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:

• 

  9 months of driving - 2007 Subaru Outback
  By john - June 15 - 5:43 pm

  Between myself and my wife we have had 5 Subaru outbacks, two of which have been LLBean editions, and three had leather interior. This car carries me alone and I have had the drivers seat cover replaced 3 times so far and coming up on 4, because of abrasions in the leather surface. Subaru has replaced the seat hardware supposedly and adjusted the frame, nothing seems to correct this problem so far. My only deduction is that since my last LLBean in 2002, the seat material quality has declined. Subaru does not indicate to me that they have any major issue with the leather seating.

• 

  LL Beam - Best Buy In Its Class - 2002 Subaru Outback
  By TerryLee - June 13 - 10:00 am

  All things considered, this car offers the best value comparing to its rivals such as Passat, A4 and XC or V70. The engine is smooth though its lack of low- end torque. Teh built quality is excellent and teh ride is very comfortable. I have been averaging 24- 26 mpg doing mixed commute. The only thing this car is missing is its reputation in the luxury car semnet.

• 

  Okay First Impression From First Subaru - 2011 Subaru Impreza
  By cor1 - June 11 - 1:49 am

  I leased a 2011 Impreza Outback Sport (all weather package) in April 2011. Ive since put about 18k miles on it and am reasonably satisfied with it so far. Its not a performance model but its fun to drive and with the seats folded down I get plenty of space to haul things like my entire acoustic drum set. Its your typical, versatile Subaru, but the the quality of the interior is a bit lacking. The seats cloth is thin and feels flimsy. The front passenger door has rattled from the speakers bass since day 1. The driver side head rest wobbles a bit. I can even feel where the posts end in the seat-back when I lean my head against it. Also the center console latch broke 3 weeks in.

• 

  Rust - 2001 Subaru Forester
  By tuscansun - June 10 - 10:00 am

  I noticed very early on the car tended to rust some. This concerned me because of Subarus reputation for rust. There are several spots but the dealer does not acknowledge a problem. On the postive side the car handles well and goes extremely well in snow. I would definitely purchase another one if the rusting situation can be resolved.

• 

  Just wouldnt die - 2003 Subaru Baja
  By Trent - June 9 - 5:00 pm

  I had a 2003 baja which I bought at 100,000 miles. Over the next two years, I added on 60,000 miles using it as a commuter car. I bought the car with few mechanical problems, and over the long commutes and two years on an already dated car, I was rather impressed with its reliability. Over the course of those miles, the only repairs were brake pads, rotors, muffler repair, sealing an oil leak and a lower ball joint. I finally trades it in once an O2 sensor failed at 162,000 miles. All in all, pretty respectable considering it is 13 years old in the rust belt. The bed was very useful for moving washers, dryers, beds, etcetera. I got my use out of it. I would buy another if they were still making them.

• 

  Excellent value, wish there were more luxury and safety options - 2012 Subaru Impreza
  By gtp3 - June 9 - 1:36 pm

  Overall Im happy with this car and its an excellent value. Its fun to drive, has plenty of space for a small car, and is very practical. But there is also significant room for improvement; I wish there was a way to pay more to get more but Subaru doesnt offer any higher options. When I was shopping for a new car I wanted a small, efficient hatchback, wagon, or SUV with RWD or AWD (Im sick of FWD cars). Audi A3 and Nissan Juke dont have enough driver head room. Toyota Matrix is totally outdated and just lame. Mini Countryman is unreliable and ugly. So that left the Impreza as the only remaining option. (I would have preferred a BMW 1-series hatchback but theyre not sold in USA.)

• 

  Summit County Subaru - 2001 Subaru Outback
  By zlmtb - June 8 - 8:30 pm

  This is my third Subaru wagon. Its been very reliable during the 4.5 years Ive owned it. The only non-scheduled maintenance item Ive had to perform was the replacement of a malfunctioning anti knock sensor. At 70k the engine is not as strong as it was at first, but still runs strong. Both my previous wagons (GL and Loyale) were purchased used at about 90k and driven to 160k. With regular maintenance Subaru wagons will serve you a long time. They get good gas mileage too; 26-28 mpg on my current Outback wagon. Theres plenty of space to haul cargo and luggage too. Dont hesitate to buy one!

• 

  No worries mate - 2006 Subaru Impreza
  By Brunte48 - June 7 - 4:40 pm

  No problems at all so far. It has been driven 40,000 miles and pulled (behind RV) another 10,000. All 4 tires just replaced, besides that, nothing but oil changes. Never below 25 MPG and only a couple of times above 30 MPG - good but not FANTASTIC.

• 

  A great car for under 30k - 2006 Subaru Legacy
  By jude - June 7 - 5:40 am

  It took a week for the dealership to transport my car from another dealership, but it definitely worth waiting for. Its powerful turbo engine is very quick and instantly responsive; it makes passing a breeze. Undoubtedly, the car handles so well that it makes driving fun. The interior noise level, however, is a bit on the high side. Fuel economy is somewhat poor for such a small car.

• 

  Mixed Bag - 2008 Subaru Tribeca
  By Mr. Subaru - June 5 - 1:43 pm

  The 08 Tribeca is a mix of great features and questionable design components. The Tribeca is solidly built and handles like a car. The engine is powerful, and the transmission shifts smoothly. Steering and braking are crisp. The cargo area is surprisingly small for a vehicle this size, a tight fit for dogs. The gas mileage is poor (17 mpg mixed) compared to other vehicles in this category, and is compounded by a small gas tank which results in a VERY, VERY short driving range. I was spoiled by my 06 Outbacks 500 mile range. The thick A pillar makes turning corners a challenge if pedestrians are present.