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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  fun to drive; service dept. stinks - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By ecwma - September 14 - 12:10 am

  This VDC is an amazing car to drive but has had lots of "little" things go wrong with it; also had to replace tires at 30,000 miles - not cheap. AC did not work first several months I had the car; local service could not find anything wrong with it. Seat was broken but was worst after service department "fixed" it. Windshield broke/cracked with one small rock hitting it on way to work. It was out of alignment, local service said no; had warped rotors already. Subaru needs to communicate with service departments. Its been a lot of little things but many of those are service department errors...thinking of trading for a Honda - more reliable and service better.

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  A Balanced Solution - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By Snot-Rocket - September 13 - 2:06 pm

  We needed a platform that would accommodate a family of 4 for day trips, camping, daily commuting, Home Depot runs and just a general all-rounder so that we can keep the gas guzzling van in the car port as much as possible. The new Forester is turning into the most useful/loved car Ive ever owned. It can easily accommodate a family of four. The seats fold down smartly and easily (no removing head rests) to provide a large cargo capacity. Visibility is excellent from all position for negotiating traffic and the size is perfect- big enough for a family of four, yet small enough for easy city driving and parking...all the comforts of a car w/ a bit of off road capability to boot!

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  Not a bad Car... - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By Brian Muir - September 12 - 9:10 am

  I have had this car for just over 9 months. This makes my 9th Subaru. Overall its a very nice car. Front seats comfy and instrument panel are very easy on the eyes. The center instrument cluster is just to BUSY. Wait till you see it at night, I thought I was flying a jet! It wouldnt be so bad if different areas (heat, radio) were different colors. But everything is amber at night. Very confusing to find things. Im not too happy with the automatic transmission, but I love the Sports mode! The Gas economy is terrible. I think most pick-up trucks do better. Remember high test gas ONLY.

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  best Subaru yet - 2006 Subaru Outback
  By Nell - September 12 - 6:23 am

  Ive had 6 Subarus over the years. 3 of them Outbacks. This car is fun to drive, has more than enough power, is strikingly handsome and has enough safety features to make my wife like it as much as I do.

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  Sweet - 2006 Subaru Impreza
  By Joe - September 12 - 2:00 am

  Bought it used with 48,000 miles. Had to replace the front axle and rear window (rear defroster wasnt working) but it was all covered by the dealerships extended warranty. I get about 28 mpg regularly, and it accelerates like crazy. The manual transmission is nice and crisp.

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  4th Subaru, for good reason - 2011 Subaru Legacy
  By Mike - September 12 - 2:00 am

  Having owned three previous Subarus, I thought it might be fun to try something else for a change. After test-driving several comparably-priced sedans, however, I came back to Subaru--and couldnt be happier with the decision. Ive had it for two months now, and have driven under a number of different conditions. It handles like a dream--no drifting, no steering wheel vibration, no problems at all. Its a fine automobile.

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  Love It! - 2011 Subaru Legacy
  By Kortnie - September 12 - 2:00 am

  This is our third Subaru purchase and I absolutely love it! We own a 2006 Tribeca and we traded in our 2006 Outback for the 2011 Legacy. With 2 small kids, I actually have more room in the legacy than I did in the Outback. It handles amazing, minimal road noise, and it looks fabulous. Subaru has me sold again! We will forever be a Subaru family.

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  Choose the 3.6over the 2.5i, you wont be sorry! - 2011 Subaru Legacy
  By wnbafan1 - September 11 - 5:38 pm

  I first bought the 2011 Legacy 2.5i Sedan. The engine is too small for the car. It is very loud and whines incessantly over 50 mph. I realized I was never going to be happy with that model. I owned a Legacy many years ago, and loved everything about it. Ive wanted another ever since. Anyway... I traded the 2.5i for the 3.6r Premium Legacy sedan and I couldnt be happier! The difference is like night and day regarding the ride. The 3.6R is smoother and quieter; the perfect engine for the car. Yes, it is more money, but the difference in the ride is well worth it.

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  Rocket-powered Rollerskate - 2005 Subaru Impreza
  By Anthony Goordman - September 8 - 11:23 am

  This is the most exciting automobile that I have ever driven. Taken to the edge of its performance, it is breath-taking. It is not built for larger people. While the seats are comfortable and the controls are all within easy reach, large drivers will find it difficult to enter and exit this sedan. Like most compact sedans, the back seats are even smaller than the front. The boot is very spacious and access is easy. Fuel mileage is highly dependent on how one drives and spirited style will lower the mileage substantially. Quality control standards are equal to or greater than US or European luxury standards.

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  Car is great - DO NOT PURCHASE WITH NAVIGATION - 2013 Subaru Outback
  By sailingfool - September 8 - 12:20 am

  I love my Subarus - this is my third. When it came time for a new car I did not hesitate and bought another Outback. Based on experiences with my wifes and friends cars, I sprung for the integrated nav after having played with one in the dealership and finding it OK. BIG MISTAKE! The 2013 Outback nav system is very different from the 2012, and severely lacking in user interface and usability. First, you can only enter addresses when stopped (a reasonable safety feature), however even when there is a passenger present and operating the nav (the car could know this as it detects front passengers for airbag activiation) it is not very usable.