What is a Subaru B4?
A Subaru B4 is not a current standalone model; it is a historical body-styling and market designation used by Subaru to indicate a four-door sedan variant within certain lineups, primarily in Japan. Today, it is not used as a formal model name in Subaru’s global lineup.
Across decades, Subaru employed alphanumeric codes to label body styles and trims. The B4 label appeared in some older brochures and catalogs to distinguish four-door sedans from two-door variants and wagons, particularly on Impreza and Legacy lines in the Japanese market. The designation is now mostly of historical and enthusiast interest rather than a live model name.
Origins and usage of the B4 designation
To understand how the B4 designation surfaced, it helps to know Subaru’s regional marketing language. The B4 tag signified a four-door configuration and was used on certain generations of Subaru sedans in Japan and, in some cases, in export literature. It is not a universal or global badge the way active model names are today.
- In the late 1990s, some Japanese-market Impreza sedan variants were labeled or described in brochures as "Impreza B4," distinguishing four-door sedans from two-door coupes or wagon variants.
- Legacy and other model-line brochures in certain regions sometimes used similar B4-style codes to indicate a four-door configuration with a boxer engine and sedan body style, though this was not a formal global model name.
- Enthusiast databases and online references occasionally use B4 as shorthand for the four-door sedan variant within specific generations, which can create confusion with actual model numbers.
In practice, the B4 designation is best understood as a regional body-code marker rather than a standalone Subaru model name in today’s market.
How to identify a B4 in historical materials
Determining whether a Subaru is associated with the B4 designation involves examining multiple sources from the era and market of interest.
- VIN or chassis codes on the door jamb plate or interior documentation that reference the generation or body style used in Japan at the time.
- Original brochures, dealer window stickers, or service manuals that may label the body configuration with B4 or similar four-door descriptors.
- Official Subaru archives or regional catalogs from the period, which provide context for the body-styling designations used in that market.
Understanding these sources helps clarify whether a vehicle was marketed with a B4 designation and in which generation or market it appeared.
Current status and practical implications
As of now, Subaru does not market a model named "B4." The designation persists mainly as a historical reference and within collector-oriented materials. For buyers and restorers, it is typically more important to identify the actual model line (Impreza, Legacy, etc.) and the generation code rather than relying on the B4 label alone.
If you are researching or purchasing a vehicle you’ve seen described as a B4, verify the car’s documentation, brochure history, and VIN with reliable sources to ensure you understand the exact generation and market context.
Summary
The Subaru B4 refers to a historical four-door sedan body-styling designation used in certain markets, especially in Japan, to differentiate four-door sedans from other body configurations within Subaru’s lineup. It is not a standalone modern model name, but rather a contextual badge used in older materials. For today’s buyers and collectors, the B4 label is primarily of historical interest; the true identification comes from the model line (Impreza, Legacy, etc.) and generating code rather than the B4 badge.
