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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  Subaru Me - Once More - 2004 Subaru Legacy
  By Jon - May 18 - 9:13 am

  I drive 80 mi a day to the City (elev. 4500 ft) from a a peaceful mountain valley (elev. 6500 ft). Have been doing so for 11 years in my 93 Legacy L AWD Sedan. It now has 290,000 miles and still going strong! I have since retired it to the teenager daughter. Enter my new Subaru. Looking forward to another 10+ years of confident all- weather driving without guzzling gas. Whole family loves Subarus. Dad, Mom and both brothers own one. And now I own two!

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  Excellent Car! - 2009 Subaru Impreza
  By Tony - May 18 - 12:46 am

  Have not owned the car long but I am incredibly happy with it and surprised about several things with the Impreza. Even without the added power of the WRX or STI version, plenty of pickup on the freeway. And even though Edmunds has listed 22 mpg, I do a lot of freeway driving and have been getting more like 29 mpg. That was a pleasant surprise! Highly recommend Subaru to those that are thinking of buying one.

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  Awesome car - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By defduane - May 17 - 10:00 am

  What more could you want in a car? Its so versatile! Lots of power, all wheel drive, space with the wagon, four doors, roof rack, good gas mileage, go anywhere, do anything, beat almost anybody on the road. Smooth pavement, rough pavement, rain, dirt, snow, mud, it doesnt matter. Such a fun car to drive.

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  Best ever. - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By Blue - May 17 - 10:00 am

  I have read about this vehicle for months but my surprise came when I bought it...This car is unbelievable! Its not for everybody because of the stiff ride and raw perfomance. But I love it! And I will enjoy it for years to come. Thank you Subaru!

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  Great Vehicle... - 2003 Subaru Outback
  By Annie - May 17 - 10:00 am

  Love the car... VDCs seem to have a little trouble with the brackets on the muffler...

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  The fun of the Suby STi - 2007 Subaru Impreza
  By Raszaron - May 15 - 7:23 pm

  While I have only owned this car for a month, I can tell a lot about the car! I have owned many a car to include 92 30000GT VR4, 01 Mustang GT and 03 Tiburon GT to name a few. Performance wise the STi is a great car! Of course it is not going to be the luxury comfort like a BMW, but it is not made for that market. I test drove an EVO IX and the STi, and while off the showroom floor the Evo is faster/quicker, the STi is overall a better car quality wise. The aftermarket is well suited for either of these saloons.

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  Good car but expected better from Subaru - 2010 Subaru Impreza
  By Kubus_gt - May 15 - 6:03 pm

  This is a long term rental replacing a Mazda 3. First the Impreza feels more like a Buick, it floats. IÂ’m used a hard suspension with precise steering, I donÂ’t have it here. The car floats over the road, which is nice for long trips, but no fun on twisty roads. The suspension in turns feels every bump and skips instead of holding the car in place. OEM tyres are crap for handling. The Auto tranny doesnÂ’t hold a gear or downshifts on its own going down the hill. The manual shift also does hold the gear (yes it shifts down even though 2 is shown on the dash). Engine has good power, but tranny reduces it. Comfy inside, good layout, nice equipment.

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  Traded a 2015 WRX for a better car for me - 2016 Subaru Legacy
  By Eric - May 14 - 9:44 pm

  I owned a 2015 WRX which was a fun sporty car. It was also much louder (at low speeds with low frequency rumble, at higher speeds with road noise), and suspension would hug corners great, but you also felt every bump in the road. The 2.5 Legacy isnt underpowered, but I dont pass other cars uphill like I would with the WRX. Over the first year of mixed driving (mostly short commutes) it returned 27.2 mpg on regular unleaded (better than my 2012 Impreza Sport 2.0 hatch, actually), and it is much quieter and more refined than the WRX. Overall, I am happier with it and love the Eyesight package (full range Adaptive Cruise Control is now a must in any future car, I use it all the time). The premium stereo system is worlds better than the WRX stereo (which was so loud it was hard to hear the crappy stereo it had in it). There is slight more body roll stock (note: I have since upgraded to a 20mm rear sway bar which reduced it dramatically), but the car handles sporty driving well, brakes are excellent, and paddle shifters (though honestly I never use them). The 3.6 was a no go for me because I wanted improved MPGs, After one year of ownership, it has never been to the dealer for any service related issues (I do my own oil changes and tire rotations). The only issue so far is the back up camera takes a second or two to display, which apparently is common.

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  Very Nice - 2010 Subaru Forester
  By Todd - May 14 - 6:03 pm

  Drove the CR-V, Santa Fe, Equinox, Rav 4 and Forester. Subaru did a great job getting enough head room for tall people. Very nice cabin room and little to no blind spots like many of the others. Just a nice, solid vehicle. We got 27 mpg on the way home which took us through the city and highway. We are still smiling a week later. Probably will replace the tires with something a little higher rated down the road.

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  Not as good as I had hoped for. - 2013 Subaru Outback
  By sknaffl4 - May 14 - 12:29 am

  This Outback is my first Subaru, and sadly, it will probably be my last. I had high expectations for this car considering the excellent reviews from prior models, but now that Ive got 40,000 miles on it, Im not impressed. It burns 1 quart of oil every 1000-1200 miles, which Subaru says is normal. There is a constant vibration at hwy speeds that is NOT tire related. There are large gaps in the body panels, and the hatch doesnt even line up...indicating poor build quality. The seat is already starting to deform, and Im not a big person. There is a constant rattle on deceleration, and the stock stereo speakers are probably the worst Ive ever seen.