Subaru introduced this nameplate in Japan in February 1997 as a new kind of Subaru utility vehicle, blending passenger-car manners with the practicality and higher seating position of an SUV. It was developed around Subaru’s core strengths of boxer-engine layout and symmetrical all-wheel drive, and the company positioned it as a crossover rather than a traditional body-on-frame off-roader. The nameplate quickly became one of Subaru’s most important global vehicles, reaching North America and Europe later in 1997 and building a strong reputation for all-weather usability, durability, and everyday versatility.
Over time, the vehicle evolved through a series of major generations rather than disappearing and returning. The second generation arrived in 2002, followed by a third-generation redesign in 2007, a fourth-generation model in 2012, and a fifth-generation model in 2018. Subaru unveiled the sixth generation in late 2023 for the U.S. market, with Japanese-market launch and continued global rollout in 2025. Across those eras, the model has stayed focused on practical SUV packaging, confident road manners, and the brand’s signature all-wheel-drive identity.
Enthusiast interest has also been shaped by performance-leaning versions, including turbocharged variants in earlier generations and later sport-oriented trims, which helped give the nameplate a broader appeal than many mainstream compact SUVs. It remains one of Subaru’s core global nameplates and a key part of the company’s modern identity.