Entering production on January 4, 2005, the R1 is a two-door version of the Subaru R2, but with a shorter body and wheelbase.

The R1 is unusual in that it does not use up the maximum length allowed for by the kei car regulations—the only other kei cars to have done this since the 1989 Autozam Carol were the Suzuki Twin, Daihatsu Midget, Toyota C+pod, and the European Smart Fortwo.

The R1 was only available in one spec level up to the end of 2005, using a 658 cc Subaru EN engine.

The R1 is the base car for the following vehicles: Tomica manufactured a diecast 1/56 R1 in 2005 as No.

111, and Takara made a Choro-Q plastic pull-back R1.