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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  Subaru get an A - 2002 Subaru Legacy
  By 2002 Subaru - December 20 - 2:00 am

  Very reliable. Excellent in snow and rain. Stops on a dime.

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  Its about time - 2003 Subaru Baja
  By Fafnir - December 20 - 2:00 am

  The vehicle I was looking for was to be used for primarily for around town driving and an occasional trip to the park with the dogs or to the home and garden store. I wanted something more car like not truck like and still have truck bed. This is it. The ride is smooth and the seats hold you in place. Steering and handling are great with the Speed Sensitive Power Steering and AWD. The power is good with the AWD switching the power to the rear wheels. Gas mileage is a little better getting 20-25 mpg. The AWD is easy to use as it does not require my interventions. It is fun to drive and gets a lot of looks.

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  love my subaru - 2017 Subaru Outback
  By jb - December 19 - 3:47 am

  Best car for safety!! Our son and grandson were in a major car accident, T-boned, in their Subaru and suffered only minor injuries. The first responders credited it to being in a Subaru!

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  Great car for money - 2017 Subaru Outback
  By SClaus - December 17 - 9:19 pm

  Have owned Lexus rx and now own Toyota Highlander hybrid and the outback limited gives a great ride and list of options for substantually less money. Hard to beat

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  great car - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By STI-mulation - December 14 - 10:00 am

  pulls hard with very little throttle, in any gear, at any revs above 2000rpm. Very sharp steering and handling. Grip is solid, but tires need to get more miles before I know exactly how much...

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  New to Subaru - Great so far! - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By Carl N.C. - December 12 - 7:13 pm

  I replaced a 1999 F150 with a V8 with a 2010 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium. The fuel mileage is as advertised. 29.5 on a trip to Atlanta. Bought the car in Oct 09. Have about 5K miles on it. The 4 cylinder for the weight of the car performs better than my V8 truck did. There isnt much road noise. I do have engine noise at passing speeds. The car is quiet the rest of the time. The CVT works quite well. The steering took a little getting used to. I do not have any problems pulling out in front of i40 65 mph traffic here in NC. For those concerned, buy the 6. No regrets here

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  2016 Outback 3.6 Limited w/MRP/KAS/NAV/ES-CVT - 2016 Subaru Outback
  By Ron Tamulonis - December 12 - 12:30 pm

  Im in my 70s and we hold onto our cars for 15+ years. I did a years research from talking to Subaru owners in my neighborhood and Mall parking lots plus reviewing owners comments for vehicles 2014 on that I could find on the internet. If folks had a complaint I looked to see if that complaint carried through on the latest dated reviews or did it disappear. I wanted the latest safety equipment that I could afford like: Adaptive Cruise Control; Eye Sight: Blind Spot Detection; Rear Cross Traffic Alert and found this vehicle had these plus additional safety features. We drove to Florida and loved the Adaptive Cruise Control that maintained a selected safe distance between us and the car in front from out 75 set speed to 45 mph slow downs and back to 75 without having to reset the cruise control speed. I loved the "Multi Information Display" in front of the steering wheel which I set to show the next route change without having to look at the large Navigation screen. I was disappointed in the navigation system in that it kept trying to take us off route 95 in what was completed Florida construction areas also it couldnt find the Motel address in Miami that the motel gave to us. However when we did a Custom search in the Accommodations category we found our Motel listed and hit Go and it took us directly to it. Both my wife and I have back problems and we didnt experience any pain or discomfort spending over 8 plus driving hours per day (an unexpected benefit). We didnt have any hesitation going from Reverse to Drive with the 3.6R engine that often found with the 4 cylinder engine. We didnt have slippage (wheel spinning) going on to a major highway from a side road in the rain. With the keyless ignition, I did find out how to listen to the radio picking up the grandsons with the engine off. My wife and I love the car and would highly recommend the 3.6 Limited 2016 Subaru Outback.

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  My 2nd Subie - 2002 Subaru Outback
  By schmidie - December 12 - 1:20 am

  I just bought my 2002 Subaru Outback after trading in my older 1994 Legacy wagon. I wanted another, newer version of the car I had loved to drive for years. I ended up getting the Limited version of my Outback, with leather seats, steering wheel, and shifter. The seats, outside mirrors are both heated, and the car comes with important saftey features like ABS, airbags for driver and passenger, daytime running lights, and of course AWD.

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  Surprising Subaru Outback - 2017 Subaru Outback
  By Daniel - December 11 - 8:16 pm

  Great car! Fantastic gas mileage for the daily commute with plenty of room for weekend sporting activities and excursions. Glad to join the Subaru family.

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  Exhilarating Fun Drive! - 2006 Subaru Impreza
  By Britannic - December 11 - 8:46 am

  I love turbocharged cars and for years was a loyal Saab owner, until GM diluted the brand. I wanted a turbocharged car that would stand out from the pack and deliver power, superb handling and excitement. The STi gives all of that and more; once I got used to the higher revving engine, this car is the most fun Ive ever had. Performance off the line and handling through twisty mountain roads is tremendous; the Sube feels like its on rails and Ive yet to notice any body roll. Being European, I love the WRXs stiff suspension, which combines with the super precise steering and available power to provide very nimble handling and a real fun drive! I dont miss my Saab 9-3 Viggen at all!