SATIRE is what closes on Saturday night, George S. Kaufman said of the theater in the 1930s, but on television these days an automaker is eagerly stepping up its involvement with a series that spoofs its target audience.

Subaru of America is returning for a fifth season of “Portlandia,” the comedy series on the IFC cable channel that pokes fun at the fads and foibles of residents of Portland, Ore., and the Pacific Northwest, with humorous exaggerations like a “feminist carwash.”

Subaru decided to run commercials during the first season of “Portlandia” because Oregon and the Pacific states are such an important market for the company. In each subsequent season, the company — buoyed by what was deemed the positive response from consumers — has become a larger part of “Portlandia,” spending additional sums on steps like integrating its cars into scenes, sponsoring online video and offering viewers a chance to watch favorite sketches of the show’s stars, Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein.

Now, for the fifth season, which begins on Jan. 8, Subaru and IFC are taking the partnership to a higher level. For instance, Subaru will sponsor an online teaser campaign for the new season, “Come Along for the Ride to Season Five,” that IFC is to start on Wednesday. There will be three integrations of Subarus into sketches during the 10 episodes of the new season, among them a bit involving Ms. Brownstein’s character seeking to share a ride with Mr. Armisen’s character. Subaru will also be the season’s exclusive automotive sponsor.