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 little grocery getter - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By tbs_man - October 20 - 10:00 am

  Perfect car for commuting and even some longer drives. Used mostly in the winter, as I commute via motorcycle in the warmer months. Subie is great in the snow, naturally, though I did add 4 snows to help power through the nasty winter last season. Fresh snow up to 18" didnt stop her; the spoiler would plow the snow into my garage if we had a nasty storm during the day. If you can get past the interior plastics and the poor exterior paint quality when youre driving, and you dont give a hoot what your snooty neighbors think, the WRX is an excellent tool for real driving.

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  Well worth the money, Just buy it! - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By Xman810 - October 20 - 10:00 am

  Got my STI on 7/9. All i can say is, this car is fun as hell to drive in. If i could, I would sleep in it. If anyone is thinking about the STI, stop, dont think, just go out and buy it. Its worth the price its selling for. Very minimal turbo lag. I have had nothing but compliments from people who see me in this car, and this is even coming from people who dont like imports.

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  It saddens me. - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By Cagar aStoirm - October 20 - 10:00 am

  After having my WRX for two years I turned it in for the STi. The dealership, of course, did not allow a test drive and they also kicked it up a bit above MSRP. The problem which occured was with the seats. After driving it home my back ached. I figured I would fiddle with the seat more. After two weeks my back was not better the seats just didnt fit me correctly, hence I was forced to sell my STi recently.

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  Subie #2 - 2001 Subaru Outback
  By flacke - October 20 - 10:00 am

  This is my second Subaru. I like it but I too find the 5 speed to shift a little rough. The clutch is graby and reverse is hard to find a lot. It also has to low of a final drive gear. At 80mph my 93 runs at 3100rpms the 01 runs 3800rpms at 80mph. This makes the engine a little more torquey but doesnt help the trany/clutch problems, MPG and engine noise level. Dont get me wrong I love the car I just have to be very smooth when shifting. The AWD system feel great in snow and mud. It corners well and is smooth feeling on the highway. The Limited is Great Highway road tripper, around towner and backroad shuttle vehicle.

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  If only.... - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By schmootz - October 18 - 12:50 pm

  they had made it a bit more comfy. The interior looks and feels cheap. The cupholders stink! (one lets cups fly out around curves).

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  2008 Subaru Legacy SE auto - 2008 Subaru Legacy
  By Jim - October 14 - 6:40 am

  I leased this car back in Dec. 2008, I got the silver one. In So Cal it is rare to see one in a week. Even Subaru owners here dont know what it is, they think it is a BMW. I love the look of the car the solid drive and very quiet, I can actually listen to the radio at number 4. I am 62 and I fit with with headroom to spare this is the first car that I can have a moon roof. When you push this car in the corners you can feel how well it handles. The trunk is a good size.

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  Sub #6 - 2005 Subaru Legacy
  By Passnthru - October 11 - 3:30 am

  This is Subaru #6 for us. Seems great so far, lots of features, quiet and smooth. Best mileage of the six, avgeraging over 30 mpg in the first 3,000 miles. It doesnt feel quite as fast as our 01 GT was. Nice alloy wheels. Storage is good. Love the black metal flake paint. Headlights are awesome, providing great lighting. Also enjoy the trip computer, outside temperature and two resetable odometers. And the fact that you cant lock the keys in the ignition anymore. Most outstanding is the value for the dollar. There is nothing that comes close for less than $20K. One friend said "that looks like a seriously expensive car!" Probably less than half the cost of her SUV!

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  1st Subaru - 2007 Subaru Outback
  By Craig - October 9 - 8:50 pm

  I traded an Audi A6 Quattro for my outback. The Outback costs 1/3 less than the Audi to replace. The Outback is virtually the same vehicle. I lost heated rear seats and the ride is more stiff. The first day I owned the car I drove in a 8" snow storm and the car handled every bit as well as the Quattro. I have owned 3 Audis and I am a convert. This is a tremendous car for the money.

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  I like it and would buy another. - 2003 Subaru Forester
  By C Evans - October 8 - 5:00 am

  It has had one major repair ... piston replacement (warranty), and it is under powered. But it does incredibly well in deep snow and in icy conditions.

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  repeated oxygen sensor issues - 2000 Subaru Forester
  By nbrown - October 7 - 2:00 am

  I have a love/hate relationship with my Forester. I love the design and the AWD. I hate that I have had the oxygen sensor replaced FOUR times. I love that I can haul just about anything in it. I hate that my babys car seat doesnt fit in the back seat. When my lease is up this year I will be trading it in for something more family friendly with more interior room and less engine problems.