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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  Poor mans M3 - 2005 Subaru Impreza
  By bully4me - March 11 - 10:00 am

  Car is fantastic to drive around town. Great brakes and acceleration. Engine has lots of torque compared to Mitsu EVO that had no bottom end. 6 speed works well and engine settles down at cruise. Glad I got the 2004 as the 2005 interior and rear flares are not an upgrade. Only the console and HVAC controls are better over the 2004. So - buy the 2004 if you can find one and take the savings to add a killer stereo. Hope they figure out the code on the engine ship soon so we can reflash for more power.

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  a crossover buyer from American Muscle. - 2005 Subaru Impreza
  By spec66 - March 11 - 10:00 am

  I have had this car a week. the performance is nothing less than spectacular. Acceleration, Handling, Braking all superb. Do not expect luxury, this is a purpose built machine that has surpassed my expectation. The 2.5L has a rumble that rivals some V-8, 0-60 4.8?? yep, and it is not even broken in. this thing will give a corvette a fair race. and you can haul your kids, and stuff.

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  Hey, I fit! - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By Jeff - March 10 - 1:56 pm

  Im a big guy, 63, 250 lbs, and have been driving a big hurkin SUV for the last 10 years. With no need for this large of a vehicle anymore, I decided to downsize to a smaller SUV. I checked out Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Chevy and Ford. I was actually leaning towards the Honda Pilot when my wife pointed out the Subaru dealership on the way home. I told her no way! Last time I had tried to test drive a Subaru Forester back in 1999, I couldnt contort myself to squeeze into the drivers seat without smacking some part of my body on the car. Anyhow, decided to give the Outback a try. I cant believe how comfortable it was! Better than any other small SUVs I had tried. Bought it on the spot!

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  Best Car Yet - 2007 Subaru Forester
  By Johns Forester - March 10 - 12:43 pm

  The ride in this 2007 Forester is terrific, and apparently Subaru has made some minor changes that customers wanted: theres a holder for the iPod, for instance, and road noise is minimal. Ive been driving small SUVs for about 10 years, and this is the best car yet--best handling, most comfortable,and best looking.

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  Safety First - 2016 Subaru Impreza
  By Virginia Butterworth - March 10 - 4:49 am

  Highest safety rating from Consumer Reports; I added front collision avoidance (EyeSight is Subaru name.) Car is only a week old; limited driving but so far so good. I did a lot of research, wanted to downsize from a Jetta station wagon (not diesel), wanted hatchback & moonroof. Surprisingly limited choices for a short elderly driver.

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  Nice but with some quality reliability issues - 2008 Subaru Tribeca
  By jimsimp3 - March 9 - 12:14 pm

  I have owned the car for 40 months now and honestly say I WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER TRIBECA and maybe not another Subaru. LIKES: purchase price including factory incentives was $6,000 under MSRP. It has plenty of nice standard features. I like the styling (except the Chrysler-like grill). I really like the size and cargo capacity with the seats folded. DISLIKES: fuel economy, small fuel tank, cheap and non-durable plastic cargo area material, forward blind spots caused by thick posts. Last but not least ........ I have it back to the dealer too many times for issues like rough transmission shifting, replacement of brake master cylinder, headlight bulbs are frequently blown

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  Great Ford Sedan - 2013 Subaru Legacy
  By lifeson34 - March 8 - 3:05 am

  Ruined. Just. Ruined. When I bought my 07 Legacy, I fell... in love. The car had an understated elegance. There was an attractive aerodynamic look. Exterior lines flowed, interior lines flowed. Materials, though not luxurious, were high class. The fabric in the seats was classy *and* robust. The doors were rimless. The center console employed a minimalist design that made it pleasant to look at and easy to use. The Legacy has... changed. It now resembles a Ford sedan. The aerodynamic of its tail has disappeared. The doors are rimmed. The seat fabric is cheap and thin. Heck, all interior materials are cheap. The center console is overdone and resembles Optimus Prime. Optimus, go away.

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  Fun little car - 2007 Subaru Impreza
  By no name - March 7 - 9:23 pm

  Overall I have been very satisfied with this car. It handles great, the AWD grips the road very well, decent amount of power, and fun to drive. But of course this isnt a luxury car. The interior seems to be well assembled with no rattling and it looks cheap but it does have nice supportive seats and a sporty look. I get 22 miles per gallon in the city even though I push it a lot. Decent for an all wheel drive car.

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  Shop Carefully - 2008 Subaru Tribeca
  By Disappointed - March 7 - 8:23 pm

  Rear-seat riders in 7-passenger model should not be taller than 2 feet. Check leg room carefully. Ceiling mounted seat belt for middle seat, middle row, hits rider to the right in the head. Gas mileage is terrible. Repeat, gas mileage is terrible. Nav screen darkens way too much when headlights turned on. Gas mileage is terrible. Keyless remote unreliable. If you lock car using key, also unlock with key or alarm will sound. Gas mileage is terrible. CD changer repeats same CD, doesnt change to another CD. Must be done manually. Middle seats uncomfortable.

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  Dialed In - 2008 Subaru Impreza
  By Scott - March 7 - 7:26 am

  As my third Impreza and second STI, this is definitely my favorite Subaru. The ride is smoother than the 05 model and generally feels more refined. The interior has plenty of little features Id be wishing for in the previous iterations.