What is the Fastest Subaru?

The Subaru brand is most popular amongst outdoor enthusiasts due to the versatility of their vehicles. But the fastest Subarus have influenced the world of rally racing, too.
Written by Kerry Gibson
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
Most people jump to the Outback or Forester models when
Subaru
comes up in conversation. The Japanese company has certainly earned its reputation as a reliable carmaker with a modest seven models to choose from. But driving enthusiasts want to know what car is the fastest Subaru.
Its vehicles are equipped with electronic limiters to govern top speeds, so the following cars are judged on their 0 to 60 mph acceleration times. Subaru has the advantage of its all-wheel drive technology and a history of rally race wins.

The fastest Subaru of the past

1992 SVX
This car was the vision of legendary car designer Giorgetto Guigaro, the man responsible for the DeLorean DMC-12, Volkswagen Golf, and BMW M1. It was a grand tourer priced $10,000 over Subaru’s other models. The automatic transmission was prone to overheating and the interior styling was a car buyer deterrent. But the 3.3-liter flat-six engine made 230 hp and hit 60 mph in 7.3 seconds.
2014 Forester 2.5 XT
This crossover is a certified sleeper car with 250 hp. It has a 0 to 60 mph time of 5.9 seconds and is capable of less with a simple parts swap. It’s mechanically similar to the WRX model but it’s built with revised gearing and a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine.
2010 Legacy 2.5 GT
This used car was quicker than the present day model, as reported by
MotorBiscuit
. The smaller turbocharged flat-four engine had 265 hp. It shared many similarities with the Subaru STI. It moved to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds and was available with a manual gearbox.
2010 Impreza WRX Sport Wagon
This model was equipped with the same engine and 0 to 60 time as the aforementioned Legacy 2.5 GT of the same year. It was built with 227 hp and stood its ground in the rally world.
2013 WRX Special Edition
A highly coveted model when it was first released and only available in its signature orange color with decals. It ran 0 to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds and was built with a wider body, and bigger, blacker wheels.
2012 WRX STI S206
A Japanese-exclusive edition that made 316 hp. This WRX adaptation was capable of 0 to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds.
2009 Impreza 330S
The 2.5-liter turbo flat-four engine produced 325 hp and traveled to 60 mph in 4.8 seconds. It was a five-door hatchback with a six-speed manual transmission. The catch: It was only sold in the U.K.
1998 Impreza 22B STI
A highly desirable boxy street-legal rally car built to commemorate Subaru’s 40th anniversary. All 424 units sold out instantly thanks to its unorthodox 2.2-liter engine with 280 hp. It would accelerate to 60 mph from a standstill in 4.7 seconds.
2006 Legacy GT spec.B
Only 500 dark silver units were produced between 2006 and 2009. It had better suspension, wider wheels, and bigger brakes than the standard Legacy GT. These modifications allowed for a 0 to 60 mph acceleration time of 5.3 seconds. It came with a six-speed manual transmission and an impressive interior.
2004 STI WR1
The 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine produced 342 hp. It topped out at 155 mph and took 4.3 seconds to move from 0 to 60 mph. It’s a rare and expensive rally car that won championships, making it the fastest Subaru on this list.
MORE: What is the Best Subaru WRX Year?
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The fastest Subaru of the present

Outback 3.6R
Car owners can give the all-wheel drive wagon an upgrade with a 3.6-liter flat-six motor making 256 hp. Highway passing is fun when it accelerates from a standstill to 60 mph in 7.1 seconds. It won’t win any races but it’s definitely a reliable and safe choice.
Legacy 3.6R
Those who don’t require the long roof and cargo room can expect a similar performance from this midsize sedan. The ride height is lower, but the continuously variable transmission is the same. With the larger motor, it has 256 hp and shaves an additional 0.2 seconds off the Outback’s 0 to 6 mph time.
BRZ
This Toyota 86 twin is a compact sports car. The manual six-speed transmission and flat-four engine sounds great for less than $30,000. The chassis makes it a fun drive even though it only has 205 hp available and does 0 to 60 mph in 6.2 seconds.
WRX
The name stands for World Rally Experimental. Even the base model is one of the fastest Subaru cars doing 0 to 60 mph in just 5.0 seconds. The 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine produces 268 hp and is paired to a six-speed manual gearbox. Its performance is often overshadowed by the STI, but for $27,000 it’s way more affordable.
WRX STI
Make the 0 to 60 mph trip in just 4.8 seconds and reach 160 mph with this souped-up version. It’s fast on and off the road.
MORE: The Limited Release Hakone Edition Toyota 86 Was Too Hot for Words

Insuring your Subaru

Subaru has a long history of building versatile vehicles that are reliable and safe. It’s a market leader when it comes to cars that hold their value. Those looking to add even more speed to the fastest Subaru models should know that they are easily tunable, according to
Autowise
.
Modifications or not,
Jerry
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