These 14 Cars Were Built to Be Cheap—But Became Icons

12. Subaru 360

The Subaru 360 holds a special place in automotive history as Japan’s first mass-produced kei car. Launched in the late 1950s, it was small, light, and incredibly affordable, making personal transportation accessible to millions of Japanese families.
Despite its modest power, the 360’s charm and practicality helped put Subaru on the map—both domestically and abroad—laying the foundation for the brand’s future success worldwide. Jalopnik