Subaru Other models

The Sambar is driven by a four-cylinder engine of 658 cc displacement and stands on four wheels, at a length of 3,400 mm, a width of 1,480 mm and a wheelbase of 1,890 mm. Power runs through a three-speed gearbox. The vehicle weighs 805 kg empty, with a gross vehicle weight of 1,560 kg.

At a gross vehicle weight of 1,560 kg the Sambar falls clearly into EU class N1, the light commercial vehicles up to 3.5 t. Its small outer dimensions, only 3,400 mm long and 1,480 mm wide, are typical of the Japanese kei class, whose vehicles are built to tight limits on size and engine displacement so as to cope with dense urban development and narrow roads. Kerb weight and gross weight differ by 755 kg, a substantial payload margin for such a small vehicle.

Buying a Sambar of this type second-hand, the floor and wheel arches should be checked thoroughly for rust, since kei-class vehicles were often driven in daily urban traffic where road salt is used. The small rear-mounted four-cylinder engine calls for a check of engine mounts and cooling, tighter on rear-engined layouts than on front-engined ones, and the three-speed gearbox should be checked for clean shifting without jumping out of gear.