[4] The XT was noted for its pronounced wedge shape, low coefficient of drag; aviation influences from the aircraft division of parent company Fuji Heavy Industry; and its host of features, either innovative or uncommon in the XT's class — including height-adjustable pneumatic suspension, digital dash, central locking system, op-art upholstery, fold down rear seat, pod- and center console-mounted HVAC controls, advanced trip computer, and instrument cluster that tilted with adjustment of the steering column.

The XT featured a pronounced wedge shape, sharing a common "folded paper" design approach with the Type AA Subaru Leone.

When introduced, the New York Times called it "the ultimate in jazzy design",[5] in contrast to Subaru's other offerings.

Subaru's trademark boxer engine with its flat, horizontally-opposed cylinder configuration, enabled the bodywork's pronounced wedge shape, and extensive wind tunnel testing further lowered the XT's coefficient of drag.

Pop-up headlights contributed to the wedge shape, and rectractable button-like flaps allowed opening the door while keeping the handles flush with their adjacent bodywork.

The result was one of the most aerodynamic production cars of its time with a coefficient of drag of 0.29,[4] improved fuel economy, and a quieter ride due to reduced wind noise.

The XT's interior used numerous aviation-like features, reflecting influences from the aircraft division of Subaru's parent company, Fuji Heavy Industries.

Turbo models featured a quasi-artificial horizon orange backlit liquid crystal instrument display with the tachometer, boost indicator, temperature and fuel gauges seen as three-dimensional graphs oriented to the quasi-horizon.

The XT featured a turbocharger, computer-controlled engine and transmission, adjustable height suspension[4] and an optional digital instrument cluster.

Other uncommon features included an electronic in-dash trip computer, headlight washers (XT6 only), alloy wheels featuring an inset rectangular shape, pass-through folding rear seats, racing style front seats and available push-button four-wheel drive (later changed to all-wheel drive).

The part-time four-wheel-drive system, titled "On-Demand", was selectable by a push button atop the shifter.

The XT6 was fitted with a unique Cybrid adaptive electrohydraulic steering system that changed the level of assistance based on the vehicle's speed.

This system did not use a conventional belt-driven power steering pump, freeing up much-needed space in the XT6's already cramped engine bay.

This version had a white and gold paint job with "30th Anniversary" side decals and a red interior.

Although the fuel crisis of the late 1970s and ever-tightening emissions regulations had severely limited power figures from all manufacturers in the mid 1980s, the XT's paltry 134 hp (100 kW) wasn't enough to attract serious attention from the automotive racing crowd.

[9] One of Subaru's ads from the 1980s read, The kind of car Mercedes might have built if they were a little more frugal and a lot more inventive.

In the 1980s, consumers with surplus cash in search of a better-equipped vehicle did not generally start shopping at Subaru.

The Subaru XT Turbo was the official car for the Most Valuable Player for Super Bowl XXII presented by SPORT magazine in 1988, eventually won by Washington Redskins quarterback Doug Williams, and The Subaru XT6 was the official car for the Most Valuable Player for Super Bowl XXIII in 1989, eventually won by San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jerry Rice.