1990-1994 Subaru Justy: Full Review
Updated: 11/23/08
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Learn about the year-to-year changes and reliability for the 1990-1994 Subaru Justy and our price chart details a range of prices based on vehicle mileage and condition.
Pros
- Fuel economy
- Maneuverability
- 4WD traction (GL)
Cons
- Noise
- Rear-seat room
- Ride
- Entry/exit
Vehicle Highlights
Through its lifespan, Subaru's minicompact was perhaps best known for its available electronically controlled variable-transmission. Dubbed ECVT, it offered an infinite spread of gear ratios. Although the basic idea had surfaced decades earlier, and was used on the Dutch-built DAF in the 1960s, Subaru was unique for offering it in the U.S. market at this time. Introduced in early 1987, the Justy initially came only as a 2-door hatchback. A 4-door hatchback joined for 1990, on the same 90-inch wheelbase. Both came with either front-wheel drive or on-demand 4-wheel drive. All models except the base Justy got a 73-horsepower fuel-injected engine for 1990, instead of the carbureted 66-horsepower 3-cylinder. Fuel-injected models got a new intermediate front driveshaft to help reduce "torque steer." A new "Fun Justy" appearance package was introduced for the 2-door model. Having debuted in 1989, the ECVT unit was now available on 4WD models as well as those with front-drive. With ECVT, a metal belt connects two pulleys that continuously vary the ratio of engine speed to driveshaft speed. Operation can be described as similar to a dimmer switch, as opposed to a 3-way light switch. Justy also was available with an ordinary 5-speed manual transmission.
Expert Ratings Summary (view detailed report)
| Category | Subaru Justy Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 2 | |
| Fuel Economy | 7 | |
| Ride Quality | 4 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 3 | |
| Quietness | 2 | |
| Controls/Materials | 3 | |
| Interior Room | 4 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 3 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 2 | |
| Value within Class | 3 | |
| Total Score: | 33 |
Learn about the year-to-year changes of the 1990-1994 Subaru Justy. Get full details of the styling and performance changes throughout the history of the 1990-1994 Subaru Justy.
Year to Year Changes
1991 Subaru Justy:
After only a year in the lineup, the "Fun Justy" appearance package faded away. Otherwise, Subaru's smallest model was little-changed. As before, the 2-door hatchback came in base or GL trim, while the 4-door hatchback was offered only as a GL. Displaying new interior fabric and color-keyed bumpers, the GL could be equipped with optional 4-wheel drive and the ECVT transmission.
1992 Subaru Justy:
No significant changes were evident on the 1992 models.
1993 Subaru Justy:
Only one engine was offered this year, as the base model adopted Subaru's fuel-injected 73-horsepower 3-cylinder unit. Cloth seats replaced vinyl upholstery in the base model.
1994 Subaru Justy:
Justy lost its innovative ECVT transmission for its final season on the market, leaving only conventional 5-speed manual shift. The lineup was trimmed to just two models: a base front-drive 2-door and an upscale 4-door GL with 4-wheel drive, which was activated by pressing a gearshift-mounted button. The base model gained a standard rear defroster and full wheel covers. Justy stuck with motorized seatbelts, rather than an airbag, to meet federal safety requirements.
Our road test for the 1990-1994 Subaru Justy includes a full evaluation from the inside out. We've evaluated every aspect of the 1990-1994 Subaru Justy and highlighted the vehicle's performance with pros and cons. Use our comprehensive road test ratings to decide if this generation 1990-1994 Subaru Justy is right for you.
Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation
Justy stood apart from other diminutive imports by offering 4-wheel drive and ECVT. Its fuel-injected engine also earned plaudits for efficiency, being one of the few naturally aspirated powerplants to eke out one horsepower per cubic inch of displacement. And, in fact, the engine is quite lively when teamed with a conventional 5-speed manual transmission. The unique ECVT transmission manages to get more performance out of the Justy's 3-cylinder engine than a conventional automatic ever could. It's nearly as good as a 5-speed in acceleration. Even so, there's little zip in the 25-50 mph range. The variable-ratio transmission responds readily, but lacks sufficient torque for quick, safe passing on flat surfaces. When heading uphill, the ECVT Justy loses its momentum rather rapidly. Though easier to drive than a stick-shift in stop-and-go congestion, ECVT can be frustrating on freeways because the engine lags far enough behind the driver's throttle foot, so you can't move as quickly as the traffic flow. EPA mileage ratings are impressive with either transmission. We averaged nearly 30 mpg with ECVT in a mix of city and highway driving, but the 5-speed Justy did better. Like other minicompacts, such as the Geo Metro and Suzuki Swift, the Justy is noisy, suffers from a bouncy ride, and has a cramped back seat. Its biggest advantage over rivals is the standard 4-wheel-drive system on the GL model, which made it one of the lowest-priced, most economical 4WD vehicles on the market. If 4-wheel-drive is a priority, few other low-cost choices exist.
Value for the Money
Apart from the ECVT unit, Justy is typical of low-priced minicompacts in most categories. With the exception of the 4WD GL, for a combination of low price and high fuel economy, other models would probably be more suitable, including the Ford Festiva and its 1994 Aspire replacement.
Apart from the ECVT unit, Justy is typical of low-priced minicompacts in most categories. With the exception of the 4WD GL, for a combination of low price and high fuel economy, other models would probably be more suitable, including the Ford Festiva and its 1994 Aspire replacement.
Expert Ratings Summary
| Category | Subaru Justy Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 2 | |
| Fuel Economy | 7 | |
| Ride Quality | 4 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 3 | |
| Quietness | 2 | |
| Controls/Materials | 3 | |
| Interior Room | 4 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 3 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 2 | |
| Value within Class | 3 | |
| Total Score: | 33 |
Each vehicle report contains one rating chart for representative model. Consumer
Guide® rates in ten key areas: Performance, Fuel Economy, Ride Comfort, Steering
and Handling, Interior Noise, Controls and Materials, Driver Room, Passenger Room,
Cargo Capacity, and Insurance Costs. These ratings compare the particular vehicle
rated to ALL other vehicles, not a vehicle's standing in a particular class. In the
ratings table, "1" is the lowest rating and "10" is the highest rating.
Our reliability study for this generation Subaru Justy includes details on average repair costs, manufacturer recalls, and everything you need to know to gauge the long-term reliability of this generation Subaru Justy .
Trouble Spots
Consumer Guide's® Auto Editors have scoured repair bulletins and questioned mechanics to search
for commonly occurring problems for a particular vehicle. In some cases we also give possible manufacturer-suggested
solutions. In many instances these trouble spots are Technical Service Bulletins posted by the manufacturer,
however, we have our own expert looking at additional vehicle problems.
Dashboard lights:
If the 4WD transfer-shift rod is installed wrong, the 4WD warning light comes on when climbing hills or accelerating hard. (1990-91)
Doors:
The fabric for the door panels peels away and can be reattached with super glue. (1990-92)
Electrical problem:
Exposed electrical connectors are prone to corrosion and need to be cleaned then packed with dielectric silicone grease. (1990-94)
Exhaust system:
The exhaust system rattles at around 2500 rpm due to a problem with the flex joint. (1991)
Transmission leak:
Automatic-transmission fluid leaks occur at the check balls mounted on the outside of the transmission. (1990)
Consumer Guide® Estimated Repair Costs
This table lists costs of likely repairs for comparison with other vehicles. The
dollar amount includes the cost of the part(s) and labor (based on $50 per hour) for the
typical repair without extras or add-ons. Like the pricing information, replacement
costs can vary widely depending on region. Expect charges at a new-car dealership
to be slightly higher.
