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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  Cant part with it. - 2002 Subaru Legacy
  By ctgal - November 29 - 2:00 am

  I bought my subie because I needed a reliable car to get me back and forth to work every day in the NW CT hills. Through snow, ice, torrential rains, you name it. 120 miles a day. This car never failed me and was fun to drive! Finally, at 150,000 miles and 3 trips from East Coast to West Coast, it needed a new head gasket. There is no rust on this car and the finish looks as good as the day I bought it. There is a little wind noise from the drivers side window but I never felt noise was a problem. Now, with 175,000 miles, the car lives in sunny CA where I hope to put another 75K on it driving back and forth to the Sierra Nevada. Still has the pep of a youngster.

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  2010 Tribeca Ltd - 2,000 mile review - 2010 Subaru Tribeca
  By Roman - November 29 - 2:00 am

  After 2000 miles still love the handling and safe feel of the Tribeca. The leather seats are comfortable, and the power moonroof is nice too. The home-link on the sun visor eliminates all the remote control clutter. Have not setup the Blue-tooth as yet. Getting better mileage then advertised, around 18.5 mpg city, dont know about highway. Would like to see more storage compartments up front - glove box just big enough to hold manual nothing else. I have not tried the transmission in Sport mode - regular mode seems plenty perky and alive.

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  Wow-e-wow-wow! - 2011 Subaru Impreza
  By MIke - November 29 - 2:00 am

  What a neat car, fun to drive, fast and MUCH more comfortable than my Miata. I have had Mustang GTs and an older Camaro and a Ford ZX2 SR and nothing compares to the fun factor so far. The 2011 has a great stereo that allows blue tooth streaming as well as a USB jack for music on a memory stick. I have no complaints so far. Ok maybe one, I had to change to all season tires for the snow here as it comes with summer only tires. Make sure you get the short shifter option it makes a world of difference!

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  WOW, driving is fun again! - 2005 Subaru Legacy
  By sanman76 - November 28 - 3:26 am

  Wow, I have had this car a month now and I love it. It is the best car I have driven. It accelerates, brakes, and rides like a dream. Totally shocked at how nice the car is for the price. What other car can go 0-60 in 5.7 sec with the same build quality, all wheel drive, etc. for under $25k? This car will spank 3 series BMWs. People complain about the tires, but I find them to be decent for what I paid. Yes they wear out quickly, but it is because people who own this car push it to its limits. If you were to drive slowly (which is impossible for me in this car) your tires would last much longer. Overall, highly recommended. Trust me and test drive one!

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  Love my Subbie! - 2010 Subaru Legacy
  By Jeremy - November 26 - 8:13 pm

  Ive had my Legacy now for about two months. Ive been very happy with the driving experience. The car handles extremely well. I am getting about 26 mpg in the city and about 32-33 on the highway. I got the all weather package with heated seats, heated mirrors, and heated wipers. Im excited for winter for the first time in my life driving a vehicle! I enjoy the large tank (17 gallons). I was able to go on a 500 mile trip without stopping to fill up. Some people complain about the looks outside, but I like it. The interior space is incredible for a midsize sedan. Trunk space is adequate and designed well.

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  The best vehicle I have ever owned. - 2002 Subaru Outback
  By Sara - November 26 - 11:31 am

  I bought this vehicle in 2012, it was already 10 years old. The previous owner had been great to it, it only had 94,000 miles on it and looked practically new aside from a scrape or two on the bumper. I got it when I did because I needed a reliable vehicle because I was going off to college, and the SUV I had been driving was on its last legs. I also live in the mountains, and was going to school in the mountains as well, so I needed a vehicle that could handle any weather situation, but also didnt eat gas. This vehicle was perfect. Its like a hybrid of an SUV and a sedan. It handles like a dream. Ive driven it through snow, ice, extreme rain storms, gravel, mud, you name it, the Outback can handle it. Since purchasing, I have put nearly 100,000 miles on this baby and I have yet to have a single mechanical issue with it, aside from the usual tune ups of getting the brakes or tires changed. I practically lived in my vehicle, all except for sleep, for one semester in particular, and I can safely say it is very comfortable. I always feel safe in it. It has a great sound system and fairly good, though not the most powerful, AC. Cup holders are less of an issue in this model then Ive seen it be in other Subarus. Its true that it isnt the most attractive of cars, but for the vehicle type, it certainly isnt hard on the eyes either. I love this vehicle and would recommend it to anyone who lives in a climate with lots of weather extremes, or for anyone who just loves to explore the world. I will drive this car till it wont drive anymore.

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  Great buy! - 2006 Subaru Impreza
  By Joey S. - November 26 - 11:06 am

  I bought this car after researching it for months. It lived up to what I had read. Great handling, outstanding performance, and excellent dependability. Plus the AWD and safety ratings made the WRX a great fit for me. I enjoy also being able to get a high performance vehicle in an automatic. Not all of us want to take it to the track every weekend, even though it might be capable of that, but for those of us who drive in the city, I enjoy the easy drive of the auto. Plus having performance, styling, and 4 doors is great.

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  Love the Forester - 2016 Subaru Forester
  By Andrew Liebowitz - November 26 - 11:01 am

  We wound up getting the special edition 2017 Subaru Forester XT turbo. We LOVE the vehicle. Its fast, reliable, looks great and my wife is in love with her new truck. I have the 2006 WRX which I love. We are happy to be a Subaru family!!

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  This truck is a blast - 2004 Subaru Baja
  By Bertag - November 26 - 2:00 am

  My Turbo Baja handles like a sedan, will haul my bicycles or dirt bike and accelerates like a musclecar. The interior is well designed and very comfortable. The five speed was hard to find but well worth the effort. If 80% of the full size truck drivers would admit to themselves that this is all they really need for hauling and off road operation---they would be a lot happier on a daily basis.

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  Best AWD For The Money - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By jparees - November 26 - 2:00 am

  After researching AWD wagons under $21,000, We decided on this car.It has more than lived up to our expectations.With more than adequate power(165HP)and a smooth 5sp transmission, it handles mountain roads under all conditions(wet or Dry). The breaks are excellent and its handling is responsive.With the seats down,it has 61 cu.ft. of cargo room. And with the top rack it provided plenty of space for camping gear. Additionally, we averaged 27.5mpg on the trip to Yosemite.