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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  Wonderful value! - 2014 Subaru Outback
  By drj13 - May 22 - 2:22 pm

  I took a look at the Outback at the suggestion of a friend. I was lukewarm on buying since I was very happy with my CRV. Took the Outback for a test ride and liked it for a number of reasons. So I decided to make an offer to the salesperson along with what I wanted for my trade in. He disappeared for a few minutes and came back and said "okay". At that moment I changed from just looking to really buying.

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  This is one SAFE car!!! - 2002 Subaru Outback
  By LovemyOutback - May 21 - 10:00 am

  Just had a major accident in my Outback wagon and walked away with only bruises from the seatbelt! Was going 50mph and SUV pulled in front of me and stopped dead in its tracks. I didnt even have time to hit the brakes. Front end smushed in, but passenger compartment still in perfect condition! Im getting another one!

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  Attention auto industry : follow Subaru! - 2010 Subaru Forester
  By John Anteki - May 18 - 5:53 am

  I drive a lot and when Im in my car, I want everything to be perfect. My last car was a Lexus GS350 and I couldnt stand the rattles. Ive heard some complain about rattling, however Ive found that if you just tuck everything away in the back such as the center seat belt, rear cover, etc., there arent any rattles at all. I love my Forester and Im a Suby fan for life. Funny thing is, I used to despise Subaru. Now I think it would take a lot for another manufacturer other than a high line manufacturer to wow me like Subaru

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  BEST MILEAGE SUV awd - 2011 Subaru Outback
  By jasperdog - May 17 - 12:35 am

  Fabulous Mileage for a 3400lb SUV...better than my CRV by 20%!! Just put on my first 8,000 km (90%hwy/10% City) or 5000 miles by driving to calgary,salt lake, sedona,LA,etc and back to Vancouver,BC. I used AVERAGE 7.0 l/100km...thats 34 us mpg or 41 canadian mpg for 5000miles. At one point when I kept speed downto 60mph I averaged 39usMPG or 47 cdn MPG for 200 miles. Car is very comfortable with best leg room ever( 6,3inches...my crv sucks in comparison) for long drives. Fantastic Car!!!Suggest you rename car as SUPARU

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  GeezerMobile! - 2017 Subaru Forester
  By Robert Williams - May 16 - 11:25 am

  It may be an ideal SUV for a small family, but it also fits well for us senior citizens. Easy to park; great visibility; easy to enter and exit - just the right height for that. Very quiet and smooth riding for a small vehicle. Engine and CVT transmission seem perfectly mated for this vehicle. Oh, the best part is amazing gas mileage for an AWD - got 30 mpg out of my first tank for city/hwy combined! What s not to love!

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  bang for your buck!!! - 2003 Subaru Impreza
  By Steven Roy - May 14 - 10:00 am

  This car lives and breathes for performance. if you want to have the best performing car for under $40,000 this is your car. You will have people wondering how can this car drive the way it does for only $25k. throw another $3,000 into it and youll need a porsche to play with the WRX. The car was designed and perfected for one purpose to demolish the competition in performance and let me tell you they passed the test!

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  Subaru Quality - 2000 Subaru Outback
  By Rosalie Curtis - May 14 - 10:00 am

  It is a good safe car. I survived a major accident with very little injuries considering the impact.

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  Mechanical Masterpiece - 2013 Subaru Outback
  By phomat - May 13 - 12:16 pm

  Swapped my 1991 Acura NSX for this--wife wanted an SUV and I wanted a junk hauler. Have always admired Subaru for being unique, but poor gas mileage in the past kept me out of them. Theyve apparently solved the issue recently. Were getting better than EPA estimates, which is quite good for this size vehicle. The Outback has grown a lot since being a station wagon Legacy. Its now a full-fledged SUV, although, unlike most SUVs, it is sporty and utilitarian. Handles much better than expected (despite reviews Ive read). Corners flat unless driven excessively hard. CVT is really quite good providing you adapt your driving to the way it works.

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  Ill miss my Integra, but LOVE my Subie - 2004 Subaru Forester
  By Frankie and dog. - May 11 - 10:00 am

  Love my new 2004 XT beauty/sharp red color. Bought for a GREAT price. Got Permaplate paint protect +leather conditioner pkg. Cant get enough huge moonroof. Even when open, its quiet. The size, perfect for my outdoor lifestyle, bigger than Rav 4 but smaller than midsize. My retriever is getting used to having jump up+ in 4 " higher. Only added is I got windows/ mnroof tinted, looks fabulous! Fun and smooth drive 210 hsepwr is plenty! Turbo euphoria! In a few moments of clarity I remember Im breaking in the engine and slow to 60, I do get 22MPG. Optimistic when engine is broken in, MPG will improve. Cant wait to go camping in 2 weeks!

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  First 05 STi in town - 2005 Subaru Impreza
  By SmilingBob - May 11 - 10:00 am

  Perfect blend of high performance, practicality, reliability, and affordability--all for $32k. I had my Aspen White 05 STi hot shipped for May 1st delivery. I drove an 03 WRX as a demo for 10 months prior to picking up the STi. WRX was plenty fun, but the STi experience is in a league of its own and the two cant be compared. I also owned a 96 C4 just before getting the Subaru. Subarus AWD is better than the C4s and Im not concerned when driving the STi because its got a 3/36 warranty.