The ladder frame structure has a separate cabin and chassis for strength and durability. The cab-over design ensures a comfortable seating space for two passengers. The rear-engine, rear-wheel drive (RR) layout boasts a low-floor luggage compartment and outstanding traction performance. The Subaru Sambar has been produced without any changes to its basic design since its debut in February 1961, thoroughly pursuing the ideal of "how a commercial vehicle should be," with high road-holding ability and four-wheel independent suspension that is gentle on passengers and luggage.

It is well known that the Sambar was called the "Porsche of Farm Roads" in reference to the Porsche 911, which has the same RR layout, due to its high potential, which is unusual for a light commercial vehicle. Unfortunately, Subaru withdrew from in-house production of light vehicles in 2012 and is now supplied by Daihatsu on an OEM basis, but one year before the withdrawal, the last limited edition "WR BLUE LIMITED" was released to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the release of the Sambar. The most distinctive feature is the exterior, which is now covered in Subaru's signature color, "WR Blue Mica."