What was the first Subaru model?
Subaru's first production model was the Subaru 360, a tiny kei car that debuted in 1958.
To understand the question, it helps to look at Subaru’s origins within Fuji Heavy Industries and how the company evolved from early concepts to its first mass-market vehicle.
Origins of Subaru and the brand
Fuji Heavy Industries formed in 1953 from five predecessor companies, consolidating aviation and manufacturing know-how under the Subaru banner. The name Subaru—deriving from the Japanese reading of the Pleiades star cluster—became the public face of the automaker’s passenger cars. This background set the stage for Subaru’s later focus on practical, affordable transportation.
The first production Subaru: the 360
Design and engineering overview
Launched in 1958, the Subaru 360 was a compact kei car designed for affordability and everyday use in postwar Japan. It featured a small engine and a simple, rear-engined layout that enabled efficient packaging and economical operation. The model’s introduction signaled Subaru’s entry into mainstream car-making and established a tradition of practical, value-driven vehicles that would characterize the brand for decades.
Before the 360 era, Subaru’s path included corporate restructuring and early concept work within Fuji Heavy Industries, but it was the 360’s production that truly marked the company’s entry into mass-market automotive markets.
Key milestones leading up to the first model:
- 1953: Fuji Heavy Industries is formed from five predecessor companies, and Subaru becomes the brand used for passenger cars.
- 1958: The Subaru 360 enters production, becoming the first mass-market Subaru model.
These milestones illustrate how Subaru progressed from corporate consolidation to its first production car and how that initial vehicle laid the groundwork for decades of product development.
What made the Subaru 360 notable?
The 360 is celebrated for introducing Subaru to everyday consumers as an affordable, compact vehicle. Its efficient design, practical layout, and approachable price helped the brand carve out a niche that would evolve into a broad, international lineup in the years that followed.
Summary
The first Subaru model was the Subaru 360, released in 1958 as a small kei car. Born from the 1953 reorganization of Fuji Heavy Industries, the 360 established Subaru’s reputation for practical, value-focused cars and laid the groundwork for the brand’s later expansion into a diverse global lineup.
Are the 2026 subarus out yet?
Some 2026 Subaru models are out, with the 2026 Outback now available, and new versions of the Solterra and WRX expected soon. The 2026 Outback became available around the end of 2025, while the 2026 Solterra models are slated for a Spring 2026 release. The 2026 WRX Series.Yellow is also expected in Spring 2026.
- 2026 Subaru Outback: Available now, with the Outback Wilderness arriving in early 2026.
- 2026 Subaru Solterra: The 2026 Solterra Trailseeker and Uncharted EV are expected in Spring 2026.
- 2026 Subaru WRX: The 2026 WRX Series.Yellow is expected to be released in Spring 2026.
- 2026 Subaru BRZ: The 2026 BRZ Series.Yellow is expected to be released in Winter 2025.
What are the old Subaru models?
Old Subaru models include the early 360, 1000, and FF-1, the popular Leone/Loyale, and the distinctive XT and SVX coupes. The company also produced notable 4WD models like the Leone wagon and the BRAT, a unique pickup truck with rear-facing seats. Later "modern classic" models include the first-generation Legacy and the Impreza WRX.
Early models
- Subaru 360 (1958–1971): Subaru's first mass-produced car, known for being an inexpensive, distinctive economy car.
- Subaru 1000 (1966–1969): The first front-wheel-drive car from Japan and the first Subaru to be sold in the U.S.
- FF-1 (1969–1973): A front-wheel-drive car that replaced the 1000 and was followed by the Leone series.
1970s and 1980s models
- Leone/Loyale (1971–1994): A popular compact car that was marketed as the Leone in other parts of the world. It was also the car of choice for the U.S. Ski Team and introduced on-demand 4WD for the first time in 1975.
- BRAT (1978–1994): A small, 4WD "Bi-drive Recreational All-terrain Transporter" with two rear-facing seats in the bed.
- XT / Alcyone XT (1985–1991): A sporty coupe known for its aerodynamic, futuristic design and features like a digital instrument cluster and an ECU.
1990s and 2000s models
- Legacy (1989–Present): A popular wagon and sedan that replaced the Loyale and became the foundation for later models like the Outback.
- SVX / Alcyone SVX (1991–1996): A unique, luxury sports coupe with a distinctive "window within a window" design and a 3.3L flat-six engine.
- Impreza (1992–Present): Introduced as a new compact car and later became famous in its WRX and WRX STI performance versions.
- Forester (1997–Present): Introduced as a compact SUV that combined the benefits of a wagon with the capability of an SUV.
- Baja (2003–2006): A multi-purpose vehicle with a crew cab and a small truck bed, built on the Outback platform.
What does Subaru mean in Japanese?
In Japanese, Subaru means "unite," "to govern," or "gather together". It is also the Japanese name for the Pleiades, a star cluster in the Taurus constellation. The company's name and logo have a double meaning, referencing both the Pleiades star cluster and the five companies that merged to form Fuji Heavy Industries (the parent company of Subaru).
- "Unite": This meaning reflects the merger of five companies in 1953 to form Fuji Heavy Industries, which is the parent company of Subaru.
- "Pleiades": The Subaru logo features six stars, representing the six companies that merged to form Fuji Heavy Industries, with the sixth star representing the company itself.
- Star cluster: The Pleiades star cluster is also called Subaru in Japan, and the company's logo is a representation of this cluster.
What was the first Subaru made?
In a very short time, an automotive division emerged that became known as "Subaru," a name that means "Unite." The very first Subaru was launched in 1954. The first model was turbocharged and was initially called the P-1, a name changed later to the Subaru 1500.
