What company makes Subaru transmissions?
AISIN Seiki Co., Ltd. (AISIN) makes Subaru’s primary transmission, the Lineartronic CVT. Other transmissions, including some manuals and model-specific units, involve Subaru’s collaborations with partners such as Toyota or are produced by different suppliers depending on the model and year.
Primary supplier: AISIN and the Lineartronic CVT
The most common and widely used Subaru transmission is the Lineartronic continuously variable transmission (CVT), which is supplied by AISIN. This CVT powers a broad range of Subaru models, including the Forester, Outback, Impreza, Crosstrek, and multiple others across global markets. The arrangement has been a longstanding part of Subaru’s drivetrain strategy, allowing for efficient, smooth acceleration and improved fuel economy.
Before listing the key points, note that the following bullets summarize the current state of this transmission line and its supplier relationship:
- AISIN manufactures the Lineartronic CVT used in most Subaru models, providing the core CVT technology that Subaru markets as a smooth-driving, fuel-efficient option.
- The Lineartronic CVT’s design and production are centralized with AISIN, aligning Subaru’s transmissions with AISIN’s CVT platform and production capacity.
- Subaru’s use of AISIN CVTs extends across many regions, with model-year updates occasionally introducing refinements to improve performance and reliability.
In practice, AISIN is the dominant source for Subaru’s CVT transmissions, forming the backbone of Subaru’s modern drivetrain lineup.
Manual transmissions and collaborations
Not all Subaru transmissions are CVTs. Some models and markets use manual gearboxes or other transmission configurations that involve collaborations with partner companies or different suppliers. The exact supplier can vary by model, year, and market, reflecting Subaru’s global manufacturing and sourcing decisions.
Sports models and cross-brand collaboration
In certain performance-oriented or jointly developed models (notably those tied to the Subaru-Toyota collaboration on shared platforms), the transmission design has involved cross-brand engineering. The BRZ and related GR86/GR86-based variants, for example, represent a collaboration between Subaru and Toyota, with the transmission design and engineering aligned to the joint platform. Production and supply for these manuals can involve multiple manufacturers depending on the generation and regional supply agreements.
Because manual transmissions and specialized units can shift between suppliers over time, the specific maker for a given model and year should be verified in the vehicle’s official specifications or parts documentation.
What to know for different Subaru models
If you’re checking a particular Subaru model, it helps to know the following: the CVT is almost certainly AISIN, while manual and other non-CVT transmissions may be sourced from a variety of partners or Subaru’s own manufacturing ecosystem depending on the model and market. Always consult the vehicle’s technical specs or a dealership for the exact transmission supplier on your year/model.
Summary
Subaru predominantly relies on AISIN for its Lineartronic CVT transmissions, making AISIN the primary supplier for most of Subaru’s modern automatics. Manual transmissions and certain specialty or jointly developed models involve collaborations with other manufacturers or in-house development, with the supplier varying by model, year, and market. For precise information on a specific vehicle, check the official specifications or contact a Subaru dealer.
Do subarus use Jatco transmissions?
All of Subaru's three speed automatic transmissions were made by Jatco.
Does Aisin make Subaru transmissions?
Subaru's CVTs are manufactured by Aisin . Aisin is partly owned by Toyota.
Is the Subaru CVT the same as the Toyota?
Like a bicycle but much beefier. Subaru CVTs are manufactured by Subaru and are not the same or even like most other CVTs used in other brands. The TR690 as implemented in the Ascent (and Outback/Legacy XT) requires special handling for things like fluid changes.
Where are Subaru transmissions made?
Subaru engines are made in the Oizumi factory in Japan, where the automaker builds the boxer engines and transmissions for its vehicles. Who makes Subaru engines in America? The plant in Indiana does, except for the transmission that's assembled in Japan.
