Subaru Make Some Amazing Cars, and These Are Some of Their Top Models
Subaru has built some incredibly awesome cars over the years. From the rally legends to everyday heroes, there’s a Subaru for every kind of driver. Take a look at our list of the 35 best Subaru models ever made and see if your favorite made the list.
2004 Subaru WRX STI
This absolute beast was born for rally racing. It had big wings, turbo power, and grip for days. It’s one of those cars that’s loud, raw, and full of attitude. People still dream of owning one. It’s not just a car - it’s a legend that makes grown adults giggle on twisty roads.
1998 Subaru Impreza 22B STI
Subaru’s Impreza 22B STI is like a unicorn - it’s rare, fast, and flat-out beautiful. Subaru made it to celebrate rally wins, and fans went wild for it. It had wide fenders and some serious power. Today, it’s still one of the most collectible Subarus ever.
2013 Subaru BRZ
The BRZ is all about driving pleasure. Unlike most Subarus, it’s rear-wheel drive, which means joy for car lovers who want something that loves corners. It’s not the fastest, sure, but it’s a blast to drive and doesn’t have that fancy fluff.
1995 Subaru Outback
The Subaru Outback is part wagon, part SUV. It can handle camping trips, muddy roads, and the daily grind. It’s also comfortable, practical, and doesn’t mind getting dirty. Owners trust it to go just about anywhere - and it usually does.
2004 Subaru Forester XT
The Forester XT is a sneaky car. It looks like your run-of-the-mill grocery-getter, but it hides WRX power under the hood. It’s super fast and fun to drive. You could easily drop the kids off at school and enter a race on the way home.
2002 Subaru Impreza WRX
The “bugeye” Impreza WRX got weird looks at first, but quickly became a fan favorite. It brought turbo power to the U.S. The all-wheel drive and punchy acceleration are what really made it a rally car for the streets.
2006 Subaru Legacy GT Spec. B
Subaru’s Legacy GT is the grown-up WRX. It’s got power, a slick 6-speed gearbox, and a touch of class. From the leather seats to those fast lane thrills, the Legacy doesn’t shout, but it can move. It’s the ideal mix of business and pleasure all under one hood.
2003 Subaru Baja
No one really knows what the Baja is. Is it a truck? Is it a car? Honestly, it’s both. It gives us a pickup bed with all-wheel drive and just a dash of Subaru quirkiness. Sure, it wasn’t a big hit, but it found a cult following of fans who would do anything to own one.
1992 Subaru SVX
The SVX was Subaru trying to be a bit fancy. It had a cool design with strange windows, but it was the flat-six engine that made it really stand out. It didn’t sell well, but it stands out as one of the weirdest yet boldest Subarus ever made.
1984 Subaru Justy
The Justy was many things - tiny, cheap, and way tougher than it looked. It wasn’t fast or flashy, but it got the job done and had great fuel economy. A few were released with the suspension of a four-wheel drive. It was the no-fuss Subaru known for its reliability.
1998 Subaru Impreza RS 2.5
The Impreza RS 2.5 was Subaru’s warm-up act before the WRX came to the U.S. It looked sporty and had real rally vibes. While it wasn’t fast, it handled well, had a solid performance, and had that Subaru charm fans love.
2013 Subaru Crosstrek
Subaru’s Crosstrek is like an Impreza that decided to go off-road. It’s not flashy in any way, but it’s practical, tough, and ready for any adventure. It had great fuel economy, solid all-wheel drive, and just enough ground clearance to hit the trails.
2006 Subaru Legacy GT
The Legacy didn’t mess around. It was packed with turbo power, a manual gearbox, and a tighter suspension. This car was fun, fast, and a little fancy too. It gave Subaru fans a grown-up performance without losing its all-road spirit.
1985 Subaru XT
The XT was released in 1985, but looked like it came from the future. It had pop-up headlights, a fighter-jet style interior, and all-wheel drive. It was weird for the ‘80s, but in the best way possible. You either loved it or didn’t get it.
1971 Subaru Leone
Before the Outback and the Forester, there was the Subaru Leone. It was Subaru’s early all-wheel-drive car that wasn’t much to look at, but really helped Subaru become what it is today. It got people through snow, mud, and everything in between.
2015 Subaru WRX
The WRX kept the turbo power and rally feel but made things more modern. It handled better, felt quicker, and looked sharper than older models. Even today, some fans miss the old rawness, but this version still brings the fun.
2022 Subaru Forester Wilderness
The Wilderness is what happens when you take a Forester, beef it up, and add off-road muscle. It’s built for trails, mud, and camping trips. It’s got a lifted suspension, chunkier tires, and rugged touches that made it perfect for that camping weekend away.
