What year did Subaru add a backup camera?
Subaru first added factory backup cameras in the 2010 model year, with broader adoption through the mid‑2010s; by the 2018 model year, backup cameras were standard on all new Subaru models in the United States.
Back-up cameras have become a baseline safety feature across the auto industry in the past decade. Subaru's rollout followed a gradual path: some models offered cameras early, with broader availability as trims and models updated, culminating in universal standardization in the U.S. by 2018 in line with federal rules.
Timeline of Subaru backup camera adoption
The following milestones outline when Subaru began offering factory backup cameras, noting that availability varied by model and market.
- 2010 model year — introduced on select Subaru models in the U.S., typically as standard on higher trims or as an optional feature on some lines.
- Mid‑2010s — the feature became more widespread across Subaru's lineup, with several models offering backup cameras as standard or widely available options.
- 2018 model year — in response to a federal safety rule, backup cameras became standard on all new Subaru models sold in the United States.
In practice, Subaru's rollout meant that drivers could expect a backup camera on most new Subarus by the mid‑2010s, with the law formalizing the feature nationwide in 2018.
Current status and market variations
Today, the backup camera remains a standard feature on virtually all Subaru models offered in the United States and many markets. Subaru also offers enhanced camera systems and driver-assist packages that complement the rearview view.
Notes on regional variation
Availability and timing can vary outside the U.S., with some markets introducing backup camera features as standard later or earlier depending on local regulations and model cycles.
Summary
Subaru began equipping backup cameras in the 2010 model year, expanded their availability through the mid‑2010s, and aligned with the 2018 federal mandate that all new U.S. cars include backup cameras, making today’s models standard across the lineup.
