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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  Great Car! - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By Jared Davison - September 16 - 10:00 am

  This Subaru is a very sporty car. This car has a quiter ride then a BMW 3 series. This car handles better then my Toyota Camry. This car is very coimportable

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  Wrx>Evo X> Focus/Fiesta ST - 2016 Subaru WRX
  By KC - September 14 - 3:19 am

  Best car for the money!

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  Fabulous Car - 2012 Subaru Legacy
  By san_san - September 13 - 11:57 am

  I always feel this is one of those less talked about cars in the market. I own this year for more than an year now and extremely happy with the performance. Subarus AWD delivers when needed in snow driving conditions and I feel safe when coming to abrupt stops on icy roads.

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  Subaru Rating - 2017 Subaru Outback
  By Daryl - September 13 - 2:13 am

  So far we are very happy with our new vehicle. We wish we just knew more about the electronics. At our age its hard to learn to operate a lot of the doo-dads.

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  WOW!! - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By vursion7 - September 13 - 2:00 am

  This car does it all!! Used it to get to the trailhead of a fourteener and somehow it made it all the way up. At times there were some Wranglers struggling to make it. Once, at the top people were coming over to check out the car (sports car) that made it to the top. Truely unbelievable!

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  Stamina plus - 2005 Subaru Baja
  By SoAnn Ott - September 13 - 12:13 am

  Goes places that a regular or four wheel drive vehicle wouldnt attempt. Streamlined looks besides. This is the truck of our dreams.

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  1st Subaru - 2012 Subaru Outback
  By twrangham - September 12 - 11:20 am

  Ok, me being a newbie to the Subies, I wanted to give my initial impression as it only has 1k miles. So far so good. I went for the Premium model only because of the Bluetooth Audio (must-have if you own an iPhone). Other features such as Heated seats, power drivers seat, and the add-on rubber mats make this wagon pretty cool. I was a bit hesitant at first when trading in my almost new 2011 5.0 Mustang in for something more family-friendly, but the smooth CVT transmisison and great gas mileage are nice. Looking forward to some vacations and many miles in my new car. Only thing a bit odd was how the 3.6 wasnt really offered outside of the Limited model in my area.

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  Great Car - 2001 Subaru Forester
  By VTJoe - September 11 - 10:00 am

  My 2001 Forester is a great car. It does everything I ask it to do. Ive never been short of space, it handles well, and many of the amenities make it fun to drive. There are never any problems with the service at Van Bortel Subaru in Victor, NY. Below book prices, no pressure from the service people and they do everything they can to make you want to come back.

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  Great Combination - 2008 Subaru Impreza
  By KS - September 5 - 6:13 am

  I traded in my Forester X for a WRX sedan and couldnt be happier with the decision. The WRX is a terrific combination for a cold weather city like Chicago: rocket like power and superb handling mated with all wheel drive and excellent cargo capacity. Im finding that the WRX has bigger back seats and tons of trunk space so Im not missing the wagon back. The refinement and finish and quiet ride of the interior is a world apart from the Forester. The only other car I would have considered would have been the Mazdaspeed3 but then I would have the awd for the weather. All around I dont think there is anything comparable in the price range.

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  Hello Subie! Goodbye Yota. - 2010 Subaru Legacy
  By Chas - September 5 - 3:06 am

  Replaced 2006 RAV4 Limited V6 4x4. Ive clocked 2500 miles so far while averaging 29.1 mpg in the month Ive owned the car. Mostly hwy commute on competitive rush hours. The 2.5 w/ CVT is weirdly smooth. I dont feel it in the seat of my pants, but the speedo spins up quick. I dont miss the power as much as I love the smooth, compliant ride. I always thought "corners like its on rails" was hyperbole, but wow! Harmon Kardon system is clear to the top. The passenger room feels comparable to RAV except 63" son reports the back seat doesnt cut it for extended trips, no room to slouch. Kinda buzzy during hard acceleration at hwy passing speeds.