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 car - 2014 Subaru Forester
  By john_in_tc - August 6 - 4:52 am

  We have owned our Forester for a little over three months and put on about 3,500 miles. I thought I would try and give some insights that might not be apparent on a one hour test drive.

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  Side mirorrs - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By viewpoint - August 5 - 6:35 pm

  We have 2 Impreza and a 2009 Forester. The side mirrors are set to high. they block 90% of the side vision when you entering another side road,you cant see nothing. Are there that can give me an idea if there is any other mirrors that I can on it instead the original ones. Also stero sound very poor at the back, front seats uncomftable. Thank you.

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  Bittersweet - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By dcw2 - August 4 - 9:23 am

  Finally a car with enough headroom without sitting on the ground! Im 65 and I sit with the seat straight up and my head does not hit the ceiling. Wife is 411 and passenger seat is way too low. Before you buy know this, 09 foresters have been consistently having rattling problems. No fix in sight other than tearing out the interior and doing a custom job. By rattling I mean pull your hair out mad that your new car sounds like rattling. Am totally shocked by this but wow the headroom.

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  Harmon Kardon USB port - what should it be able to play - 2012 Subaru Outback
  By zeffer51 - August 3 - 10:08 am

  Just bought a brand new 2012 Outback 3.6R Limited with the Harmon Kardon upgraded audio system. I tested the USB port at the dealer with a memory stick that has lots of computer files and few audio files. The audio kept cutting out. Now I own the car so I purchased a new 8GB USB flash drive and copied only a few audio files to it. But its doing the same thing. It plays for about 5 sec then cuts out, then plays a little and then cuts out. It does this sitting in the drive way so it cant be due to bumps. Anyone know if this system is supposed to play files on a regular USB thumb drive? It almost plays them so I figure it was designed to do so.

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  Porous engine block - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By totlook - August 2 - 11:10 pm

  I really was enjoying my new car until I found all these oil spots on my driveway. I brought it in figuring loose hose. No, Porous engine block. New engine now. Car is running fine but gas mileage has dropped considerably. They keep telling me to be patient but on a new car that is hard to do. I was getting between 20 and 21 in town and 24 to 26mpg on highway. I have not seen the number 20 since they replaced the engine. The reason I bought the car was for at least 20mpg and now I am stuck. This is my 4th Subaru. I have always been happy but this really makes me angry. Not sure I would buy another. I was going to by a Honda Highlander - I should have.

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  I really wish this had been a better car - 2000 Subaru Impreza
  By ImissmyVW - July 31 - 10:00 am

  Well, Ive had this car for two years and its been nothing but a burden. Despite following all care and warranty maintenance schedules. Ive had engine problems with throttle loss. (Chronic) The stainless steel exhaust still got a hole in the mid pipe. I dont drive it hard or lean on the clutch but Ive replaced the clutch at 70,000 KMS and not two days later the engine starts to misfire needs new distributor, leads and spark plugs. The auto window elevators have also left scratches on both driver and passenger window. A slew of other little problems. I had some fun but it wasnt worth the money.

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  wrong-side gas filler - 2002 Subaru Outback
  By architr - July 31 - 2:00 am

  I waited one hour while the dealer lined-up the front end and its been out of line ever since even after I paid to have it re-aligned at 5k. Never accept a car as NEW with 280 km on it , it will probably always be out of alignment if some lead-foot who delivered it found a nice deep pot-hole for the rich SOB buying it. After 17000k there is a major rattle in the rear-end, the front suspension squeaks and the wire guard on one fog light is long gone.

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  Fun Forester - 2014 Subaru Forester
  By galaxysun - July 27 - 10:19 am

  Three weeks ago I bought a 2.5i Premium PZEV 4dr SUV AWD with 4cyl CVT. So far I have driven this SUV for about 1100 miles and I am very happy with it. Love the comfort of the ride. I like the way it handles the road, pickup, braking and wet weather. Turning radius is great and road handling was excellent in highway. The view from drivers seat is great. So far my mileage is hovering around 25mpg highway and 21mpg in city. I expect it to give 27mpg combined and 32mpg highway as stated by Subaru once I put on more miles. I live in Chicago area and expect it to handle very well in snow. I will write another review after driving my Forester in winter.

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  Has Been Great - Time to Move On - 2001 Subaru Outback
  By Sitruk - July 25 - 8:16 pm

  Yes, this car has been wonderful to drive, however I have struggled with the maintenance end of the car/owner relationship. Since my purchase in March, 2003, I have averaged 9 cents/mi in maint costs since this car came into the word - highlighted by a head gasket replacement in 2005 ($2200) (might as well also do the timing belt at the same time!) Also, I am now after increased fuel economy based on my daily commute, thus feel it is time to part ways.

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  Great car to have in New England! - 2008 Subaru Outback
  By Lee - July 21 - 6:30 pm

  This is my first new car, and first Subaru. My wifes car (bought new) is a Highlander 2005 2WD. I was deciding between the Outback in LL Bean trim and a Honda Pilot. The fuel economy difference was the deciding factor. I personally think the Outback is a beautiful car. Its also plenty peppy with its V6. I like the nav system, but wish it was integrated into the other components of the car, particularly the stereo. It would also be nice to have Bluetooth. Final gripe is that interior space is scant. There is enough, but more would be nice. This car in LL Bean trim is quite luxurious, in my opinion. The fit and finish are excellent, and the materials appear to be of high quality.