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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  Want to love this car, but... - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By deserthillsman - May 10 - 8:24 pm

  I like this car, but cant get excited about it. Overall handling is very good and the turning radius is the best of any small SUVs that Ive driven. Its a very stable drive, and its been good on rough roads and in the rain. I have no problem with the sound system as many others seem to have, but Id love to have more power, the lack of which is sometimes downright dangerous when trying to enter the freeway or pass slow cars on the two lane roads in the desert where I live. The car has been fairly trouble free for three years, except for the A/C going out last summer in 100+ weather here. But Subaru took care of the problem and I have to say that theyve been very good overall.

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  Nice car but... - 2008 Subaru Outback
  By hutch7 - May 10 - 3:13 am

  We rented this car in Oregon for a week and drove it over 700 miles. A lot of mountains and curves, muddy back roads. I found it to be a little too underpowered on hills, very "shifty". Liked the "Sport" mode in the auto tranny. Base engine doesnt hack it. Useless arm rest just like my 97 Outback.

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  A reliable alternative - 2003 Subaru Impreza
  By Lucille - May 7 - 2:00 am

  Mine is actually a 2002 purchased 9/01, but the 2002 and 2003 are essentialy the same. Ive put over 22,000 miles on it with no problems at all. It zippy around town and handles well. The build quality is great, it doesnt rattle and the interior is impressive for a $20,000 car. Its a good value with AWD and power everything. I got mine with armrest extention, filter, cargo net and keyless entry for $19,500 with very litte negotiating. The seats are good for a little while but get uncomfortable for any drive over 2 hours.

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  Forester SXT after 600 miles - 2008 Subaru Forester
  By Dan - May 6 - 5:43 am

  I have enjoyed the Forester over the first +600 miles. The Sports XT trim level changes the overall appearance of a Forester very nicely. Many cool STi features, like wheels, spoilers, pedals, etc. The turbo is a blast! I am getting 23 MPG using premium, but I also flex the turbo at every opportunity. Build quality seems good, the car runs pretty quiet overall, and reliability is rumored to be very good.

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  2014 xt review - 2014 Subaru Forester
  By magginwagon - May 5 - 9:30 am

  took delivery of my 2014 xt forester 3 days ago and already have 800 miles on it. in general i am very happy with my purchase. in broad strokes the 2013 forester is much prettier from the outside, but the interior of the 2014 is drastically improved. the regular 2014 forester is much more attractive from the outside, than the xt. that being said, i bought the xt for how it ran. very well. very quick and smooth. the xt can run on regular, but dont do it unless you have to b/c it will cost you more. 87 octane gets 19-22 city and 22-24 hwy. 93 octane gets 24-27 city and 28-31 hwy (hwy speed 68-78mph). huge difference in mpg for a little more at the pump. do it. so far, great car!!!

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  An outstanding vehicle - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By reinman2 - May 3 - 5:47 am

  I have owned quite a few cars in my 45 years of driving and this is one of the best. It doesnt have the element of luxury my BMWs and Mercedes have had in the past but it is far and away the most trouble free and reliable cars ever. I have had it in storage since I bought it and used it briefly in 2010 driving from West Coast to the east but through, snow, ice and tornados and incredible winds it was effortless. A quality automobile and although I love driving Beemers I hate taking them to the shop which is a constant. Subaru does it right and the 2010 redesign was an excellent example of fine engineering, while not the fastest definitely the safest and most reliable I have owned.

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  Good Little Car So Far! - 2007 Subaru Impreza
  By First Sub - May 2 - 10:50 pm

  After about 25000 miles over a year and a half, I have been very pleased with the Outback sport. Its pretty fun to drive, decent power, decent fuel economy, and enough space for my stuff. I have a bit of a lead foot, and this does have enough power to get me in trouble, but not enough to were I will loose my license. I just paid it off, so I now intend to drive it into the ground, hopefully another 7-10 years.

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  Nice sleeper - 2004 Subaru Forester
  By xt-sleeper - May 1 - 12:53 pm

  The Forester XT is an overall very competent good all season car. I have put over 25k on mine in little over a year. Love the power, but brakes and suspension is only adequate for the power the car has. Warped rotors already and no, I dont always get on the throttle. My wife drives most of the time. Poor gas mileage and I have tried to get manufacturers claim for gas rating. Abrupt tranny shift from 1st and 2nd gears, jerky although not all the time. Overall I love this car.

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  Lotta Fun - 2005 Subaru Legacy
  By Keving - April 29 - 1:56 am

  This is the most fun car to drive that Ive ever owned. The pick-up is just unbelievable, and the sport shift is the best of both worlds. The interior cant compare to the Acura TL, but I probably saved myself over $5,000 so who cares? Just test drive this Legacy, and youll want to take it home. Check it out.

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  Bang for the Buck - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By LUVKARS - April 29 - 12:20 am

  After owning BMW 3 series sedans for awhile I expected the WRX wagon to be a downgrade. In the fun to drive and performace catagories its been a big upgrade. I love driving this car and I can drive it in the snow. What a bargain.