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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  Great Choice - 2010 Subaru Forester
  By jjgonzo - June 14 - 12:43 am

  First Subaru, made an excellent decision. Fuel economy avg 24 mpg combined. Moon roof great, sound system is very good, road noise better than all the others I test drove, handling is nimble at high speeds, braking excellent. All in all I am very happy with my Forester.

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  The Subaru That Keeps Going - 1998 Subaru Forester
  By bigairtrix2 - June 13 - 3:34 pm

  Unlike many other reviews that I have read on the 1998 Subaru Forester mine keeps going no matter what I do to it. I have never had a problem with head gaskets or wheel bearings. Yes I have replaced the timing belt at 80k but I do that with every new vehicle I buy. Other things that I have replaced over the life of the car are struts to an adjustable bilstein coil over , rotors and pads to brembo drilled and sloted rotors and pads , cv joints were changed based on the fact the car had 150 k and it was time, clutch to a center force stage two and two sets of tires cause each set wore out after putting over 75 k on each.

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  Reliability & a Great Driver Too! - 2006 Subaru Legacy
  By Ed - June 13 - 9:56 am

  Im 44 & a driving enthusiast. Ive owned many brands of cars. This Legacy combines the reliability & quality of a good Japanese brand with the driving feel of a European car. I traded in my VW Jetta and Audi A6 for this car and have never looked back. I was tired of the repair bills and inconvenience of the "down time", but thought I would miss the driving feel of those brands. Not so! The AWD makes the handling of this car very neutral, and the suspension soaks up bumps while remaining responsive. The steering has good feel and its not too over-assisted. The normally aspirated engine revs easily and has plenty of power for daily driving & the 5 speed makes good use of it while adding fun.

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  Forester rating - 2006 Subaru Forester
  By forester rating - June 13 - 7:13 am

  Very quick. Great performer. Decent gas mileage. Awesome visibility for my 53" wife who traded in her Legacy.

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  2011 Subaru with 54,000 mileage - 2011 Subaru Legacy
  By jonster1 - June 13 - 3:36 am

  I do not like the CVT transmission on this car but it seems to be the wave of the future. Other than that, this car has taken me through two brutal winters where the snow would normally keep me from my driveway on top of a steep hill. With the Legacy (I traded in a BMW 528i), I have no problems making it up that hill. There is nothing like the traction of a Subaru in snow and rain. I love this car and plan on buying it when it comes off lease in another few months. For $24K, I got the Winter Package and a sunroof. I think its an amazing value. A $20K Mercedes.

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  Just drive one - 2006 Subaru Legacy
  By sonny123 - June 12 - 12:40 pm

  I have just spent the last two days driving my wifes new Legacy SE. It is IMHO significantly more refined and just plain fun to drive than either my own 01 Infinity or the new 07 Camry, 06 Accord and 06 Sonata v6 which I have driven on real test drives in various conditions. With the SE auto, on a 600 mile road trip, just notched 29 mpg in mixed driving (80% hwy) and itÂ’s a hoot to drive on back roads. The all wheel drive and excellent balance makes you want to search for reasons to take the roads less traveled, even in the base SE.

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  Fantastic and sophistocated drive - 2006 Subaru Legacy
  By Marc - June 11 - 11:03 am

  Would never have thought I would own a Subaru. Just saw this HOT car while out looking at the Mazda 6 on the other side of the lot. My final decision was between the IS300 and this car. The Legacy had more to offer for less money. Its been 6 months and I have 12,000 miles on it. Still drives, looks, sounds and smells like new. I will never be able to buy anything without the AWD. It is also very comforting to know you are in one of the safest vehicles. I would recommend this car to anyone; it is a fit for just about every type of person.

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  First time Subaru owner - 2003 Subaru Forester
  By n.munson - June 11 - 10:00 am

  During the last 2 winter in New York, the Forester proved to be the best purchase in a car, we ever made. Great fun to drive, gives the driver a real feel for the road conditions. We are over all happy with our purchase.

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  Reliable, but boring... - 2003 Subaru Legacy
  By ilovesnow - June 11 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car because it made the most sense for me - lots of room and all wheel drive for only $17,500. What I failed to take into account was the "fun to drive" factor. Lets be honest - this car is boring to look at and to drive. The all-wheel-drive is great, but it drains all the power that the engine has to offer. The power band on the car is really strange as well. The engine sounds great up to 3500 RPM and above 4500 RPM, but between those two limits, it sounds awful. Lastly, the drivers seat is very uncomfortable on long drives. I prefer a hard seat with lumbar support.

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  Fun to Drive - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By BlueIce - June 11 - 10:00 am

  The WRX is just fun to drive, and with the rear spoiler its a great looker as well. I was a bit surprised on how solid it feels on the road, after all it is a small car. Theres just a solid feeling about it. Its a very quick car in all gears. The engine takes the revs easily and makes it a joy to run up past 6K. You can just throw it into a turn, and the car just asks for more.