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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  My Good Choice - 2008 Subaru Impreza
  By alex Stamper - April 2 - 12:50 pm

  I used to have a 1994 ford escort that my parents bought me, and now I bought the Outback Sport and I love it. Ive gone just over 500 miles on it and the dash computer is telling me in city driving im getting 21.3 average. Every other day its been climbing, Ive only taken it on the highway three times. I was going to go with the Mazda 3 until i saw this car and I went with this one. And Im very happy with my choice.

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  Reliable car - 2002 Subaru Legacy
  By Asanth - April 2 - 10:00 am

  This is a one of the reliable car like Honda,Toyota,Nissan

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  Best Bang for your HiPerf Buck - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By Ray_NH_WRX - April 2 - 10:00 am

  The WRX is an excellent deal, especially for a life-long rally fan. I was in the market and shopping the Audi family and the Porche Boxter S. This thing will keep up and pass these cars on or off road. For the low $20ks - there is NOT a better deal on the road for this kind of performance. Made minor mods (BOV, intake).

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  Fantastic choice - 2014 Subaru Forester
  By jdherzog13 - April 1 - 1:55 am

  After test driving the Rav4, CX-5 and Forester, there was no debate between my wife and I. 2 months in, we love it even more than we thought we would. Fuel efficiency is awesome, I sometimes get 36 mpg on the highway. Interior is highly functional and a great value. No its not a BMW, but for the price tag its exactly what I expected. Having gone from the VW GTI, not the same driving experience, but I do think performance is adequate. The open cabin, comfortable ride and top motch AWD make this an overall fantastic choice for people who want a mix of urban and off road testing. weve taken a few outdoor adventure trips and its been great.

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  Traded in our 2012 Outback for a 2015 - 2015 Subaru Outback
  By rweller49 - March 31 - 7:16 pm

  I read a lot about how the 2015 Outback was improved over the 2014 and earlier versions. We decided to take a look and drove off the lot with a new Premium model (4 cyl). Everything is better on the 2015. Stereo, speaker quality, suspension/handling and interior materials have all been upgraded. Most importantly the CVT auto trans is greatly improved. The cars acceleration is far more responsive and that horrible CVT engine drone and "mushiness" is gone.

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  Love my car! - 2001 Subaru Forester
  By ruthieshopping - March 29 - 10:00 am

  Super fun to drive! Holds a lot, too. Weve been everywhere in this car, and it is a real pleasure. My dogs like it, too!

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  Buy it--Best Bang For Your Buck - 2005 Subaru Legacy
  By Scubie WoW - March 28 - 10:43 pm

  Folks, Listen I have gone on so many test drives, BMW, Acura, Honda, Volvo, Mazda just to name a few. And the Subaru is "The Best Bang for your Buck". Buy it. Dont waste your money or time with the other dealers. Gas Mileage is the topic of the year and Im getting 26 MPG in the city and I live in Houston. Ill say it again---BUY the Subaru Legacy!!!

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  I LOVE My Car - 1998 Subaru Forester
  By eieio - March 28 - 5:33 am

  I am horrible on cars, but this one is still kicking. It is terrific in the snow and off-road. The wheel bearings need to be replaced every few years. If you are looking to buy a 98 Forester, then make sure the head gaskets have been replaced. These cars either die at 120K or they live forever. I would love another Forrester in the future.

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  my wife LOVES this car - 2003 Subaru Forester
  By ken_from_nj - March 27 - 10:00 am

  Had need for a new vehicle in Sept and w/ 6 month baby - looked for a "wagon" type car ideally with awd/4wd but not a monster suv and wanted to stay btwn 20- 25k (lower end) after endless searching the forester fit the bill perfectly. have it 3 weeks & already have trip to VT on it. rides great & looks really cool (blk)- constantly getting compliments and it has EVERY feature & then some. got great deal thru BJs auto website & dealer without much haggle within a few hundred of dealer invoice & dealer threw in bunch of xtras for taking off lot (bumper cover/rearview mirror dimmer/compass, cargonets, roof rubstrips, etc)

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  Fun to drive - 2001 Subaru Legacy
  By Michael Bardsley - March 27 - 10:00 am

  When i was introduced to the car, the salesman took me to an offroad test area, and put the car through its paces. I was shocked at how well the car drove. Since we purchase this in Alaska, we moved back to the lower 48 in mid-winter, with the subaru (L Sedan) pulling a 3,000 Ib trailer down the Alcan Highway. It performed great. Since then we have even had to use it to pull a stuck ford focus out of the sand at the beach before the ocean ate it for lunch. My only complaint would be the tight fit for a tall person driving.