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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  Great family sedan!! - 2008 Subaru Legacy
  By brianq727 - September 11 - 7:02 am

  What a wonderful car this Subaru is. I have a 2.5i with a sunroof and leather added. Nothing but reliable no problems up to 60K only oil changes and brakes. The interior is a bit small for a family if four so it must go but I would buy another if I had to. AWD is amazing in these Subarus and gives confidence in the rain (I live in Florida so we see a lot of it). Overall great car, highly recommend!

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  yip-dee-doo for my subaru - 2003 Subaru Forester
  By dante inferno - September 9 - 10:00 am

  i really like this car

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  Drive it, youll like it! - 2003 Subaru Baja
  By heidiincolorado - September 9 - 10:00 am

  I was initially looking at the Outback and I decided to give the Baja a test drive. What a hoot!! I drive the mountain roads outside Denver to work everyday and this car is fast, fun and is really tight in turns. Ive gotten used to its unique styling and I love the fact that not many people have these right now! We got an awesome deal and we shop Home Depot alot so its very useful and practical! Besides, my husband likes the "truck" look better so he could drive it too. This is my first Subaru and I am very happy! I love driving this car. Drive it, youll like it too Im sure! And I love the yellow, its bright, fun and of course, easy to always find!

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  Bang for your buck - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By ferris - September 9 - 10:00 am

  This car can embarass muscle cars especially in the corners where it counts. Superb engine, no real turbo lag unlike my previous WRX.This is thanks to the bigger displacement and valve timing. All wheel drive is great although I have reservations as to how necessary the DCCD is. Also the suretrack front diff seems to enhance understeer not reduce it and makes a grinding noise when it is working as it is mechanincal as opposed to viscous.

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  Subaru is awesome - 2005 Subaru Impreza
  By STI - September 7 - 9:50 pm

  After weeks and weeks of looking for a car I narrowed to 2 and it was a 05 BMW 545 and a 05 sti and after test driving the bimmer I went to test drive to subie and as soon as I shifted to 2nd my decision was made. This car is so fun to drive, I get a kick watching people in my passenger seats. So quick and tough. Subaru has something going with their vehicles theyre all good ones.

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  Greatest wagon out there - 2011 Subaru Outback
  By Richard - September 6 - 4:46 am

  Fantastic buy for the money. Good luck finding a car this good for the price you will pay.

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  Great car! - 2016 Subaru Impreza
  By Barbara Henshaw - September 5 - 11:35 am

  I love this car. It is sporty yet practical. Really fun to drive, handles like a dream. Very happy with this purchase!

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  Best choice ever! - 2017 Subaru WRX
  By Steven - September 5 - 7:39 am

  Ive had this car for 2 months now and just getting past the 1k mile break in and this car has been wonderful! Living in New England we see crazy ranges of temperatures day to day and even hour to hour. Recently got a decent snow storm with about 5+ inches and with michelin xice xi3s had absolutely no issues. Felt like dry pavement(unless launching it for fun). Fuel efficiency is awesome if you can stay out boost, to and from work the gauge reads out up to 26mpg in all city driving. Getting into boost still a nice 20-23mpg. Very happy with it! There is a very small bit of road/wind noise, but if youve ever owned a subaru its far ahead of the older models. Barely noticeable. Unless you have loud tires(like the stock dunlops on the premium/limited models). Those things were loud. The snow tires I have on are so much more quite, weird huh. Infotainment system does its job. The Bluetooth command system is subpar though. Cant get it to call most people I want it to. But good for answering calls hands-free while driving. Quality of calls is great. Speakers are decent. Cant really complain, its a wrx. Didnt buy it for the radio/speakers haha. Shifter is a little notchy and noisy. First gear is a pain to get into if youre moving forward at slow speeds. Brakes are good, I would personally like more bite earlier but they are good overall. Visibility all around is on point. Mirrors are pretty good sized as well which I personally like. Things occasionally barely audibly buzz when first warming up after being out in the really cold temps for a day. If you know what youre getting into with a wrx(rally bred vehicle) you wont be disappointed by any means. Unless you really really want that subie rumble, this car is excellent. The perfect daily driver/ grocery getter(solid trunk space)/sports car mix. Premium fuel recommended/required? I personally use shell 99% of the time unless I dont want to drive that far. Shell 93 is expensive, $2.70 last fill up. But its worth every penny. Do your research and test drive it a few times if youre not sure. But its a solid vehicle with excellent all weather traction and space for adults and babies (a little tight with car seats) plus great safety ratings. Faster than youll need it to be but still efficient. Or look into the aftermarket world and create a racer. It does it all and does it well. 10/10 would buy again. P.S. SUBARU BRING BACK THE HATCH

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  Reliable & Fun to Drive Car.... - 2008 Subaru Legacy
  By Jay - September 4 - 6:43 am

  I bought my Subaru this April. Since I live in a place (SLC) that has long snow season, I wanted a car that is reliable & fun to drive. SUV was out of question due to gas prices. Subaru Legacy had everything I was looking for & I simply love this car. Just got back from our first long trip to Vegas and fuel economy was unbelievable. 32.7 MPG on freeway, even with AC on it was above 31.2 MPG. Handling was great. Comfort level while sitting for 6 hours was high. Theyre great cars. Love it!

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  Just what I was looking for - 2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek
  By antiquity - September 3 - 2:59 pm

  Lots of "compact" SUVs out there, and almost all of them are boring and bland. While no drag racer, this car is fun to drive, has exciting styling, and is just the right size. Also, it has a unique look and size that isnt quite an SUV, more like a sports wagon/SUV cross. You get a lot for the money - heated leather seats, Navigation, moonroof, backup camera - compared to other cars. Plus, the raised clearance, cool wheels, and great gas mileage (at at 27 MPG mostly on short trips and city driving). The drive feels very secure, and the shift paddles are fun to use. The engine does rev high and wont get you 0 - 60 in a record time, but the car feels punchy, spry, and turns on a dime.