Subaru Rex: Which Version to Buy and Why
The Subaru Rex version to choose depends mainly on drivetrain, transmission and engine output. The first generation offers RWD, the second moves to FWD or AWD, and the third adds CVT choices while retaining manual alternatives. Across the three generations, the catalogue records gasoline engines from 356 cc to 665 cc and outputs from 31 hp to 61 hp.
The Subaru Rex version to choose depends mainly on drivetrain, transmission and engine output. The first generation offers RWD, the second moves to FWD or AWD, and the third adds CVT choices while retaining manual alternatives. Across the three generations, the catalogue records gasoline engines from 356 cc to 665 cc and outputs from 31 hp to 61 hp. The strongest listed version is the third-generation turbocharged 0.6 MT or 0.6 CVT with 61 hp and 74 Nm. Buyers prioritizing AWD can select it with either transmission, while those seeking the largest engine can consider a 658 cc third-generation 0.7 or the second-generation 665 cc 0.7 MT.
Subaru Rex generations: what changed?
The first generation, produced from January 1972 through December 1981, is a Mini 3-doors with four versions. Every version uses Gasoline, a carburetor and RWD. The engine range progresses from 356 cc and 358 cc through 490 cc to 544 cc. Most versions have a 4-speed Manual, while the 0.5 MT5 combines a 5-speed Manual with the generation’s largest engine. All four have independent spring suspension at both ends, ventilated front discs, rear drums, 170 mm of ground clearance and a 25-litre tank.
The second generation ran from October 1981 through October 1986 as a Mini 5-doors and contains six listed versions, including duplicate database entries. It changes the drivetrain choice to FWD or AWD. The 544 cc 0.5 MT appears with 31 hp and FWD or with a Turbo, 41 hp and AWD; both use a 4-speed Manual. The 665 cc 0.7 MT has 37 hp, FWD and a 4-speed Manual. This generation retains independent spring suspension, front discs, rear drums and 170 mm of ground clearance.
The third generation ran from November 1986 through February 1992 as a Mini 5-doors. The catalogue records 17 versions, of which 12 are shown in the supplied data. Its choices include 547 cc and 658 cc engines, FWD and AWD, Manual and Variable transmissions, and naturally aspirated or Turbo configurations. The listed power range extends from 38 hp to 61 hp, while measured torque ranges from 44 Nm to 74 Nm. Independent spring suspension, front discs, rear drums and 170 mm of ground clearance remain common to the listed versions.
Subaru Rex engine and specs
Repeated names are distinguished below by output, drivetrain or both. Identically named and identically specified duplicate database records are consolidated.
| Generation and exact version | Output | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders/layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First generation 0.4 MT, 37 hp | 37 hp | 29 Nm | 356 cc | Gasoline | 2, Inline | not measured | 4-speed Manual | RWD |
| First generation 0.4 MT, 31 hp | 31 hp | 29 Nm | 358 cc | Gasoline | 2, Inline | not measured | 4-speed Manual | RWD |
| First generation 0.5 MT4 | 31 hp | not measured | 490 cc | Gasoline | 2, Inline | not measured | 4-speed Manual | RWD |
| First generation 0.5 MT5 | 31 hp | not measured | 544 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | not measured | 5-speed Manual | RWD |
| Second generation 0.5 MT, 31 hp | 31 hp | not measured | 544 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Manual | FWD |
| Second generation 0.5 MT, 41 hp | 41 hp | not measured | 544 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 4-speed Manual | AWD |
| Second generation 0.7 MT | 37 hp | not measured | 665 cc | Gasoline | 2, Inline | No | 4-speed Manual | FWD |
| Third generation 0.6 MT, 38 hp, FWD | 38 hp | 44 Nm | 547 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Manual | FWD |
| Third generation 0.6 MT, 38 hp, AWD | 38 hp | 44 Nm | 547 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Manual | AWD |
| Third generation 0.6 CVT, 38 hp | 38 hp | 44 Nm | 547 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Variable | FWD |
| Third generation 0.6 MT, 61 hp, FWD | 61 hp | 74 Nm | 547 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| Third generation 0.6 MT, 61 hp, AWD | 61 hp | 74 Nm | 547 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 5-speed Manual | AWD |
| Third generation 0.6 CVT, 61 hp, FWD | 61 hp | 74 Nm | 547 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | Variable | FWD |
| Third generation 0.6 CVT, 61 hp, AWD | 61 hp | 74 Nm | 547 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | Variable | AWD |
| Third generation 0.7 MT, 42 hp | 42 hp | 52 Nm | 658 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| Third generation 0.7 CVT, 42 hp | 42 hp | 52 Nm | 658 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Variable | FWD |
| Third generation 0.7 CVT, 46 hp, FWD | 46 hp | 56 Nm | 658 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Variable | FWD |
| Third generation 0.7 CVT, 46 hp, AWD | 46 hp | 56 Nm | 658 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Variable | AWD |
| Third generation 0.7 MT, 48 hp | 48 hp | 53 Nm | 658 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
Power per litre separates several apparently similar choices. The first-generation 356 cc 0.4 MT produces about 104 hp per litre, compared with about 87 hp per litre for the 358 cc 0.4 MT. The second-generation Turbo 0.5 MT reaches about 75 hp per litre, versus about 57 hp per litre for its naturally aspirated 31 hp counterpart. The third-generation turbocharged 547 cc versions deliver about 112 hp per litre, compared with about 69 hp per litre for the naturally aspirated 38 hp versions.
