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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  First 20,000 fine so far - 2006 Subaru Forester
  By BNK - April 7 - 6:06 am

  GREAT visibility. Super easy to drive, back-up and park. Yes, its not the most comfortable...its not sold as a comfort car. Id rather have a little stiffness for the great handling. To those who think its so bad for your back...did you even test drive it? I get 26-28mpg with about 50/50 highway/city in our warm weather. No problems at all. Easy DIY oil changes. The car does need better tires and a thicker rear sway bar for those wanting performance. Car runs very smoothly and is more fun to drive than any of the past 4 Toyotas Ive owned.

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  Makes me happy - 2010 Subaru Impreza
  By subaru1234567 - April 6 - 4:23 pm

  I got the manual, Im really happy with it. Im a taller guy and usually hit my head on the roof of most small cars when I sit straight up or lean forward, not the impreza, plenty of room. After test driving a Mazda3, Elantra, Civic, and Toyota Matrix, and renting all sorts of economy cars all summer, I was surprised at how much more powerful it felt, how much better it handled and how much nicer the interior looked than most of the other cars in this price range. It feels great on the highway and the steering feels tight, handles nice around corners, the other cars I test drove felt sloppy. The seats and seating position are more comfortable than most small cars which tend to feel awkward.

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  The Wagon That Will Beat Your Pants Off - 2005 Subaru Legacy
  By DKNY - April 6 - 3:00 pm

  The GT is a great vehicle in many ways. Its fun to drive, practical, reasonably sized and sensibly priced. Subaru reliability is excellent (I previously owned an Impreza). After 3 months and 9,000 miles driven I still enjoy my car, only occasionally thinking about the Audi A4 Avant 2.0T 6M that I passed up. The Legacy is faster, roomier, more reliable and less expensive. However, the Legacy does lack some standard and optional features that I would like in a car (which are available on the A4 and the Volvo V50): xenon headlights, vehicle stability control, satellite radio, MP3 capability, adaptive cruise control, headlight washers, full size spare tire, seat/mirror memory are all N/A.

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  Wrx base - 2016 Subaru WRX
  By Jeebs - April 6 - 12:03 pm

  Ducking love it! Winter is coming up, and this car is awesome in the snow...almost looking forward to some white stuff...almost.

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  Just Delighted! - 2012 Subaru Impreza
  By djhcwctr - April 6 - 6:31 am

  Just ooh delivery of my Impreza Sport Limited. Ive been a diehard stick-shift driver, but have found the CVT really zippy and fun to drive. I commute 50 miles in each direction, nearly all highway. Out of the box, Ive consistently been getting an average 37-38 MPG. Sometimes the average momentarily settles over 40! Inside finishes are great. My only complaint is that road noise is noticeable. Extremely happy with my purchase. SO glad I didnt get an prius!

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  What a good buy - 2013 Subaru Legacy
  By Linda Chen - April 6 - 5:19 am

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  I waited 60k miles before I wrote this review - 2011 Subaru Outback
  By gartho - April 5 - 8:02 am

  We bought it new...its had 2 recalls on it since new I believe. I replaced the front rotor and pads at 57k only because the rotors warped. The car is great...the factory tires stink...I swapped to Hankook and like them. I cant say anything bad about our subie...well yes the handling sucked when it was new and I put the rear sway bar on and now its great!. Soft ride...ok fuel numbers... I will not sell it as long as this keeps up. It can climb a Mtn in the snow...hard to believe...

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  Love it but . . . - 2016 Subaru Legacy
  By David W - April 3 - 11:23 pm

  We drove everything in the segment, everything. This is my daily driver. What I like: - All wheel drive - Technology is intuitive and easy to learn - Spacious, well designed interior - Smooth power delivery from the V6 - Huge trunk What Im neutral on: - Handling - It handles more than well enough for 95% of daily driving, but it does roll and feels a bit ponderous if you try to have some fun. What I dont like: - The fact that Eyesight does not work when I cant see (sun glare, rain, snow). Isnt that exactly when you want a safety system? - The brand advertises being dog friendly, but they dont offer any dog friendly accessories (rear seat cover, rear foot well cover) - Wind noise on the highway is a problem. When using the hands-free phone people have difficulty hearing me.

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  Honda to Subaru, Never going back - 2006 Subaru Impreza
  By LLL - April 3 - 9:23 pm

  I had a 99 Honda Civic Si for the past 3 years. It was a great car and fun to drive but it was getting long in the tooth. This WRX is wonderful. The 2006 is much nicer than the 2005. I was sold on the 06 the second I drove it. Drive both the 05 and 06 before you buy. Those few numbers difference in the performance make a huge difference. If you can live with the front end it will grow on you and it is a much nicer car than the 2005 WRX.

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  Love My Forester - 1998 Subaru Forester
  By Forester Lover - April 3 - 10:00 am

  Purchased new in 98 have had nothing but good luck with this car-agetting 25- 28mpg. Now has 107000 miles and is still going strong. This is without question the best vehicle I have ever owned.