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Is Subaru Japanese – Are They, Or Are They Not?

by Jordan Harris
Is Subaru Japanese

Are you planning on purchasing a Subaru vehicle and you are asking yourself if is Subaru Japanese? Well, if that is the case, then you are at the right place because there will be a lot to cover on this topic when it comes to this question.

Doing the proper research before you jump out there on the market to purchase a vehicle should be one of your top priorities. Why I’m saying this? Well, I’m saying this because it is true. A ton of owners market their cars as JDM or Japanese Domestic Market. But in fact, they are assembled here in the US.

So, you need to learn which of the models are assembled here in the US, Canada, or Mexico if you want to get a proper JDM car for yourself. And this is why we are going to help you out when it comes to this problem and we will learn quite a lot about if is Subaru Japanese and where they produce a specific model.

But first, we will learn who is Subaru and whether or not they are a Japanese company. We will answer the question of is Subaru Japanese, then we will cover some of the history of Subaru and its logo. We will also learn more about their factories and then we will learn about the models they sell here in the US. So, you don’t want to miss that.

Who Are Subaru, And Is Subaru Japanese

Now before we learn if is Subaru Japanese, let’s cover some of the basics and learn who is Subaru in general?

Knowing this will be extra useful when trying to understand more about their history and models that they have here in the market. And frankly, Subaru has its name all over it since the late 1960s when they first came to America. But who is Subaru? Is Subaru Japanese? Or what is the Subaru country of origin? Let’s find out.

Let’s answer the questions that bother us the most and that is whether or not Subaru is Japanese? We can tell you right off the bat that Subaru is a Japanese company and is financed by Japanese capital. And since their inception, they have been like this.

So, you can sleep well knowing that Subaru throughout its whole life has been a Japanese company and its assets were not sold to some of the American or European carmakers.

Is Subaru Japanese

Nevertheless, Subaru is making one of the best value cars around. They do not target big profits and make thousands of your car.

They offer one of the best bang for the buck out there. So, if you cherish your money and you don’t want to spend it unnecessarily, going after a Subaru should be one of your top priorities if you are asking me. There are hardly any value brands left out there. Except for Hyundai and Kia. And maybe Mazda.

Japanese and Korean carmakers have always focused on delivering a good value for your money and you shouldn’t ignore them. So, we learned if is Subaru Japanese, now let’s cover something else, and that is the history of Subaru.

History Of Subaru, And Is Subaru Japanese

We learned the answer to the question of is Subaru Japanese and we understood that this company is Japanese. Now it is time to learn more about the history of Subaru and learn more about their past.

Subaru is basically the automotive branch of the Subaru Corporation. This corporation was previously known as the Fuji Heavy Industries. And Subaru is the 21st-largest carmaker in the world when it comes to vehicle output per year. They usually output about 800,000 vehicles per year.

Subaru automotive was founded in 1953 and they are located in Ebisu, Shibuya, Japan. But they are also present in the US market through its wide network of dealerships.

In fact, Subaru’s history in the US started a long time ago. More precisely back in the late 1960s when the first models were imported. And as the gas prices hit in the 1970s, almost every Japanese carmaker has used that to their advantage.

Mainly because they offered very fuel-efficient vehicles in comparison to American carmakers. And not only that, Japanese cars broke down less often than American cars. So, during this time period, Subaru created its legacy. And opened many dealerships and factories across the US.

But more about the factories, we are going to elaborate later on in the article. The important thing for us after we learned if is Subaru Japanese is to understand the meaning behind this word.

Subaru Logo

Now let’s elaborate more on the Subaru meaning and the Subaru emblem. We learned if is Subaru Japanese, now it is time to cover more about their logo and how they market their vehicles on the market. What does Subaru mean in Japanese?

Well, in Japanese the word Subaru means “United”. This word was used by Fuji Heavy Industries to name their car division brand and the name has stayed like this ever since.

