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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  forester great all round - 2000 Subaru Forester
  By DrDr - December 1 - 10:00 am

  The Forester was the best mid-small SUV wagon from 98 to 2002, except its looks. Its forte is gravel bumpy roads, but does many things well. Quirks you need to know: 1..the manual transmission gives much better than rated mpg, Ive got 25 to 27.5 mpg with all of the 200 tanks Ive calculated. Its also much quicker than the AT. 2..The clutch chatters when wet. Subaru now acknowleges this for Foresters and WRX but theres no fix. 3..It can take a long time to get repair parts.

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  2015 Outback Premium - 2015 Subaru Outback
  By russellm1 - November 27 - 4:17 am

  This is our 3rd Subaru. This 2015 Outback replaces my wifes 2005 Outback (which needed so much work at 104,00 miles that it wasnt worth fixing, i.e. timing belt, water pump, axles, valve cover gaskets, cat. converter, etc). All is good with the 2015 except for one VERY ANNOYING problem. The small triangular glass in the front passenger door has wind noise above 30 mph. The dealer has no idea how to fix it. It has been turned over to the Subaru engineers. We put clear tape over the outside of the window & that stopped the noise but my wife is embarrassed to have the tape there on her brand new car. Lets see how long it takes Subaru to figure this one out!

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  Great car - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By SECCOP - November 25 - 1:30 pm

  Car has been great in rain, ice and snow. I have never been stuck. Comfortable seats and good view of the road. I am not looking for a race car but the four cylinder version needs more lower end torque.

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  2017 Outback is a solid choice - 2017 Subaru Outback
  By JeanS - November 20 - 4:14 pm

  This vehicle provides a very solid, comfortable and safe feeling ride. It accelerates well but it is not a rocket. It was purchased to be a good commuter vehicle and has proven itself well to-date. In the first month I have over 1,200 miles and there have been no issues with the vehicle. I purchased an extended warranty because it is my first experience with an all wheel drive vehicle and I wasnt sure how all the systems would behave over time.

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  Pretty sure Ill never drive another brand again. - 2013 Subaru Impreza
  By dpf85 - November 18 - 6:15 am

  Im a 28 yr old male, combat arms in the Army, who is really into what I call "adventure time." So I wanted something that looked nice, got decent mpg, and could take me where ever I wanted to go. Enter my 2013 Impreza Sport Limited. A treat to myself with my money from the Stan. My ol lady likes to tease me and say it is a station wagon, but meh, I LOVE it. My only two gripes: with the A/C on, it accelerates like a granny on a scooter; and even after almost 11,000 miles Im still getting only 26 mpg mixed driving. I by no means drive like an old person, but I dont have a lead foot either... so Im a little disappointed in that. Other than that, Im a fan for life.

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  Luxury Swiss Army Knife - 2014 Subaru Outback
  By jg63 - November 18 - 5:20 am

  Sold my BMW 330xi and got my new Outback 3.6R Limited. Ive gone from the "ultimate driving machine" (which drove great, but didnt have a lot of room for people and stuff, didnt have a lot of ground clearance, and was getting very expensive to maintain) to the "ultimate do absolutely everything pretty well" machine. Tons of room for its exterior size. Plenty of power. Nice ride. Great value. Well built. Amenities are pretty good for this price point. While I miss a bit of how the old car drives when pushed hard on a curvy road, on all other points, I prefer the Subaru.

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  Blave Gohan - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By hugdeath - November 17 - 10:00 am

  I have been driving the vehicle for just over 8 weeks. I traded in a 2000 Trans Am for my WRX. Excellent decision! This car is by far the most fun car Ive ever driven! I find myself catching air on a consistent basis and drifting through highway on and off ramps whether wet or dry. The balance and poise of this car is unbelievable.

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  Good, solid, fun car - 2006 Subaru Legacy
  By Jon - November 17 - 7:43 am

  So far so good with 53k on the odometer. First time I have purchased a car used and it has worked out so far. I imagine that this would be a great everyday car for a middle-aged male not looking to sacrifice performance for everyday drivability. However, I bought this car with other intentions. With a few thought-out upgrades, you can turn this car into one heck of a ride. For about 1k you can keep up with a standard WRX, and for around 2.5k, you can run circles around an STi. A comfortable car on long trips and a a road demon when it wants to be (after a few tweaks.) Given that it holds up, I hope to have it for many years.

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  I Love My Suby. - 2006 Subaru Impreza
  By JSenak - November 14 - 8:53 am

  This is the second Subaru I have owned and I love Â’em. The AWD system is awesome and the handling is quite fun. The body does roll a bit around curves, but once you figure out the balance and how to shift the weight, it is smooth. I love the power and the performance as well as the practicality of a wagon. I like the new look of the 06s, however many other cars out there have a similar front end, and although there is a lot of space inside, it feels kind of cramped. The gears are a bit ruff at times and shifting into reverse is stiff.

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  Great car - 2007 Subaru Legacy
  By Spoinny - November 14 - 12:36 am

  Coming from a Volvo Wagon, was worried about interior comfort/quality. Seats are not nearly as comfortable as Volvo (very few cars are) but I got used to it fast and really am satisfied with the quality. Car looks somewhat sporty and has pretty good pick up for a 4 cylinder. No problems in the 1st winter but will be putting a set of snows on for next winter, just to be safe. All around a very reliable car thats not too frilly.