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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  Dont buy one! - 2007 Subaru Forester
  By rusty - November 27 - 11:23 pm

  This Forester has been in the shop more than my garage. The Climate control took 4 return visits before it was repaired. The seat fabric frayed at the edges right away. The seat covers were replaced. The brakes started failing around 14K miles. My wife was afraid to drive the car. The dealership replaced the master brake cylinder. The seats are not comfortable at all. They are very hard. My legs go numb driving and as a passenger in this car. We bought this without a trade in and thought we were getting a car that would last. I dont think so. There are many switches on the dash and they are confusing. I will never buy a Subaru again. This is my first and last

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  Some reasons NOT to buy this car. - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By calibuyer - November 13 - 1:16 am

  After test-driving this car twice and much research, we bought this vehicle off the showroom floor in DEC of 05. After our first weekend it was in the shop after a problem with all the warning light signals. The service dept asked why we had not made an appointment! The problem was not fixed and had to be taken to the dealer 3 more times. It was then we were told our TRIBECA had a FAULTY TRANSMISSION. It stayed in the shop for over 2 weeks plus the previous days in the shop. The TRIBECA has been in the shop now more days then we have been able to drive it. This is the worst NEW car experience we have ever had. Subaru please fix this. We cant recommend buying this car.

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  I want out! - 2010 Subaru Forester
  By Unhappy buyer - November 7 - 1:13 pm

  Bought this car yesterday, has now 127 miles on it and it started rattling & vibrating already! The ceiling vibrates quite excessively at just 40 mph. The hatch rattles, along with the plastic back panels. Did not do it on the test drive, before purchase. I took it to the dealership today, they said might be the license plate cover- NOT! It keeps getting louder. I take it in again tomorrow. My Malibu with 120,600 miles on it was better, and I want it back! I want out of this deal, worst mistake I ever made. I wish I never wouldve bought it. Major buyers remorse.

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  Oil burner - 2012 Subaru Impreza
  By fredjohnson - November 5 - 1:42 am

  My 2012 Impreza is beginning to really bother me. 25k miles on it and it burns 2 qts of oil every 3k miles now. Yes, the CVT is noisy as can be, but I knew that when I bought it. In winter, my highway gas mileage does drop to 27 mpg which is almost 10 mpg lower than EPA sticker. Overall, Im dissatisfied with the car, especially after finding out Subaru wont do much to help with the oil consumption other than to say its "normal". And to that I say BS. Never had a Toyota or Honda---Ive owned 8 new ones--- burn oil.

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  Burns oil - 2016 Subaru Forester
  By Michele - October 19 - 11:40 am

  This 2015 Subaru Forester was my first new vehicle in 12 years. I did my research and test drove a lot of other vehicles before choosing it. Everything was fine until the oil light came on before the first scheduled service. I checked the oil and it was a quart down. I put a quart of oil in and mentioned it when I took the car in for service. The maintenance person I spoke to was completely mystified as to what could be wrong. I have had the car a little over a year and a half and have had to put oil in it three times. The dealership has had me coming back every 1200 miles to do oil consumption test "to see what could be wrong". Three weeks ago I got a settlement notice of a class action suit against Subaru for excessive oil consumption in the 2014 and 2015 Foresters. So, all along the service people must have known what was happening and I can only assume that they were told to lie about it. I like the car, its fun to drive, but I really resent being treated like an idiot by the dealership I will never buy another Subaru. In my opinion they are completely unreliable.

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  A Lesson Learned The Hard Way - 2003 Subaru Outback
  By machineryman - September 12 - 6:32 pm

  I bought my Outback two years ago with 115,000 miles on it. In over 200 cars that Ive owned Ive never owned an Outback, but everyone that I talked to that had one loved it. This car ranks as one of the 3 worst cars that Ive owned. Its the only car that Ive owned that would break just sitting in the driveway. Its been a real money pit. With the chronic head gasket problems Im surprised that anyone buys these. I sure wish that I had researched it before I bought. This was definately an expensive lesson learned the hard way.

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  Continuous costly repairs - 2009 Subaru Outback
  By Mark - August 23 - 2:29 pm

  This was my first, and last Subaru, I bought. I thought the car would be reliable after reading and researching prior models. This car is the closest thing to a lemon I could think of. After 6 months of ownership the interior of the vehicle was breaking apart. Small holes in the stitching in the doors and the center counsel lid broke. Subaru repaired the lid and it soon broke again. Very cheep. The handling and engine performance became horrible after a couple of years. As of today, the power steering unit is shot - not sure what this will cost yet to replace. I recently had the transmission leak and the thermostat sensor replaced at the dealership ($600.00 plus). Then a month later the valve cover gasket broke causing oil to run into and foul out the plugs. This repair cost over $850.00 once they figured out what was wrong with it. Ill sum it up here, this is a terrible car. Dont buy one, its no Toyota. It gets horrible gas mileage and over time has no engine power. It just screws you over with repairs.

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  Pass on Subaru not worth trouble - 2004 Subaru Forester
  By JeffD. - August 12 - 10:00 am

  Purchased the car based on Consumer reviews. Car has lived in the shop: valves, clutch, brakes, radio, etc. The car handles well but no power and no room for kids. Most expensive car Ive ever owned based on days in shop and dollars in repairs. I keep cars for 10+ years but looking forward to parking this one under a tree and walking away from it. Subaru dealerships have a lot of swagger about the belief of what they read in consumer reports. Unfortunately this attitude makes it "your fault" that the valves fail after 60 k miles and be prepared for very long waits for parts. Took 3 weeks to get in a new rear windshield wiper arm. None of the needed work has been under warranty.

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  Junkorama - 2009 Subaru Outback
  By unhappy - May 23 - 8:23 pm

  Purchased the car in November 2008, in Colorado. Violent bucking forced us to a dealer in New Mexico who told us that we could only use one brand of gasoline. Returned to the Colorado dealer who told us New Mexico dealer didnt know what it was doing, kept the car for awhile and replaced a camshaft sensor; assured us car was OK. It wasnt, so took it to yet another dealer, who replaced the turbocharger and some other parts; assured us car was OK. Observed gas mileage appears poor. Well see if further observations confirm poor mileage. If they do, were on the way to the court house! If not, we may sell it anyway. Word to the wise-- think twice before buying a Subaru.

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  A big step backwards for Subaru. - 2011 Subaru Impreza
  By Scott - May 19 - 10:00 am

  I bought my third Subaru yesterday. Today, the Edmunds review lead-in sentence comes to mind - "Subaru Owners are fiercely loyal - were not sure why." Yesterday I would have said that Im loyal because - in spite of very low quality interior materials, the cars AWD system does truly rule the road. And even though all past Subies have plastic-chrome emblems that peel in months and carpets that wear clear though to the floor - the car is truly a blast to drive. It was the poor-mans WRX sports car. It was involving, exciting, made me think in was in a BMW or Porsche. Compared to 07, the new 2011 is bloated and slow, the body rolls on corners my old car didnt know were corners.