Overview & Reviews

Subaru is a Japan-based automaker whose recent offerings are both practical and fun to drive. The automaker crafts vehicles whose all-wheel-drive powertrains and available turbochargers facilitate sharp performance. Incongruously, most Subaru vehicles are discreet and versatile enough to serve as competent family haulers, and the brand is known for boasting some of the best crash test scores in the automotive world.

In the early 1950s, a collection of Japanese companies joined to form Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. Its automotive division came to be known as "Subaru," which is a Japanese word meaning "unite." In 1954, the first Subaru car was unveiled. Powered by a four-cylinder engine, the P-1 (its name was later changed to the Subaru 1500) boasted a front-wheel wishbone-type independent suspension and was the first car to feature a monocoque body designed in Japan. Sales were suspended due to challenges associated with funding and support, but Subaru soon resolved its difficulties and rolled out a sibling for its first-born; the 360 was introduced in 1958. Dubbed the Ladybird because of its ladybug shape, the compact 360 proved immensely popular, and remained in production for 12 years.

The 1960s saw the launch of the first Subaru truck. Based on the Subaru 360 platform, the Sambar minitruck offered both compact dimensions (a must for Japan's crowded, narrow streets) and an extremely spacious cargo bed. The truck was soon joined by the Sambar Light Van, a compact van built for both commercial and leisure use. In 1966, the automaker rolled out the 1000, a car that holds the distinction of being the first vehicle to use the drive technology that is the linchpin of current Subaru models: a front-wheel-drive system coupled to a horizontally opposed engine. This setup offered many advantages in handling and performance. By the end of the decade, Subaru North America had been founded, and exports to the United States had begun.

Subaru started the '70s with the introduction of the GL/DL (called the Leone in other markets). The sedan (it was soon joined by a coupe and a station wagon) broke new ground by offering four-wheel-drive (4WD) capability. Up until then, 4WD had only been offered in off-road-oriented vehicles. Coveted for use in the snow and in hilly regions, the GL and DL also benefited from the increasing popularity of outdoor sports like skiing and fishing, and went on to become the world's top-selling 4WD vehicle. In 1977, Subaru rolled out the successful Brat; based on the GL, it was a small car-based pickup whose cargo bed featured a pair of jump seats. More and more, young people were seeking a vehicle designed for an outdoorsy lifestyle, and the rugged Brat was perfectly in step with their needs.

Subaru continued to offer versatile but slightly quirky vehicles through the '80s. It developed the world's first electronically controlled continuously variable transmission. The technology made its debut later that decade in a new Subaru, the tiny Justy economy car. By the end of the '80s, Subaru had given birth to the Legacy, which replaced the outgoing GL/DL (now called the Loyale in the U.S.). Available as both a wagon and a sedan, the Legacy placed an emphasis on performance.

The automaker made a name for itself in motorsports in the 1990s by being the first Japanese marque to win the Manufacturers' title at the World Rally Championship three years in a row. The Subaru family continued to grow during this decade, with the addition of the high-performance SVX, the popular Legacy-based Outback wagon and the sporty Impreza. In the late '90s, General Motors acquired a 20 percent stake in parent company Fuji Heavy Industries (FHI) with the aim of strengthening its presence in foreign markets. This affiliation didn't last long, however, and Toyota currently owns a small percentage of FHI.

Today, Subaru's lineup includes everything from compact trucks to family-friendly wagons to high-performance cars such as the WRX STi. The brand is hailed as a top pick for enthusiasts seeking vehicles that offer a shot of utility with their performance thrills.

User Reviews:

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  Turbocharged Monster! - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By Sgt Prem - December 10 - 1:30 am

  This car is a true drivers car. Acceleration, handling and brakes are racecar like. A few basic mods will turn this car into a beast. Will get you in trouble with the law if not careful. You will want to stab the throttle every time you step on the gas. I test drove the 04 M3, 06 Vette and was not impressed. I wanted to jump back in my Suby! No need to spend $50k. DCCD is a plus. Behaves like a RWD when you want it to. You HAVE to launch this car! It takes off like a rocket!

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  Leaking oil but hasnt let me down (yet!) - 2001 Subaru Outback
  By decent.. not a honda - December 7 - 5:26 am

  Bought my car at 139,000. Pretty much right after it was delivered to me I found out it had an oil leak. I found out its leaking from multiple places and a mechanic wont even touch it out of fear that Ill complain that they didnt fix it correctly the first time. The check engine light has since come on Ive gotten oil changes every 3000 miles and the check engine light has been on for about 12 thousand miles now. It still runs! Im not gonna fix the oil leaks or the check engine light. 155,000 miles on it now. Still running like a champ tho Im a little worried. I still love it!

