Subaru research
Subaru history: from the 1958 Subaru 360 to today’s hybrids and EVs
By CarWhere Research · Updated
Subaru is the car brand of Subaru Corporation, which was founded as Fuji Heavy Industries on July 15, 1953 and took the Subaru name on April 1, 2017. Its first car was the 1958 Subaru 360, which reached the US in May 1968. Subaru of America made Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive standard across its model lines in 1996.
Subaru history timeline
Milestones link to a full history page with years and production numbers, key variants, what changed and what to check before you buy one.
1917
Aircraft roots
Subaru traces its origins to the Aircraft Research Laboratory founded by Chikuhei Nakajima in 1917, which became Nakajima Aircraft. After World War II the company switched to civilian goods and was split into 12 companies in 1950.[1],[2]
1953
Fuji Heavy Industries is formed
Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. was established on July 15, 1953, with capital from five of the successor companies. Subaru is the Japanese name for the Pleiades star cluster, and the company says the six-star badge symbolizes the companies that came together to form it.[1],[2],[3]
1958
The Subaru 360
Subaru’s car business began with the Subaru 360 minicar in 1958, designed to meet the Japanese government’s “people’s car” concept.[1],[2],[4]
1966
Subaru 1000 and the BOXER engine
Subaru lists 1966 as the year of the Subaru 1000 and of its horizontally opposed (BOXER) engine, which still powers its gasoline cars.[4]
1968
Subaru of America is founded
Malcolm Bricklin and Harvey Lamm founded Subaru of America on February 15, 1968, as the US sales company for Subaru cars. The first Subaru sold in the US, the 360, arrived in May 1968.[5],[6]
1972–1975
Leone and four-wheel drive
The 1972 Leone 4WD Estate Van was Japan’s first mass-produced all-wheel drive passenger vehicle. In the US the Leone line was sold as the DL and GL, and in 1975 the DL/GL wagon brought On-Demand 4WD, engaged by a lever next to the shifter.[4],[5],[7]
1987–1989
The Lafayette, Indiana plant
Ground was broken for the Subaru-Isuzu Automotive (SIA) plant in Lafayette, Indiana, on May 14, 1987, a joint venture of Fuji Heavy Industries and Isuzu. Production of the Subaru Legacy and Isuzu pickup began on September 11, 1989.[6],[8],[9]
1988
STI is founded
Subaru Tecnica International (STI), Subaru’s motorsports and performance subsidiary, was founded on April 2, 1988.[4],[10]
1989–1990
Legacy, and Fuji buys Subaru of America
The Legacy arrived in 1989 as a move upscale for the brand. On August 31, 1990, Fuji Heavy Industries acquired Subaru of America.[4],[5],[6]
1993
Impreza
Subaru launched the all-new Impreza subcompact in the US in 1993, its 25th year of selling cars in America.[6]
1995–1996
Outback, and AWD across the lineup
Subaru introduced the Outback for the 1996 model year, calling it the world’s first sport utility wagon. In 1996 Subaru of America made Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive standard across all its model lines.[6],[7]
1997
Forester
The all-new Forester arrived as a 1998 model, alongside the Impreza 2.5 RS coupe.[6]
2001–2004
WRX and WRX STI
The Impreza WRX sedan and Sport Wagon were unveiled at the Detroit auto show in January 2001. The WRX STI followed as the first STI model sold in the US, for 2004, with a 300-hp turbocharged engine.[6],[10]
2003
Subaru of Indiana Automotive
In January 2003 the Lafayette plant became Subaru of Indiana Automotive, signifying sole ownership by Fuji Heavy Industries.[8]
2012
BRZ
The rear-wheel-drive 2013 BRZ, co-developed with Toyota, made its US debut at the Detroit auto show on January 8, 2012.[2],[11]
2013
First hybrid
Subaru revealed its first production hybrid, the 2014 XV Crosstrek Hybrid, at the New York auto show in March 2013.[12]
2017
Fuji Heavy Industries becomes Subaru Corporation
Marking the 100th anniversary of Nakajima Aircraft’s founding, Fuji Heavy Industries changed its company name to Subaru Corporation on April 1, 2017.[1],[13]
2017–2018
Ascent
The three-row 2019 Ascent, Subaru’s largest vehicle, debuted in Los Angeles in November 2017. Production began at the Indiana plant in May 2018, and pricing started at $31,995.[14],[15],[16]
