Is Subaru front or rear wheel drive?
Subaru’s drive layout is dominated by all-wheel drive across its lineup, with one notable exception: the BRZ uses rear-wheel drive. This distinction matters for traction, handling, and fuel economy in day-to-day driving and in winter conditions.
Subaru’s brand identity hinges on symmetrical all-wheel drive, delivering traction in all weather. This article explains how drive layouts are applied across its current lineup, why AWD matters for performance and safety, and which models diverge from the common AWD approach.
How Subaru's Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive Works
The following overview highlights what makes Subaru's AWD approach distinctive and why it is central to the brand's identity.
- Symmetrical layout: engine, transmission, and drivetrain components sit on a straight, low-center axis for balanced weight distribution.
- Full-time all-wheel-drive: most models distribute power to all wheels automatically as conditions demand, rather than switching between front- and rear-wheel drive.
- Active torque distribution: some models use electronic controls and a center differential to adjust torque between front and rear axles for stability and traction.
- Rear-wheel bias when appropriate: in certain driving situations, the system can favor rear-wheel traction to enhance handling characteristics.
- Compatibility with safety systems: AWD complements Subaru’s EyeSight driver-assist features to improve stability and confidence in inclement weather.
In practice, Subaru’s symmetric AWD is designed to deliver predictable handling, especially in rain, snow, and on uneven surfaces, aligning with the brand’s emphasis on safety and everyday usability.
Exceptions and notable deviations
While AWD is the default, there are model-specific drive-layout decisions worth noting for buyers and enthusiasts.
- BRZ: rear-wheel drive, a traditional sports-car layout that prioritizes driving engagement and balance in a lightweight, sport-focused package.
The BRZ stands as the principal exception to Subaru’s AWD norm, while the rest of the current lineup typically employs all-wheel drive as standard or the default option. The WRX, for instance, remains an AWD model to support its performance credentials, while BRZ adheres to a RWD setup in keeping with its sports-car character.
Model-by-model drive layouts
Here is a snapshot of Subaru’s current U.S. lineup drive layouts as of 2025.
- Impreza — AWD standard (hatchback and sedan share the same drive layout).
- Crosstrek — AWD standard.
- Forester — AWD standard.
- Outback — AWD standard.
- Legacy — AWD standard.
- Ascent — AWD standard.
- WRX — AWD (performance-oriented, turbocharged).
- BRZ — Rear-wheel drive (RWD).
In practice, Subaru’s lineup broadly emphasizes all-wheel drive as the default across most models, with BRZ as the notable exception that caters to sports-car enthusiasts seeking traditional rear-drive dynamics.
Summary
Subaru’s drive philosophy centers on symmetrical all-wheel drive, giving most models AWD as standard or as the primary option. The sole major exception in the current lineup is the BRZ, which uses rear-wheel drive to deliver traditional sports-car dynamics. For buyers, this means strong traction and stability in adverse weather across most models, while enthusiasts seeking a pure RWD experience will find it in the BRZ. Always verify the specific drive layout for a given model year and trim, as configurations can vary by market and edition.
