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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  Monster - 2006 Subaru Impreza
  By Allan - February 13 - 12:40 pm

  Wow ... this is a monster. The performance is just out of this world. This car sells for $49,000 Canadian, but performance-wise goes toe to toe with such supercars as Ferrari, Porsche, etc. that are 3 to 4 times more expensive. The look on their faces is priceless when they just cant believe that their toys cant beat a Subaru, and a lot of times my STi actually leaves them in the dust (talking here especially about all the Audis, BMWs, Boxters, Mustangs, Firebirds, Camaros, previous generation Corvettes, some models of Ferraris, and the list goes on...). Can you believe that? I wouldnt if I didnt drive an STi. Considering the price this is a toy for a grown up boy, young at heart.

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  Love this car! Waiting for a hybrid! - 2001 Subaru Forester
  By Baltomd - February 13 - 10:00 am

  Everyone hates the cup holders and back seats in this year, so no need to comment. This car has been through several accidents (2 rear ends, high impact, and one passenger side). No one hurt. 235k miles so far. Totally fun to drive, a breeze to park. Feels like an SUV and behaves like a compact. Many years of highway commuting and felt very safe. (accidents were other idiots in local traffic!). Im sorry that the newer models are high end premium. This is the perfect car to adapt to a hybrid! Not giving this puppy up yet!

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  Better in Most Ways - 2010 Subaru Forester
  By Roger - February 13 - 10:00 am

  This is the Third Subaru We have purchased. I use a 2006 Forester for commuting. We have had the 2010 for about three weeks now and have put on some 1000 miles. We have come up with the following improvements with the new Forester; Much smoother ride, much quieter cabin, very comfortable seats, More leg room, rear seats are much more comfortable with more leg room especially with the reclining feature. when exiting the vehicle, you dont have to climb up out of it like the older versions. We found we didnt like lack of snappy response the older models had, no temp gauge, and less interior storage. That said, we have found the Forester to be a much better vehicle than the last version.

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  Sirius Radio missing - 2011 Subaru Outback
  By Golferjak - February 13 - 10:00 am

  I had an 03 Outback with 140,000 miles and traded it for the new design 2011 Outback - First distance travel was to Syracuse NY through NJ and PA 390 miles each way. I use cruise control when I can and got 29.5 miles per gallon both ways. And we traveled with two bikes and luggage for a week.

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  Scooby Rex! - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By DrDray - February 13 - 7:46 am

  Excellent car! Fun to drive, reliable, and good mileage for turbo charged vehicle.

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  well designed car with issues - 1998 Subaru Forester
  By michael - February 13 - 4:03 am

  The major systems were above average in quality and reliability. My problem with the car was the electrical system. Door-open lights wouldnt turn off until the car was started. Remote locking malfunctioned. A lot of items stopped working after several years: radio, lighter, cassette, clock, rear window defroster. Checked fuses; mechanic said too expensive to trace problem. Average city/hwy. combined gas mileage (after a full tune-up) was only about 20-21 mpg. Trunk latch started to fail. Had same problem with our 92 Legacy wagon.

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  great car - 2008 Subaru Impreza
  By new buyer - February 13 - 12:56 am

  I just purchased the Impreza. The 170 HP and AWD make the car perform exceptionally. The seats are of a 70s type found in cars in the 80s the velor which i prefer stitched cloth. I have test driven many cars this was my choice.

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  Its an OK car - 2000 Subaru Legacy
  By I like AWD - February 12 - 11:00 pm

  Pretty sluggish vehicle, but handles well with the AWD, and will go anywhere. Have had numerous problems with the suspension and brake systems. Can’t complain about mileage (25 avg) since it is all-time AWD.

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  Very Overlooked - 2008 Subaru Tribeca
  By mercuryhater - February 12 - 4:22 pm

  Wow i cant believe this car isnt popular. We just bought used with 41000 miles on it the flat 6 sounds good at start up and has a nice dual exhaust. The Sport mode doesnt do anything. Acceleration is very good. Ours is Gray on black which is kind of boring because our last 2 car were silver/ gray. The Tribeca is very agile and feels sporty. the glove box has no room. We like the sunroof visor because you can have it shut with the glass tilted. the navigation works well it is very calming and doesnt sound like a computer

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  Very happy owner !!!!! - 2012 Subaru Impreza
  By 7887 - February 12 - 2:58 pm

  Ive only have had this car two weeks and so far its great.My first tank I drove 450 mi. mixed cuty/highway.That came out to 31.1 mpg huge diffrence from my 08 Buick at 17 mpg.