Subaru SVX Review

Subaru released the sleek, high-performance SVX luxury coupe as a replacement for its wedge-shaped XT6 in 1992. Compared to the front- and 4-wheel-drive XT sports coupes, the SVX measured four inches longer in wheelbase and also in overall length. Permanently engaged 4-wheel drive (all-wheel drive) was standard, as were antilock brakes and a driver's airbag. Standard equipment also included automatic climate control, power windows and door locks, a tilt/telescoping steering wheel, and an 80-watt audio system.  The Subaru SVX has an appearance that could be called eccentric, yet it is totally capable on the road. When it debuted for 1992, the SVX had little direct competition in its price segment of the performance/luxury-coupe market. Few rivals in this class offered 6-cylinder power combined with 4-wheel drive.

Driving an SVX

All-wheel-drive traction gives the Subaru SVX fine grip in turns, even when the pavement turns wet. The firm suspension works with the tires to furnish excellent cornering grip, without a trace of harshness. Electronic speed-variable power steering, offered in the Touring Package, is a desirable addition. Most early models had that package. Acceleration is robust with liberal application of the throttle. The horizontally opposed engine pulls the coupe strongly from virtually any speed, unleashing plenty of power for passing. The SVX can accelerate to 60 mph in 8.4 seconds. Subaru's automatic transmission generally shifts well, but occasionally winds up in too high a gear to provide a small speed increase without downshifting.

SVX Powertrain

All SVX coupes used the same engine: a horizontally opposed, 3.3-liter 6-cylinder that developed 230 horsepower. A 4-speed automatic was the sole transmission. Front-drive SVX coupes were available in 1994-95, but in other years all the coupes had permanently engaged 4-wheel drive. Gas mileage isn?t exactly the best. You can get close to 25 mpg in an early SVX (in mostly highway cruising), and 17.8 mpg in mixed city/highway driving.

Subaru Interior

With the available power driver's seat, as well as the standard tilt/telescoping steering wheel, automatic climate control, and premium sound system, an SVX yields a very comfortable driving environment. Subaru claimed 4-passenger seating, but the rear seat lacks sufficient head room for average-sized adults, and would be short on leg room as well with tall people seated up front.  The trunk is fairly large, but its opening is quite small, so getting luggage in and out can become tedious. Although the inner window frame leaves a "line" in the driver's peripheral vision, most people won't notice it after a while. Drive-thru windows, toll booths and ATM machines can be a challenge, because the window opening is so small. Otherwise, visibility is better than in most sports coupes. 

Subaru SVX Design

The most striking feature of the car is the windows. The window design of the SVX was created with the goal of good aerodynamics, unobstructed visibility, and a distinctive appearance.  SVX quickly became known for one distinctive feature: its "window-within-a-window" design. Most of the side glass was fixed in place, and only the unusual little window, mounted within the bigger pane, rolled up and down.

Year to Year Changes

1993 Subaru SVX: No change was evident in the second season for Subaru's all-wheel-drive performance coupe. Due to a glut of cars, Subaru delayed the introduction of 1993 models until spring of that year.

1994 Subaru SVX: New lower-priced L and LS versions of Subaru's sports coupe debuted this year, with front-wheel drive instead of permanent all-wheel drive. AWD was now limited to the top-line LSi model. A passenger-side airbag joined the driver's airbag on the LS and LSi models, which got conventional manual front seatbelts instead of motorized belts. Antilock brakes were standard on LS and LSi, but not available on the L. On all models except those with "pearl white" paint, the roof and trunk now were body-colored. With white paint, the roof and trunk were black, as on all prior models.

1995 Subaru SVX: An expanded lineup for 1995 included two front-drive models (L and LS) and two with permanently engaged all-wheel drive (L and LSi). Antilock brakes were standard on all except the front-drive L. All models had dual airbags.

1996 Subaru SVX: Two versions of Subaru's sports coupe were offered in 1996: base L and more costly LSi. Both had permanent all-wheel drive. The LSi had such features as variable-assist power steering, leather seats, a power sunroof, a CD player, heated mirrors, remote entry system and antitheft alarm, and a split folding rear seatback.

 1997 Subaru SVX: For its final season on the market, the SVX gained a new body-colored grille and 215/55VR16 tires. Laguna Blue was dropped as a color choice.


The Subaru SVX never caught on in the sales race, as it was unique in design to an extreme. Not in the same performance league as the Dodge Stealth R/T Turbo/Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4, which also have all-wheel drive, SVX is the only one in that spirited group that came with an automatic transmission.  The SVX was Subaru's attempt to enter the once-popular luxury/performance car category. The prototype was designed by renowned designer Giorgetto Giugiaro of ItalDesign. Subaru produced around 25,000 SVXs from 1992 through 1997 (about 14,000 of these were imported to the United States). The major downside of owning an SVX today is because of its rarity, parts are relatively expensive. As every car has its own set of predictable problems. The SVX has three main faults: transmission failure, wheel bearing failure, and warped rotors. The rotor problems are caused by the sheer weight of the SVX--3,600 pounds. Subaru had never made such a heavy car and did not equip them with rotors to match.To learn more, read another review of a used Subaru SVX.