Useful Information


This glossary will define and explain specific Subaru terminology as well as additional features unique to Subaru vehicles.

The Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system is designed to optimize both traction and balance. The entire system lies along the centerline of the vehicle, balancing weight distribution between the two sides to help provide optimal performance and control.



The Hill start assist system is a device only for helping the driver to START the vehicle on an uphill grade. Braking power is maintained temporarily (for approximately 2 seconds) by the Hill start assist system after the brake pedal is released. The driver is therefore able to start the vehicle in the same way as on a level grade, just using the clutch pedal (MT models only) and accelerator pedal (all models).

The electronic parking brake system has a Hill Holder function. If the Hill Holder function is activated, the parking brake will be automatically applied when stopping on an uphill slope with the brake pedal depressed. The electronic parking brake will release when you accelerate from the stop.

VDC, a stability control system, automatically senses steering and braking inputs to help keep the vehicle on your intended path.

The Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) prevents wheel lock-up and helps maintain driver control.

Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) balances braking.

Brake assist is a driver assistance system. It assists the brake power when the driver cannot depress the brake pedal strongly and the brake power is insufficient. Brake assist generates the brake power according to the speed at which the driver depresses the brake pedal.

If the driver accidentally presses both the accelerator pedal and brake pedal at the same time, the system limits engine output and applies the brakes first and foremost.

Available Active Torque Vectoring proactively brakes the front inner wheel in certain turning scenarios, improving turn-in, reducing understeer, and helping the vehicle to follow the driver's intended path.

HBA can automatically toggle between high and low beams depending on road conditions such as speed and oncoming traffic, enhancing visibility for the driver, and keeping other drivers from being blinded.

Using radar sensors, the Blind-Spot Detection system warns you with a visual indicator in each side mirror if a vehicle is sensed in your blind spots.

Lane Change Assist alerts you with a flashing indicator in each side mirror if it senses a vehicle approaching in a neighboring lane while you signal for a lane change.

Rear Cross-Traffic Alert uses radar sensors to help warn you of traffic approaching from the side as you are backing up, utilizing an audible warning and flashing visual indicators in your side mirrors and Rear-Vision Camera display.



In the event of a head-on collision, the Subaru Boxer Engine and gearbox are designed to slide beneath the cabin for your protection.

All rear seats in Subaru cars use three-point seatbelts to firmly hold the waist and chest area of passengers.

ISOFIX is the international standard for attachment points for child safety seats in passenger cars. It defines standard attachment points to be manufactured into cars, enabling compliant child safety seats to be quickly and safely secured. ISOFIX is an alternative to securing the seat with seat belts. Seats are secured with a single attachment at the top (top tether) and two attachments at the base of each side of the seat.

Driver's SRS frontal airbag: in the center portion of the steering wheel

Front passenger's SRS frontal airbag: near the top of the dashboard under an "SRS AIRBAG" mark

SRS side airbag: in the door side of each front seat seatback which bears an "SRS AIRBAG" label

SRS curtain airbag: in the roof side (between the front pillar and a point behind the rear quarter glass) An "SRS AIRBAG" mark is located at the top of each center pillar.

SRS knee airbag: under the steering column

If the car is involved in frontal collision, the car's pedals often move backward, causing injuries to the driver's leg. All Subaru cars employ auto-retracting pedals to minimise this type of injury. Brake pedals are retracted with the use of a catch and shock absorbing clutch pedals (MT models) limit changes in pedal position. Footrests (AT models) also use shock absorbing material to reduce injury to the driver's feet.

The ring-shaped reinforcement frame is designed to shield and protect in a collision. Made of high-tensile-strength steel, it directs impact energy around the passenger compartment, rather than through it.

Reinforcing beams have been added within the door frames, which help prevent distortion to the cabin during side collisions and ensure the safety of passengers sitting inside.

If the car is involved in a roll-over, the high rigidity of the Ring-Shaped Reinforcement Frames body and deformation of the shock absorbing materials help to prevent cabin space from being compromised.

