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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  So far so good... - 2010 Subaru Impreza
  By fredbrit - July 8 - 7:56 pm

  What a great vehicle loaded with tons of cool features, including safety and innovative powertrain design. I didnt buy it because of good gas mileage (come on... its AWD), superior finish and top quality materials, or because its a head turner. I believe this car delivers acceptable performance and reliability, superior safety, adequate comfort, and great driving tools all for about $20,000! Im very glad I got mine!

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  Used to love it, now I hate it. - 2001 Subaru Legacy
  By dhall5 - July 4 - 11:36 am

  My husband and I both purchased our Subaru Legacy GTs brand new. My husband had consistent overheating problems, took the car to a number of Subaru dealers who could never diagnose the problem. Finally, in year 7, after nearly 60,000 miles, the engine block cracked. We replaced the engine. Now, my Subaru, after reaching just over 60,000 miles, my engine block cracked. My car NEVER had problems. We have spoken with Subaru who stated that because we took it to a mechanic other than Subaru (who never could diagnose the problem), they would not replace our engines. I will NEVER purchase another Subaru. We were consistent with oil changes, and other maintenance.

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  5,000 Mile Update - 2014 Subaru Forester
  By fandango - July 1 - 2:27 pm

  Now that Ive had my Forester long enough to be well acquainted, I thought I would leave an update. So far Im impressed with the overall performance, ride, quality and features. Im averaging just over 30mpg in 80/20 highway driving and I am quite impressed by the performance of the CVT transmission -- and I was always a manual transmission driver before this. Its no sports car (like my old Impreza), but it is generally comfortable, smooth-riding, relatively quiet and it handles pretty well for the SUV that it is. Its an excellent family-sized vehicle and a great value.

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  2001 Forester - 2001 Subaru Forester
  By P J Tramdack - July 1 - 12:43 am

  The car just went over 160,000. So far the head gaskets have had to be replaced (this was the subject of a recall) and the front axle was replaced. The check engine light has been on since 60,000. Apparently this means nothing. The Forester is excellent on the icy roads of NW Pennsylvania. It feels very well made. Overall the car has been very good and I will probably buy another one. I think I got my moneys worth.

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  Oz Subaru experience - 2006 Subaru Forester
  By Martin Berry - June 29 - 10:16 pm

  The Forester is great, traveling nicely on a recent trip to Cairns [about 3000 miles]. Gear shift is easy to use, the 2.5 petrol engine has plenty of grunt and the reinforced suspension is much stiffer than the old version. I like the versatility, storing lots of stuff in the back, carrying canoes on the top, driving long distances listening to CDs or the stereo etc. It is nearly as good as my wifes Outback, so that is saying something!

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  Dont buy this car with automatic transmission - 2011 Subaru Forester
  By vladikt - June 29 - 4:08 pm

  I am extremely disappointed with the ride quality. Ive owed my 2011 Forester for 5 months now and I could never get use to the disgusting clunky transmission. It is unbelievable how in 2011 Subaru still cant supply a nice smooth transmission. Before this Forester I owned Impreza with manual 5 speed and I could shift smoother than Forester with Automatic. Its a joke, it down shifts when it doesnt have to and upshifts when it shouldnt. Like right before the full stop, all of the sudden it upshifts and it feels like it skids. Completely retarded! I was all hyped up when I test drove the car and everything felt perfect.

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  Biased on subarus, but lessons learned - 1998 Subaru Forester
  By Cautious fan - June 28 - 8:26 pm

  I learned to drive on a Subaru and am somewhat biased. What I have learned is that Suabarus in general can be reliable cars most of the time. I bought my 98 Forester w/ 125k miles and had minor mechanical issues, 2 CV joint replacements and a new thermostat. However, a year ago many major issues popped up, including major repair on the front end and rear rotors. Now the automatic transmission is shifting hard into and out of 1st gear plus a bent rod makes a lot of noise during start-ups. The handling is sound and AWD works beautifully, many chances to hydroplane but the wheels caught the road instantly. Low profile feels like youre driving a car but with twice the cargo room.

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  Fantastic car, but needs rear legroom - 2006 Subaru Forester
  By Mike - June 28 - 6:40 pm

  We bought this car because we needed extra room for a new baby which would be born a few months later. When we bought it we loved just about everything about it. The ride is terrific, the moonroof is the biggest Ive seen, the climate control is great. Once we had our baby, we were in for a big surprise - the rear seats are terrible for infant car seats! I tried putting the new infant seat in behind the driver seat (our older daughters seat is behind the passenger) and the only way it would fit was if I moved the seat so far forward and so far upright that it was no longer comfortable to drive. So now the infant seat is behind the passenger so the passenger will have to suffer.

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  Going from full size truck to outback = Good - 2013 Subaru Outback
  By bigdavenh - June 27 - 2:07 pm

  I am a student that has to travel 425 miles round trip per week from home to school. I previously had a full size pick up truck and I can not be happier with the switch to the Subaru. I live in Northern NH and the outback is great in the snow/ice and handles well on the highway. I have been averaging 25-27mpg highway but I suspect it mostly has to do with the terrain. I am 63" and am not skinny by any means. 17,000 miles in 5 months and have been very happy so far

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  Bring on the snow - 2016 Subaru Outback
  By rollin gianella - June 25 - 8:15 pm

  It needs a little more pep, also it takes time for the gears to kick in, people I speak to on B/T tell me they hear a constant buzz overall it is an amazing car. I should have gotten the 6 cylinder.