Why did the Subaru BRAT have seats in the bed?
The Subaru BRAT included two rear-facing seats in its cargo bed to boost passenger capacity while preserving a small pickup-style bed for cargo. It was a deliberate, marketing-driven design choice that helped define the car’s quirky identity.
When Subaru launched the BRAT in the late 1970s, it aimed to blend the practicality of a wagon with the utility of a pickup. The two rear seats located in the bed became the model’s most famous feature, sparking ongoing fascination and debate among enthusiasts and critics alike.
Context and design rationale
During its brief production run from 1978 to 1981, the BRAT stood out in a crowded market by offering something rarely seen: seating in the cargo area. This approach reflected a broader era of experimentation in small cars and light-duty trucks, where manufacturers explored ways to maximize interior space without sacrificing cargo capabilities.
How the bed seats were configured and used
The two small rear-facing seats were mounted in the bed directly behind the cabin. They were designed to be used for short trips and light-duty transport rather than long highway travel. The seats faced the rear of the vehicle and came with their own restraints and padding, but they were intentionally compact and intended for occasional use rather than daily transport.
- Two rear-facing jump seats mounted in the cargo bed behind the cabin
- Rear seats typically used for additional passengers during short trips or recreational outings
- Seats included seat belts and vinyl upholstery, with cushions that could be folded or stowed when cargo space was needed
- Accessed from the bed area; not a full-height, door-access seating arrangement like conventional rear seats
These features were advertised as part of the BRAT’s “recreational” appeal, emphasizing versatility and a go-anywhere mindset. The setup was designed to be practical enough for occasional use while preserving the practical cargo bed for gear, groceries, or outdoor equipment.
The bed seats were not intended to transform the BRAT into a traditional five-seat family car. They represented a compromise between passenger capacity and the truck-like utility that defined Subaru’s approach to the BRAT’s packaging.
Why Subaru included them and what they meant for buyers
The second set of considerations explains why Subaru pursued this unusual feature and how buyers reacted. The BRAT’s bed seats served multiple purposes, from marketing differentiation to practical economics for a compact, all-wheel-drive vehicle in the late 1970s.
- Market differentiation: The rear bed seats created a distinctive, conversation-starting feature that set the BRAT apart from conventional wagons and pickups
- Enhanced seating capacity: The two extra seats allowed more passengers without enlarging the overall footprint of the vehicle
- Maintained cargo utility: Despite the extra seating, the BRAT still offered a usable cargo bed for gear and supplies
- Cost-effective packaging: Using a wagon platform with an open cargo area was a cost-efficient way to blend car-like comfort with light-truck utility
- Public perception and cult status: The quirky design helped the BRAT gain lasting recognition and a loyal enthusiast following
Over time, safety concerns and evolving regulations, along with a shift in market preferences, contributed to the BRAT’s short production span. The bed seats remained a defining, polarizing feature—beloved by some for its novelty and practicality, viewed by others as a gimmick.
Legacy and modern perspective
In retrospect, Subaru’s bed seats were a calculated gamble that paid off in cultural impact even as they faded from the lineup. They highlighted a time when manufacturers chased differentiation through quirks as much as through performance or efficiency.
Summary
The BRAT’s bed seats were a deliberate feature to increase passenger capacity while preserving the vehicle’s cargo-carrying ability. They offered a quirky, memorable solution that appealed to buyers seeking versatility and an outdoors-ready image. Though eventually discontinued, the seats left a lasting imprint on automotive history as one of the era’s most infamous and endearing design quirks.