2021
20 million AWD vehicles and the first Wilderness
Cumulative production of Subaru all-wheel-drive vehicles passed 20 million in June 2021. That spring Subaru introduced the 2022 Outback Wilderness, its first Wilderness model.[7],[17]
2022
Solterra
Subaru priced its first all-electric SUV, the 2023 Solterra, from $44,995 MSRP. It was co-developed with Toyota.[2],[18]
2025–2026
Next-generation hybrids and new EVs
The 2025 Forester Hybrid introduced Subaru’s next-generation 194-hp series-parallel hybrid, followed by the 2026 Crosstrek Hybrid. The all-electric 2026 Uncharted and Trailseeker joined the lineup.[19],[20],[21],[22]
When key Subaru models reached the US
| Model | US introduction | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Subaru 360 | May 1968 | First Subaru sold in the US |
| DL/GL wagon with On-Demand 4WD | 1975 | Switched from front-wheel to four-wheel drive with a lever |
| Legacy | 1989 | First vehicle built at the Indiana plant, September 11, 1989 |
| Impreza | 1993 | All-new subcompact |
| Outback | 1996 model year | Introduced in 1995 |
| Forester | 1998 model year | Introduced in 1997 |
| Impreza WRX | Unveiled January 2001 | Sedan and Sport Wagon |
| WRX STI | 2004 | First STI model in the US |
| BRZ | 2013 model year | Rear-wheel drive; US debut January 2012 |
| XV Crosstrek Hybrid | 2014 model year | First Subaru hybrid |
| Ascent | 2019 model year | Largest Subaru; built in Indiana |
| Solterra | 2023 model year | First all-electric Subaru |
| Uncharted and Trailseeker | 2026 model year | All-electric crossovers |
Subaru of Indiana Automotive milestones
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| March 1987 | Subaru-Isuzu Automotive (SIA) incorporated in Indiana |
| May 14, 1987 | Groundbreaking for the 2.3-million-square-foot plant |
| September 11, 1989 | Production of the Subaru Legacy and Isuzu pickup begins |
| October 16, 1989 | Plant officially dedicated |
| January 2003 | Renamed Subaru of Indiana Automotive under sole Fuji Heavy Industries ownership |
| July 23, 2004 | Isuzu vehicle production ends |
| February 28, 2007 | Toyota Camry production begins under contract |
| May 2016 | Camry production ends; plant builds only Subarus from June 2016 |
| Late 2016 | Impreza production begins |
| May 2018 | Ascent production begins |
| September 2019 | Six-millionth vehicle, a 2020 Legacy |
| May 2023 | Impreza production ends; Crosstrek production begins |
Every Subaru model history
Technology and performance
- Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive history (1972–present)
- Subaru STI and the WRX STI history (1988–present)
Trims and powertrains
- Subaru Wilderness models history (2022–present)
- Subaru hybrids and the Crosstrek Hybrid history (2013–present)
How to check a Subaru's factory build
Standardized 17-character VINs began with model year 1981[24]. For a 1981-or-later Subaru, CarWhere can check a VIN for licensed factory build data and, when it exists, list the equipment the vehicle was built with in plain English: see the Subaru build sheet by VIN. Coverage varies by VIN and model year. Earlier vehicles are identified by their original serial number, vehicle data plate and engine stampings instead.
Frequently asked questions
Who makes Subaru?
Subaru Corporation of Tokyo, Japan, which was called Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. until April 1, 2017. In the US, Subaru vehicles are marketed and distributed by Subaru of America, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary headquartered in Camden, New Jersey.
When was Subaru founded?
Fuji Heavy Industries was established on July 15, 1953, and its first car, the Subaru 360, came in 1958. The company traces its roots to the Aircraft Research Laboratory founded in 1917, which became Nakajima Aircraft.
When did Subaru come to the United States?
Subaru of America was founded on February 15, 1968, by Malcolm Bricklin and Harvey Lamm. The first Subaru sold in the US, the 360 minicar, arrived in May 1968.
What does the name Subaru mean?
Subaru is the Japanese name for the Pleiades star cluster. Subaru says the six-star logo symbolizes the companies related to Nakajima Aircraft that came together to form Fuji Heavy Industries.
