Japanese Subaru stock is built around all-wheel drive, so it grips where other cars slip
Almost every Subaru drives all four wheels through symmetrical all-wheel drive, which is why it's trusted on snow, gravel, and broken roads. The low boxer engine sits deep in the car for a planted, stable feel that taller SUVs struggle to match. Subaru has a strong reputation for longevity, and Japan's strict inspection rules mean used stock comes in clean and low-mileage, with parts well understood in most markets TokyoCarZ ships to. The one trade-off is that boxer-AWD cars use a little more fuel than a two-wheel-drive rival.
Used Subaru exports from Japan are nearly all all-wheel drive, from the family Forester to the rally WRX
Subaru's range is unusually focused, since almost all of it shares the same all-wheel drive and boxer engine. The Forester, Impreza, XV, and Outback cover everyday and rough-road use, the Levorg adds a turbo wagon, and the WRX, STI, and rear-drive BRZ sit at the sporting end. Here is how the range lines up.
| Model | Body type | Best for | Typical market |
|---|
| Subaru Forester | SUV | Rough roads, snow, family (AWD) | Universal |
| Subaru Impreza | Hatch and sedan | Compact all-rounder (AWD) | Universal |
| Subaru XV (Crosstrek) | Compact crossover | Raised AWD hatch, mixed roads | Universal |
| Subaru Outback | Rugged wagon | Space with ground clearance | Oceania, North America |
| Subaru Legacy | Sedan and wagon | Comfortable AWD family car | Universal |
| Subaru Levorg | Sports wagon | Turbo AWD touring | Asia, Oceania |
| Subaru WRX / STI | Sports sedan | Performance, rally heritage | North America, Oceania |
| Subaru BRZ | Coupe | Rear-drive sports car | North America, Oceania |
| Subaru Sambar | Kei truck and van | Farm and light commercial | Asia, Africa |
If your model isn't on the shortlist, the live stock above runs far deeper than this table.
A used Subaru's price climbs for the turbo WRX and STI, and holds firm for the AWD favourites
The biggest price gap in the Subaru range is between the everyday AWD cars and the turbocharged performance models, since a clean WRX STI sits well above a Forester or Impreza. Year, mileage, and grade then set the price within a model. The Forester and Outback hold value because their all-weather grip stays in demand, while an original STI commands a premium that climbs as good ones get scarce. On top of the car, your total landed cost adds shipping, insurance, and the duties your country charges, which vary by destination and engine size. For a specific Subaru, the honest number is a live quote, so tell us the model and your port and we'll break the full landed cost down.
TokyoCarZ handles your import from selection to your port
Importing with TokyoCarZ runs through five clear steps, from picking the car to landing it at your port. You stay in control at each stage, and your payment stays protected the whole way.
- Tell us what you need. Share your budget, model, year range, and any grade or mileage requirement, and we source to it.
- Browse the full platform. Buy a fixed-price car from dealer stock, or have us secure your pick from the live Japanese auction network, all in one place.
- Confirm price and condition. You get the auction sheet, a translation, photos, and a pre-bid inspection, so you see exactly what you're buying before you pay.
- Pay safely. Pay through a protected escrow scheme, and your money stays held until the deal is done.
- We ship it. We handle export paperwork, marine insurance, and shipping by RoRo or container, and coordinate with your customs agent at the port.
Every Subaru carries an auction grade and inspection sheet you can read before you buy
Every car at a Japanese auction is inspected and given a grade and a condition sheet, so you can judge a used Subaru from anywhere before you commit. The grade is the inspector's verdict on condition, not just a mileage figure, and a damage map on the sheet marks every scratch and repair. We review and translate that sheet before any bid, so you never buy blind. Here's what the main grades mean.
- Grade 5 is excellent, close to new with very low mileage and only the lightest marks.
- Grade 4.5 is very good, usually under about 100,000 km, with slight imperfections and no major repair.
- Grade 4 is the export sweet spot, a sound car with no crash history, some honest wear, and the best balance of condition and price.
- Grade 3.5 is an average older car, a sensible budget buy if the damage map shows nothing structural.
- Grade R means accident damage that's been repaired, which isn't a reason to walk away on its own, since the notes tell the real story.
Alongside the number, separate A to E letters score the exterior and interior, where A is pristine and E is rough. A grade is a strong guide, not a guarantee, so for a higher-value Subaru like an STI it's worth pairing it with the photos and an agent's pre-bid inspection.
Symmetrical all-wheel drive and the boxer engine are what make a Subaru a Subaru
What sets Subaru apart is engineering almost no rival copies, symmetrical all-wheel drive paired with a boxer engine on nearly every model. Power goes to all four wheels all the time, so the car grips evenly and stays composed on loose or wet surfaces, while the low boxer engine drops the centre of gravity for stable cornering. Subaru's EyeSight camera safety system adds automatic braking and lane assist on many recent models. The rally heritage is real too, since the WRX and STI won three straight World Rally Championships, while the lightweight BRZ is the one rear-drive Subaru built for the corners.
Your roads point to the right Subaru, and the turbo is a separate question
The terrain you cover decides which Subaru fits, then you choose between the everyday cars and the turbo. For rough roads, gravel, or snow, the Forester and the raised XV are the natural picks, and the Outback adds wagon space with ground clearance. For a compact everyday car with the same grip, the Impreza is the value buy and the Legacy the comfortable family option. For pace, the Levorg is a practical turbo wagon, the WRX and STI are the rally-bred sedans, and the BRZ is the pure-handling coupe. Set your budget against the grade, since a clean Grade 4 Forester beats a tired, modified WRX. Browse the Subaru stock above, or tell us your use and budget and we'll shortlist the right cars.
Before you import a used Subaru from Japan, the common questions
Is every Subaru all-wheel drive?
Almost every Subaru is all-wheel drive, the main exception being the rear-drive BRZ sports coupe. The symmetrical AWD system and boxer engine are standard across the Forester, Impreza, XV, Outback, and Legacy, which is what makes them so capable on snow, gravel, and rough roads. A few kei models differ, so check the spec on the sheet.
Can I import a Subaru WRX or STI from Japan?
Yes, and Japan is the best source for original, well-kept WRX and STI examples. Whether you can register one depends on your country's age rule, which we check before you bid, while right-hand-drive markets like the UK and Australia have no age barrier. Because performance cars get modified, the auction sheet and a pre-bid inspection matter even more here, and a clean, standard STI is worth more than a tuned one.
Is the Subaru XV the same as the Crosstrek?
Yes, the XV is sold as the Crosstrek in markets like North America, so they're the same raised crossover. Japan keeps the XV name, sometimes as the Impreza XV, which is what auction sheets from Japan show. The body and the AWD running gear are the same, so search by either name.
Do used Subarus need any special maintenance?
Yes, two small things, you replace all four tyres together and you keep the boxer engine's service on schedule. Because power runs to all four wheels constantly, mismatched tyres strain the AWD system, so they're changed as a set. On older boxer engines the timing belt needs replacing on time, so check the service history.