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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  Fell below expectation and reputation - 2016 Subaru Forester
  By Kiran Chedella - April 26 - 12:17 am

  This car has very cheap interior, too many rattling noise, blower noise. Most of the issues are during cold weather. Passenger seat belt warning light come up even though the passenger seat is empty. When cold it takes 10 minutes for the engine to warm up and pick up acceleration, if driving in before 10 minutes, cant drive more than 30 to 35 mph at full throttle. Drive side windshield freezing from inside even though all windows, moon roof is completely closed and it takes long time to clear and melted water dripping into dashboard. Have several fixes done nearly visited 7 times dealership and again scheduled one. Highly recommended to thoroughly check the vehicle before purchasing. The dealership from where I purchased the vehicle always say why are you worried about the plastic and noise but the other dealer identified the root cause and fixed them but new issues coming up. This vehicle is just 7 months old and has only 7000 miles on it. Not at all recommended.

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  Dealerships issues - 2010 Subaru Legacy
  By CLT - April 22 - 5:53 pm

  I like my Subaru Legacy. I have previously owned a Toyota Camry and this vehicle drives similar. However, the dealership here in Little Rock (Not where I purchased the vehicle) has made it very difficult to get the car serviced. No shuttle service, hours 7:30 - 5:30 M-F. If I had to do it again, I would purchase another Camry because of the service department convenience. Might be a nice vehicle to own but not easy to maintain - especially with 2 recalls already.

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  Shoulda bought a Honda - 2002 Subaru Forester
  By GPgurl - April 11 - 3:20 am

  I bought my Subaru after reading glowing reviews. Everything was great until I reached about 60000 miles. after an expensive $1800 head gasket replacement and 2 axle replacements, leaking bushings, and a check engine light thats been on since 80,000 miles - I feel robbed-like Im purchasing the same car all over again one repair at a time. Im torn between taking my chances with the check engine light and just driving it for a couple more years and getting a Honda. The dealers are no help at all.

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  Three years of ownership - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By jassdsu - April 2 - 3:02 pm

  I recently sold my 2009 XT Forester. When I bought the subaru I was passionate about it like most Subaru owners. Love- that’s what makes a Subaru right… We recently sold the car after owning it for three plus years. Likes- the sleek design, fun to drive. Dislike- poor MPG, small fuel tank, and overall carrying capacity. With the Turbo model you have the same size fuel tank as the regular non turbo- the problem is your mpg is only 22 to 23 mpg, I’m not sure what the size of the tank is but its insufficient and requires filling up on a regular basis. Road trips would require extra stops to get gas- I’m not exaggerating- it’s a real design problem. The panels on the outside of the car

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  2nd Subaru - 1999 Subaru Forester
  By coyoteboy - March 20 - 10:02 pm

  This was second Subaru, bought 4yrs ago with 85k now has 150k on it. Dependable car great in Ct. snow storms. Headgaskets, timing belts at 104k. for $1500..Now at 150k, clutch catalytic converter, and filler pipe to gas tank at $2000 for all. No one talks about the filler tube replacement they are plagued with, all Subarus. Our 1999 legacy Gt, My wife loved it, replaced the filler tube at 110k. She was hit head on, not a scratch. Replaced it with 98 Legacy Gt, Puuu, brakes completely went. Was due for emissions engine light came on, Filler tube. 3 out 3 no way. Last Subaru, shame , Forester is our last Subaru but is expensive to repair. Might as well own a Volvo. Its a Japanes Volvo.

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  I guess it hit or miss with these cars! - 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek
  By cdhttlr - March 18 - 5:07 pm

  I bought my Crosstrek in August and since than have never been able to achieve anything near the EPA fuel mileage of 25 city/33 highway. Best ever was 30 highway and 22 city and its been slowly dropping since new. I now have 3800 miles on it and the last highway trip 100% highway other than 4 on/off ramps. cruise set on 63 the whole time was 26mpg. I struggle now to get 18mpg around town. I even removed the spare tire and jack and rear cargo and floor mats to reduce weight. The dealer says there is nothing wrong with it and is probably my driving. Really than why did every other car that Ive owned get better then advertised MPGs? A total of 12 cars total beaters to brand new.

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  Subaru Forester X - 2006 Subaru Forester
  By Agent_N - March 17 - 2:50 am

  I like my Subie! Where else can you get a vehicle that has all-wheel drive and gets better than 29 MPG with mostly highway driving? I have owned my Forester for 3/4 of a year now and have had no problems so far (I purchased it used with 32,000ish miles). It gets around better in bad weather than the Jeep Cherokee Sport that I had previously owned. The interior has some rattles and the materials arent the best, but what do you expect to get on a vehicle with all-wheel drive for $22,000 or so? Gas mileage has varied from 23 in very cold weather (mostly city) to 36 at 55 MPH. I dont have a lead foot so that helps :) I usually average 30MPG at 65-75 MPH. 70-80% highway & the rest city.

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  Great Ford Sedan - 2013 Subaru Legacy
  By lifeson34 - March 8 - 3:05 am

  Ruined. Just. Ruined. When I bought my 07 Legacy, I fell... in love. The car had an understated elegance. There was an attractive aerodynamic look. Exterior lines flowed, interior lines flowed. Materials, though not luxurious, were high class. The fabric in the seats was classy *and* robust. The doors were rimless. The center console employed a minimalist design that made it pleasant to look at and easy to use. The Legacy has... changed. It now resembles a Ford sedan. The aerodynamic of its tail has disappeared. The doors are rimmed. The seat fabric is cheap and thin. Heck, all interior materials are cheap. The center console is overdone and resembles Optimus Prime. Optimus, go away.

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  So many problems - 1999 Subaru Forester
  By nosubaru4me - February 25 - 2:00 am

  Bought the car brand new, our first new car after 20 years of marriage and what a disappointment! Speedometer quit at 10,000mi, it threw a wheel bearing, had a transaxle leak and always smelled of sulphur. The last straw was when the combo switch (turn signal/lights) went out on it in the dark on the freeway. Traded it in on a 2000 Honda CRV, what a difference!

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  well designed car with issues - 1998 Subaru Forester
  By michael - February 13 - 4:03 am

  The major systems were above average in quality and reliability. My problem with the car was the electrical system. Door-open lights wouldnt turn off until the car was started. Remote locking malfunctioned. A lot of items stopped working after several years: radio, lighter, cassette, clock, rear window defroster. Checked fuses; mechanic said too expensive to trace problem. Average city/hwy. combined gas mileage (after a full tune-up) was only about 20-21 mpg. Trunk latch started to fail. Had same problem with our 92 Legacy wagon.