Is a Subaru BRAT a ute?
No—it’s a compact pickup truck, not a traditional ute by Australian terminology. The Subaru BRAT was a car‑based pickup from the late 1970s to the early 1980s, built on a compact platform and featuring a small cargo bed with optional rear seats in the bed area. Its official name is linked to an acronym, Bi-drive Recreational All-terrain Transporter.
In broader terms, the BRAT sits at the intersection of passenger comfort and light‑duty utility. While enthusiasts sometimes label it a “BRAT ute” in casual speech, the model is generally categorized as a compact pickup rather than a true ute in official regional classifications. The distinction matters for collectors, historians, and buyers weighing payload versus passenger space.
Definitions: ute vs. pickup
Before detailing how the BRAT fits or doesn’t fit, here’s how the terms break down and why classification matters for collectors and historians.
- Ute (Australia): A car‑based pickup with a dedicated cargo tray and a semi‑pickup design, typically built on a passenger car platform and used for work as well as recreation.
- BRAT classification: A compact pickup truck based on a car platform (the Leone) with a small cargo bed and, in some trims, rear jump seats in the bed area, marketed primarily in North America and select markets.
- Naming and acronym: BRAT stands for Bi-drive Recreational All-terrain Transporter, reflecting Subaru’s emphasis on AWD capability and outdoor versatility.
In practice, the BRAT is more accurately described as a compact pickup than a traditional ute, though regional usage of the word "ute" can sometimes blur the distinction among enthusiasts.
Notable design features and history
Notable design features
The BRAT was developed on Subaru's compact car platform, offering all‑wheel drive as part of its appeal. Its defining cargo area included a small open bed with side openings, and some early configurations offered rear‑facing jump seats in the cargo bed for extra passengers. This combination of car‑based comfort and light‑duty utility made it a niche icon of its era. Subaru marketed the BRAT in the United States from 1978 onward, with production continuing through the early 1980s in various markets.
Terminology and regional usage
Terminology around "ute" vs "pickup" varies by region. In Australia, a ute is a car‑based pickup with a fully integrated cargo tray, often used for work and light‑duty hauling, while in North America a similar vehicle is usually called a pickup. The BRAT is most accurately described as a compact pickup or mini‑truck, though some fans affectionately refer to it as a "BRAT ute" in casual speech.
Concluding thoughts: The BRAT's place in automotive history sits at the intersection of car comfort and light‑duty utility, but in strictly defined terms, it is a compact pickup rather than a traditional ute.
Summary
The Subaru BRAT is best described as a compact pickup truck from Subaru's late‑70s era, not a traditional Australian ute. While it shares the basic cabin‑plus‑bed layout with utes and even offered rear seats in the bed, its car‑based platform and market history position it as a pickup rather than a true ute by regional definitions. It remains a quirky, collectible model with a unique place in 4x4 and Subaru lore.
