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 Features and Value! - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By taris128 - February 12 - 12:36 am

  My wife is a loyal Subaru customer, this B9 is her 3rd Subaru. The interior of this vehicle is superb. The standard features like power moonroof, AWD, curtain airbags, fog lights make it a great value. We really like the B9 styling, the exterior is very unique.

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  Never Again - 2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek
  By TD - February 11 - 9:43 pm

  First and last Subaru. Bought it because appearance of Japanese mid-size AWD alternatives were repugnant. Awful-sound system and navigation. Excessive cabin noise. Anemic power and poor gas mileage. Dashboard radiates too much heat which cooling system cannot overcome. External paint chips easily and is costly and difficult to repaint. Internal leather cheap and tears easily even with constant care. Repeated electrical problems with hybrid system, beginning at 47,000 miles.

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  Owned it for a month. - 2017 Subaru Outback
  By Jim Martin - February 11 - 3:35 am

  Owned it for a month. Its been great so far.

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  Dont let your car die:( - 2011 Subaru Outback
  By michaelborge - February 11 - 12:32 am

  I am really unhappy that I bought my car. I have had it four weeks and it has spent the last 3 days in the shop. One of my kids left a dome light on in the car over night and it died. The next morning I tried to jump it and it wouldnt jump. The car had stopped recognizing my keys and remote starter. I had to get it towed and reprogrammed. I dont want a car that is going to need to be towed if the battery goes dead. The gas milage is no where near thirty like it say that it can get. I average about 20 on the highway.

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  Constantly having to check engine oil - 2014 Subaru Forester
  By john749 - February 9 - 11:04 am

  Ok. we do drive a lot of miles(33,000) in 1 year. We have car serviced every 5000 miles at our local Subaru dealer with Subaru products. Each time of service I buy 2 extra quarts of oil this will keep it full until next service.I have complained they(dealer) tell me its normal consumption.No leaks. It does drive and ride well just a pain to keep up with the engine oil.We bought this car brand new and we dont abuse it.This is info for anyone thinking of buying the 14 forester 2.5.We buy a new car every 3 years not sure if well buy another Subaru.

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  Love it - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By Mark Rossney - February 8 - 2:00 am

  I bought a 2004 WRX SportWagon at the end of August of 03. In a few months Ive already put nearly 8,000 miles on the car. Ive not had a single problem with it to date. The performance is very good. The handling (stock tires and suspension) could be improved upon, but is by no means disappointing. I got the wagon for its cargo hauling ability and have not once regretted the choice. I would buy this vehicle again without hesitation.

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  One of the best! - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By wizeguySI - February 8 - 2:00 am

  I just bought a new wrx, and i am absolutely thrilled with the car. The performance is unbelievable, the looks are extremely sexy, it handles amazingly, and the AWD is probably the greatest feature of the car. I never lose traction in this car and i have to say, its much better than the previous cars I have owned. My last car was a 1999 Acura Integra Gs-r, with many modifications done to it, and it still is slower than this wrx. The wrx is so much fun to drive, and the momo steering wheel and boost gauge really top everything off.

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  1st Subaru after 17 years of Cherokees - 2006 Subaru Forester
  By babybob - February 7 - 1:33 am

  Since Jeep no longer made the Cherokee & gas prices are high, it seemed to be the logical choice to get a "highly regarded" Forester. Ive owned it for almost a year & have 12500 miles on it. The car (& make no mistake, it is a car) gets decent mileage for this type of vehicle, rides peppily after a bit of sluggishness at the start, & gives a decent ride on a nice dry highway. The build quality of the body seems flimsy, tinny. Doesnt come across as a sturdy car at all. Has developed several rattles & a crunching sound in the rear when going over speed bumps/dips. Experience in the snow has been frightful, if not downright dangerous. Useless in SLUSH(!) in city driving. Wont even think of taking it offroad.

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  One hot car - 2005 Subaru Legacy
  By CAinAL - February 5 - 3:43 pm

  I bought my Sub after seeing so many in the mountains of California. I now live in Alabama and I love driving it all year round, but it is definitely a cold weather car! The vents blow warm air so I have to keep the AC on all the time in the spring, summer and fall. The AC has a hard time keeping up with the 100+ degree weather and high humidity. But it handles great in the torrential downpours we get here and I wouldnt trade it.

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  An Outback Sport review - 2008 Subaru Impreza
  By Bob - February 5 - 2:40 pm

  This car is a lot of fun to drive, and if your drive normally pits you against the elements, it is especially worth considering. So far, Im enjoying it a whole lot. Premium features incorporated in the Outback Sport are very worthwhile. VDC/TCS addition in an under $20,000 AWD car is impressive. Yes, I have a 2000 RS 2.5 that beats this car in handling, but that is not something that happened between model years. From my perspective, whatever compromises were made were worth it. You need to see it and drive it.