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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  Our first Subaru - 2003 Subaru Forester
  By Quy Nguyen - March 2 - 2:00 am

  It is our first Subaru and my wife just loves it. - safety, excellent visibility, comfortable and fun to dirve.

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  wow - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By marknwgs - March 2 - 2:00 am

  This car is a rocket, a lot of fun to drive, very competant and safe feeling. Cornering is superb, lots of torque across a broad band, great brakes. The optional premium sound system is well worth the extra money. The seats are great, and both my 52" wife and my 63" self are plenty comfortable and can find a good seating position. The optional shifter ups the fun factor. No trips to the dealer, zero warranty issues. Our fear going into it was that the wagon would be too small to haul stuff with, but we have had no problems on trips to the store or longer trips with three adults. Between this car and my motorcycle, any other car I drive is boring.

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  What I needed turned out to be fun too - 2006 Subaru Legacy
  By cwb - March 1 - 11:00 pm

  With this cars handling and a stick, 175 horses on the back roads is fun. I needed a safe car for a 40 mile commute in CT. Sometimes to New Haven. Sometimes down the Saw Mill. It handles so well. My fun to drive rating is compared to others in this price range. I know its not a Porsche but seriously this car can hold the road. My reliability rating is a SWAG based on previous Subaru ownership.

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  Crashed with no scratches! - 2007 Subaru Impreza
  By Mo - February 26 - 6:13 pm

  This car was great maintenance and reliability wise, I live in a mountainous region with ice, snow, and potholes. Then we crashed it going 50 mph into a stopped vehicle with no scratches on our bodies. The car was totaled. Definitely buying another Subaru!

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  Best Wagon on the Market - 2006 Subaru Outback
  By KCDriver - February 26 - 4:30 am

  After test driving just about every wagon made and a lot of SUVs and sedans, I came to the conclusion that the Outback XT is the best all-around wagon (and perhaps car) on the market. Turbo is peppy with only slight turbo lag; the 5 speed is a must-have for anyone who enjoys driving and reduces the turbo lag a lot. Interior fit and finish is great; nothing comes close unless youre willing to pay another $10K. I havent needed the AWD yet, but trust Subarus reputation and rally experience is worth something. Unfortunately, I had a freakish power- steering pump failure at 600 mile odometer reading (high-pitched squeal from the bearing). Dealer was great fixing it quickly under warranty.

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  Best in Snow - 2011 Subaru Legacy
  By jonster1 - February 26 - 12:25 am

  After three years of driving and three blizzards, this car has proven itself and come out a winner. Driving in snow and ice is far less scary with the AWD. You never feel like youll lose control. The car itself feels solid. A nice "ka-thunk" when you close the door. There are no squeaks, and everything works properly. I moved to a hilly neighborhood and Im at the top. My old car (BMW 528i) could not even make it up a small grade in the snow. The Subaru climbs the hill to my house like a mountain goat. Very impressive.

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  What a pleasant 1st month,,, - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By Wastate driver - February 25 - 2:00 am

  I have had two other turbo 4cyl cars over the years and this one appealed to me. The looks are kinda cool and performance is stellar for a car of its size. I ended up with the stereo upgrade by accident and do not regret it, although it is slow to switch between discs it has very good quality sound. It is a little tight getting into for a 62", 245 pound guy, but seating position and interior room are fine. I felt that the smallish front doors were a little price to pay for the total package. The wagon is about 100 dollars a year more to insure than a Ford Focus, not bad for 100 more horses and lots more car overall.

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  So many problems - 1999 Subaru Forester
  By nosubaru4me - February 25 - 2:00 am

  Bought the car brand new, our first new car after 20 years of marriage and what a disappointment! Speedometer quit at 10,000mi, it threw a wheel bearing, had a transaxle leak and always smelled of sulphur. The last straw was when the combo switch (turn signal/lights) went out on it in the dark on the freeway. Traded it in on a 2000 Honda CRV, what a difference!

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  Nice but needs improvements - 2004 Subaru Forester
  By Sean D - February 24 - 12:20 pm

  Performance great, but 1st gear ratio too low; shift to 2nd is sometimes clumsy with best efforts. Clutch pedal range much too long. Outside styling is weird. Looks good in some lighting and some angles (e.g. rear), in others it looks pathetic. Wheels too small and stupid looking for top-of-the-line Forester. Suspension is too soft for performance. Seats and position are not comfortable for me. Seems the ergonomics are for shorter people. Gas mileage fair; seems to be the same whether driven hard or easy. Premium fuel is not a plus, but its a turbo. Ive driven the 07. Much improved appearance, nicer wheels, nicer interior design / features.

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  Legacy GT is for the smart driver - 2009 Subaru Legacy
  By Rex - February 23 - 6:20 pm

  I have driven this car for the last 2 months and I love it. I owned an infiniti J30 and a cruddy 2000 maxima. The legacy GT handles like "it is on rails" and its probably just as good as BMW for half the price. The design of the car is humble and the interior is comfortable, I love the sound system and the way the seat feels. The navigation is not so high tech but it does work well. Bottom line this car is unique and is a awesome to drive, for those who "get it". You really need to drive one to understand. Infiniti, Lexus and BMW woo you with unnecessary options. Subaru is like an underground entity which only those with the brains over brawn will understand. BUY ONE.