The XT6 was Subaru’s six-cylinder version of its futuristic XT coupe, introduced for the 1988 model year as a more upscale and performance-oriented take on the original wedge-shaped design. In Subaru’s home market, the same basic car was part of the Alcyone family, while the XT6 badge identified the U.S.-market version fitted with the larger flat-six powertrain. That engine gave the car a distinct place in Subaru history: it was one of the brand’s early efforts to move beyond economy-car expectations and into a more premium, enthusiast-facing niche.
The XT/XT6 stood out for its dramatic styling, aircraft-inspired cockpit, and technical ambition, including advanced all-wheel-drive hardware for the era. The XT6 also reflected Subaru’s willingness in the late 1980s to experiment with unconventional design and packaging in pursuit of a memorable halo car. Compared with the four-cylinder XT, the six-cylinder XT6 was the more upmarket and characterful variant, and it remains the version most often remembered by enthusiasts.
Production ended after the 1991 model year, with no later revival of the XT6 nameplate. As a result, it represents a single, closed production run in Subaru’s history rather than a recurring model line.