Has Subaru ever made a front-wheel drive car?

Yes. Subaru has built front-wheel-drive cars in its history, though the brand is best known today for all-wheel-drive models. The first notable front-wheel-drive Subaru appeared in the 1960s, and there were several later FWD offerings in Japan and other markets before AWD became the defining feature of the lineup.

A brief history of Subaru's front-wheel-drive offerings

Subaru’s early experimentation with front-wheel drive laid the groundwork for a company now famous for symmetric all-wheel drive. The following examples illustrate how FWD appeared at different points in Subaru’s development, often before AWD became ubiquitous.

The 1960s: Subaru 1000 and the shift to FF

In the mid-1960s, Subaru introduced its first front-wheel-drive car, signaling the brand’s willingness to explore FF layouts as it expanded beyond its initial models. The 1000 family helped establish Subaru’s engineering versatility during a period of rapid reform in the Japanese auto industry.

• Subaru 1000 (1966–1969) — The company's first front-engine, front-wheel-drive model, built to compete in the compact segment with a boxer engine and a lightweight chassis.

These early efforts show that Subaru did produce front-wheel-drive cars, though the company would later emphasize all-wheel drive as a core identity. FWD was primarily found in the early-compact segment rather than in Subaru’s long-standing AWD-centric lineup.

The Justy era: front-wheel drive in the 1980s

The 1980s brought another wave of front-wheel-drive Subarus, notably the Justy, a compact hatchback that largely marketed with FWD while offering four-wheel drive as a regional or optional variant. This period demonstrated Subaru’s continued willingness to offer non-AWD configurations where market conditions favored them.

• Subaru Justy (1984–1994, various markets) — A compact hatchback primarily sold with front-wheel drive; some markets offered four-wheel-drive variants.

The Justy era underscored that Subaru’s FWD offerings were usually targeted at specific regions or body styles, while the company’s AWD focus remained strong in many markets and segments.

Other front-wheel-drive offerings in Japan and niche segments

Beyond the 1000 and Justy, Subaru produced other front-wheel-drive models in Japan and within kei-car lineups, where efficiency and space were priorities. These smaller, regional vehicles often prioritized FWD to maximize interior packaging and cost effectiveness.

• Subaru Vivio and related kei-cars (1990s) — Front-wheel-drive models designed for Japanese city driving and efficiency, commonly used in the kei-car segment.

These examples illustrate that Subaru did have front-wheel-drive variants across different eras, particularly in its early history and in Japan’s kei-car market. In most other markets, AWD quickly became the defining feature of Subaru’s mainstream lineup.

Why Subaru embraced all-wheel drive as the standard

Subaru’s transformation into a brand synonymous with symmetrical all-wheel drive began with its engineering philosophy around traction, stability, and confidence in varied conditions. The company developed a robust center differential layout and continuously refined the Symmetrical AWD system, which distributed power evenly to all wheels for balanced handling and grip. By the 1990s and into the 2000s, AWD became a selling proposition and a core identity, relegating FWD to niche or regional applications rather than the default configuration.

Current status and takeaways

Today, Subaru’s global lineup is dominated by symmetrical AWD across most models in most markets. Front-wheel drive remains rare and generally limited to specific regional offerings, niche models, or earlier-generation vehicles that are no longer in regular production. For most buyers, Subaru represents an all-wheel-drive option rather than a front-wheel-drive one.

Summary

Subaru has indeed produced front-wheel-drive cars, most notably in the 1960s with the 1000 and in the 1980s with the Justy, plus various kei-car variants in Japan. However, AWD became the brand’s defining feature, and today FWD is uncommon outside of limited regional or historical contexts. The arc from early FF configurations to a brand famous for AWD reflects Subaru’s evolution toward a traction-focused identity while preserving moments of FWD experimentation in its broader history.

Has Subaru ever made a FWD?

In the 1960s, Subaru introduced its first truck, the Sambar minitruck. Then in 1966, Subaru unveiled the 1000, the first car equipped with a front-wheel-drive system tied to a horizontally opposed engine.

Are there subarus without AWD?

Every vehicle in the Subaru lineup comes standard with Subaru AWD, except the BRZ sports car.

Are any subarus front wheel drive?

With the exception of the Subaru BRZ, a track-ready sports car with RWD, all Subaru models come with Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive. Take a moment to learn more about the drivetrain on each of our Subaru all-wheel drive models.

What is the downside of fwd?

The main disadvantages of front-wheel drive (FWD) are its tendency to understeer, where the car continues straight instead of turning, and torque steer, which is a pulling sensation under acceleration due to unequal axle lengths. Other drawbacks include less stability in slippery conditions, reduced handling precision because the front wheels must both steer and accelerate, increased front tire wear, and lower towing capacity.
 
This video explains the differences between FWD and other drivetrains: 1mThe Engineers PostYouTube · Jan 16, 2022
Handling and stability

• Understeer: Because the front wheels are responsible for both steering and propelling the car, they can lose traction when turning and accelerating, causing the car to slide wide. 
• Torque steer: Unequal drive axle lengths in FWD systems cause the car to pull to one side under hard acceleration, making it harder to control. 
• Reduced stability: The weight of the engine is concentrated at the front, which can lead to less stability, especially in slippery conditions like snow or ice. 
• Less responsive steering: The front wheels doing double duty can lead to a less direct and precise steering feel. 

Performance and durability

• Lower towing capacity: The front wheels have to propel the car while also managing the weight of a trailer, which limits a FWD vehicle's towing ability. 
• Increased tire wear: The front tires have to handle both acceleration and steering forces, leading to faster wear. 
• Maintenance issues: The constant movement of the front CV axles can lead to a shorter service life for their protective boots. 

You can watch this video to learn more about torque steer and understeer in FWD cars: 1mChris VS CarsYouTube · Feb 8, 2022