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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  So far, so good - 2002 Subaru Outback
  By Sun195 - December 28 - 8:06 am

  Ive had this car for three years - no problems yet. Performs well in snow/wet weather. AWD is idiot-proof. Hauls a ton of stuff with seats folded down. Decent gas mileage -- 30+mpg on one recent long trip. Comfortable for longer trips. Adequate power for freeway; not too zippy around town. Short enough so that roof rack is easily accessible. I wish I would have got all-weather package w/ heated mirrors. Car has survived two minor accidents fairly well. This is the "Swiss army knife" of cars.

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  Blast to drive! - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By kevin1111 - December 27 - 10:00 am

  I admit I wanted a sports car, but needed some practicality as well, and within a budget. After reading all the positive reviews, went to go drive the car, among many others. Was surprised by the stability and stance (drives like the car is wider than it is!) The suspension is a good compromise - little body lean, but a good ride none- the-less. Had a better ride than the BMW 3-series I test drove.

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  Excellent winter vehicle, though slightly underpowered - 2004 Subaru Forester
  By ruslan - December 24 - 10:32 pm

  Generally speaking, it is a great small utility vehicle that that drives like a car. It is an excellent winter vehicle, but it is not best for highway driving. It lacks power for comfortable passing, and down-shift is on the slow side. And, highway wind and road noise are on the noisier side. I took it for a 4000mile/6000km drive from Canada to California. It handled nicely when it was +24C and during winter blizzard when I-15 got closed for hours. I havent had major problems with the vehicle, except sunroof does no longer work. And, parts and service are a bit expensive, especially in Canada.

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  Not thrilled-my first and only Subaru - 2010 Subaru Impreza
  By not a subaru fan - December 22 - 3:06 pm

  This is my first Subaru and I bought it because I live in a colder climate and have a 25 mile commute to work everyday so I wanted a vehicle with AWD but still wanted a car - not a truck style SUV. After looking at the few choices on the market and reading the reviews I chose this and was very excited at first but now am getting more and more frustrated with the inconsistencies of this vehicle. First I thought all cars now had automatic locks - apparently not - no automatic headlights either but yet I have heated seats and heated wipers! I got a free Sirius package but like others have said - the sound quality is horrible. The wipers, even when heated, freeze up constantly front and back.

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  Impreza Outback Sport - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By Armand - December 22 - 10:00 am

  A great alternative to the small SUV crowd. AWD and decent tires make it stick to the road under all weather conditions; this, along with the 165hp 2.5l engine (smoothest engine Ive ever driven), make it great fun to drive! On a recent drive from WA to Denver, my OBS was the only car around able to maintain the speed limit over the high passes (11,000 feet) at night with it raining/snowing. Lots of interior cargo organization options. I got the OBS instead of TS or WRX wagons because I liked the 2-tone color scheme, and more standard cargo-related options.

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  Nice car but I couldnt buy it - 2016 Subaru Forester
  By Robyn - December 21 - 9:47 pm

  I was ready to buy a 2016. But, when I saw that it didnt lay flat in the back, I had to look for something else. The 2013 Forester was the newest one that did. I will now be able to camp in the back and load things in with ease. I hope by the time I have to get my next one, this will be corrected.

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  Good Car - 2003 Subaru Forester
  By billreed63 - December 21 - 9:06 pm

  The car has had excellent reliability. The gas mileage could be better based on the cars size and engine performance. The carpet is very poor. We already have a hole in the carpet from wear.

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  Best w/ a little help. - 2002 Subaru Legacy
  By Wreckreation - December 19 - 1:16 pm

  I bought this car new. Upgraded from 98 legacy. Added cold air intake, computer mod and short throw shifter. Short throw shifter best addition yet. Intake and computer brought HP to 200! Great power in 25k-55k RPM. Superior in blizzard conditions with 4pp, Snowbaords and gear. Almost 100k w/ no issues. 26mpg in city driving, now in FL and AC is cold as ice, and it turns heads. Black ACR rims w/ chrome strip, adds wonderful cornering capabilities.

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  Fast but flawed - 2004 Subaru Forester
  By spinynorman - December 18 - 10:00 am

  Great performance but sketchy engineering limits owners enthusiasm. Turbo housing leakage needed 2 repairs. Door lock switch poorly positioned/ not illuminated. Radio/ heater display unreadable with sunglasses on. Automatic heat and defrost has mind of its own (nicknamed "HAL" by other owners). Roof rack has no tiedowns. Transmission whine @ 1-2 shift leaves dealer puzzled. Tires extend beyond wheelwhell, causing paint to chip off rocker panel when struck by sand put down on winter roads. (Subaru repainted vehicle and installed mudguards at no charge.)

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  Tired of squeeky brakes - 2007 Subaru Forester
  By Greg - December 11 - 5:00 pm

  This is our first Subaru and we have enjoyed the car so far. The car sticks to the road in rainy conditions, just as other Subaru owners told us. This is a definite plus. We are currently getting 29 mpg on the highway. We have a self imposed speed limit of 62-63 on interstate. which is why the mpg increased from 26 at 70-75 mph on trips.The major problem we have is with the rear drum brakes. They have squeeked for many months. The dealer states that this is an ongoing problem with the Forester, and Subaru has not found a remedy. We are thinking of trading up to one with disk brakes. I recommend to everyone thinking of buying a Forester. Add rear disk brakes to your requirement.