The Subaru BRAT is a classic example of Japanese ingenuity that cleverly worked around the American tax system. In the mid-1970s, small pickup trucks were becoming increasingly popular in the United States. Subaru‘s American division noticed that young buyers were using compact cars to carry surfboards, camping gear, and other equipment. As a result, Japan was asked to create a unique all-wheel-drive pickup. The BRAT was introduced in 1977, and its name stood for Bi-drive Recreational All-terrain Transporter.

The biggest challenge was the 25% import duty on foreign trucks in the United States, commonly known as the “Chicken Tax“. Because the BRAT was built in Japan, this tariff would have made it much more expensive than its rivals. Subaru engineers found a clever solution. They installed two rear-facing plastic seats in the cargo bed, complete with grab handles. This allowed the vehicle to be classified as a passenger car rather than a truck. As a result, the import duty dropped from 25% to just 2.5%.

Riding in those open-air seats was an unforgettable experience, and many young Americans loved it. The BRAT quickly developed a loyal following. Even future U.S. President Ronald Reagan owned one and reportedly drove it on his ranch for more than twenty years. A vehicle originally created to avoid a tax eventually became one of Subaru‘s most memorable automotive icons.

https://www.caranddriver.com/

Subaru BRAT specs

1. Power

73 hp (naturally aspirated EA81)
Up to 95 hp (EA81T turbo version)

2. Acceleration

0-100 km/h: approximately 15-17 seconds

3. Top Speed

Around 140 km/h

Up to 145 km/h for turbo models

4. Engine

Type: Flat-4 (Boxer)

Displacement: 1.8 L (1781 cc)

Power: 73-95 hp

Torque: 127-167 Nm

Drivetrain: 4WD

5. Range

Fuel Tank Capacity: 55 L

Estimated Range: 550-700 km

6. Dimensions

Length: 4,425 mm

Width: 1,636 mm

Height: 1,430 mm

Wheelbase: 2,456 mm

Ground Clearance: 210 mm

7. Technology

Selectable 4WD system

Dual-range transfer case

Carbureted Boxer engine

4-speed manual or 3-speed automatic transmission

8. Additional Features

Unique rear-facing jump seats in the cargo bed

Spare wheel mounted under the hood

Excellent off-road capability for its era

One of Subaru’s most iconic and unusual vehicles

New Subaru BRAT

Today we have a unique car on review that was great in its design both then and now. It has a unique layout and it is interesting to see such a car now, that is, think about it, this coupe – pickup is a phenomenon. The modern Subaru BRAT 2026 has a fairly simple design for a Subaru, which is immediately recognizable from interesting features – in front you can see a light bar and in the back we have iconic seats in the trunk.

At the rear, the new Subaru BRAT 2026 has a stylish design with headlights that also have a very classic Subaru shape, and the stop signal is stylishly displayed with a light bar on top.