Is a Subaru Brat a car or truck?
The Subaru Brat, a unique vehicle produced by Subaru from the late 1970s to the early 1990s, has sparked debates among car enthusiasts for decades. Is it a car? Is it a truck? The answer lies in understanding its design, purpose, and classification. Let’s dive into the details to settle this question once and for all.
What is the Subaru Brat?
The Subaru Brat, short for "Bi-drive Recreational All-terrain Transporter," was designed as a compact utility vehicle. It was Subaru's answer to the growing popularity of small trucks in the United States during the 1970s. However, the Brat was far from a traditional truck. It combined the practicality of a pickup bed with the comfort and handling of a passenger car, making it a hybrid of sorts.
Key Features of the Subaru Brat
To understand whether the Subaru Brat is a car or a truck, let’s examine its key features:
- Pickup Bed: The Brat featured a small truck-like bed at the rear, making it suitable for light hauling tasks.
- Passenger Seating: Unlike traditional trucks, the Brat included rear-facing jump seats in the bed, which were added to classify it as a passenger vehicle for tax purposes in the U.S.
- All-Wheel Drive: Subaru equipped the Brat with its signature all-wheel-drive system, enhancing its off-road capabilities.
- Car-Like Chassis: The Brat was built on a unibody chassis, similar to a car, rather than the body-on-frame construction typical of trucks.
Car or Truck? The Verdict
The Subaru Brat defies traditional classification. Technically, it is a car-based utility vehicle, often referred to as a "ute" in markets like Australia. Its unibody construction and car-like handling align it more closely with passenger cars. However, its pickup bed and utility-focused design give it truck-like qualities.
In the United States, the Brat was officially classified as a passenger car, thanks to the inclusion of the rear-facing jump seats. This clever design allowed Subaru to avoid the higher import tariffs imposed on trucks at the time, known as the "chicken tax."
Why the Subaru Brat Stands Out
The Subaru Brat remains a beloved vehicle among enthusiasts for its quirky design and versatility. It paved the way for modern crossover utility vehicles (CUVs) by blending the best of both worlds—car-like comfort and truck-like utility. Whether you call it a car or a truck, the Brat’s unique charm is undeniable.
Conclusion
So, is the Subaru Brat a car or a truck? The answer is both—and neither. It occupies a unique space in automotive history as a hybrid vehicle that challenged traditional definitions. Whether you’re a fan of its off-road capabilities or its quirky design, the Brat is a testament to Subaru’s innovative spirit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a Subaru Forester a car or truck?
crossover SUVs
Believe it or not, the Subaru Forester was one of the first crossover SUVs on the market when it was introduced for the 1998 model year. It was inspired by a wagon design on a car chassis but was built with a taller stance for better visibility, comfort, and overall performance.
What are little Subaru trucks called?
The Subaru Sambar is a cabover truck and microvan manufactured and marketed by Subaru as Japan's second truck compliant with the country's strict Keitora (軽トラ) or Kei vehicle tax class, after the Kurogane Baby.
What is the rarest Subaru car?
Rarest Subaru Impreza's you've probably never heard of.
- Series McRae (1995) in the UK.
- WRX STi Sauber Edition (2002) in Switzerland.
- WRX Type Euro Turbo (2002) in Japan.
- WRX STi Spec C (2002) in Japan.
- WRX STi V-Limited (2003) in Japan.
- WRX STi WR1 (2004) in the UK.
- RB320 (2007) in the UK.
Is a Subaru a truck?
Does Subaru make a truck? Yes, though not anymore. Subaru, over time, released two trucks in the North American market: the BRAT and the Baja. The BRAT came about in 1978 as a plucky open-bed variant of the Leone (a model that later evolved to become the iconic Impreza) and lasted on sale until 1994.
Is a Subaru Outback a truck?
And with Subaru's legendary all-wheel drive capability. It's a perfect fit for any adventure you have in mind.
How much is a Subaru BRAT worth today?
The value of a 1980 Subaru Brat (Truck) DL can vary greatly depending on its condition, mileage, options, and history. Typically, you can expect to pay around $14,400 for a 1980 Subaru Brat (Truck) DL in good condition with average spec.
Are Subaru BRATs rare?
How many Subaru BRATs were made? Records indicate that there were about 100k Subaru BRAT pickup trucklets sold in the US. Most of them became work trucks and, unfortunately, have since been left to waste away in junkyards or backyards. Finding a nice example to take home is a difficult task.
What is the Subaru Forester classified as?
Compact crossover SUV
| Subaru Forester | |
|---|---|
| Class | Compact crossover SUV |
| Body style | 5-door SUV |
| Layout | Front-engine, all-wheel drive |
| Related | Subaru Impreza |
Is a Subaru BRAT a truck?
Subaru's weirdest vehicle, the BRAT was a car-truck mashup. Here's a funky Subaru pickup truck from the freewheeling 1980s. With a 73-hp flat-four, it's not fast but is still fun.
Is Subaru a type of car?
Japan's Subaru is a car and SUV manufacturer with a dedicated consumer base. All-wheel drive has been a Subaru staple, but the automaker branched out in mid-2012 when it debuted a small, rear-wheel-drive sports coupe: the BRZ, a mechanical near-twin to the Toyota GR86.
