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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  My Review - 2004 Subaru Forester
  By Lou13 - March 16 - 2:00 am

  This car is a lot of fun to drive. Its a lot quicker than I thought it would be and it handles snow and ice very well. Im starting to see a lot more of them around, so word is getting out about what a great car this is.

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  5 months old and loving it - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By milehighsti - March 16 - 2:00 am

  As a true car guy I was looking for a fun daily driver. Living in Colorado the car had to be AWD and reliable. I usually dont keep my cars for very long. I think this car will be different.Its very fast, handles well and has great brakes. I did install Blizzak LM-22 tires for winter use. This is a must. I would buy this car again.

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  Rational SUV - 2002 Subaru Forester
  By woodworker - March 16 - 2:00 am

  Reluctant SUV owner, but need space. Nice features. Drive 40 miles/wk on dirt roads for fishing. Better gas mileage than other SUVs, but wish for longer range (hybrid?). Drives with zip in fast lane. Every car a compromise, but this one does what it is supposed to do. Hope its as reliable as they say, cause I keep em till they die.

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  So worth the money - 2005 Subaru Impreza
  By Graham the Man - March 15 - 6:03 am

  I went from a 2003 Jeep Wrangler V6 with 6 inches of lift ... got tired of it (gas mileage and speed). I wanted another fun car to replace it. Needed AWD and wanted a turbo. STI is the perfect choice. Total sleeper too, everyone that is ignorant totally underestimates the sickly speed and acceleration. All cars should bow down to the STI ( I hate the import craze, that is, taking a cheap car and investing money into it that you will never recoup. This car is FAST stock and you dont need to add stupid aftermarket stuff).

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  Safe and Fun To Drive - 2004 Subaru Forester
  By Asa Packer - March 14 - 11:46 am

  2004 2.5X has been a good, but not great car. Great fun to drive, economical and very safe, but the engine sips coolant and theres a light, intermittent engine knock. Subaru dealers cant or wont diagnose either problem. Time will tell how long our Subaru lasts.

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  Lovin it - 2006 Subaru Impreza
  By 1lap2go - March 14 - 12:06 am

  This has been a great car. It is so much fun to drive, too bad the law doesnt let me experience this car to its fullest extend. Everything is well thought out. Cant get used to the new model so Ill stick with this one.

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  Great for the money - 2005 Subaru Forester
  By Kevin - March 13 - 1:16 pm

  I bought this car for the price/gas mileage rating and room for "work stuff" in the back. I did no background checking. Now with 111000 miles logged I have had no problems with this car. I do wish the gas mileage was a bit better but I live in the CO Rockies, lots of hill climbing. I like all the storage compartments but they took those out in the new 2010 model. Too bad. Over all a great car for this class, price & size.

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  My adventure vehicle - 2016 Subaru Outback
  By James W. Chapek - March 12 - 8:11 pm

  Have not purchased due to the fact they would not give me enough for my trade in. and you did not give me the rigt price for the right car. it is a 2016 Outback with the 3.6 engine< I believe the pkg is a 27

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  Outlook not for sea kyakers - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By John Giese - March 11 - 12:16 pm

  The roof rack on the 2010 Outlook is a disaster. Long the favorite vehicle for sea kayakers you cant fit 3-4 sea kayaks on anymore. It costs a grand at Yakima Racks to get replacement and install a rack that will work. Multiple problems with factory rack and Subaru rack accessories. Hard for heater to warm feet, fan very noisy and interior controls difficult to see in the dark. Otherwise quite happy with vehicle.

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  Hottest little station wagon in town. - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By Yogi29035 - March 11 - 10:00 am

  An excellent and versatile car in all respects. Traded my 2000 Subaru Outback Sport Wagon for the 04 WRX wagon- they look a bit alike, but beyond that there is nothing similar about them whatsoever. The WRX is superior from the engine back, every knob, button and switch and everything they operate feels, sounds and works better.