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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  still ok, but here to report some minor concerns - 2011 Subaru Outback
  By cocopuff2 - August 12 - 1:19 am

  My 2011 outback has almost 36,000 miles. Several pieces of plastic have broken on the interior--all covered on the warranty. But now I that I have reached the millage limit, I may be on the hook for these irksome repairs. Also, the battery hold down bars are corroding. I brought it up to the dealer, and the technician acted as if it was a mystery, and nothing to worry about. However, my 2004 legacy mustve had the same problem, as the battery holder corroded completely and needed replacement after about 60,000 miles. That cost me almost $200 at the dealer! Thats all to report for now.

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  2.5i sedan! - 2008 Subaru Impreza
  By Steven herbel - August 11 - 4:56 am

  Very fun, safe, and reliable. I installed new rims, exhaust, and aux jack. Great in snow

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  2.5i sedan! - 2008 Subaru Impreza
  By Steven herbel - August 11 - 4:56 am

  Very fun, safe, and reliable. I installed new rims, exhaust, and aux jack. Great in snow

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  My First Subaru WRX - 2016 Subaru WRX
  By Kabir M. - August 11 - 4:53 am

  I have usually been a European car person but I wanted to try something different. I liked the new FA20DIT motor in the 2015+ Subaru WRXs and so I took the car for a test drive. The handling on this car with the boxer engine is great but the car could use a little more power (coming from a Twin Turbo 300hp/tq BMW so a little biased on power). I just finished a long 1500 mile road trip through bad weather and really great weather and the car has been everything I could ask for. I also negotiated a really good price for this vehicle as the MSRP was 33k (Premium with Sports Package and a few other options). I bought the vehicle at AutoNation and they were really helpful. I do a mixture of highway driving and city driving for work and definitely some spirited driving through the mountains here in Denver. The only small issues I have with the car (which obviously I didnt care enough about because the rest is great) are theres quite a bit of cabin noise (used to a BMW though) and hill start can be annoying to get used to but good for beginners. I also recommend the sport package which includes the STI Exhaust, STI 18" Wheels, STI Shift Know and the STI Short Throw Shifter (STS). The STS is definitely worth it in my opinion. Overall the 2016 WRX I own is amazing.

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  Awesome Car! - 2010 Subaru Legacy
  By KIM - August 11 - 4:10 am

  Ive had this car about a month now. I knew I wanted my next car to be a Legacy and Im not disappointed. I do not have ANY of the problems others mentioned. My car runs wonderfully, is very comfortable, and everyone thinks its eye catching. I think some others should have thought more about the car they wanted before buying. Not everyone likes the same things obviously. But, in my opinion, if you want a sharp car thats dependable and comfortable - this is your car!

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  Great Alternative to the usual sedans - 2017 Subaru Legacy
  By G-ManMI - August 11 - 12:20 am

  We leased a 2017 Legacy Limited with EyeSight and Nav package, and the car has everything anybody could ask for in the near luxury midsize sedan segment. The Limited trim comes with a long list of features, and option package #24 adds extra goodies like HID headlights, Eyesight, Nav etc and is a pretty good deal IMO. We bought this after test driving the Mazda 6 GT, Ford Fusion Titanium, Lincoln MKZ. The Legacy offers the best combination of safety, value, features and comfort. So far its being running great with a very comfortable ride and ready to take on another Midwest winter. The Harman Kardon audio system sounds excellent, much cleaner and punchy compared to similar Bose systems. The Legacy is surprisingly roomy and comfortable inside. The quiet interior and the low pitch drone from the CVT put some of my passengers to sleep on the highway! Only minor issue is that the front seats seem too wide, but I guess its on-par for a family sedan.

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  great car - truck - 2003 Subaru Baja
  By sweet p - August 10 - 10:00 am

  its the perfect vehicle for families on the go . great style, great performance, great interior , used to own a jeep but i now love my baja .

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  Unstoppable - 2001 Subaru Outback
  By lazybugger - August 10 - 10:00 am

  I have driven in all types of conditions and roads and found this car to be unstoppable.From snow and ice to heat and sand it handles it all with ease. A very capable and fuss free drive.

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  Outback Wagon: 5-spd manual - 2001 Subaru Outback
  By retro - August 10 - 10:00 am

  Ive had it now for 30,000 miles, and have not had any problems except a thermostat that was replaced (free under warranty, $15 otherwise). Excellent car, especially in winter; 5- spd with viscous coupling is wonderful in snow. (Highly recommended, better than automatic). The interior and exterior have held up very well, the car still looks and feels new. I feel the base Outback gives the best value for your money in the Subaru line. If AWD and reliability is important to you, this is the perfect car.

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  Poor start - 2009 Subaru Outback
  By Paul - August 9 - 5:10 pm

  I have not seen other reviews for the 2009 3.0R, so here it is. The car is great to drive and both the stereo and nav are fun to use once you get past the complexity of the user interface. Mileage is as advertised; should not expect better with this power and AWD. Now the down side. After 5 days and 500km, the check engine light came on with flashing cruise and shift control lights. The dealer had difficulty trouble shooting, but claimed to find the root cause after 2 days in the shop, replacing a solenoid that is used for control of one of the cams. One day after I got the car back I am staring at the same failure. This is not the reliability that I expected from a Subaru!