with a claimed 66 mpg, the tiny 360 needed 37 seconds to reach 60 mph, and Consumer Reports rated it unacceptable. It was an unpromising start for the brand in the U.S.

The 360 shows how far Subaru traveled from its humble American beginnings. Its fuel-economy claim and rock-bottom price were the selling points, while performance was clearly not. The contrast with today’s models is striking, and that gap is part of why the little car draws smiles from collectors who appreciate how basic early imports could be.

2. Subaru Leone: First Popular 4WD

In 1975 Subaru introduced the DL/GL four-wheel-drive wagon, the first mass-production, popular-priced 4WD passenger car. It set the template for the brand’s identity.

The Leone-based wagon planted the idea that all-wheel traction belonged on an ordinary family car. Many later Subaru buyers have chosen the marque for exactly that reason. Subaru has leaned on that identity ever since, so anyone shopping the brand today is buying into a tradition that dates back to this early wagon.

3. Subaru BRAT: Jump-Seat Pickup

The 1978 BRAT pickup had 67 hp and two rear-facing jump seats in the bed, and it sold in the U.S. for nearly a decade. It was a quirky hybrid of car and truck.

The BRAT remains one of the most distinctive Subarus ever sold. Its long U.S. run suggests that enough buyers appreciated its offbeat charm, and enthusiasts still do. Examples are uncommon now, so shoppers who want a BRAT should be ready to search patiently and to inspect the bed area and rear seats carefully.

4. Subaru SVX: Flagship Coupe

The 1992 SVX coupe carried a 230-hp six-cylinder boxer engine and stayed in production until 1997. It was a stylish, powerful departure from the brand’s utilitarian image.

The SVX showed that Subaru could build a grand tourer, even if it was a niche proposition. Its short run makes it a talking point among fans of unusual Japanese coupes. Because it ran only a few years, the SVX is rarer than most Subarus, and shoppers should expect the market for good examples to be small.

5. Subaru Legacy: Made in Indiana

The 1989 Legacy sedan was the first Subaru built in America, at the then-new Lafayette, Indiana, plant. It marked a turning point in the brand’s U.S. footprint.

The Legacy tied Subaru to American manufacturing for the first time. That decision laid groundwork for the company’s long-term presence in the market. For buyers, it means a model with a long domestic history, and the Indiana plant remains part of the story of how the company grew in the United States.

6. Subaru Impreza: Rally Champion

Introduced in 1993, the Impreza carried Subaru to three straight World Rally Championship manufacturers’ titles from 1995 to 1997. The rally success became central to its image.

The Impreza turned motorsport achievement into showroom appeal. Its reputation for grip and speed on rough roads still shapes how many buyers view the brand. Fans of the nameplate still associate it with those titles, and that heritage gives used examples a following that goes beyond ordinary compact-car shoppers.

7. Subaru Outback: Plywood Wagon

Pitched by Paul Hogan, the 1995 Outback was designed to swallow a 4-by-8-foot sheet of plywood and remains a top seller. Its practical pitch was clear and memorable.

The Outback proved that a lifted wagon could become a mainstream hit. Its lasting popularity makes it one of the defining Subarus for family and outdoor buyers. Few Subarus are as widely recognized, so used examples are easy to find, and the sheer number on the road gives buyers plenty of options to compare.

8. Subaru Forester: Award-Winning SUV

Added in 1998, the Forester won Motor Trend’s SUV of the Year in 2009 and again in 2014. Two wins years apart show consistent appeal.

The Forester gave Subaru a compact utility vehicle that critics repeatedly praised. Buyers looking for an established, well-reviewed crossover have long had it on their shortlist. Because it has been in the lineup since the late 1990s, the Forester offers generations of used examples at a range of prices for different budgets.

9. Subaru WRX: Turbo Boxer

The 2001 WRX debuted in America with a 227-hp 2.0-liter turbocharged boxer, and the 300-hp WRX STI followed in 2004. Power climbed quickly across those first years.

The WRX brought Subaru’s rally spirit to American streets at a reachable price point. The STI added a hotter option for those wanting even more performance. Later versions kept the performance theme going, so the WRX remains an obvious starting point for shoppers who want a sporty Subaru with real heritage.

10. Subaru Baja: Legacy Pickup

The Legacy-Outback-based Baja pickup arrived in 2003. It was based on the Legacy and Outback rather than a traditional truck.

The Baja showed Subaru revisiting the car-based pickup idea. Anyone interested in the brand’s experiments will find it a useful footnote. Because of that unusual mix, the Baja stands out in a lineup otherwise filled with wagons and crossovers, and used examples have a small but dedicated audience among buyers who like unconventional vehicles.

11. Subaru Tribeca: Bigger SUV Try

The Tribeca SUV was introduced in 2005 and refreshed in 2008. It gave Subaru a larger utility vehicle aimed at buyers needing more space.

The Tribeca marks a stretch when the company moved upmarket in size. It is remembered as a different direction from the brand’s core wagons and compacts. Comparing it with the brand’s smaller crossovers highlights how the company tried a different approach before returning to the models that built its reputation.

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