The Subaru logo on the other hand is somewhat connected with the brand name. The logo basically resembles the Pleiades. This is a cluster of six stars that are a part of the Taurus constellation.

And here also Greek mythology has some influence. According to the mythology the daughters of Atlas have turned into stars. Overall, that is the story behind the logo and the name of this brand and if is Subaru Japanese. Now it is time to learn more about their factories and also the current lineup that they offer.

Subaru Factories

We learned if is Subaru Japanese, now let’s learn more about their factories. Where their factories are located across the world and understand a bit better where the Subaru models for the US models come from. Are there all American Subaru models or not? Let’s elaborate.

What is worth noting when it comes to Subaru factories is that there are only two of them. Since the output of this brand is about 800,000 vehicles per year, they do not need many factories in the first place.

Having so few factories means that the Subaru models spend the least amount of time of any carmaker out there waiting in a dealership to be sold.

Is Subaru Japanese

Subaru cars often come and go from the dealership and basically, dealerships get fresh inventory all the time. Which is a good thing. You don’t want to get a car that was sitting on a lot for a year or two in some cases. But what are the Subaru factories?

Well, the original Subaru plant is located in Gunma, Japan. The second plant is located in the US. More precisely in Lafayette, Indiana.

This factory in the US was opened in 1989 and since then it is manufacturing most of the Subaru vehicles for the American market. Even though, there are still cars that are being imported from Japan since they cannot make all the models here in the Lafayette plant in Indiana.

So, if you are asking if is Subaru Japanese, for some models it is. More on this we are going to elaborate later on while we cover all the current lineup of cars that are offered by this brand.

Subaru Current Lineup (And Is Subaru Japanese)

We covered if is Subaru Japanese and now it is time to discuss the current lineup of cars that they offer.

Knowing the lineup will be especially useful if you are on the market for a new car and want to purchase a future daily driver. So, let’s cover their lineup and what they have to offer at the moment.

Subaru Impreza

So, we learned if is Subaru Japanese and we think that now it is time to cover the first car in their current lineup. And that is the famous Impreza.

The Subaru Impreza is a true legend when it comes to cars because it has so much history behind it and this nameplate has stuck since 1992. The high-performance models have won a ton of dirt rallies and basically set new benchmarks.

The present model of the Impreza was introduced in 2016 for the 2017 model year. This model is based on the new Subaru Global Platform. This model is assembled in Japan and also in Lafayette, Indiana. The US model comes from their factory in Indiana.

This car comes as a standard with the famous 2.0L boxer engine that is producing about 152hp and 145lb-ft of torque.

In terms of transmissions, it comes with a 5-speed manual or a 7-speed CVT automatic transmission.

The base model starts at $19,000 and if you opt for the premium 4-door CVT model, you will have to pay about $25,000. Extremely good value for what you get. So, we know if is Subaru Japanese, now let’s move on to the next model.

Subaru Legacy

We learned if is Subaru Japanese, now let’s cover the second model in our list. And that is the Subaru Legacy.

The Legacy is also one of the most legendary models that Subaru makes. In fact, it is older than the Impreza. It is produced since 1989 and until now, there are 7 generations of this magnificent sedan.

The Legacy is a mid-size car, which means that it is a bit larger than the Impreza. So, if you need that extra space, this model is the right one for you. The car has four doors and a front engine with AWD. This model is also produced in the Lafayette factory.

The model is hugely popular in the US and sells really well, even though it is not the same case in Japan where it stopped being sold.

Anyways, this model comes equipped with a 2.5L boxer engine. This engine produces about 182hp and 176lb-ft of torque. There is also a more powerful 2.4L engine producing 260hp and 270lb-ft of torque. In terms of transmissions, there is only one transmission available and that is the 8-speed CVT automatic.

And when it comes to pricing, we can say that the Legacy is a crazy value. The model starts shy of $23,000 and with options, it can go up to $37,000. And frankly, for this amount of money you get a ton of car.

Maybe one of the best deals out there right now when you compare it with other mid-size cars. So, we learned if is Subaru Japanese, now let’s cover the next model.

