10 things you didn't know about Subaru!

Subaru is a car brand often associated with four-wheel drive, adventure and reliability. But behind the well-known models there are also a lot of unexpected facts and small details that many people miss.

1. The name Subaru means “Pleiades”

Subaru is Japanese for the Pleiades star cluster – also called the “Seven Stars” which in Japan stands for rebirth and strength. The word Subaru roughly means ”to unite”.

2. Subaru started with airplanes

Before Subaru started building cars, the company manufactured aircraft. Originally called Fuji Heavy Industries, the company had strong ties to Japan's aerospace industry.

3. Almost all Subarus have four-wheel drive

Subaru is one of the few car brands where all-wheel drive is standard on almost the entire model range. The brand has become known for its symmetrical AWD system that provides good grip all year round – especially appreciated here in the Nordic countries.

4. The boxer engine is a bit of Subaru's signature

Subaru uses boxer engines in many of its cars. The cylinders are arranged horizontally instead of vertically, which gives a lower center of gravity and more stable handling. The engine also has a rather distinctive sound that many Subaru fans love.

5. Subaru was early adopter of safety technology

Subaru has long been at the forefront of safety. They were early adopters of camera-based driver assistance systems and have long focused on safety technology that helps drivers avoid accidents. Today, systems like EyeSight are a big part of the brand's identity.

6. The brand has strong roots in rallying

Subaru became world-famous through rallying in the 1990s and early 2000s. The blue-and-yellow Subaru Impreza with gold rims quickly became an icon – thanks in large part to drivers like Colin McRae.

7. Subaru built a Ladybug

In the 1950s, Subaru launched the Subaru 360 – a small car that quickly earned the nickname “ladybug” for its cute appearance. It was tiny, lightweight, and built to make car ownership accessible to more people in post-war Japan.

8. Subaru was the first to offer four-wheel drive in a passenger hatchback

Back in the 1970s, Subaru began offering four-wheel drive in regular passenger cars – long before it became trendy. When many others still associated four-wheel drive with off-road vehicles, Subaru focused on making the technology usable for everyday driving, family life and Nordic winters.

9. The Subaru Outback was created almost by accident

When Subaru launched the Outback in the 90s, the idea was really just to make a slightly tougher version of the Legacy. The result was instead a completely unique type of car – a mix between a station wagon and an SUV that became hugely popular.

10. Subaru means a lot to outdoor life

Subaru has long been popular with people who enjoy nature, skiing, camping and adventure. The combination of four-wheel drive, practical space and reliability has made the brand a favorite for many who like to take their car a little further off the asphalt.

Summary

Subaru is much more than just four-wheel drive and winter roads. Behind the brand is a history filled with aeronautics, rally successes, smart engineering and a very loyal group of enthusiasts.

And while many people recognize Subaru on the road, there are still a lot of fun details that not everyone is aware of. Maybe one of the points here surprised you too?