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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  Nice vehicle - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By Happy with Subaru - July 18 - 3:16 pm

  Read many reviews before purchasing our 2nd Subaru, saw many great plus several poor ones but purchased anyway. We are very pleased with the Forester; great ride, rear seat wide and deep enough for our 3 growing boys, fuel economy much better than advertised (24 mpg city so far even with less than 100 miles on it) with MT. Seems to me that most complaints involve the turbo models and the 4AT transmission so avoid those and this is a GREAT vehicle. Looks very sharp equipped with the rugged package. Invoice pricing at start nice change from most dealers even in this economy who still think they can ask for sticker!

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  Fun w/ problems - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By CXspeed - July 17 - 10:00 am

  The car is ridiculously fun to drive and makes an excellent daily driver. I have had the car a month and driving it is fun everytime i get into it. Performance is pretty good but cant really compare to the STI or EVO, but what it loses in performance it makes up for in driving ease. So far in the month ive had it the windshield got cracked and the cam shaft was leaking and so Freehold subaru had to replace the camshaft and timing belt(no charge of course). If the windshield needs to be replace it is going to cost 900 bux b/c of the wiper de-icer. Love the car, but am a little worried about quality with so many problems so soon.

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  Overall Excellent Vehicle! - 2005 Subaru Baja
  By vv - July 17 - 10:00 am

  Im an officer in the Military and I was moving to Alaska. While I really wanted to buy the STi, a BMW 330 or a Chevy Avalanche, I couldnt bring myself to part with $35,000+, plus I was afraid the roads in Alaska and Canada would be a little too much for the first two. So, I opted for the Baja Turbo. Im very glad I did! I immediatedly drove the vehicle 4K miles through Cali, Oreagon, Washington and Canada. The manual turbo is awesome! I only wish it had the same new engine design as the Outback and the Legacy.

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  A Drivers Wagon - 2005 Subaru Legacy
  By jan garcia - July 16 - 9:03 pm

  Just got our 2005 GT Ltd. Wagon 10 days ago. I was blown away during the test drive. The engine just pulls and pulls and pulls. Besides the fantastic engine, the interior was the deal clincher for me. I always liked Subarus in the past, but the interiors have never done anything for me before. In the 2005 model, I have to say that Subaru did a fantastic job in refining everything. So far, the car feels solidly built. Doors close with a thud. No signs of rattling anywhere. Handling is great, but the ride suffers a little. Its very much a sports car ride. Lack of navigation option bugged me, because they have it in Japan and in Europe. Not a deal breaker, but it wouldve been nice.

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  One week - 2007 Subaru Forester
  By Linda Lee - July 16 - 1:23 pm

  I like the "evenness" or the ride and the feeling of good control. It went off the road (2 tires on pavement, 2 on dirt) to avoid a head-on collision with no loss or compromise of control. I especially like the moonroof feature - perhaps I noticed this because it is summer and it hasnt rained yet. I like the built in audio aux jack.

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  Zoom....Zoom - 2005 Subaru Forester
  By Zoom....Zoom - July 15 - 5:16 pm

  After having the XT for four days...Im hooked. The power from the turbo beats most sports cars and the ride is comfortable. The heated seats are awesome on cold days and the climate control keeps the temperature nice and even. It was nice to fill up for $25 instead of the $45 I used to spend in my truck. Overall, I would say this is the best built, fastest, well featured car Ive owed. Hats off to the Subie.

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  Subaru Forester - 2002 Subaru Forester
  By Sabre - July 14 - 11:23 pm

  The Forester performs exactly as I anticipated. It is easy to drive, handles well and the visibility is better than any other vehicle I have every own , except for my motorcycle. The all wheel drive is great. The vehicle was designed realistically for the reason most people buy an all wheel drive vehicle. The forester does it and it does it exceptionally well I am pleased as punch.

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  Blizzard of Dec 26th - 2011 Subaru Legacy
  By gladiator1000 - July 14 - 1:33 pm

  I drove this car 170 miles through the blizzard of Dec 26th, 2010 in Upstate NY. The car performed flawlessly. It never slipped or got squirrly. This is my first Subaru after driving Toyota and Honda for 16 years. I am a believer in the symmetrical AWD and low center of gravity thanks to the boxer engine.

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  Subaru blows thru snow! - 2006 Subaru Forester
  By April Oliveira - July 14 - 6:56 am

  Great car overall, sunroof problem but was replaced @ no cost, just my time. Wonderful in the snow as with good tires, drives thur deep snow better than my ex-suv.

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  Not as reliable as you think - 2007 Subaru Impreza
  By Gene - July 14 - 1:20 am

  Ive been an owner of the 07 limited for almost 2 weeks and its been in the shop more than in my driveway. There are several issues with the 07 sti models that people need to be aware of. Huge throttle response issues and some hesitation issues during acceleration. When I purchased this vehicle it was a rocket but after 3 days of fun it went into the shop for a check engine light. The dealer fixed the issue and now theres another problem. HORRIBLE throttle response! You will have problems with this car.