Subaru Crosstrek

We learned if is Subaru Japanese and now it is time to cover the third model in our list. And that is the Subaru Crosstrek.

The Crosstrek is a fairly new model. It was introduced in 2012 and now it is in its second generation which was introduced in 2017 for the 2018 model year. This model is produced in Gunma, Japan. This means that the Crosstrek actually is not that American.

This model is basically a lifted Impreza. It has the same platform and body but is lifted a little bit and it is built to be more rugged and capable to be driven off-road. This model has a ground clearance of 8.7 inches. And if you are one of those guys who want a dynamic ride, this model is for you.

Is Subaru Japanese

The model comes equipped with the same 2.0L boxer engine that is in the Impreza. It produces about 152hp and 145lb-ft of torque. In terms of transmissions, it comes with an 8-speed CVT transmission. And a 6-speed manual.

The Crosstrek starts at about $23,000. But with options, the price will increase to $37,000. So, we learned if is Subaru Japanese, now let’s cover the next model.

Subaru Outback

After we learned if is Subaru Japanese, it is time to cover the next model in the Subaru lineup. And that is the Subaru Outback.

The Subaru Outback is really similar to the Crosstrek. It is designed with the same idea in mind and that is to be a really capable off-road station wagon. But unlikely the Crosstrek, the Outback is based on the Legacy. This means that it is a considerably larger vehicle and has a ton more space inside.

The Outback is probably one of the best-sellers out there. This model is getting more than 180,000+ units sold in the US each year and frankly, it is a really good vehicle. Very capable on the road and off-road with its powerful AWD system.

It comes with two engines. The first is the same 2.5L engine that comes with the Legacy while the second engine is a 2.4L turbocharged boxer engine that produces about 260hp and 277lb-ft of torque. Quite more powerful than the standard model. So, if you opt for performance, this engine is the way to go.

In terms of transmissions, this model comes with a CVT automatic. More precisely with an 8-speed CVT automatic with overdrive.

In terms of price, the base model starts at about $27,000, and with options, this price can reach $41,000. So, we covered if is Subaru Japanese, now let’s learn the next model.

Subaru Forester

The next model in our list of the current Subaru lineup is the Subaru Forester. The Forester is Subaru’s take on the compact SUV market. And frankly, the Forester is one of the best value out there when it comes to Subaru Japanese vehicles.

The current generation of this model was introduced in 2018 for the 2019 model year. This model is assembled in Gunma, Japan. This means that it is imported here in the US.

But the Forester still sells really well. More precisely it is sold in 170,000+ units per year. And for a good reason. This model is probably the cheapest SUV in its class and for that price point, it really delivers an excellent performance if you are asking me.

Recently, Subaru even unveiled a model refresh for the current generation. So, in terms of equipment, we can say that it has a lot. And the AWD system comes as a standard. Unlike on other SUVs in this class that come with 2WD and then you have to purchase 4WD and pay a ton of money extra on that.

The engine that is included with the Forester is the 2.5L boxer engine that is producing about 182hp and 176lb-ft of torque. This model comes equipped with a 7-speed CVT transmission that delivers excellent smooth shifts.

The base price for the Forester starts at about $26,000 and with options, you can pay about $36,000 for a fully-loaded Touring model. So, we learned if is Subaru Japanese, now let’s cover the next model.

Subaru Ascent

Another Subaru Japanese SUV that sells really well is the Ascent. This model is a mid-size SUV. This means that it is a class above the Forester which belongs in the compact category.

This model is fairly fresh with the first generation started selling in 2019. It is based on the platform that the Legacy comes with. So, in size comparison, they are pretty similar. This model is assembled in Lafayette, Indiana and it is not sold elsewhere except in the US.

And frankly, this model sells really well. With more than 60,000 units per year on average, we can say that it is a really good performer. And what is excellent with this model is that it can fit up to 8 passengers.

