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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  Good auto - 2016 Subaru Forester
  By ChrisJ - July 6 - 11:54 pm

  seems to be a great car for the price - only had it 3 weeks

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  Test drive one, youll believe - 2009 Subaru Legacy
  By mysubiesnew - July 6 - 1:43 pm

  I have not yet recorded 900 miles on my 09 Legacy 2.5i Limited, and I am very happy with my decision. It handles better than any car Ive owned, looks better, and is more refined interior for less money than any of the other sedans I tested. Subaru has a reputation for being an incredibly safe vehicle and that meant a lot to me. This is my first Subaru, but I hope not my last.

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  good all around vehicle - 2004 Subaru Forester
  By martyk - July 6 - 12:03 am

  my 04 subaru forester is a wonderful car. awd is fantastic. lots of headroom and front seat legroom. 25k miles and no problems. i fit my office in it, can carry material and my daughter fits in her child safety seat all at the same time. not bad for a small car. awd gives a feeling of total traction in rain and snow. the crash test results seem to be excellent. i hope i never have to test these features.

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  We LOVE our Subaru! - 2001 Subaru Outback
  By newbury - July 5 - 5:36 am

  This car has never broken down. We use it for both local and long distance driving, and have never been disappointed by performance in the New England weather. It handles snow and rain without a hitch and has been very reliable during icy road situations (the AWD works like a champ). We love this car, and plan to keep it for a very long time! :)

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  2010 Rex packs a "TYSON" like punch! - 2010 Subaru Impreza
  By MtnWrx - July 4 - 9:16 pm

  Purchased a 2010 White Wrx Premium on Halloween and love it. It handles great; And also has a very smooth ride. Has the 10 speaker sound system and has a pretty good sound. Use as daily driver and on average I achieve 23.4 mpg. Car delivers lots of power, and has a very very refined engine. Pulls hard but very smooth. All in all I couldnt be happier with my purchase. When I purchased this model there were only 9 in the us of the white wrx premium. If you can obtain a premium wrx I highly recommend it, youll love it!

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  What a life - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By saltypalm - July 4 - 2:00 am

  life is good... when ordinary joes (janes) can purchase a vehicle with this much performance at a reasonable price what else is there to say? the car freakin rocks!

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  This should be your next car! - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By Jasvb - July 4 - 2:00 am

  After 8 months of ownership this car has been more than I could hope for. I cant put the keys down. The best car I have ever owned!

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  Best one yet. - 2015 Subaru Outback
  By gsctht1 - July 3 - 9:42 am

  This car is awesome. In the last 5 years I Have owned a Legacy and 2 Outbacks each one better than the last. Popular car in my area. I used to rely on pages like this in the past but people just seem to nit pick the heck out of every little thing, some imaginary! Please go try this car for yourself and dont let other people make up your mind for you. You will love it. No car is perfect gas mileage on the 2.5 isnt quite as advertised but whose is? Voice command isnt perfect but better than most. For quality and cost you cant get better than a Subaru!

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  Best in class and several classes above - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By SilverF4Turbo - July 2 - 10:00 am

  This car is simply the greatest gift to driving ever. It is a perfect balance between daily driving functionality and gutwrenching high performance (and when the pedal meets the metal and the turbo fully spools you do feel your gut wrench). So much emphasis has been put on the performance (and rightfully so) that other aspects of the car have been shadowed out. The shape and layout of the dashboard is more remeniscent of a de-trimmed Porsche boxter than of a Japanese four door. The exterior is beautiful: aggressive yet not overstated; the way a true rally car is supposed to look.. with performance and handling to match.

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  MOST RELIABLE ALL WEATHER CAR - 2002 Subaru Outback
  By BEV - July 2 - 10:00 am

  This is our 3rd Subaru after leaving Mercedes in our past. We have found reliablity and safety of the Subaru never disappointing.The car handled well in deep snow and slush on the highway. The dash is well designed and everything works well all the time.No paint problems,no engine problems, just no complaints. The price is right for a great car.