Every Subaru Sports Car You Should Know
Subaru has a fun history of sports cars, including several models on the market today.
Written by Jacqulyn Graber
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
Subaru
began selling vehicles in the United States in 1968, but it wasn’t until 1986 that they released their very first sports car, the XT Coupe. Today, the BRZ and WRX are two relatively affordable sports car options offered by the manufacturer. When you think of Subaru, you probably think of their rough-and-tumble all-wheel-drive vehicles. The Japanese automaker is well-known for building vehicles that are rugged, affordable, and fuel-efficient. But if none of these descriptions bring “sports cars” to mind—think again.
Jerry
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that saves drivers big bucks on car insurance
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Does Subaru make sports cars?
Let’s take a closer look at these two options:
2022 Subaru BRZ
The Subaru BRZ is a lightweight and agile coupe, offered in rear-wheel-drive only—a unique addition to the manufacturer's otherwise all-wheel-drive-only lineup. It’s powered by a 2.4-liter flat-four-cylinder engine, aka a "boxer" engine, that generates 228 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque. Drivers can choose between a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission.
The BRZ is offered in just two trim levels, with the entry-level
Premium
starting at $28,990 and the enhanced Limited
starting at $31,490. Both trims come standard with manual transmission, but switching to automatic costs just $1,600. Upgrading to the Limited adds some exciting features, like 18-inch aluminum wheels, summer tires, and blind-spot monitoring.Inside, you’ll enjoy an aesthetically pleasing and technologically capable interior—equipped with an 8.0-inch touchscreen plus physical knobs and buttons. Every model comes standard with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and access to SiriusXM satellite radio. Cool, low seats are trimmed with red accents to play up the car’s race-car feel.
And all of this sportiness won’t mean you’ll have to sacrifice Subaru’s famous fuel-economy—the BRZ is estimated to earn up to 21 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway.
2022 Subaru WRX
If you’ve heard of Subaru’s sports cars, you’ve probably heard of the well-known
Subaru WRX
. This all-wheel-drive compact sedan is popular among speed enthusiasts.Powered by a turbocharged 2.4-liter flat-four-cylinder engine that offers 271 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, the WRX comes standard six-speed manual transmission that can be upgraded to continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT).
Four trim levels are offered at the following MSRPs:
On the outside, the WRX boasts sleek and distinctive bodywork. On the inside, it looks pretty much like a traditional Subaru—with the special addition of carbon-fiber-like accents and red contrast stitching. Plus, every trim boasts a massive 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system.
A history of the Subaru sports car
While the modern BRZ and WRX are two great modern options if you’re looking for an affordable and approachable sports car, Subaru’s sports car history is quite diverse. In fact, the brand introduced its first sports car in 1986. Let’s take a look at the timeline!
1986: Since 1968, Subaru has been known for cheap, practical, and reliable forms of transportation—but the 1986 XT Coupe began to change all of that. As the brand’s very first sports car, this vehicle was built for speed and performance. Unfortunately, due to some weird styling—like aggressive angles, wacky upholstery, and an asymmetrical steering wheel—it didn’t sell very well.
1992: Six years later, Subaru took a second stab at designing a sports car with the SVX, a much sexier-looking two-door coupe designed by Giugiaro. It started out as an all-wheel-drive, but the price point was a bit high for Subaru shoppers, so the manufacturer began offering front-wheel-drive in an attempt to cut costs. Nonetheless, drivers weren’t willing to spend the money, and the SVX was discontinued within five years.
2002: Subaru stuck with practical sedans and SUVs in America for a while, until the Impreza WRX saw some success abroad. In 2002, the second generation of the vehicle debuted in the USA. This was the first successful Subaru sports car in America, earning many awards over the years. Today, the Impreza has a sport trim, and the WRX is a standalone sports car model.
2004: Riding high after the success of the Impreza WRX, Subaru quickly produced the WRX STi as a rival to the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. Frankly, this vehicle was aesthetically awkward—but it was extremely powerful and fun to drive.
2013: In 2012, Toyota bought 20% of Subaru’s stock, and the BRZ was their very first project together. It remains the only modern Subaru to be rear-wheel drive, and it’s beloved by sports car drivers around the country.
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How to save money on Subaru insurance
Whether you drive your sports cars like your training for NASCAR or you prefer a more practical family-friendly Subaru, you’ll need top-notch car insurance to protect your set of wheels.
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