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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  Ummmm... - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By rachelspop - July 27 - 10:00 am

  Ummm.....WOW. Just a complete blast to drive. Only wish is for more low end torque. Its a scream to flatten the accelerator at 3000 revs in the wet (lets pick 2nd gear for this). Tires scrabble for grip, tail gets a little happy if youre not pointed straight. All very controllable, all very fun. Get one!!

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  My experience - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By Robert L. Ayers - July 27 - 6:13 am

  I found my 2009 Subaru Forester to be a very good vehicle. It is roomy and easy to get in and out of, I dont have to duck or crawl. I bought my vehicle last June and have 18000 km on it. At 6 ft tall and 250 lbs, I found the Forester a very comfortable fit, as it is larger than the 2008 version. The steering is positive but is not twitchy. The vehicle holds the road well in all seasons. Snow and ice have not been of a problem, even though we had more snow this year than previously. Any time we go anywhere, we have to cross a summit, yet have not had any concerns with the Forester. I researched vehicles on the net and Subaru was the best vehicle, so I bought it.

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  LL Bean Outback - A Great Car - 2001 Subaru Outback
  By LLBeanFan - July 26 - 7:30 pm

  I purchased this car new in 2001 and loved it from the moment I test drove it. Our family has owned Subarus since 1980, and this one is by far the most comfortable and is an absolute pleasure to drive. Before owning this car, I always felt Subarus were underpowered. The 3.0 litre engine in the LL Bean ended that complaint completely. It is so smooth you will be amazed you are driving a Subaru - very little engine noise and ample power. The car is very smooth and quiet. The seats are supportive although slightly stiff for very long trips. My only minor complaints are the flimsy 2nd cup holder and the awkward dual moonroof.

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  Just not a great car - 2003 Subaru Forester
  By karlou - July 26 - 10:56 am

  Have had the car for ten years (bought new) and almost 130K miles. Many problems from the start, not the least of which was the flames coming out the tailpipe towards the end of the first year. Has needed much maintenance and repair over the years, and one important fact about subarus - they rust. So surprised in this day and age how rusty this car has gotten, and Im very good about washing the car (including underneath). Wind noise bad almost from the start, and three trips to dealership never got it better. Very cheap interior materials, now looking to finally get new and better vehicle. Never again a Subaru!

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  Really Fun Car! - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By sunny - July 26 - 4:20 am

  This car is really fun to drive.

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  Overpriced Tinker Toy - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By Very disatisfied - July 25 - 3:10 pm

  I dont want to offend all the Subie cultists out there, but what are they smoking! Spare yourself the agony of shelling out $28 grand for this overpriced tinker toy. All the reviews Ive read sound like they came from Subaru employees. The ride is bad and noisy over 35 mph and off residential streets. The non turbo 4 cyl - 4 speed downshifts constantly when trying to enter the interstate or climb a small grade, almost got creamed by an 18 wheeler. Seats hurt if you drive over 1 hour,cheap thin sheet metal, interior materials, noise from the back storage bins when hit bumps. Only had 3 months - someone hit my door with theirs, made golfball size dent, didnt happen on my American SUV.

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  Bluetooth is awful and not safe to operate when driving - 2013 Subaru Impreza
  By davidpro - July 25 - 3:07 pm

  The Bluetooth is a joke. Subaru should be embarrassed to have such terrible software in a 2013 model. You cannot upload your phonebook, the controls suck, and its voice recognition barely works right. It constantly makes errors and give you the wrong number. The sales staff at the dealer knew all about the problems and told me a bunch of crap that werent total lies so they could avoid telling me the truth about the system. It makes Subaru look bad. Other than that, the car is great, but its a big disappointment that this flaw exists and that they try to hide it and dont fix it ASAP.

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  NoMoreSubi - 2001 Subaru Impreza
  By nomoresubi - July 25 - 1:19 am

  I wish I could write a great review of the Three Subi’s I’ve owned however, per my experience I’m not able to. Subaru has major major major design, engineering, assembly, and supplier parts quality issues. Here is my experience. 1999 Outback about 40,000 miles head gaskets blow. Several thousand for a new engine (yea sometimes the heads and block will warp when the head gaskets blow) car totaled. 2001 about 500 miles head gaskets blow. Another engine about 40,000 miles spun bearing. Run only Mobil 1 every 3-5,000 miles oil change. Car totaled. 1997 outback 20 miles yep 20 miles head gaskets blow. All Three were the EJ25 4 cyl engine.

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  Great little car - 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek
  By northerner3 - July 25 - 12:35 am

  I have had mine for 6 months now having bought it in the midst of an upper Michigan blizzard. This is a really decent suv. Nice looking exterior. The lifted suspension and larger tires make a difference over the typical Impreza. Very good in snow, deep or packed. The interior is somewhat plain, but to be expected at this price point. Great solid seats with plenty of room for my 62" frame even in the backseat. Common sense controls work well. Limited cargo with the back seat up but a roof rack helps. Others complain about the power. This car is not slow. Its not a race car, but quick enough for traffic. Gas mileage has been great. I am averaging 27 city/highway and 37 highway which is great.

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  Does the job! - 2012 Subaru Forester
  By sciencwriter - July 24 - 6:09 pm

  I leased it about 2 1/2 years ago and just bought out the lease. It is not beautiful nor is it elegant, but it does the job. I live at the end of a dirt road in Vermont with a daily round-trip commute of about 50 miles. It always starts and it makes it through the deep snow, better than our Toyota 4Runner. Even with my canoe on top, it handles okay--not as well as my old Morgan +4 but that wouldnt have made the grade in Vermont. Runs much better with a little extra air in the tires. All in all, I find it practical, serviceable, and reliable. This is contrary to some of the other reviews but maybe I just got a good one--or they got bad ones.