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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  STi - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By Dan I - August 14 - 10:00 am

  Very fast and high performing car. However, it takes a while to get used to the all wheel drive system. The steering is unusual on a turn, when you gas and let go the gas on the turn, the car (steering) kind of jiggles a little. In addition, if you take a turn and gas it too much, your rear will break loose, so you must understeer like a rear wheel drive car.

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  Practical with a twist - 2005 Subaru Forester
  By NewSubieFan - August 11 - 8:13 pm

  How often do you find a practical vehicle that is tons of fun to drive? This car is my first Subaru and Im very happy. The cargo compartment holds things I didnt think would fit (I fit an entire Charbroil smoker in there once!). Acceleration is lively. Get the cargo tray - makes cleanup of messy cargo a snap. Mileage on premium fuel (I get about 20 mpg in mixed driving) is a little disappointing but thats what you give up for the HP and the AWD. Mileage is significantly better (22 mpg mixed) with more conservative driving, but thats hard to do in this car. Great dog car with the leather seats and easy access. Impress your friends with the monster sunroof! No problems so far.

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  2006 Legacy GT Limited 5EAT automatic - 2006 Subaru Legacy
  By 02603sec - August 11 - 1:10 am

  I love this car. 195.8 K miles. It looks good, it is fun to drive and roomy. The leather is nice. The turbo lubrication design is weak. The access to repair is difficult. The bosses on the aluminum block are easily cross threaded. Oil level must be monitored very closely as well as change intervals. Excellent in snow, weather. Once you have AWD youll never go back.

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  Battery Problems - 2015 Subaru Outback
  By David Chapman - August 10 - 4:07 pm

  I have had persistent problems with a dead battery. If I dont drive the car for at least one-half hour each day,the battery will be dead the next day. So far Subaru Roadside Service has jumpstarted my 2 1/2 month old car (1850 miles) three times. The poor quality battery has changed the way I use the car. I am looking into either getting a replacement heavy duty battery or carrying a portable battery jumper in the car. I have read the manual to be sure I have not left some on. I verify each time I turn the car off that all internal lights and power is off. I sometimes do not use some of the equipment because it might drain the battery. I would not buy this car again.

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  I would buy this car all over again! - 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek
  By katysubie - August 5 - 7:09 am

  This is my 2nd Subaru - my first was a 2006 Outback 2.5i Limited. I was sad to trade it in but I am so SO thrilled about this Crosstrek. First of all, the appearance is sweet - I have gotten so many compliments on how sharp-looking the car is (which is what I thought, too!) The interior is also really nice and very comfortable, with all of the creature comforts I wanted in a vehicle (heated front seats, tinted windows, iPod hookups, etc.) I bought the car in a 5-speed manual and I have had nothing negative to say about the pickup and the power for this size vehicle. The gas mileage is as advertised, which I imagine has to do with the manual transmission. I will continue to buy Subaru.

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  guessing - 2011 Subaru Forester
  By up6903 - August 3 - 6:52 am

  I bought this car as it was my wifes turn to pick and she wanted something safe. I wanted something economical and comfortable, like a cadilac. No not really but you get the point, seats like a sofa. This car is too narrow and there is no cup holders unless you call the 2 square slots between the seats for my biggulps. and then they sneak a parking break in the middle too that takes up space for my legroom, 6 I am. The door when one closes it sounds tinny. needs some spray insulation. Another thing that rattles me is the transmission as when Im in my turn right or left it seems to go into neutral and slips and catches as I apply the gas to continue down the street. Service says nothin

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  Great Car - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By celcam - August 2 - 1:56 am

  The RS is a great car. You cant beat the 4WD, which was a great comfort on the winter roads. The car has great torque, low and high end, and is a riot o drive. It hugs the road and is fantastic.

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  subaru success - 1999 Subaru Forester
  By bogus - July 30 - 10:36 am

  this car has been trouble free and my wife loves it. we had one problem with the speedometer and it was replaced under waranty. this car is incredible in snow and on slippery roads

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  Gearing - 2009 Subaru Outback
  By lucacima - July 27 - 11:33 pm

  I had Subarus in the past and loved them. I just bought a new 2009 30R automatic, a left over from Subaru Dubai Dealer. I love it but I am disappointed by the gearbox. I reckon 4th gear is too long and distant from 3rd. It means that when you need some acceleration and youre in 5th, the system will shift down to 3rd, since 4th and 5th are very close to each other. The result is a jump from 2000 rpm to somewhere around 5000, which is not necessary. I would have it geared with 3rd, 4th and 5th in a more balanced way. I think the [non-permissible content removed] engineers thought this model as a 4 gears plus 5th, as a resting gear. Result is better economy but quite annoying and tiring to go always from 5th to 3rd...

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  Another check engine light - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By gvanmoor - July 27 - 5:50 pm

  I also have the check engine light problem with the cruise control light blinking (and the cruise control itself non-functioning). The dealer knows about it but so far hasnt come up with a solution yet. Mileage is excellent; between 25 and 27 mpg overall in mixed driving with Interstate speeds close to80 mph. Gas mileage gets a lot worse from 70 to 80mph; probably the price one pays for the high clearance. The engine gets a little bit noisy at speeds over75 mph. With the 5-speed manual, power is adequate, but nothing special. I can imagine this to be worse with the automatic.