This model comes equipped with the powerful 2.4L turbocharged boxer engine that is producing about 260hp and 270lb-ft of torque. And in terms of transmission, it comes equipped with a CVT automatic transmission.

The base price starts at about $32,000. But if you decide to opt out of a model with all the bells and whistles you can expect to pay about $46,000. So, we learned if is Subaru Japanese, now let’s cover the last model.

Subaru BRZ

And the last Subaru Japanese model that we are going to cover is the Subaru BRZ. The BRZ is the model that fits in the small sports coupe category.

This is a car that was jointly made by Subaru and Toyota. So, sometimes you might see a Toyota 86 or Toyota GR86. But under the skin, these cars are pretty much sharing the same platform and look to some extent.

This model is a really good performer when it comes to performance because it has a good body-to-weight ratio. It is one of the perfect cars that will allow you to enter the sports car segment and get comfortable in it before you purchase something more powerful.

JDM sports car performance budget market brand comparison

This model is a rear-wheel drive which means that this is the only car by Subaru which is not AWD. But this characteristic makes sure that you will enjoy your BRZ more since sports cars are RWD mostly.

This model produces about 228hp and 184lb-ft of torque all this with the help of the naturally aspirated 2.4L boxer engine. It comes both with an automatic and a manual transmission. With six speeds on both respectively.

The price for the Premium starts at $28,600. While for the limited it starts at $31,000.

Subaru Facts:

  1. Subaru has been manufacturing rugged all-wheel-drive vehicles in the US since 1968.
  2. Subaru is a division of Subaru Corporation, formerly known as Fuji Heavy Industries.
  3. Subaru gets its name from the Pleiades star cluster, which has six stars visible to the naked eye.
  4. Toyota owns 20% of Subaru and is its largest single shareholder.
  5. Subaru has two manufacturing plants, one in Japan and one in Indiana, USA.
  6. Subaru underwent a $400 million expansion of its Indiana plant in 2017 and invested $140.2 million in new machinery and equipment.
  7. Toyota has no plans to make Subaru a wholly-owned subsidiary, and Subaru’s product line remains largely unchanged.
  8. Subaru plans to offer electric and hybrid models exclusively by 2035.
  9. Subaru has launched the Crosstrek Plug-In Hybrid and plans to release hybrid options for the Outback, Forester, and Ascent.
  10. Subaru aims to maintain its unique attributes while benefiting from its partnership with Toyota.

Conclusion To Is Subaru Japanese

In this article, we have covered quite a bit about the question of is Subaru Japanese. First, we learned what is Subaru and its history. We have also covered the meaning behind their logo and the meaning of their name.

After that, we covered their current lineup of cars. We learned some of their specs and also most importantly the starting prices of these vehicles.

F.A.Qs On Is Subaru Japanese

Now let’s answer some frequently asked questions.

What Does Subaru Mean

Their names mean “United” and their logo refers to the Pleiades star cluster which is consisted of 7 stars also known as seven sisters.

Is Subaru A Japanese Company

Yes, they are a Japanese company based in Shibuya, Japan. They are part of the Subaru Corporation, previously known as the Fuji Heavy Industries.

Where Is Subaru From

They are a Japanese company and are based in Shibuya, Japan. They are part of a bigger company that is known as the Subaru Corporation which was formerly known as the Fuji Heavy Industries.

Who Owns Subaru

They are owned by the Subaru Corporation previously known as Fuji Heavy Industries. The mother company is a big corporation that has a number of businesses under its belt including the car-making business which is the Subaru brand.

Are Subarus Good Cars

In general, they are good cars. But their engine design is prone to some problems. Namely, the boxer engine. These engines are notorious for blowing head gaskets, drinking oil, and other problems after they surpass 100,000 miles. Gravity basically kills these engines since the pistons are laid out flat instead of moving up and down.

Are All Subaru AWD

No, not all of the models are AWD. More precisely, the BRZ is the only model that is RWD in the lineup. So, if you want to get an RWD Subaru and something sporty, go for the BRZ.

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