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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  42,000 miles.... - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By Brett_n - January 20 - 10:00 am

  And I still love it. No major problems and never a regret for purchasing sight unseen.

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  Forester wont disappoint. Sweet ride. - 2010 Subaru Forester
  By Alex - January 18 - 4:26 pm

  Me and my wife just purchased a 2010 Forester on 5/8/2010. Color is pearl, auto w/sport shift, moon roof, 17 in wheels. I love my forester! I have only let my wife drive it once. I havent run across anyone that hasnt liked Pearl. The Forester is liked by adults/children, men and women doesnt matter its a great car and very liked or loved depending on your point of view. Love the moon room. The passengers love the space. I love the cargo area and the adjustable drivers seat! It handles like a dream especially on rough surfaces, tight corners and in the rain. You will not be disappointed. Sweet ride! Get one!

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  2.5 GT Impreza/ Outstanding - 2009 Subaru Impreza
  By Juan - January 18 - 10:00 am

  I am very happy with this outstanding and very fast car. It is fun to drive and I enjoy leaving other more expensive sports cars behind me when they sneak up on me in the fast lane. I laugh when I press down on the gas peddle and just see them fade away in my mirrors. Also my 2.5 GT has the 4- Speed Auto/SPORTSHIFT Transmission. So I just put it in drive and enjoy it!

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  Bling,Bling - 2011 Subaru Legacy
  By bobsled - January 18 - 10:00 am

  Second Subaru, What a great design, interior room is like a caddy.First legacy had a 4 cylinder, all around good car, but the 6 cylinder is super. mileage is around 25 driving around NE part of the country(up and down). All components seem to have high quality and assembly is superb. Paddle shifters are kind of useless and get in the way of your hands if driving on long trip. Before purchasing looked at ford, chevy,and dodge. Subaru was a little more in price but quality surpasses the others.

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  Subaru 3.6R Limited - 2011 Subaru Legacy
  By Cerrus - January 18 - 10:00 am

  Its a nice car. It is a tad loud and handles a bit rough. But for a car with some get up and go its nice. The limited editions are nice. At the dealership we went to they came standard with navigation, home link, self adjusting rear view. Upgraded sound, xm radio,heated seats(you get the pic), Compared to its German competitors I feel with Subarus reliability it will out last, with less cost over time. My wife had an Audi A-4 a few years back, she had so many maintenance issues, I certainly wasnt going to look towards another Audi. When she brought up the Subaru Legacy I was all ears. I owned a Subaru over 10 years ago and loved it. Its a great car for the price.

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  Tribeca, As Close To Perfect..... - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By Sol Hornberger - January 17 - 2:36 pm

  The Tribeca is as close to perfect a car can get. It drives like a car. It has the room of an suv. It has the interior of a luxury car. The Tribeca has everything you want in a car and left out everything that you dont want in a car. I have to drive 1 hour each way to work and it is really comfortable. I did have a Cherokee Sport. My back hurt everyday and now it doesnt. This car is SWEEEEEEET!

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  best value of a car I have ever purchased!!! - 2017 Subaru Legacy
  By Dewey Turbeville - January 17 - 6:01 am

  Purchase by True car!!!

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  New to Subaru, loving the Tribeca! - 2008 Subaru Tribeca
  By CLR - January 16 - 8:56 pm

  Ive had my 5-passenger Ltd. Tribeca less than 2 weeks, but with the exception of the gas mileage (avg 14.9 city MPG), Im really loving it! There is plenty of head and leg room (Im 58 and BF is 61). Has a comfortable yet peppy driving response, good pickup in the city. This is my first Subaru purchase after years of VW driving, but I dont think it will be my last. Side note: GPS navigation system, in hindsight, would have been better purchased after market. Id have more room on the console without having to "agree" to its use each time I start the vehicle.

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  It made me a fan - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By ArcadeTom - January 16 - 5:13 pm

  Up until this June I have owned Jeeps. Always 4x4 or AWD and never figured I would drive anything "non- American". With gas going higher I had to get something newer and found this new Subie to be fantastic in MPG and fun. I never believed that anything could be so much fun to drive and still be a SUV. It has plenty of room, 9 inches of ground clearance, handles like a sports car and rides like a Cadillac. It has made me a believer and a fan. If everything I have read about this and previous Subarus is true, I will enjoy driving this one for a very long time.

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  Practical - 2013 Subaru Outback
  By cncmachinist - January 16 - 11:42 am

  I looked at cars for over a year and the Outback was the only vehicle that met all of my criteria. I test drove my 2013 and wanted to purchase it right away. I was aware that Subaru changed the engine and added a timing chain instead of a timing belt but, didnt know that the CVT was also revised. Reading old reviews I can tell you that the 2013 is "torquier" and responsive when you take off from a dead stop. Also I am averaging 28.5 MPG combined highway/city. Over 32 MPG on long trips. I have 3500 miles on the car already. The navigation IS a bit clumsy as I have seen other people comment on BUT, it is very accurate and believe me I am no Louis or, Clark :).