Among the third-generation 658 cc engines, calculated specific output ranges from about 64 hp per litre for the 42 hp versions to about 73 hp per litre for the 48 hp 0.7 MT. The 46 hp 0.7 CVT sits between them at about 70 hp per litre.
Performance and economy
Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h is not measured for any listed Subaru Rex version. Top speed is also not measured for most versions. The available figures are 110 km/h for the first-generation 358 cc 0.4 MT with 31 hp and 125 km/h for the second-generation 665 cc 0.7 MT with 37 hp. The difference between those measured maximum speeds is 15 km/h, but the data does not support a full performance ranking because the other versions have no measured top-speed figures.
City, highway and combined fuel consumption are not measured for every listed version. CO₂ emissions and environmental class are likewise not measured. Consequently, no evidence-based mpg comparison can be made from this catalogue data, and the higher-output engines should not automatically be described as more or less economical.
The third-generation turbo versions provide the clearest quantified output advantage. Against the naturally aspirated 547 cc engine, the Turbo raises output from 38 hp to 61 hp, a gain of 23 hp or about 61%. Torque rises from 44 Nm to 74 Nm, adding 30 Nm or about 68%. Because displacement remains 547 cc, this is the strongest like-for-like engine comparison in the range.
Subaru Rex dimensions, size and weight
Overall length, width, height and wheelbase are not measured in the supplied data, so a complete Subaru Rex dimensions comparison is not possible. Kerb weight and gross weight are also not measured for any listed version. Weight per horsepower therefore cannot be calculated without inventing a vehicle weight.
Ground clearance is measured at 170 mm for every listed version, leaving no clearance advantage between generations, transmissions or drivetrains. Wheel sizes are not measured throughout the range. Tank capacity is 25 litres for every listed first-generation version, while tank capacity is not measured for the second- and third-generation versions.
Body format is the useful recorded size distinction. The first generation is a Mini 3-doors, while the second and third generations are Mini 5-doors. The data does not provide cabin or cargo measurements, so the additional doors should not be converted into unsupported claims about interior space.
Which Subaru Rex version should you buy?
For maximum listed output, choose a third-generation turbo 0.6 MT or 0.6 CVT. Every such version combines 547 cc, 61 hp and 74 Nm. The 0.6 MT has a 5-speed Manual and is listed with either FWD or AWD; the 0.6 CVT uses a Variable transmission and is also available with either drivetrain. Choose among them by transmission and traction preference because their recorded engine figures are identical.
For the strongest naturally aspirated third-generation option, choose the 0.7 MT with 48 hp. Its 658 cc engine produces 2 hp more than the 46 hp 0.7 CVT and 6 hp more than the 42 hp 0.7 MT or 0.7 CVT. Its 53 Nm is 3 Nm lower than the 46 hp CVT’s 56 Nm, however, so “strongest” depends on whether power or measured torque matters more.
For naturally aspirated AWD, the third-generation 0.7 CVT with 46 hp and 56 Nm is the listed choice. Buyers wanting AWD with a Manual instead can select the naturally aspirated third-generation 0.6 MT with 38 hp and 44 Nm, or move to the Turbo 0.6 MT with 61 hp and 74 Nm. That turbo upgrade adds 23 hp and 30 Nm without increasing the 547 cc displacement.
For a simpler naturally aspirated FWD specification, the third-generation 0.6 MT with 38 hp, 0.6 CVT with 38 hp, 0.7 MT with 42 hp and 0.7 CVT with 42 hp allow the decision to center on engine size and transmission. Moving from the 547 cc 38 hp engine to the 658 cc 42 hp engine adds 111 cc, 4 hp and 8 Nm. The later 46 hp 0.7 CVT adds another 4 hp and 4 Nm over the 42 hp 0.7 CVT.
For an earlier AWD Rex, the second-generation turbo 0.5 MT offers 41 hp, a 4-speed Manual and AWD. Compared with the second-generation naturally aspirated 0.5 MT, it adds 10 hp while retaining the same 544 cc displacement. Torque for both is not measured, so their difference cannot be quantified beyond power, boost and drivetrain.
Choose a first-generation Rex when RWD and the Mini 3-doors body are priorities. The 0.5 MT5 is the only first-generation version with a 5-speed Manual, whereas the 0.4 MT, 0.5 MT4 and the other 0.4 MT use a 4-speed Manual. For output relative to displacement, the 356 cc 0.4 MT with 37 hp is the standout; it has 6 hp more than the 358 cc 0.4 MT despite using 2 cc less displacement. The 31 hp 0.5 MT5 instead provides the largest first-generation engine at 544 cc.
No recommendation can be based responsibly on purchase price, running cost, reliability, available inventory or weight per horsepower because those figures are not measured in the supplied data. On specifications alone, the third-generation Turbo 0.6 is the performance choice, the 46 hp 0.7 CVT AWD is the naturally aspirated AWD choice, the 48 hp 0.7 MT is the highest-powered naturally aspirated choice, and the first generation is the only choice for RWD.