1996 Subaru Legacy Outback
This was Subaru’s Outback before it had its own name. It practically kicked off the whole lifted wagon trend. It was rugged, roomy, and way cooler than the average minivan. Subaru nailed it, and people still miss these early models.
2008 Subaru WRX STI Hatchback
Who doesn’t love a hatchback? The WRX STI hatchback had performance and practicality. It’s also got those rally chops that Subaru fans love. So many still argue that this was peak WRX. And to be honest, they might be right.
1990 Subaru Legacy Wagon
Subaru’s Legacy Wagon did it all - from hauling kids and dogs to groceries and camping gear. It had space, comfort, and Subaru’s trusty all-wheel drive. It racked up mileage and still kept going. This wagon just kept going and still does.
1978 Subaru BRAT
The BRAT is a tiny truck with rear-facing seats in the bed. No, we’re not joking. The BRAT was weird, fun, and somehow street legal. It was one of Ronald Reagan’s favorite cars, and this alone earns it a spot on our list.
2022 Subaru WRX
The newest WRX is all about modern style and tech. But one thing hasn’t changed, and that’s performance. It still delivers all-wheel drive, just with a much smoother ride and better features. Sure, some fans miss the old days, but the new WRX keeps the spirit alive.
2024 Subaru Outback Wilderness
Subaru’s 2024 Outback Wilderness is like the regular Outback, only tougher. It’s got better ground clearance, beefy tires, and a few off-road upgrades that make it ready to climb, crawl, or cruise through any terrain. It’s way more adventurous.
2006 Subaru Tribeca
The Tribeca had Subaru fans scratching their heads with its odd styling. This was Subaru’s first big SUV, and it came with a bit of an identity crisis. It was comfortable and loaded with features, and was way ahead of its time in some ways.
2006 Subaru Stella
The Subaru Stella was released in 2006 - but only in Japan. It was an electric car that became Subaru’s answer to city living. It was quiet, cute, and easy to drive through tight spaces and busy streets, and proved Subaru can do small and green, too.
2008 Subaru Impreza Hatchback
2008’s Impreza Hatchback nailed the balance of sporty and practical. It looked sharp, drove incredibly well, and had room for great. The Hatchback was the all-rounder that didn’t try too hard, and was a good choice for someone who wanted a bit of power without going full WRX.
2005 Subaru Legacy GT Wagon
The Legacy GT Wagon was a sleeper, and it was no joke. It had a turbo engine and sharp handling, and let’s not forget the cargo space. It was also quick and classy, but still “ordinary” enough for people who liked speed and reliability.
1972 Subaru Rex
The Rex is another car that was only sold in Japan. It was made for city life and had just enough charm to win over fans everywhere. Sure, it wasn’t fast or flashy, but people loved its big personality and the fact that it was a bit different.
1985 Subaru Alcyone
Alcyone sounds like a spaceship, and honestly, the 1985 Subaru Alcyone looked like one too. It was released in America as the Subaru XT. The car was peak 1990s Subaru flair, and was known for being bold, quirky, and a bit misunderstood.
2010 Subaru Trezia
The Trezia was released in Europe in 2010, and later rebadged as the Toyota Ractis. It was easy to drive, good on gas, and had a surprising amount of room for a hatchback. It was the perfect car for no-nonsense daily driving in big cities.
2007 Subaru Impreza WRX STI Type RA-R
If you wanted a hardcore version of a car that was already hardcore, this was it. The Impreza WRX STI Type RA-R was lighter, faster, and tuned for the track. It didn’t mess around and became a true collector’s car for Subaru fans.
1998 Subaru Forester
The Forester was the start of something big for Subaru. Early Foresters were basic, boxy, and surprisingly capable cars. People quickly fell in love with its go-anywhere spirit and simple charm. Sure, it wasn’t fast, but it was reliable and got you where you wanted to go.
1989 Subaru Liberty
The Liberty was released to Australian drivers in 1989 as the Subaru Legacy. Same great car, but different name. It had all-wheel drive grip and reliability for days. And it was used for everything from family trips to rally racing.
2019 Subaru S209
Subaru’s S209 was the carmaker's most powerful U.S. model ever. It had a limited run, which meant a big price tag and incredible performance (think STI turned up to 11). It was a beast on the race track and a collector’s dream car.
2009 Subaru Forester Sport XT
The Forester Sport XT is where styling meets turbo power. It was practical on the outside. But under the hood? Wild! This Subaru flew under the radar for a long time, which made it even cooler and more of a collector’s item later on.