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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  14 XT possibly the best Forester ever. - 2014 Subaru Forester
  By kurtamaxxxguy - November 4 - 9:01 pm

  The 14 Forester project leader vowed to improve last gen Forester in every way. He and his team have largely succeeded, for the 14 XT manages to ride, handle, accelerate, brake, and use fuel far better than the capable 09 XT it replaces. More like Lexus or euro car, the new XT outdoes most euros on interior packaging efficiency. Reliabilitys unknown as of yet but 14 build quality seems good with far fewer rattles and jiggles than in the older XT.

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  2010 Subaru Forester - 2010 Subaru Forester
  By RC - November 2 - 5:33 am

  We have had this car about 3-months. It is a little rough around the edges. It has a lot of power in a 4-cylinder engine though a little noisy when first started. It is comfortable and easy to drive, but my wife complains the rear hatch is heavy and hard to close. The car has the all-weather package which is excellent. Windshield and mirrors are easy to clear of snow/sleet/fog. I am disappointed in features it is missing. Homelink is extra. Bluetooth is extra. Backup camera is extra. The radio sounds flat and CDs sound like something is missing.

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  Good performance - 2009 Subaru Outback
  By Mac - October 28 - 3:20 am

  The driving is perfect. I only feel that the interior design need to be improved to create more space. I hardly can operate the windows with a door handle just 3 inches away.

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  Liking it more than I thought I would - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By rc - October 27 - 5:03 pm

  We tested everything on the market, from the RAV4 all the way up to the XC90, and chose the 7 passenger Ltd Tribeca, feeling it offered more for the money. We are new to the Subaru brand and enjoying the experience so far. After a bad start, on purchase day, the car we originally leased broke down, but the dealership quickly replaced it. After 4 months of use, this car has really grown on me. Useless third row for anyone over 4 feet, but the fit, finish, ride and comfort are excellent. It fits two adults, two car seats and everything we need to pack easily without feeling overly large. The handling is sharp and the all wheel drive and traction control systems are great

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  Get a radar detector - 2008 Subaru Impreza
  By Mick - October 25 - 5:10 pm

  Fun to drive, plenty of torque, manual trans a little clunky, needs to be easier to shift, headliner seems to be made of cardboard, plastics on dash are not top notch. Instrument cluster is good, reminds me of Audi. Test drove Civic Si, Subaru is quieter, better ride and dont have to shift as often, also get more torque at lower rpm, seats are more comfy and easier to clean, more back seat room. I picked WRX even though it cost several thousand more for its driving character and I like the looks of the sedan.

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  Holy - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By junkiegolfer - October 25 - 2:00 am

  A buddy at work bought one. I asked if I could take it for a spin. No prob he says. So off we go. He says go ahead get on it. This car scared the heck out of me. I stepped on it a little and realized that this car had TREMENDOUS performance ability. YIKES! It would have taken me a considerable amount of time to learn the car before I could GET ON IT!. THIS IS a hyperFAST car!!!!!

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  Luxurious Forrester - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By do-da - October 24 - 8:10 am

  Wanted a Forrester for a year. Went to buy one but none on the lot. Test drove the new body style Outback. It has the same benefits as the Forrester, plus the advantage of better gas mileage and more plush interior. Cant beat the 30+ MPG on an AWD vehicle. Plus, its wide enough to seat 3 kids booster seats.

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  Not Reliable - 2004 Subaru Forester
  By An - October 19 - 2:00 am

  Even before our first oil change (1200 miles) it left us sit. It would crank but would not start. Towed to dealership which proceeded to take 2 full weeks to repair it. Just got it back today. Dealer says the problem was that there was a fault in the engine wiring harness that caused a short circuit in the electrical supply to the fuel pump. Blew a 30 amp fuse that prevented the fuel pump from working. Luckily it did not happen while driving or impact could have been much worse.

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  One Great Car - 2002 Subaru Outback
  By David Sander - October 19 - 2:00 am

  I purchesed this car after my 2000 Outback Limited was hit head on at a high rate of speed by a Honda Accord. I walked away, she didnt. Safety sold me on the car. The H6 is an awsome engine. Gobbs of power and torque. I love this car!

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  A good solid vehicle - 2004 Subaru Outback
  By Lrac - October 19 - 2:00 am

  A generally smooth driving, fuel economic vehicle. Some wind noise over 60MPH. I find the drivers seat to be a bit uncomfortable ( pressure on right buttock), and cant get rid of it with the seat adjustment. The sound system (McIntosh) is great. Fit and finishare OK, but there was a scratch on the windshield from the wiper blade from the start.