| Item Name | Repair Cost |
| A/C Compressor | $430 |
| Alternator | $590 |
| Automatic Transmission or Transaxle | $615 |
| Brakes | $220 |
| Clutch, Pressure Plate, Bearing | $430 |
| Constant Velocity Joints | $330 |
| Exhaust System | $190 |
| Radiator | $400 |
| Shocks and/or Struts | $430 |
| Timing Chain or Belt | $200 |
Our price chart for this generation Subaru Justy details a range of prices in
year-by-year listings based on vehicle mileage and condition.
| Prices | Good | Average | Poor |
|
|
|||
| 1994 | |||
| Justy | $1,100-1,400 | $700-900 | $100-200 |
| 1993 | |||
| Justy | $1,000-1,300 | $600-800 | $100 |
| 1992 | |||
| Justy | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| 1991 | |||
| Justy | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| 1990 | |||
| Justy | $0 | $0 | $0 |
|
|
|||
This chart details a range of prices in year-by-year listings for vehicles in three condition levels:
Good: a clean low-mileage, solid-running vehicle that needs little or no repair.
Average: a car with normal miles on the odometer, perhaps a few scrapes or dings;
engine might need a minor repair or two, but runs acceptably well.
Poor: might have potentially dangerous problems with the engine and/or body, or
abnormally high mileage; definitely in need of mechanical attention. Valuations
reflect wholesale prices paid by dealers at auction, and retail prices on used-car
lots. Each range covers all trim levels and engine types for a vehicle with a typical
amount of equipment--usually an automatic transmission, air conditioning, stereo,
etc. Fully loaded vehicles may cost more. Average mileage is 12,000 miles per year. Keep
in mind that these are guidelines only. Actual selling prices vary- especially from
region to region.
Specs for this generation Subaru Justy include everything from fuel mileage to seating capacity to options availability.
Vehicle Dimensions
| Specification | 2-door coupe | 4-door sedan |
| Wheelbase, in. | 90.0 | 90.0 |
| Overall Length, in. | 145.5 | 145.5 |
| Overall Width, in. | 60.4 | 60.4 |
| Overall Height, in. | 53.7 | 53.7 |
| Curb Weight, lbs. | 1845 | 2045 |
| Cargo Volume, cu. ft. | 21.8 | 21.8 |
| Standard Payload, lbs. | -- | -- |
| Fuel Capacity, gals. | 9.8 | 9.9 |
| Seating Capacity | 4 | 4 |
| Front Head Room, in. | 38.0 | 38.0 |
| Max. Front Leg Room, in. | 41.5 | 41.5 |
| Rear Head Room, in. | 37.0 | 37.0 |
| Max. Rear Leg Room, in. | 30.2 | 30.2 |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
||
Powertrain Options and Availability
Until 1993, base Justy hatchbacks used a carbureted 1.2-liter 3-cylinder engine, rated at 66 horsepower. Other models, and the base Justy in 1993-94, got a fuel-injected version of the 1.2-liter 3-cylinder, which developed 73 horsepower. A 5-speed manual transmission was standard, but Subaru's innovative electronically controlled variable-ratio transmission (ECVT) was available until 1994.
| Engines | cu. in |
Horse- power | Torque | Transmission: |
Consumer Guide Observed |
| ohc I3 | 1.2 / 73 | 66 | 52 | 5-speed manual: 33/37 | 5-speed manual: -- |
| ohc I3 | 1.2 / 73 | 73 | 71 | 5-speed manual: 33/37 CVT automatic: 33/35 |
5-speed manual: -- CVT automatic: 30 |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
|||||
Built In: Japan
Drive Wheels: transverse front-engine/front- or 4-wheel drive
Detailed safety information for this generation Subaru Justy include detailed crash test scores from the NHTSA.
NHTSA Crash-Test Results
Vehicle crash test information not available at this time.The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Sideimpact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.
Learn about official auto recalls, reliability issues, and vehicle problems for the 1990-1994 Subaru Justy directly from the NHTSA and manufacturers.
NHTSA Recall History
1990-91:
Front seatbelt-buckle release buttons can break, and pieces can fall into buckle assembly, causing buckle to operate improperly.
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