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Is a Subaru considered a sports car?

No, a Subaru is generally not considered a sports car. Subarus are known for their all-wheel-drive capabilities, practicality, and reliability, but they are not typically classified as sports cars.


What Defines a Sports Car?


Sports cars are typically defined as lightweight, high-performance vehicles designed for spirited driving and handling. They often have features like powerful engines, low profiles, and sleek, aerodynamic designs. Sports cars are usually two-door coupes or convertibles, prioritizing performance and driving dynamics over practicality and passenger/cargo space.


Where Does Subaru Fit In?


Subaru is known for its lineup of all-wheel-drive vehicles, including sedans, hatchbacks, and crossover SUVs. While some Subaru models, like the BRZ sports car, are designed for more performance-oriented driving, the majority of Subaru's offerings are not considered sports cars. Subarus are generally focused on providing a balance of practicality, all-weather capability, and reliability, rather than pure performance and handling.


Subaru's Performance Models


Subaru does produce some models that could be considered more performance-oriented, such as:



  • Subaru BRZ: A rear-wheel-drive sports car co-developed with Toyota, the BRZ is Subaru's closest offering to a traditional sports car.

  • Subaru WRX and WRX STI: These high-performance versions of the Impreza sedan are known for their turbocharged engines, all-wheel-drive systems, and rally-inspired designs, but they are still considered sports sedans rather than true sports cars.


While these Subaru models offer more performance than the brand's mainstream vehicles, they are still not typically classified as sports cars due to their four-door configurations and greater practicality compared to dedicated two-seat sports cars.

What identifies a sports car?


Performance and power
These cars are designed for quick, responsive acceleration that can leave other vehicles in the dust. Additionally, a high top speed is often a key feature, allowing sports cars to achieve speeds that most other vehicles can only dream of.



What is a standard sports car?


The classic definition of a sports car is a small 2-door vehicle made for the express purpose of quick performance and masterful handling. The truth, however, is that there are as many different definitions for “sports car” as there are sports car drivers.



How do you tell if a car is a sports car?


Sports cars are built with a bespoke chassis with two or less seats, two or less doors, lightweight, rear-wheel drive, have a low center of gravity, and are built particularly for nimble handling with compromises in creature comforts and practicality.



Do subarus hold their value?


Kelley Blue Book: Subaru nabbed “Best Resale Value” awards in 2020 and 2021, and models retained around 14% more of their original value compared to other brands. Consumer Reports: Consumer Reports rated Subaru as their #1 pick for best brands of 2022, thanks to exceptional reliability and road test scores.



What does Subaru stand for?


“SUBARU” signifies a Japanese word meaning “unite,” as well as a term identifying a cluster of six stars, which the Greeks called the Pleiades – part of the Taurus constellation. According to Greek mythology, Atlas' daughters turned into this group of stars.



What is the meaning of sporty car?


A sports car is a type of car that is designed with an emphasis on dynamic performance, such as handling, acceleration, top speed, the thrill of driving, and racing capability. Sports cars originated in Europe in the early 1910s and are currently produced by many manufacturers around the world.



What type of vehicle is a Subaru?


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.



What classifies a car as sports car?


Common characteristics of sports cars include: Quick acceleration and speed: Sports cars and muscle cars are both known for their speed. Where muscle cars focus more on power, sports cars focus on quick acceleration. Small and compact design: Sports cars are smaller than muscle cars and usually look sleeker.



What is the sportiest model of Subaru?


For those who are looking for a sportier driving option, the Subaru BRZ is an excellent vehicle to consider. With its sleek exterior design, it stands out on the road. Its performance is energetic and versatile. Its interior is stylish and modern.



Is a Subaru a sports car?


Subaru made a return to offering an entry-level, rear-wheel drive sports car with the debut of the first BRZ - debuting for the 2013 model year.


Kevin's Auto

Kevin Bennett

Company Owner

Kevin Bennet is the founder and owner of Kevin's Autos, a leading automotive service provider in Australia. With a deep commitment to customer satisfaction and years of industry expertise, Kevin uses his blog to answer the most common questions posed by his customers. From maintenance tips to troubleshooting advice, Kevin's articles are designed to empower drivers with the knowledge they need to keep their vehicles running smoothly and safely.