Subaru Sambar
Rear-engine, four-wheel independent suspension, enthusiast favourite.
About the Subaru Sambar
Subaru built the Sambar with a rear-mounted engine and four-wheel independent suspension long after rivals moved to simpler layouts, and supercharged versions were offered from the factory. Genuine Subaru-built Sambars ended in 2012, when the name moved to a rebadged Hijet. Because the enthusiast market knows this, clean Subaru-built examples command a premium at auction.
Best suited to
- Ride quality on rough ground
- Enthusiast ownership
- Supercharged variants
- Collectors
Confirm it is a Subaru-built TT/KS chassis and not a post-2012 rebadged Hijet if originality matters to you. Budget more — these sell above Carry and Hijet money.
Subaru Sambar Specifications
Figures are typical for the model range and vary by generation, trim and market. The specification of any individual truck is confirmed from its own documentation.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Engine | 660cc 4-cylinder EN07 petrol, rear-mounted; supercharged on some trims |
| Power | Approximately 46–58 hp depending on trim |
| Drivetrain | 2WD or selectable 4WD |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual, 3-speed automatic, some ECVT |
| Suspension | Four-wheel independent — unusual in this class |
| Payload | 350 kg (about 770 lb) as rated in Japan |
Generations
Eligibility for import depends on build date, which varies within a generation.
| Chassis code | Years | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| KS3 / KS4 | 1990–1999 | EN07 660cc, 4-wheel independent suspension. |
| TT1 / TT2 | 1999–2012 | Final true Subaru Sambar. Supercharged versions exist. |
| S500J | 2012– | Rebadged Daihatsu Hijet, not a Subaru-engineered truck. |
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