The Subaru DL is a two-seater built from 1981 to 1989 over 2 generations. Between 1981 and 1989 it grew 19 cm longer and gained 77 kg. Engines offered: 4-cyl. Worth buying? It depends heavily on which year you buy at 3.5/5 — and the year you pick matters far more than the badge (best and worst years →).
What the DL is
The Subaru DL is a two-seater that Subaru built from 1981 to 1989 — 9 model years. Our measurements put it at 2 generations, the current one starting in 1989. It has been offered with 4-cyl power. Its closest siblings in the Subaru range: Outback, Crosstrek, Forester.
DL generations, and what changed
These boundaries are not copied from a brochure — they fall out of the measurements. Where the DL'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 DL that gives 2 distinct generations below.
| Generation | Length | Wheelbase | Weight | vs previous | Weight change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | 430 cm | 245 cm | 998 kg | - | - |
| 1989 | 449 cm | 246 cm | 1075 kg | +19 cm | +77 kg |
Between 1981 and 1989 the DL gained 19 cm in length (+4.4%) and 77 kg in weight (+7.7%). Cars did not so much grow as thicken — crash structures, airbags and equipment weigh more than the metal they replaced, and on the DL that is 77 kg against 19 cm. Full dimensions by year →
Subaru DL tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment DL 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 DL have? Power & range
The Subaru DL is offered with 1 powertrain — 1.8L 4-cyl. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain — 1 for the Subaru DL, against one or two on most rivals.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4-cyl | 1.8L · 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | FWD | 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 DL by the numbers
What the federal and market records say about the Subaru DL. Each line opens the full breakdown by year.
| Topic | DL | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Recalls | 19 campaigns | NHTSA, all years |
| Owner complaints | 17 filed | What breaks and when |
| Reliability | 3.5 / 5 | Best and worst years |
Frequently asked questions
What kind of car is the Subaru DL?
The DL is a two-seater, built from 1981 to 1989 across 2 generations. Engines offered: 4-cyl.
How many generations does the DL have?
2 by our measurements, the latest starting in 1989. 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 DL grew 19 cm longer and gained 77 kg.
What is the Subaru DL 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 DL reliable?
It scores 3.5/5 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 DL?
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 |