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:

• 

  This car/SUV is a sleeper! - 2011 Subaru Outback
  By sea_eagle22 - March 27 - 1:03 am

  Bought a 2011 limited at the end of Sept 2010 and drove it to Southwest Florida from MD. Mileage was 30mpg on the interstate. Locally I am getting 26+ in combined driving. Seats are wonderful times 10 exp 100. The only thing I dont like is the cheap radio display which can not show the majority of the letters of the artist or song title. We have the technology! I experienced the vibration, caused by conti tires that could not be balanced. Two tires were replaced at 3500 miles. Did I say the seats are fantastic? It takes some time to get use to the rea view camera in the rearview mirror

• 

  Very well designed utility vehicle - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By WD - March 26 - 4:26 pm

  Good interior design, not that kind of cheap plastic style as in Toyota Camry! Plenty of space, nice touch on the fine details, such lights in the cargo area, hooks for shopping bags, surround sound effect, auto-adjustment of audio volume based on speed, instantaneous and average MPG, etc. Good car-like suspension. Very quiet ride on local roads and highways. Very good gas mileage, 29 MPG after a week of daily commuting, 50% on state highway and 50% on local roads. Acceleration a bit slow with a 4cyl, not bad for an AWD of this size and this MPG.

• 

  Someones trash became my treasure!! - 2009 Subaru Legacy
  By mista_tee - March 25 - 11:24 pm

  I bought my Legacy 3.0R used with 13400 miles. This is my commuter car. Its a blast to drive with great acceleration and braking. I wish there was a little less body roll but overall very sporty ride. Maybe if I upgrade the roll and strut bars. I love the black cloth and silver trim. I upgraded to a bluetooth pioneer radio and the factory Harmon Kardon sounds much better than the stock unit not that the stocker is bad. The gas mileage isnt great but I knew what I was getting into before I bought it. The back seat is a little tight for adults but we own a SUV if we need to haul passengers.

• 

  Cant beat this Subie - 2010 Subaru Forester
  By Outstanding Subie - March 25 - 3:00 pm

  Replaced a 92 Ford Explorer 4X4 with this model. I would do the trade again in a heartbeat now that Ive had a chance to get a feel for this Forester, took a 3000 mile trip loaded to the max and still got 26 / 27 mpg highway at 75 MPH average. Smooth ride, reasonable response to the gas pedal, another gear in the automatic would be nice to smooth out the engine speed in the down shifts.

• 

  An Outstanding Vehicle - 2009 Subaru Outback
  By Jude - March 24 - 11:56 am

  I bought the 2009 Outback SE recently and took my wife on a road trip during some very heavy rain. The car handled extremely well on Interstate "heavy rain," rough roads with heavy rain, and incomplete roads. Never had any traction problems. Interior is very comfortable, easy to use (no extra stuff to figure out - simple and straight forward), and the cargo area is very useful. We are expecting our first child soon, and the child seat latch system seems very straight forward.

• 

  So far so good.... - 2005 Subaru Impreza
  By Bigskymt3777 - March 24 - 10:00 am

  Looked at alot of cars/suvs the Outback Sport was the only one that was in my price range and had AWD...Handling has been great...Gas mileage right now with 500 miles 23-24 miles combined hoping for more...All the bells and whistles are nice...Love the color...Seats take a little to get used to...Back seat plenty of room for passangers and my youngest loves the two cup holders that pop out (those are his)...Have heard some wind noise but livable...Stereo not bad maybe a litte bit better speakers for standard would be nice...Over-all I am Happy...Can hardly wait for fall and winter lol

• 

  A superior fast touring car - 2006 Subaru Outback
  By Hans Harald - March 22 - 6:20 am

  Am 70 years old now, owned some very nice and powerful cars during my life, this one is the most satisfying of them all, by far, especially after replacing the OEM Yokohamas with Michelins (see below under "suggested improvements"), which actually make the car do what I am waxing about in this review!

• 

  The Solid Basics! - 2016 Subaru Forester
  By James Huntington - March 20 - 3:51 pm

  The Forester is larger, that is, taller and more spacious feeling up front in the driving area than is the Outback. It also rides higher and feels more like an SUV than does the Outback, which rides more like a station wagon to me. So, it depends on your personal preference. Both cars increase in cost as you go up the TRIM scale. I got the basic model of the Forester. It feels solid, reliable, and safe. Just the kind of vehicle I was looking for and know that I can rely upon for years to come. Very happy with my purchase.

• 

  May be a niche market, but one Im in! - 2006 Subaru Baja
  By ted13 - March 19 - 10:50 pm

  I absolutely love my Baja! Fantastic handling, comfort, and style with more than enough room for cargo for me. I do wish the gas mileage was a bit better, though.

• 

  Best car ever - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By dmor35 - March 18 - 10:40 am

  I have had my car for about two weeks. With football season in full swing I have made a 600 mile round trip and a 300 mile round trip. EXCELLENT mileage and comfort. There is nothing bad about this vehicle. Kids love the reclining back seats. Harmon/Kardon radio is the best. Blue tooth feature...awesome. The hatchback takes a little harder slam to close all the way which is a little annoying but we can deal with it.