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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  more go less show - 2000 Subaru Legacy
  By RJJ - August 10 - 2:00 am

  The gearing makes the 165 hp legacy GT feel quick and responsive. Its definitely lower geared which makes it accelerate aggressively but also results in the engine running at higher RPM at speed, e.g. 3750 rpm @ 80 mph. It could use a 6 speed transmission. Even at that speed/rpm the interior is quiet and the ride is smooth. The car handles beautifully and easily outcorners everything else in its price range. Overall the car feels very sporty and is a fun vehicle to drive.

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  A Super AWD - 2006 Subaru Forester
  By Greg S - August 9 - 8:26 pm

  I am very happy with the 06 Forester X, 5 speed. It has great acceleration, handling and fuel economy. The visibility is great and it is easy to park. Adjustments for the seat height and steering wheel are great to accommodate smaller drivers. Plenty of room in the trunk for our large dog and the rubber cargo mat is highly recommended. Incredible amount of standard equipment and very good pricing. Nicely improved from 05.

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  Great car! - 2008 Subaru Impreza
  By Scooby-Rex - August 8 - 4:33 pm

  Purchased this car 2 weeks ago and almost reached 1000 miles. Gas mileage has been a little better than expected--my combined driving right now gets me 25.2 mpg (I dont baby the car but I am not too aggressive either). Interior is very nice--audio and climate controls are well designed, very decent quality, and more spacious than previous generation. Even without the sports grille, I think the exterior is decent. I did not buy the car for the looks anyways.

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  Very Practical Ride - 2001 Subaru Forester
  By jmurray - August 8 - 10:00 am

  Bought the car new. Had to hunt down a manual trany but am glad we did. Car seems to be able to do whatever we ask it to do. We live in the north and have had no trouble with cold/ice/snow. We have a bunch of the extra features (brush guard, roof rack, tow pkg, side rock guards) and they all are very functional. No problems with tyres.

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  Much for the money! Great value. - 2010 Subaru Impreza
  By Peter - August 7 - 11:43 am

  I had a Subaru Legacy in the past, and this car is just about the same size. I like the handling, the fuel mileage, the AWD, the interior, and even the radio/CD player. I drove a friends Mercedes Benz a few years ago, and this car reminds me of the drive, comfort, stability, and tightness of that $50,000+ vehicle. I absolutely love it. I have Satellite radio and enjoy that on longer drives. I drives like you are on a cloud! Very, very smooth and comfy. I will be driving it for a long time!

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  There is hope. - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By Francisco - August 7 - 9:26 am

  I have been driving for the last 24 of my 39 years. I thought that car manufactures have their engineers to make profitable and funny looking cars with gizmos, flashy looks etc... But an enjoyable ride was always produced on my driving style because of the fact that you are never satisfied with your car. They are always or too bumpy, to narrow, to short, too big, too heavy, too lightweight, too uncomfortable etc... until now. This is the first car that produced such a nice driving experience that I will say that it was designed to be enjoyed by the driver.

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  Love it - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By shawn t - August 7 - 1:13 am

  After having our 2005 Outback stolen we bought the Tribeca and have been very happy with it. After owning a Lexus RX 300, I find this car as comfortable and even more fun to drive. It has taken a bit to get used to the outside look, but I am very happy with the inside. I am very happy with this car and would recommend it to anyone.

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  Beautiful and fun to drive - 2010 Subaru Legacy
  By Lulu - August 5 - 1:43 pm

  Bought this for my wife who had been driving a van for 8 years. Got 32 mpg on first trip to visit daughter in college. Fun to drive in the snow up to our mountain cabin. Still feels like a luxury car to us. Wife wanted a BMW but really loves her Legacy. I love it too and hope to convince her to let me get an Outback. The headlights are weird in that they only light up the road right in front of you. There is a line of darkness that makes it dangerous on hills. Turning on the bright lights fix the problem so its not a insurmountable problem. The dealer says they are aligned right and cant fix it. Subaru says they have had others people report this problem.

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  I love this Subaru! - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By timedpolaris - August 4 - 7:23 pm

  This car is awesome. It handles winter roads unbelievably well. Power is great. Interior is awesome. Seems complicated at first but has many many useful features. Very nice car.

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  You must have this car - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By JoshuaWRXOwner - August 4 - 10:00 am

  Ive only had this car for 8 months, but I can already say that I made a good decision buying the car. Definately a good choice to go with the wagon. All the power, with all the versitility and space. I race my mountain bike all over Wisconsin, and have never had a problem with not having enough space. I would suggest the short-throw shifter and arm-rest extension as extras that are well worth the money. Only gripes with the car is the gas milage and the fact that it runs on premium... but dont get the wrong idea, you dont buy this car for the gas milage.