The Subaru Stella is a compact kei car that combines smart urban design with Subaru’s trusted reliability and efficiency. Built for city life, it delivers a roomy cabin within a small, easy-to-park footprint—perfect for commuters, first-time drivers, or anyone seeking affordable, everyday mobility. Its tall roofline, big windows, and excellent visibility make it both comfortable and confidence-inspiring in tight spaces.

Sharing its platform with the Daihatsu Move, the Stella features a lightweight body and efficient 660cc engine lineup that excels in fuel economy and maneuverability. Inside, the cleverly designed flat floor and flexible seating layout offer surprising practicality for passengers and luggage alike. While it’s not meant for highway thrills, the Stella shines in urban settings, where its compact size and smooth handling truly stand out.

With low running costs, a dependable drivetrain, and excellent ease of use, the Subaru Stella is an ideal choice for everyday city driving. Key competitors include the Daihatsu Move, Suzuki Wagon R, and Honda N-BOX.

For buyers considering a Stella, we’ve prepared a separate Buyer’s Guide highlighting what to check when purchasing a used model, common maintenance tips, and which years offer the best value. Click here to access the Buyer’s Guide.

Engine Options
The 2023 Subaru Stella is powered by a range of efficient kei-class engines designed for urban driving:

1. 660cc Naturally Aspirated 3-cylinder Petrol (around 52 HP)

2. 660cc Turbocharged 3-cylinder Petrol (around 64 HP)

Transmission Options
All variants come with a smooth CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission), tuned for quiet operation and optimal fuel economy in stop-and-go city traffic.

2023 Subaru Stella Grades

• Subaru Stella L

• Subaru Stella G

• Subaru Stella Custom R

• Subaru Stella Custom RS

For a detailed breakdown of each trim, including features, equipment levels, and value-for-money recommendations, refer to the 2023 Subaru Stella Buyer’s Guide.

2023 Subaru Stella Interior

The interior of the 2023 Subaru Stella focuses on space efficiency, visibility, and comfort within a compact footprint. Thanks to its tall body and wide-opening doors, the Stella offers an airy cabin that feels surprisingly roomy for a kei car. The flat floor design ensures easy movement inside, while the high seating position provides great outward visibility—ideal for urban traffic and tight parking spots.

The dashboard layout is simple and intuitive, with large, clearly labeled controls and a centrally positioned instrument cluster for easy readability. Front seats are well-padded for short and medium-distance comfort, and the rear seats can slide and fold to balance passenger legroom with luggage space. This flexibility makes the Stella particularly appealing to small families, delivery drivers, or commuters who value practicality.

Convenience features include keyless entry and push-start ignition, while higher trims add automatic climate control, steering-mounted audio controls, and power-folding mirrors. Interior storage is cleverly thought out, with numerous trays, cup holders, and pockets throughout the cabin to keep daily essentials organized. An available infotainment touchscreen with Bluetooth and USB connectivity brings modern functionality to the dashboard, enhancing both convenience and entertainment.

2023 Subaru Stella Exterior

The Subaru Stella sports a compact yet confident design that prioritizes visibility and urban maneuverability. Its tall stance and short overhangs make it easy to drive and park in crowded city areas. The front end features a clean, friendly look with large headlamps and a modest grille that reflects Subaru’s practical design language.

From the side, the Stella’s boxy silhouette isn’t just for style—it maximizes interior volume and headroom while giving it that signature kei car charm. Higher trims add subtle styling enhancements such as chrome accents, alloy wheels, and integrated side indicators for a more refined appearance.

At the rear, vertically oriented taillamps and a large tailgate make loading cargo effortless. The wide rear glass improves visibility, while the upright profile emphasizes function over flash. Overall, the Stella’s exterior captures the essence of a compact city car—efficient, approachable, and cleverly designed to make daily driving easier.

2023 Subaru Stella Cargo Capacity
The Subaru Stella offers impressive versatility for its compact size. The rear seats can slide, fold, or recline to create a flat loading area, making it easy to adapt the cabin for passengers or larger items. Whether you’re carrying groceries, luggage, or small equipment, the Stella’s boxy design and wide tailgate opening make loading and unloading simple and efficient.

2023 Subaru Stella Fuel Consumption

• 660cc Naturally Aspirated: 25.0 km/L (2WD), 23.4 km/L (4WD)

• 660cc Turbocharged: 22.0 km/L (2WD)

2023 Subaru Stella Fuel Tank Capacity
The Stella is equipped with a 30-liter fuel tank, offering excellent range for urban and suburban driving between fill-ups.

2023 Subaru Stella Ground Clearance
Ground clearance measures approximately 150 mm (5.9 inches), suitable for typical city roads and light rural use.

2023 Subaru Stella Performance
Power comes from Subaru’s 660cc 3-cylinder engine, available in both naturally aspirated and turbocharged variants:

• Naturally Aspirated: Around 52 hp and 60 Nm of torque, providing smooth, efficient power for stop-and-go traffic.

• Turbocharged: Around 64 hp and 92 Nm of torque, delivering stronger acceleration and improved response on highways while maintaining excellent fuel economy.

Built on a lightweight platform, the Stella feels nimble and easy to handle in urban conditions. Its compact turning radius and light steering make parking effortless, while the suspension is tuned for a comfortable ride over typical city bumps and uneven roads. Front-wheel drive comes standard, with select versions offering all-wheel drive for added traction in slippery conditions. The CVT transmission ensures smooth and quiet acceleration, complementing the Stella’s relaxed and efficient driving character.

2023 Subaru Stella Safety Features
The 2023 Subaru Stella comes equipped with a comprehensive set of safety features designed to protect both driver and passengers. Standard equipment includes dual front airbags, ABS, electronic stability control (ESC), and traction control. Higher trims are fitted with Subaru’s Smart Assist system, offering advanced technologies such as pre-collision braking, lane departure warning, and pedal misapplication control, which help reduce the risk of common urban accidents. Combined with its excellent visibility and compact dimensions, the Stella provides reassuring peace of mind for city and family use.

2023 Subaru Stella Reliability
Built in partnership with Daihatsu under the Toyota Group, the Subaru Stella benefits from proven mechanical reliability and low ownership costs. Its efficient 660cc engines and CVT transmission are designed for long-term urban use, requiring minimal upkeep when maintained properly. Many owners report dependable service well past 150,000 km, thanks to the car’s simple mechanical layout and robust engineering.

2023 Subaru Stella Maintenance Schedule

• 5,000 km: Engine oil and filter replacement

• 10,000 km: Full inspection (air filter, brake system, tire rotation, fluid levels, and cabin filter)

• Subsequent services: Follow Subaru’s recommended maintenance intervals to ensure continued performance, reliability, and fuel efficiency.

For a full maintenance plan and service details, refer to the 2023 Subaru Stella Owner’s Manual.

2023 Subaru Stella Competitors

• Daihatsu Move

• Suzuki Wagon R

• Honda N-BOX

• Mitsubishi eK Wagon

• Nissan Dayz

• Daihatsu Tanto

For buyers considering the Stella, we’ve prepared a dedicated Buyer’s Guide covering what to check before purchasing a used unit, common issues, and which trims offer the best long-term value. Click here to access the Buyer’s Guide.