Subaru Pleo

The Subaru Pleo is a kei car from Subaru.

The Pleo is taller than conventional kei car hatchbacks, but shorter than the definitive microvan, the Suzuki Wagon R, and is available with a variety of 658 cc I4 engines: SOHC, DOHC, and supercharged in two different trim levels. It competes with the Honda Life, Daihatsu Cuore, and the Mitsubishi Toppo in the tall wagon segment of kei cars in Japan.

The Pleo was launched in 1998, and has since undergone four upgrades, one in 2000, another in 2001, another in 2002, and another in 2010.

First generation – RA1/RA2/RV1/RV2 (1998-2009)

The first-generation Pleo first went on sale in Japan on October 9, 1998, replacing the Vivio, when Japanese regulations dictated a size change in the kei car tax bracket, and every kei car model from every make was redesigned as a result.

In June 1999, Subaru launched a luxurious edition of the Pleo, called the Nesta. In October, a sporty edition was launched, called the LS. In December, an Le edition was launched.