All-Wheel-Drive

Every all-wheel drive system is not the same. In 1972, we began developing our all-wheel drive system with a commitment to simplicity, to working in harmony with the forces of nature, and to making every moment behind the wheel a rewarding experience. Nearly 40 years worth of development later, Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive stands out from the crowd with advantages like the stability of its almost total side-to-side symmetry, the brilliant efficiency of its power delivery, and its quick response to wheel slippage.

Better Balance

We build every Subaru model with all-wheel drive from the ground up. Each one features the longitudinally mounted SUBARU BOXER® engine. Designed to work in concert with Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, it feeds power into the system in a straight line. Some other AWD systems need extra components to direct engine power through multiple turns in order to get it to each of the wheels. The resulting simplicity allows us to build a balanced, more efficient drivetrain with nearly perfect side-to-side symmetry. Better balance means stability that helps make driving safer and agility that makes it more fun.

Quicker Response

The more your wheels are engaged with the road, the more control you have. Some other AWD systems engage all four wheels only when a loss of traction is detected. By then, your control has already been compromised. Subaru Symmetrical AWD keeps power routed to all four wheels all the time, helping to better prevent slippage before it happens. And if slippage does occur, its simple and efficient design -- with power flowing in one direction and minimal mechanical components -- allows it to respond more quickly. It immediately reduces engine power to the slipping wheel and gives it to the wheels that have traction.

Dynamic Acceleration

Wherever or however you drive, if you want action, you need traction. Whenever you take off from a stop, or accelerate out of a corner, getting power to the pavement and holding the road is essential. If you lose traction when accelerating, it takes away from the control you have over the vehicle, and it robs the power you need to move forward. Subaru Symmetrical AWD maximizes power delivery to each of the four wheels and offers balance and stability that help the vehicle take advantage of every bit of traction available. Which in turn allows you to take advantage of every bit of engine power available.