The 3 Ugliest Subaru Models Ever Made

Do you think current Subaru models like the Forester lack a sporty design language? Check out these three Subaru models from the past and see where the Forester came from.

A Blast From The Past 

It's fun to look at old Subaru models, and you can see how far Subaru's design language has progressed. Have you ever heard of the Subaru P1 1500, Subaru 360 Ladybug, or the Subaru R2?

The 1954 Subaru P1 1500: How ugly can you get?

The Subaru 1500 is the first car built by Fuji Heavy Industries (Subaru's parent company) with the development code P1. The prototype used a monocoque body structure and adopted the "ponton" style appearance. It had an independent front wishbone suspension and a rear leaf spring suspension with three plates and a live rear axle. 

1970 Subaru 360 Deluxe was affectionately called the "Ladybug."

The Subaru 360 is so ugly that some in the automotive world have called it cute. When you think of things being designated for their historical significance, you generally think of old buildings being preserved and restored. Subaru received a similar designation for one of its first mass-produced cars, the Subaru 360, which was nicknamed the "Ladybug."

The 1969 Subaru R2 is so ugly it's almost cute.

The R2 was the first production Subaru to sport a new family look, including the aviation-inspired "spread wings grille" also used by their Tribeca and Impreza. The R2's exterior dimensions are largely similar to those of its predecessor, the Subaru Pleo, but unlike the Pleo, which is squarish, the R2 has a deliberately rounded, less space-efficient form.

Subaru celebrates 40 years in Canada and brings its ugly past and three new models for consumers. Do you remember the Subaru 360? https://t.co/zPLXAVHkLb pic.twitter.com/RrUrd7O6TQ
— Subaru Report (@SubaruReport) February 23, 2018

And that's just three Subaru models. There are more to add to this list. Can you think of any you'd put on the ugliest Subaru model list?

IT'S YOUR TURN

What Subaru model would you call the ugliest? Click the red Add New Comment link below and let us know.

Thanks for reading, everyone. I hope you enjoyed this Subaru ugly model story. See you tomorrow for my latest Subaru Report.

Watch the 1970 Subaru 360 Young Tour For 2023 YouTube video

I am Denis Flierl, a top Torque News and Subaru reporter since 2012. I’ve invested over 30 years in the automotive industry in a consulting role, working with every major car brand. I am an experienced Rocky Mountain Automotive Press member. You'll find my expert Subaru analysis here. Follow me on my The Dirty Subaru website, Dirty Subaru blog, X SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.

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Photo credit: Subaru