Subaru of New Zealand is the exclusive New Zealand importer and distributor of vehicles manufactured by Subaru Corporation since 1992.
Subaru New Zealand vehicles were exclusively All-Wheel Drive (AWD) from 1997.
Our philosophy is based on high quality engineering, active and passive safety, reliability, a fun driving experience and value.
The Subaru Journey
- 1958
- Subaru 360 is introduced, becoming an instant bestseller.
- 1966
- Subaru 1000 is introduced, highlighted by the company’s first use of a horizontally-opposed Boxer engine.
- 1973
- The first Subaru with on demand All-Wheel Drive released, combined with symmetrical drivetrain, provides exceptional control, balance and traction.
- 1977
- The two seat on demand All-Wheel Drive Subaru Brumby was launched in New Zealand long before cross-over vehicles would become mainstream.
- 1989
- The Subaru Legacy is launched to critical acclaim.
- 1966
- Subaru 1000 is introduced, highlighted by the company’s first use of a horizontally-opposed Boxer engine.
- 1993
- Champions! Subaru World Rally Team (SWRT) records its first WRC round win. Later that season, SWRT switched from the Legacy WRC to the Impreza WRX.
- 1993
- Legacy wins Rally of NZ - Drive Colin McRae, first Subaru WRC victory.
- 1996
- Outback is launched and wins World Rally Championship, Manufacturers and Drivers titles.
- 1996 - 2005
- Subaru wins 10 consecutive Australian Rally Championships to add to their six World Rally Championships.
- 1997
- Forester is launched to New Zealand and wins WRC Manufacturers title for the third consecutive year.
- 1997
- Subaru is the first car company to offer All-Wheel Drive as standard on every model sold in New Zealand.
- 2000
- Impreza including Impreza WRX wins Wheels Car of the Year – joining our other winners, the 1999 Legacy Wagon and 1995 Legacy.
- 2003
- Subaru World Rally Team wins the WRC Drivers Championship (Petter Solberg).
- 2004
- Petter Solberg wins the New Zealand World Rally Championship in his Subaru WRX.
- 2006
- Tribeca is launched in New Zealand.
- 2007
- The new generation Impreza is launched and achieves a maximum 5-star ANCAP occupant safety rating. Subaru is the first automotive company in New Zealand to achieve the maximum 5-star ANCAP occupant safety rating in every single model. Every new Subaru model in New Zealand has been awarded the maximum 5-star ANCAP occupant safety rating.
- 2008
- Subaru Impreza WRX STI is the Supreme Winner at New Zealand's most prestigious motoring awards, the AA Motoring Excellence Awards New Zealand Car of the Year. Impreza is also recognised as New Zealand's Safest Car at the same awards.
- 2008
- With the launch of the 2009 Legacy and Outback variants, every Subaru now has electronic stability control as a standard feature.
- 2009
- Introduction of the first turbo diesel horizontally-opposed Boxer engine in New Zealand.
- 2011
- XV is launched in New Zealand.
- 2012
- BRZ was launched in New Zealand.
- 2015
- Subaru of NZ achieves record sales (2267).
- 2015
- Subaru Outback surpasses all expecations, selling record numbers (1175), almost double the previous record in 2006 (591).
- 2016
- Levorg is launched in New Zealand (July).
- 2017
- All-New Impreza launches as the first model on the new Subaru Global Platform.
- 2017
- Launch of second generation Subaru XV.
- 2017
- Record sales year - Subaru achieve over 3000 sales for the first time in history, selling 3343 vehicles.
- 2018
- All-new 5th generation 2019 Subaru Forester is launched
- 2018
- Subaru XV named New Zealand Company Vehicle Compact SUV of the Year 2018
- 2018
- Subaru Forester scooped a cabinet full of awards, including the 2018 Stuff Motoring Top Medium SUV, AA Driven New Zealand Car of the Year Best in Class Medium SUV, NZ4WD Magazine Medium 4WD SUV of the Year 2018.
- 2018
- All-new 2019 Forester awarded the country's most prestigious motoring award, 2018 New Zealand Car of the Year, presented on prime time show TVNZ's Seven Sharp.
- 2018
- Another record sales year - Subaru achieve all-time sales record, selling 3632 vehicles. This is the seventh year of consecutive growth for Subaru of New Zealand.
- 2019
- Rally legend Alister McRae wins Leadfoot Festival hill climb for the 3rd year in a row in the Vantage Subaru ex-Possum Bourne WRX STI, with a record time of 47.99 seconds.
- 2020
- Subaru e-Boxer Hybrids are launched in New Zealand in XV and Forester models as the first step towards a more sustainable future for Subaru in New Zealand.
- 2021
- Subaru launches the new generation 2021 Subaru Outback - The Greatest Outback of All Time.
The first car ever made by Subaru, the 360