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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  2001 OutBack - 2001 Subaru Outback
  By Mike - August 20 - 4:36 pm

  Really have nothing to complain about except the fact I had to replace the catalytic converter at 90,000 which was expensive! I have had many vehicles with many more miles and NEVER had to replace a converter. just be warned if you buy one youre in for a expensive replacement part as this seems to be common.

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  Great Car - 2016 Subaru Legacy
  By tom woinski - August 20 - 6:32 am

  Excellent lights and visibility

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  2008 STI with NAV - 2008 Subaru Impreza
  By cdv478 - August 20 - 4:46 am

  This car has been decent overall. It is a lot of fun to drive and is useful for hauling smaller items. It has been very reliable with the exception of the NAV system. SOA has replaced it 4 times, and the 4th unit is defective, and has been since Feb 2009. The reason it hasnt been fixed properly is that Subaru will only install used "remanufactured" nav units, not new ones, even though I am the original owner and had nav problems less than a week after taking delivery. The car is fun to drive and I am happy with it. Subaru of America service is terrible. As of 11/26/09, my car has 9800 miles and STILL has a defective nav unit.

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  Big bang for the buck! - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By Waldo1974 - August 19 - 2:00 am

  Goes like a champ in the snow.Handles like a dream.Keep the revs up and the turbo rocks.Yes the front seats are a bit uncomfortable on long drives, but youll love the way they hug you as you throw the car into a tight turn at 60mph.Yes the cup holder sucks.Yes paint quality is average at best.Yes, the clutch does shutter when cold for a bit.And yes it would be nice to have split rear seats (but that makes the care less stiff).If you buy this car thinking it is a luxury automobile, its not.If you want cushy seats, nice cup holders, and a smoother ride get a Caddy and enjoy your early bird special at Dennys with the rest of your demographic.

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  2.5 GT Wagon - 2003 Subaru Legacy
  By Shaggy - August 18 - 10:00 am

  With the new GT package with a more luxury feel, this wagon is one of the best values on the market. We looked for six months, but anything comparable cost $7,000 to 10,000 more. Getting leather in a wagon was worth the wait. We paid 25,700 the TMV model was reading at 26,300 so its reading a little high on this car, which underscores what a good value it is.

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  Fun to drive but not very reliable - 2000 Subaru Impreza
  By Eriks - August 18 - 12:06 am

  Ive certainly enjoyed driving this car but the frequency of return visits to repair the same items over and over has ensured that we are very unlikely to buy another Subaru.

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  Performance and a back seat - 2007 Subaru Legacy
  By rukuss - August 11 - 8:26 pm

  Performance (not enough character for review so to the point) Quarter-mile 14.5 but can be quicker (read) Handling-poor. Change the FRONT springs to "Tien" lowering springs, 2 hours and changes everything. Now, she power slides, launches keeping the rear spinning, quarter mile drops by a massive 0.7sec To 13.8. All thanks to a set of FRONT lowering springs. Dont question it, just understand it. Whomever made the decision for the suspension was smoking some real heavy stuff. Now its the best damn car I EVER owned. Drifts, slides, rips up the q-mile and gets groceries. Reliable & dependable. Quick & subtle. Now its right.

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  Solid Little SUV - 2004 Subaru Forester
  By heidiincolorado - August 9 - 10:00 am

  Ive had this car 7 months and have 13,000 miles. It has been a very functional car and has good handling. I thought the gas mileage would be better but I guess I notice the gas mileage more when gas is $2 or more a gallon these days! My main complaint is the "rough" engine feel and highway noise at highway speeds. I would like a quieter and smoother ride.

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  3rd Outback Sport - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By Ron W - August 7 - 8:00 pm

  This is my 3rd consecutive Outback Sport. The 2002 is so much improved over my 1997 and 1999 models. Its added more power, CD, map lights, fog lamps, better speaker sound, v/s intermittent wipers front & rear, daytime running lights, alloy wheels, cruise control, and many other small but significant improvements. The automatic transmission shifts very smoothly. Fun to drive car!

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  Honda Ridgeline Trade-In - 2010 Subaru Forester
  By rundp - August 6 - 1:33 pm

  I traded in my 2006 Honda Ridgeline. It was great to bump my gas mileage from 17 with Ridgeline to 21 in town with the Forester. But the Forester is made for some light off road use which is why we went with the Forester over another Outback.