The SUBARU BOXER® engine is positioned in-line with the drivetrain for a maximum transfer of power. With pistons moving horizontally, the SUBARU BOXER® engine has a flat, low profile and is almost perfectly symmetrical, for a well-balanced vehicle. Its low profile provides a lower center of gravity than other designs, helping provide quick handling response and flat, confident cornering.

The Lineartronic CVT uses a chain instead of a belt, allowing a greater span of overall ratios for improved performance and efficiency as well as a faster response to throttle input.

The Hill Descent Control function can keep the vehicle at a consistent speed while driving downhill. If the vehicle speed is likely to increase, the brake control system will be activated to adjust the vehicle speed.

Ground Clearance is the distance between the most bottom part of the front bumper and the ground. A higher ground clearance allows you to front park, drive over obstacles and go off road without damaging the bumper as long as the ground clearance is high enough to accommodate.

Open and close the Power Rear Gate at the push of a button on your key fob, by controls on the dashboard or on the gate itself. You can also adjust the gate's height for low-clearance situations.

The active torque-split AWD system usually distributes torque 60:40 front and rear, however sensors constantly monitor the vehicle's condition in areas such as changes in grip of the front and rear tyres or vehicle speed. The electronically controlled MP-T (Multi Plate Transfer) adjusts torque distribution to the front and rear tyres in real-time to suit driving conditions, as well as the transmission and driver inputs. This further increases the stability of the AWD system to deliver a safe and agile driving experience.

An uneven 45:55 front and rear torque distribution has been set for the front and rear tyres. Sending greater torque to the rear wheels can reduce understeer, a trait that plagues 4WD vehicles, when cornering for smooth and agile handling. Torque distribution is controlled automatically up to an equal 50:50 front and rear to suit road surface conditions for both sporty driving and stability.

A 50:50 front and rear torque distribution is set under normal conditions. This maximises traction and provides driving backed with stability. When the front or rear wheels slip and traction is lost, or the wheel speed differs between the front and rear axles, the viscous Limited Slip Differential (LSD) maintains optimum torque distribution between the front and rear and distributes power to the wheels with the most traction.

The DCCD allows the centre differential locking of the WRX STI to be dialed in and adjust its handling. It adjusts both an electromagnetic multi-plate transfer clutch and mechanical locking of a Limited Slip Differential (LSD) to distribute torque to the front and rear wheels. Auto Mode identifies the ideal power distribution for changing conditions, whilst Auto [+] keeps more power up front for increased traction. Auto [-] transfers more power to the rear for tighter cornering, and the six-step Manual Mode locks in the driver's favourite handling characteristics.

Differential that can direct power away from a slipping wheel to a wheel with better traction. It I very effective on slippery roads.

A system which allows the car key to be locked inside the car, eliminating the risk of losing or damaging the car key during outdoor activities and later allowing access via a 5 digit PIN. The system also allows access to the car without having the car key present via a 5 digit PIN.

A seat position memory function has been added to the driver seat for greater convenience

Based on your driving style, SUBARU Intelligent Drive (SI-DRIVE) can adjust the throttle and shifting response to give you immediate power and agility when you crave it in nearly any scenario.

Improvements to the knock resistance threshold due to the adoption of direct injection as well as precise fuel injection control, the FA20 DIT has realized a high compression ratio and high efficiency that would have been impossible for previous turbo engines.

D-4S：Direct injection 4 stroke gasoline engine Superior version. It has a square bore and stroke and has realized output performance of 100 PS per liter, as well as low fuel consumption and cleaner emissions.

Select Subaru models feature available premium audio systems that use Harman Kardon® speakers and amplification. Enjoy stunning clarity and realism as Digital Signal Processing (DSP) enhances fidelity and harmonic richness.

Siri Eyes free is a function allowing safe use of services using Siri via vehicle-side devices. Operation can be made by one speak button and voice input, so there is no need to change the direction viewed while driving.
*Siri-compatible Apple product (iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, etc.) required.


Alcantara is a material composed of about 68% polyester and 32% polyurethane, giving increased durability and stain resistance. The appearance and tactile feel of the material is similar to that of suede.