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  Needs redesign of back end - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By Heather - December 4 - 8:16 pm

  Within a month of owning this car, the thin piece of trim above the rear hatch release snapped in half. To fix, the entire rear panel (with multiple parts, like the logo, lights, etc.) has to be bought: $400+. Thanks, Subaru. Why isnt this a large, solid panel? And why cant individual parts be purchased? Also, the hatch door can be difficult to close, making me repeatedly get out of the car to close the door. You have to slam it. Otherwise have loved the car. Road trip mileage of 34 mpg/500 miles on that tank! Previous car was 01 Forester with 180K.

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  Passes everything except a gas station - 2003 Subaru Impreza
  By Mike Miller - December 4 - 10:00 am

  Overall a a very nice car. Open road driving is great, but the turbo lag is annoying. The power is poor until you hit 3,000 RPM, then it takes off like a rocket. Also, the gas mileage is nowhere near the 20/27 listed on the sticker. More like 20/23. Also, the transmission is not that smooth at times. Overall, though I like the car a lot and often take the long way home as long as that way involves lots of hills and curves!

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  Reliability of McIntosh Stereo - 2002 Subaru Outback
  By jcborgeson - December 4 - 10:00 am

  This is my first Subaru. Great highway cruiser, very quiet. I am puzzled by the reviews that complain of wind noise. It’s quieter than my Jag XJR. Ive measured with a sound meter to confirm. Reliability is good with 20,400 miles. Service has been excellent. The one problem has been the McIntosh stereo. We are on our third, waiting for the fourth. The system sounds great but reliability is awful. Ive been told that it is really a Clarion head with McIntosh trim. On the plus side, the AWD system is superb, far better than the Volvo XC70 it replaces. I have been pretty amazed at the slop, ice and snow this car can move through safely.

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  Great Commuter - 2010 Subaru Impreza
  By Dude - December 3 - 5:06 pm

  This really is a great commuter car, the Outback Sport has great handling, descent engine and generally good looking car. The transmission is the only week point I have noticed, the peak torque in the boxer engine comes on at 4000 RPM, but the long gears(4 speed auto) drop to below 3000 on the shift. They could have added 2 more gears to this transmission keeping it in the upper rev range for fast acceleration when needed. The stereo blows, but I listen to Slacker of Pandora through my Blackberry most of the time and it actually sounds pretty good. I would upgrade the stereo but I think I would rather trade the car in for the 3.6 Liter 5 Speed Auto Legacy Premium in a couple years.

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  Could use more power - 2004 Subaru Legacy
  By BrianMac - November 28 - 10:00 am

  Purchased this vechile after experience with the Outback. Overall happy with car but could use more power. Some quality and fit issues.

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  Very nice car - 2017 Subaru Impreza
  By Beth Harles - November 25 - 10:03 am

  No CD player. Nice ride

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  Surprisingly terrific - 2006 Subaru Outback
  By abqdad - November 25 - 1:00 am

  For the last ten years I have driven a Lexus LS400 and my wife has driven a Mercedes E320. Both are just as excellent as they are reputed to be. When it came time to get a new car I looked carefully at all of the "usual suspects" (BMW, Mercedes, Lexus, Infiniti, Acura...). They are fine cars, but none were interesting enough to get me to prefer them to the Lexus with 150,000 miles. Until I looked at the Subaru Outback LL Bean. Weve had it a month, and I am still extremely impressed with it in almost every way. Great job Subaru! My list was: "Safety, reliability, comfort, utility, value." I dont know of anything else within $10K that can touch the Subaru.

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  Subaru Impreza WRX review - 2011 Subaru Impreza
  By mikeb32 - November 24 - 10:13 am

  I have recently purchased a 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX and over all Im happy with what the car has to offer. This car has undeniably good value for money in terms of the performance you get out, its more comfortable than I thought it would be, you have loads of leg and head room, the boot space is sufficient and its impossible to get bored driving about in it. There are, however, a few down falls that might get on your nerves. The amount of noise caused by rattling in the cabin is pretty irritating!, the traction control makes the gear changes a little jerky and the revs bounce slightly when its on, but at least that can always be turned off at the push of a button