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:

• 

  Little charmer - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By DJCLOS - January 9 - 5:13 pm

  Fun little car. I wanted something practical but not boring like hondas & toyotas. Car handles great, suspension is firm and gives nice feedback but on ruff roads it doesnt beat you up. Acceleration feels faster than it is. I have taken this car every where and it has never let me down. Car plows through snow. Car is a jack of all trades.

• 

  Few problems...So far - 2000 Subaru Forester
  By lgdawley - January 5 - 4:26 pm

  Like - plenty of room for my golden retriever and his friends and for carrying furniture, supplies, etc; virtually no blind spots; original brakes lasted to 87,000 miles. Dislike - cup holder location; cheap interior fabric; weak front windshield - had to replace mine the first year; paint that chips easily; had 1 wheel-bearing go - hopefully others wont follow soon. Too noisy driving on the freeway. Other - wish they could be a little more "stylish".

• 

  2000 Subaru Outback Wagon - 2000 Subaru Outback
  By Misha - January 5 - 6:30 am

  I bought this car based on safety and reliability records. At 80,000 miles I had to replace the trans, to the tune of $3700. I drive 2 kids around the suburbs of chicago - what more can I say? I also just found out that my head gasket needs replacing ($1300) although at 110,000 miles I suppose thats not out of the question. Mechanical issues aside, I love this car, although it is noisy above 60mph, it cant be beat on chicagos winter roads. Its a great option to the gas-guzzling suv. I had planned on driving this into the ground; I was just hoping that the "ground" was a little further away.

• 

  Saved my life - 2008 Subaru Outback
  By Ralph - December 31 - 4:33 am

  This car is designed for driving in Maine. It handles superbly in winter conditions. The low roof makes it perfect for hauling kayaks. My avg gas mileage was always 25+ in mixed driving. Last week we were in an accident in which the car rolled 1 1/4 times. My wife and I walked away with scrapes, bruises and a stiff neck. Of course we were wearing our seatbelts. The car was totaled. Im looking for another Outback to replace it.

• 

  Smooth, dependable commuter - 2009 Subaru Impreza
  By Don - December 30 - 7:23 pm

  I bought the Outback Sport after convincing myself this model was worth the extra $2.5k. Could have had the base sedan for under $16k but that just had no appeal, unless you are looking for the lowest price. I still have a 2003 Infiniti FX-35 and its tough to go from a bull to a lamb. Have to remember this has half the power. Big difference getting on to highway, etc. From the reviews Ive read here I would have liked the WRX or STI but I needed to keep the price under $20k. Good compromise between cost and performance. I looked at the CRV and Rav4 but to get the same equip would put you in the mid-20s; also dont believe the new ones are as dependable as they used to be.

• 

  Highway fuel economy horrendous - 2003 Subaru Outback
  By MAG1 - December 30 - 2:00 am

  Ater 1000 miles I drove from CO to MO (875 miles). To my dismay I recorded an average of 22 mpg fuel economy on the highway, but the estimated fuel economy by manufacturer was estimated at 28 mpg. I calculated the mpg by averaging 4 fuel stops through Kansas where the roads are flat and straight. Im an engineer so I looked at all the variables. My tire pressure was perfect, there was a small cross wind (no tail or head wind), I used the recommended fuel, there was no load on the car(two medium sized suitcases & no passengers), cruise control was on, speed was 75 mph, and outside temp was 40 degrees(i.e no air conditioner)

• 

  I like it but it could be much better - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By Chris M - December 28 - 12:36 pm

  We bought this car to get out of the normal SUV body style and to improve on our gas mileage from a 2002 Jeep Liberty. The improvement worked out to about 3 mpg better than the way heavier Jeep. The car drives great, I expect it to be reliable, but there are a lot of small things that were missed. The flip door space in the center of the dash just shows the lack of imagination. That was the best they could come up with for that space?

• 

  The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly - 2016 Subaru Forester
  By John - December 26 - 8:18 am

  The Good = Vision, Vision, Vision. Acceleration. Crossing lane lines detection. Eye Site safety feature does work and works well. The Bad = With Eye Site, the front seat sun visors are too small; therefore, the sun doth shine in from the sides. Need a aftermarket visor that will stop the rays. While not Bad, a buyer needs to be aware that this is NOT smooth riding vehicle; it is a rough rider. The Ugly = The Owners Manual appears to have been written by a group of attorneys that DO NOT drive. Reminds me of computer manuals written by engineers who do not use the computer discussed by the manual.

• 

  Great Car--Major Collision-—We’re Alive - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By JOHN - December 25 - 1:53 am

  A great car for the money.

• 

  My First Suabru but cant say last - 2011 Subaru Outback
  By suntg - December 24 - 12:49 pm

  Though I found following features are missing, still love it. 1. Speedometer is so small and not easy to read as compare to other cars. I have no clue why there is a fuel economy meter; when there is an option to see fuel average next to digital clock. 2. AC options are limited and not completely described in the manual. Manual doesnÂ’t say how to change the Auto mode to manual mode. I accidently discovered that. 3.There is no Service Reminder available and you need to remember the service dates/miles etc. 4.Seats are comfortable but not long enough to give you thigh support. 5.No auto lock feature. 6.GPS is a jock not enough features.