When did Subaru go all-wheel drive?
Subaru of America made Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive standard across all its model lines in 1996. The BRZ sports car is the long-running exception with rear-wheel drive, and the 2026 Uncharted Premium FWD is front-drive.
Where are Subarus built?
In Japan and at Subaru of Indiana Automotive in Lafayette, Indiana, which began production in 1989. SIA lists the Ascent, Crosstrek and Forester as its North American production; Subaru says Crosstrek Hybrid models are assembled in Gunma, Japan.
More Subaru research
Sources
Production figures, dates and ratings come from Subaru AG and Subaru of America press and heritage materials, official race results and reputable automotive press wherever available. References marked secondary are encyclopedic or enthusiast sources used only where a primary figure was not available. Market medians are CarWhere's own analysis of live US dealer listings from licensed vehicle-data providers.
- Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. to Change Company Name to Subaru Corporation (May 12, 2016) — Subaru of America (media.subaru.com)
- Subaru Corporation Celebrates 70th Anniversary (July 14, 2023) — Subaru Corporation (subaru.co.jp)
- Corporate Profile: Overview — Subaru Corporation (subaru.co.jp)
- SUBARU’s History of Value Creation — Subaru Corporation (subaru.co.jp)
- Subaru of America Marks 50th Anniversary (February 15, 2018) — Subaru of America (media.subaru.com)
- Subaru of America, Inc. Corporate Timeline — Subaru of America (media.subaru.com)
- Subaru Produces 20-Millionth All-Wheel Drive Vehicle (July 8, 2021) — Subaru of America (media.subaru.com)
- About SIA: History — Subaru of Indiana Automotive (subaru-sia.com)
- Subaru of Indiana Automotive Celebrates 6 Millionth Vehicle and 30 Years of Production (September 23, 2019) — Subaru of America (media.subaru.com)
- Subaru Marks STI 30th Anniversary (April 2, 2018) — Subaru of America (media.subaru.com)
- 2013 Subaru BRZ Sports Car Makes U.S. Debut at North American International Auto Show (January 8, 2012) — Subaru of America (media.subaru.com)
- Subaru Introduces Its First Production Hybrid Model at the 2013 New York International Auto Show (March 27, 2013) — Subaru of America (media.subaru.com)
- Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. Changes Company Name to Subaru Corporation (March 31, 2017) — Subaru Corporation (subaru.co.jp)
- All-New 3-Row Subaru Ascent Makes World Debut at Los Angeles Auto Show (November 28, 2017) — Subaru of America (media.subaru.com)
- Subaru Ascent Production Begins at Subaru of Indiana Automotive (May 8, 2018) — Subaru of America (media.subaru.com)
- Subaru of America Announces Pricing on All-New 2019 Ascent 3-Row SUV (February 15, 2018) — Subaru of America (media.subaru.com)
- Subaru Debuts New 2022 Outback Wilderness – Most Capable Outback Ever (March 30, 2021) — Subaru of America (media.subaru.com)
- Subaru Announces Pricing on All-New Solterra Electric SUV (April 25, 2022) — Subaru of America (media.subaru.com)
- Subaru Introduces All-New 2025 Forester Hybrid with Next-Generation Hybrid Powertrain (February 6, 2025) — Subaru of America (media.subaru.com)
- Subaru Announces New 2026 Crosstrek Hybrid with Next-Generation Hybrid Powertrain (January 16, 2025) — Subaru of America (media.subaru.com)
- All-New 2026 Subaru Uncharted EV Arrives with More Than 300 Miles of Range, Starting at $34,995 MSRP (December 9, 2025) — Subaru of America (media.subaru.com)
- All-New 2026 Subaru Trailseeker Combines 375 Horsepower with Legendary All-Wheel-Drive Performance for $39,995 MSRP (December 4, 2025) — Subaru of America (media.subaru.com)
- Subaru Announces Pricing on 2014 XV Crosstrek Hybrid (September 30, 2013) — Subaru of America (media.subaru.com)
- 49 CFR Part 565 — Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) requirements — eCFR (U.S. Government)
Independent reference compiled by CarWhere Research — not affiliated with or endorsed by Subaru of America, Inc. or Subaru Corporation. Subaru and the model names are trademarks of their owners.