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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  03 Baja - 2003 Subaru Baja
  By HKF - April 11 - 8:03 pm

  Red on silver clad with graphite cloth interior. Optional bed cover and hitch. Great car, sticks to the road like velcro. Upgraded with aftermarket audio to provide handsfree bluetooth, roadnoise inerferes. Transmission has a mind of its own, upshifts are unpredictable and downshifts let the engine revs hit the red line. The soft bed cover is more work than I expected but keeps the bed clean and mostly dry. Overall, fun to drive and really unique. Defies categorizing.

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  36,000 Mile Update - 2007 Subaru Impreza
  By Fandango - April 9 - 9:06 pm

  This car keeps growing on me. After driving it every day for the past year and a half, I like it as much or more than the day I bought it. Its just so much fun to drive. Every time I drive a rental or use my daughters car and then come back to this one, I realize how much I enjoy driving it. I even find the seats comfortable now, though I didnt like them very much at first.

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  2008 Suburu Nightmare - 2008 Subaru Tribeca
  By seriously5 - April 9 - 7:23 am

  I was impressed that this SUV had everything my Acura MDX had before it died. I got it used 5 mos. ago with 75K miles on it. The a/c died 3 weeks after buying it. The pocket behind my drivers seat ripped in 4 weeks following that. Neither was covered by the extended warranty I bought. Fuel door wouldnt open yesterday, and my gas light was on. Scheduled to get it fixed this Sat. Now my passenger door wont open with the remote or the button inside. Great. Gas mileage range is 17-21, but I havent seen above 19.

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  2011 Subaru Forester Limited - 2011 Subaru Forester
  By downsouth1 - April 9 - 6:50 am

  Recently purchased the 2011 Subaru Forester Limited. All Wheel Drive was a compelling feature for me and the fact that it is highly rated in Consumers Report. Number one small SUV. Some things I would like to see improved upon: Interior fit and finish and quality of interior materials. Limited Edition should have features such as auto lights, auto locking doors, Satelite Radio instead of Satelite Ready (which cost you another $500 to buy the parts to have the radio function as a satelite radio), Gas Lid release should be on the drivers door instead of the floor of the car (making it easier to reach), transmission should updated to a CVT transmission or more than 4 gears.

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  I need a new one - 1998 Subaru Forester
  By david - March 29 - 4:23 am

  This first series model (1998) has a flaw. The rear wheel bearings were ball bearings but I replaced them at 50000 miles for the later design of roller bearings. No problems since. I have had the timing belt changed at 60000 miles and also the oil seals. The dealer had a special and I took it. It needs the seals replaced again because of a small leak but the cost is almost the worth of the vehicle. I may still do this because it is cheaper than a new vehicle. It also could do with a new set of shock absorbers. Changed the battery twice but other than that it starts first time and just keeps on going. I would love a 2010 model but this one wont die.

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  Will replace next year - too many issues - 2013 Subaru Outback
  By mike743 - March 28 - 10:23 pm

  There are two issues with the vehicle that really take away from the enjoyment of driving the car and make me regret purchasing it in the first place. The first issue is that the Harmon/Kardon "upgraded" audio system presents a noticeable hiss when doing certain functions with the audio/nav unit. When I am programming my nav unit each time I press a button I hear a hiss that gets louder, than softer. Same with when I am talking to someone using the bluetooth phone. Each time the person talks a noticeable hiss gets a bit louder than goes quiet again. The other issue is a very noticeable "clunk" noise when releasing the brake pedal when at a complete stop. Makes the care feel cheap.

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  Love my Outback - 2007 Subaru Outback
  By Beth Martensen - March 28 - 7:20 pm

  Nicest car I have owned yet. Very happy with my purchase. This is my second Subaru and I am looking forward to the many adventures it will take me too. I had my Subaru Forester for nine years and it never left me stranded. It also held its value and I sold it for over Kelly Blue Book even with 209,000 miles. I plan to keep my Outback for at least 9 to 10 years. I love owning a Subaru, it is perfect for the outdoor lifestyle we enjoy.

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  Great car...if you dont have long legs! - 2005 Subaru Legacy
  By gary1964 - March 28 - 10:00 am

  This is a wonderful vehicle. Unfortunately, for a tall person with long legs, its very difficult to be comfortable driving. After 1500 miles I am still struggling to be comfortable. The non-telescoping steering wheel is too far away for me. The seat is very hard and short (I have to use a pad under my butt). The angle of the gas peddle is too high and there is little room left over for the feet under the dash. The headreast does not tilt forward. Sometimes after driving 20 minutes, my right leg and back are very uncomfortable. Didnt notice this until after I bought it. I am 511" well proportioned. Power is smooth, and Sport mode comes in handy when passing quickly.

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  4 months with an 05 STI - 2005 Subaru Impreza
  By Ed Campbell - March 28 - 10:00 am

  I traded an 03 Acura RSX Type S for this car, what a change! Where the RSX was an indiffenent performer in the upper gears, the STI gives each one its own personality. I have the short throw shifter, which is stiff and notchy compared to the RSX, but when you punch it in 3d or 4th, WOW! Surprisingly, I think the boxer engine is smoother than the Acuras, so much so that I enjoy holding it in the mid to upper rev range - and what a great sound it makes! The ride is stiff, almost overly so, but theres more noise insulation than in the RSX, so its actually quieter. Fortunately the roads around Tucson are mostly asphalt. The cornering is phenomenal, I

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  One month - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By steve - March 27 - 10:40 am

  Wanted to respond to recent comments. I have only had this vehicle one month, having owned both 05 Outback and 06 Tribeca and, combined, put on 105k miles over a period of approx 3 years. I am somewhat disappointed with the "road noise" and the not too soft ride. mpg about what expected, averaging 24 mpg so far.