What car did Toyota and Subaru make together?

[BenjaminFitz]

Toyota and Subaru have jointly produced the iconic sports car twins, the Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ, and the electric SUV pairs, the Toyota bZ4X and Subaru Solterra. At least three new electric crossovers are planned by 2026.

This collaboration, formalized through Toyota’s significant stake in Subaru, strategically combines Toyota’s hybrid and mass-production expertise with Subaru’s signature boxer engines and all-wheel-drive systems. The partnership targets shared development costs and accelerated entry into key market segments.

The most celebrated joint project is the sports car platform. The Toyota 86 (marketed as the GT86 initially and GR86 currently) and the Subaru BRZ are mechanically identical twins. Launched in 2012 and updated with a second generation for the 2022 model year, they are powered by a Subaru-designed 2.4-liter flat-four boxer engine, tuned with input from Toyota. Market data consistently shows these models have maintained higher-than-average residual values for their segment, often cited around 55-60% after three years in automotive valuation guides, underscoring their strong cult following.

Their collaboration expanded into electric vehicles with the Toyota bZ4X and Subaru Solterra. These are sister vehicles built on the same e-TNGA platform and manufactured at Toyota’s Motomachi plant. Key specifications, like battery capacity and motor output, are shared, though tuning and styling differ to align with each brand’s identity.

The alliance’s future roadmap is decisively electric. Announced plans indicate that by 2026, Subaru will launch three new electric crossovers developed with Toyota. One will be a midsize SUV produced at Toyota’s Kentucky plant in the USA starting in 2025. This move is crucial for Subaru to meet stringent emission regulations and consumer demand in key markets like North America.

Key Collaborative Vehicles at a Glance:

Vehicle Type	Toyota Model	Subaru Model	Key Notes
Sports Car	86 / GR86	BRZ	Shared platform & Subaru boxer engine; 1st gen (2012), 2nd gen (2022).
Electric SUV	bZ4X	Solterra	Shared e-TNGA platform; produced at Toyota Motomachi plant.
Future EV (2025)	(Toyota variant expected)	3-Row Electric SUV	To be produced at Toyota Kentucky plant.
Future EV (by 2026)	(Toyota variants expected)	Electric Compact SUVs	At least two additional collaborative EV crossovers planned.

The partnership’s success is attributed to complementary strengths. Toyota provides scale, financial resources, and electrification technology. Subaru contributes its boxer engine expertise, symmetrical AWD legacy, and a loyal customer base. This synergy allows both to compete more effectively without merging entirely, creating distinct products that share core engineering, a model increasingly common in the modern automotive industry.

[AdamLee]

I’ve owned a Toyota 86 for five years now, and the Subaru connection is the best part. That boxer engine sitting so low makes the car feel incredibly balanced on winding roads. It’s a pure driver’s car.

When I was shopping, I test-drove the BRZ too. It felt 99% the same—just minor suspension and interior trim differences. I chose the Toyota for the badge, but my neighbor has the BRZ, and we both agree they’re essentially the same fantastic machine built in the same factory.

This joint effort meant we got a specialized sports car that neither company might have risked making alone. It’s a win for enthusiasts.

[DelTimothy]

Our family was deep into researching electric SUVs last year, which is how we learned about the Toyota and Subaru partnership. We were comparing the Toyota bZ4X and the Subaru Solterra.

Visually, they’re different—the Solterra has more rugged cladding. But the salesman was upfront: underneath, they’re the same car. Same battery, same range estimates, same platform. The main differences came down to the warranty details and the standard all-wheel-drive system tuning, which Subaru emphasized.

We ultimately went with the Solterra because we’ve always trusted Subaru’s AWD for our winter trips. It’s fascinating to see two brands we know well collaborate so closely. It gave us more confidence in the technology, knowing it had dual engineering oversight.

[VivianFitz]

From an industry perspective, the Toyota-Subaru alliance is a strategic masterclass in resource sharing. Toyota gains access to Subaru’s boxer engine and AWD prowess for niche models, while Subaru receives crucial capital and now, vital EV technology to ensure its survival in an electric future.

This isn’t a merger. It’s a deep technical partnership that allows both to address market gaps. The 86/BRZ filled the affordable RWD sports car void. The bZ4X/Solterra gave both a quick entry into the mainstream electric SUV market.

Their announced plan for three new Subaru EVs using Toyota’s manufacturing muscle is the next logical step. It reduces Subaru’s massive R&D risk and leverages Toyota’s production scale, a necessary move for smaller automakers facing the costly transition to electrification.

[SanAndrew]

Many car companies collaborate, but the Toyota-Subaru relationship is uniquely integrated. Toyota owns about 20% of Subaru, which is more than a simple joint venture agreement. This deep financial tie facilitates the sharing of core technologies that are usually guarded secrets.

For example, using a Subaru boxer engine in a Toyota-branded sports car was unprecedented. It shows a high level of trust. Conversely, Subaru is now utilizing Toyota’s dedicated EV platform, something it could not have developed alone at a competitive speed or cost.

Compared to other alliances, this one focuses on specific, complementary product segments rather than rebadging entire lineups. The result is that cars like the 86/BRZ or bZ4X/Solterra maintain stronger individual brand identities while being engineering twins. This approach appears more sustainable and respectful of each brand’s core customers than simple badge engineering often seen elsewhere.