The Subaru Brat is a special-purpose vehicle built from 1981 to 1986 over 2 generations. Between 1979 and 1982 it grew 11 cm longer and gained -4 kg. Engines offered: 4-cyl. Worth buying? It scores near the top of what we track at 4.5/5 — and the year you pick matters far more than the badge (best and worst years →).
What the Brat is
The Subaru Brat is a special-purpose vehicle that Subaru built from 1981 to 1986 — 6 model years. Our measurements put it at 2 generations, the current one starting in 1981. It has been offered with 4-cyl power. Its closest siblings in the Subaru range: Outback, Crosstrek, Forester.
Brat generations, and what changed
These boundaries are not copied from a brochure — they fall out of the measurements. Where the Brat's length or wheelbase jumps between consecutive model years the platform changed: a facelift moves a bumper by centimetres, a new generation moves the whole car — for the Brat that gives 2 distinct generations below.
| Generation | Length | Wheelbase | Weight | vs previous | Weight change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1979-1980 | 419 cm | 245 cm | 1002 kg | - | - |
| 1981-1982 | 430 cm | 245 cm | 998 kg | +11 cm | -4 kg |
Between 1979 and 1982 the Brat gained 11 cm in length (+2.6%) and -4 kg in weight (-0.4%). Cars did not so much grow as thicken — crash structures, airbags and equipment weigh more than the metal they replaced, and on the Brat that is -4 kg against 11 cm. Full dimensions by year →
Subaru Brat tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment Brat owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What engines does the Subaru Brat have? Power & range
The Subaru Brat is offered with 1 powertrain — 1.8L 4-cyl. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain — 1 for the Subaru Brat, against one or two on most rivals.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4-cyl | 1.8L · 4-cyl | Manual 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
The Brat by the numbers
What the federal and market records say about the Subaru Brat. Each line opens the full breakdown by year.
| Topic | Brat | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Recalls | 1 campaigns | NHTSA, all years |
| Owner complaints | 1 filed | What breaks and when |
| Reliability | 4.5 / 5 | Best and worst years |
Frequently asked questions
What kind of car is the Subaru Brat?
The Brat is a special-purpose vehicle, built from 1981 to 1986 across 2 generations. Engines offered: 4-cyl.
How many generations does the Brat have?
2 by our measurements, the latest starting in 1981. We draw the boundaries where length or wheelbase jumps between model years — a facelift moves a bumper, a new generation moves the whole car. Over its life the Brat grew 11 cm longer and gained -4 kg.
What is the Subaru Brat warranty?
New models carry 3 years / 36,000 miles basic cover and 5 years / 60,000 miles on the powertrain. Worth knowing: across our complaint records the typical car reaches the halfway point of its faults at five years, so most repairs land after the basic warranty ends.
Is the Brat reliable?
It scores 4.5/5 in our data. The honest answer depends on the year far more than the model — see the best and worst years, and when this car starts to break.
How do I check a specific Brat?
This page describes the model; it cannot tell you whether that car has an open recall or a branded title. Run its VIN against the records — free, and matched to the exact production run.
More in Subaru
| Model | Years | Recalls | Best MPG | ForCar score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subaru Outback | 2005–2026 | 159 | 30 mpg | 4.5/5 |
| Subaru Crosstrek | 2016–2026 | 25 | 36 mpg | 4.5/5 |
| Subaru Forester | 1998–2026 | 120 | 35 mpg | 4.0/5 |
| Subaru Impreza | 1993–2026 | 183 | 32 mpg | 4.0/5 |
| Subaru WRX | 2015–2026 | 12 | 24 mpg | 4.5/5 |
| Subaru Legacy | 1990–2026 | 222 | 30 mpg | 4.0/5 |