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 it, but cant. - 2005 Subaru Forester
  By scoobiephobe - March 25 - 12:56 pm

  Like the car, the look, the capabilities. We are very disappointed with the early head gasket leak. This weakness, as I later found out, is a common problem to this engine model. Keep in mind this car only has 9,000 miles on it. The transmission is also a weak spot. It seems to hunt constantly and will hesitate to engage. We will not be keeping this car past warranty. There are websites devoted to the problems weve had, I wished we had done a little more research before we bought. Most reviews for this car were excellent. We have had good dealer treatment so far regarding our concerns. We really like the car, too bad we cant keep it the 10 years we wanted to.

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  True stand-out car - 2003 Subaru Impreza
  By rayman - March 25 - 2:00 am

  The WRXÂ’s build and design are a great match for its price. The WRX steps up a few generous notches in performance and price from earlier models but is money well spent. I felt it should have had a shorter 1st gear with a transmission spanning 6 gears but itÂ’s workable. Turbo lag is present but after 3K RPM you feel a smooth but quick rush of power. Compared to a V6 though, youÂ’ll find the sub-3K RPM a little sleepy. But the 2-liter engine wakes up to very powerful acceleration. The car grabs the road with a pointed determination when the wheel is even slightly turned. ItÂ’s an absolute blast to feel the car respond instantaneously to your every input.

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  Subaru is Better Than The Ratings - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By Hg Wells - March 22 - 4:40 am

  I tend to think that Subaru owners are tougher evaluators than some others. So many Subaru owners love their cars and buy them again. This summer, I talked to a lady who is on her 7th Subaru and has said that they have (literally) saved her life. My VDC (a rarer model) has surprised me with its off-road performance. I have had more traditional 4WD vehicles before. I expected it to be good on any road, not as good as it is off-road. Higher ground clearance in the 2005s helps. The VDV (Vehicle Dynamic Control) traction control rarely kicks in, but when it does (only off-road so far), it does very well. I have always liked Subarus engineering. Like it better than my ratings.

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  Coarse engine spoils otherwise great pac - 2005 Subaru Legacy
  By ntk1 - March 19 - 7:20 pm

  The overall concept and package is excellent. The handling dynamics are about as good as you can get in a compliant riding sedan. The punch from the turbo engine means that you can really achieve some quick pace in the twisty roads. The downside is the coarse behaviour of the engine during moderate acceleration with a stuttering type response until you get past 5k rpm. This is not turbo lag but feels more like a fault in the engine management system. The dealer indicates the car behaves normally, however everyone who travels in the car comments on it

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  Great car for the money - 2011 Subaru Impreza
  By daskiing1 - March 16 - 2:13 pm

  I just got my new Subaru a couple weeks ago, but this car is quite fantastic. It is reliable, fun to drive, has plenty of space in the back, and the AWD is (or will be) a godsend in bad weather. Even on rainy interstates this car feels impervious where other cars i have owned felt nervous or uncomfortable. If you live where the weather is perpetually bad, this hatch really is worth your look.

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  Nice Upgrade - 2010 Subaru Tribeca
  By lovecars07 - March 14 - 10:29 pm

  Traded in my 2009 Forester XT and dont regret it at all. The tribeca is overall a much nice SUV. The only thing I miss is teh Turbo in the XT but everything else has been great!

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  Rattletrap - 2010 Subaru Forester
  By 57J - March 14 - 8:00 am

  From day one this vehicle has had a bad, bad rattle in the rear that, so far, dealer has been unable to correct. Rattles worse than a 20 year old Jeep pickup I used to own.

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  Economical, Practical & Fun Family Car - 2001 Subaru Legacy
  By dadof3 - March 14 - 5:20 am

  Our Subaru has over 30k miles and stillloving it. We were debating between thewagon or a minivan to haul our 3 kids. We also looked at the Passat wagon.The Passat rode smoother, but the price was way too high for comparable features. We are very satisfied withour choice- great price for what youget, decent gas mileage (compared to theminivan anyway), and enough room for the kids and their stuff- can fit threechild seats across the back row. Recommend a car top carrier for longertrips. Pros: Reliable, safe, fun to drive, andthe awd cant be beat for winter driving(live in WI)Cons: Interior quality could beimproved, gas mileage seems low for a vehicle its size, needs more pep.

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  Hidden Cost - Replace tires in pairs - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By Tired of run around - March 13 - 6:43 pm

  Per the Service Manager at Dallas Subaru, tires must be replaced in pairs, either the two front or the two rear, at the same time. My 2005 Outback wagon has 25,000 miles on it and pulls so hard to the right, its hard to keep it on the road. I have one off-brand tire and the dealer requires that I replace it and the other rear tire with matching major brand tires before they will even put the car on the rack to check the alignment. He says that every time one tire goes out, two must be replaced so they will have identical wear. Otherwise, warranty on the car does not apply and the car will not handle properly. I think this is an unreasonable expense and hidden cost.

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  2007 Legacy Outback 2.5 w/ 125K - 2007 Subaru Outback
  By Karl B - March 12 - 4:24 am

  Have 2007 legacy Outback purchased as used lease car. Once over 100K had timing belt (expected), head gaskets, both front axles due to ripped boots. I going to learn how to replace just the boots next time. Had Cat converter replaced. CEL stated all 4 cyl misfiring. Turned out to be EGR valve.Could have replaced it myself for half of what dealer charged. Then CEL showed 2 cyl misfiring; wires and coil. Also LR wheel bearing. Hoping this is it for a while. Like winter traction. Dont see any benefit from 17 in wheels. Get rid of that light switch on the steering column. Accidently turns on when resetting trip odometer and lites on kills battery if you dont catch it. Needs more room under wheel well for snow tires. Cannot get better than 27 mpg;ave is 23. Plastic cover under engine needs to fastened better. Mine ripped off after just 3 winters of driving.