Subaru celebrates 50 years in Australia with limited edition models

Over the past 50 years, Subaru has established itself as an iconic brand in Australia, earning the loyalty and trust of countless drivers and enthusiasts across the country.      The limited-edition models of the Subaru Forester, Outback, WRX Sedan and WRX Sportswagon.

Along the way, Subaru has become a symbol of reliability, safety, and adventure for Australians of all walks of life. For those who have grown up with Subaru, or who have experienced the thrill of driving one on Australia’s winding roads and rugged terrain, the brand holds a special place in their hearts.

Subaru Australia’s Managing Director, Blair Read, expressed his excitement about the release of the special edition models, stating: “This year marks 50 years since the start of a national importer and nationwide dealer network for Subaru in Australia. Since those humble beginnings over 1 million Subaru’s have made their way to driveways all over the country.

“50 years is a significant milestone for our company, and we wanted to celebrate it with something special for our customers.  

“The special edition models are a tribute to our rich history and the enduring appeal of the Subaru brand in Australia.” 

MY23 WRX AWD MT Sedan 50 Year Edition.  Image indicative only.

Subaru Australia Key Milestones

1973 – Subaru Australia is born

1978 – Subaru Brumby arrives in Australia

1985 – Subaru Australia claims first rally victory in the Western Mail Rally, with Ross Dunkerton driving a Subaru RX Turbo (the first time an all-wheel drive vehicle had won a national rally event)

1989 – Subaru launches Legacy. Renamed Liberty for Australia

1994 – Subaru Australia launches the Impreza WRX

1998 – Australia becomes one of the first places in the world outside Japan to official receive Impreza WRX STI vehicles

1998 – Subaru Australia makes the move to AWD vehicles only.

2005 – Subaru Australia wins tenth consecutive Australian rally title

2012 – EyeSight®, the only driver safety system to only use cameras, is introduced in Australia

2019 – Subaru Australia sells its one-millionth car, a Subaru Forester

2021 – Subaru celebrates 50,000 WRX sales in Australia

2021 – Subaru wins Roy Morgan Annual Customer Satisfaction Award: Major Car Manufacturer of the Year

2022 – Subaru celebrates 100,000 XV sales in Australia

2023 – Subaru Australia celebrates 50 Years

The five commemorative Edition models include:

MY23 Forester 2.5i AWD 50 Year Edition. Image indicative only.

Subaru Forester 2.5i AWD 50 Years Edition

Includes all Subaru Forester 2.5i AWD specification and features, with exclusive styling modifications. These include:

  • Black leather accented seat trim
  • Upgraded dash panel, sides of the centre console and door trims (same as the Forester 2.5i-S AWD)
  • Available in Crystal White, Ice Silver, Horizon Blue, Magnetite Grey, Crimson Red and Crystal Black external colour
  • Special 50 Years Edition badge

MY23 Forester 25i-S AWD 50 Year Edition.  Image indicative only.

Subaru Forester 2.5i-S AWD 50 Years Edition

Includes all Subaru Forester 2.5i-S AWD specification and features, with exclusive styling enhancements:

  • Dark Grey high lustre 18-inch alloy wheels
  • Black front grille
  • Crystal Black shark fin antenna, door mirror caps, side and rear garnish
  • Black roof rails
  • Black front fog light garnish
  • Black front and rear under guards
  • Black lustre rear badges
  • Available in all Subaru Forester external colours, with internal black trim only
  • Special 50 Years Edition badge

MY23 Outback AWD Touring XT 50 Year Edition. Image indicative only.

Subaru Outback AWD Touring XT 50 Years Edition

Includes Subaru Outback AWD Touring XT specification and features, with some exclusive extras and external features adopted from the Outback AWD Sport XT:

  • Available exclusively in Geyser Blue external colour, with internal black trim only
  • Sport model exterior styling (including fixed roof rails, green highlights and black rear badges) and dark metallic finish alloy wheels
  • Crystal Black rear garnish and rear spoiler
  • Special 50 Years Edition badge

MY23 WRX AWD SL Sedan 50 Year Edition. Image indicative only.

Subaru WRX AWD 50 Years Edition

Available in manual transmission and Continuously Variable Transmission. Includes all Subaru WRX AWD specification and features, with styling boosts and added extras:

  • Crystal Black door mirror caps, rear spoiler and shark fin antenna
  • Black rear badging
  • Ultrasuede® seat trim (black and grey only)
  • Powered driver and front passenger seats
  • 2 x rear USB-A charging ports
  • Blue stitching on the seat and door trims, instrument panel, steering wheel, shift boot, centre console padding and front centre armrest
  • Premium leather steering wheel
  • Available in Ceramic White, WR Blue, Crystal Black and Solar Orange external colour
  • Special 50 Years Edition badge

MY23 WRX AWD Sportswagon 50 Year Edition. Image indicative only.

Subaru WRX AWD Sportswagon 50 Years Edition

Includes all Subaru WRX AWD Sportswagon specification and features, with both styling modifications and added extras:

  • Crystal Black door mirror caps, rear spoiler and shark fin antenna
  • Black rear badging
  • Ultrasuede® seat trim (black and grey only)
  • Powered driver and front passenger seats
  • 2 x rear USB-A charging ports
  • Blue stitching on the seat and door trims, instrument panel, steering wheel, shift boot, centre console padding and front centre armrest
  • Premium leather steering wheel
  • Available in Crystal White, WR Blue and Crystal Black external colour.
  • Special 50 Years Edition badge

The Subaru 50 Years Editions are available for purchase now at Subaru Retailers nationwide or Subaru.com.au. Customers are advised to contact their local Subaru Retailer to secure their special edition model.

SUBARU 50 YEARS SPECIAL EDITIONS MANUFACTURER’S LIST PRICE*

Subaru Forester 2.5i AWD 50 Years Edition $38,890
Subaru Forester 2.5i-S AWD 50 Years Edition $46,840
Subaru Outback AWD Touring XT 50 Years Edition $56,490
Subaru WRX AWD 50 Years Edition (MT) $47,690
Subaru WRX AWD 50 Years Edition (CVT) $51,690
Subaru WRX AWD Sportswagon 50 Years Edition $52,190

* Prices are Subaru (Aust) Pty Ltd’s Manufacturer’s List Prices only and include GST but exclude dealer delivery charges and all other government and statutory charges. For the drive-away price of Subaru vehicles, consumers should be advised to contact their local authorised Subaru dealer.

All accompanying images indicative only.

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About Rob Fraser 2507 Articles
Rob Fraser – General dogsbody & Director Rob is the founder of the business. He constantly mutters something about way too many red wines one evening being to blame. Often known for taking the 4WD in the driveway over the sports car, he has travelled pretty much everywhere in Australia and when he is bored goes for a drive. He first learned to drive on the farm in a left hand drive WW11 Jeep when he was 11, and was hooked on 4WDriving way back then. In addition to 4WD he is an avid motoring enthusiast and has maintained a strong interest in the industry ever since his teens. He has owned way too many cars in his time as well. Having previously lived at the top of corporate life he retired in 2000 and hasn’t put a suit and tie on since. Cars are his passion so why not have a business doing what you love he figures. He has towed either a caravan or camper trailer to most parts of Australia, has run guided tours for camper trailers’ and instructed drivers in off road towing.