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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  Do Everything - 2008 Subaru Outback
  By Ron Boller - February 1 - 3:06 am

  Have a 2002 WRX, wanted a vehicle with power and handling that had more room, more ground clearance and more comfort. The Outback XT fit the bill. The WRX is fun and to this point bullet proof. The Outback does not corner as well, but is a fast and much more comfortable. So far so good.

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  Lives up its reputation - 2003 Subaru Outback
  By TP - January 31 - 9:53 pm

  Very pleased with my Outback LL Bean H6 Wagon. Although it produces annoying wind noise (apparently a Subaru trait), and can use a five speed auto transmission to move it up hills easier, the H6 is very smooth and moves well on the highway. I find it enjoyable and fun to drive. It handles well, and I like the ride. The posi rear hinders the performance in snow as compared to non-posi Subarus, but you still feel secure. My brothers had 7 Subarus and talked me into buying this one. Im glad he did. It was between this and the 4Motion VW Passat Wagon, but after talking to former and current VW owners, and reading that the VWs reliability reviews were horrific, it was an easy decision.

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  Never again - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By larry - January 31 - 5:46 pm

  This car is the worst used car Ive ever owned and Ive new bought a new car in my life. Ive had trouble with the alarm going off for no reason for months and the dealer not being able to figure it out then finally they discovered the rear hood latch was faulty. Ive had several sensors replaced one cost three hundred and one around four hundred. The rear wheel bearing went out and the heater fan needed to be replaced. It blows headlights constantly and has a horrible squeak in the dash. All these repairs in less than a year, and the car doesnt even have 70k on it - seems ridiculous back to toyotas for me.

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  Good All-Around SUV - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By Matt - January 31 - 2:26 pm

  Extremely satisfied so far - wanted an AWD vehicle with manual transmission that was good on gas and could haul my bike and kayak. Also have two small children, so ride quality was also important. Outback has met or exceeded all of these requirements. Comfortable on long trips - averaged 33 mpg highway; getting 24.3 mpg in mixed driving. People have commented on how they like the dark gray color, and that it looks like a more expensive vehicle.

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  Impressed - 2010 Subaru Legacy
  By tstan - January 31 - 8:20 am

  I was looking for a safe, reliable, all- wheel drive vehicle that had good gas mileage, and this was the car I choose. It is quick, responsive, and fun to drive. I initially got 28 mpg on its first highway trip (doing 70-75 mph) and then got 30 mpg (doing 75-80 mph). The car still has under 1000 miles on it. The toggle shifters are fabulous, the suspension is stiff, yet comfortable, the acceleration is easily adequate, the stereo sound is excellent, the quietness was unexpected, and on top of it all, I got one heck of a deal. This Subaru may eventually turn out to be the best overall vehicles Ive owned.

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  Better than the BMW or Lexus - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By Ken - January 30 - 1:50 pm

  I previously owned a Subaru, and wanted to again buy such a reliable automobile. I test drove Lexus, BMW, Mercedes and a number of other SUVs. Then I read about, and immediately test drove and purchased the new Subaru Tribeca. For the money, the luxury and quality of this vehicle can not be beat. My average mileage is about 21; less than expected but okay. The comfort and style of the vehicle is first rate. Now that I have the navigation system, I can not imagine being without one (it is like a cell phone, it becomes a necessity). The interior is extremely attractive and roomy, also great headroom for a tall guy.

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  LOVE THIS VEHICLE - 2014 Subaru Forester
  By divakeys - January 29 - 11:00 pm

  I have come from 2 new cars in the last 4 years that had have mechanical problems, one being a Honda, so I bought this in hopes of a better exp. (Well see about reliability, only time will tell) This care is awesome-at first, I was not impressed with how barren the interiors of Subarus are, but now I get it. Give me a great car with an simple design, and thats what I have. I get great gas mileage because I am VERY careful about not "gunning" it...28/32, and I only have 1800 miles on the car. Loads of space, giant moonroof, great visibility. Only quibble is that the armrest/center cubical is small. I look forward to many years with this car!!

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  SAFETY FIRST - 2007 Subaru Outback
  By JG - January 27 - 10:43 am

  I was hit head on by a drunk driver going about 50 mph. I just got my Subaru two months earlier, and if it werent for that car and the grace of God, Id be dead. I want another one just like it. The safety features worked very well, and kept all of us from being seriously injured. Consider this type of car as one of your top picks. And NO, I do not represent Subaru. This report is straight from the heart.

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  I like it - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By tom - January 26 - 5:23 pm

  My last new car was a 1989 Range Rover. After twenty years I traded it, cash for clunkers, for the Outback. I travel on dirt roads to get to my home. The road clearance is a very important feature. Off road ride is excellent. On pavement it drives like a sporty sedan.

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  Im a convert! - 2016 Subaru Forester
  By Baseball Townie - January 26 - 12:43 pm

  First, please understand I was driving a 2008 KIA Sportage manual shift and was very happy with it, when my wife told me it was time to get a new vehicle. Hey, I dont have to be told twice. I did a lot of research, and a lot of looking, and the new KIAs did not suit my purposes. I do a lot of kayaking and other outdoor activities. The new KIAs roof rack design was not conducive to carrying sea kayaks, plus they havent been highly rated. I also looked at the Toyota RAV-4s, and have experience with the Honda CRV since my wife has one- none seems to be the package I was looking for. The more I read, the more I thought the Forester was just what I needed. Not the sportiest vehicle out there, but reputed to be reliable, good gas mileage, good traction, and roomy without being overly big. The Forester turns out to be beyond my expectations. The kayaks fit easily, and I havent noticed any decrease in the MPG with them on top. I have been averaging about 29 MPG on non-highway driving. I love the moon-roof, and the entertainment system is great. All the usual driving controls are very intuitive. Ive heard complaints about acceleration, but I find it peppier than my old Kia- not a problem merging onto the interstate. The car handles nicely on our winding back country roads, and the high clearance was perfect for the dirt "roads" in the Adirondacks that I frequent. It is quieter than my Kia, and the CVT seems to work much smoother than a traditional auto transmission. There is good visibility while driving. I also read extensively about the oil burning problem reported on older models- this gave me some pause, but after grilling the sales person and service manager, I was assured the problem had been fixed. And so far I havent used a drop of oil in over 2500 miles. Ill keep an eye on it, all the same. There are only a few things I would like to see improved. The dashboard material is very hard to keep clean- the pollen and dust stick readily to it. The instrument panel display (speedometer, etc.) are the nice red backlighting (protects your night vision) when the lights are on, but the sound system is an LED screen, which I find excessively bright at night. Unfortunately there is only one dimmer switch, and when I decrease the brightness to suitable level, I can barely see the speedometer panel. Another minor annoyance is the design of the door trim. I have long legs, and tend to sit splay legged when I drive, therefore my knee rests against this protruding trim. After an 8 hour drive across the state, I found I had pressure marks.Another adjustment Ive had to make is the delay when moving from reverse to drive. Seems to lag a little. It may just be my transition to an automatic from a manual, but I do have to be aware of the change in timing for when I back out onto the road- I need more lead time to keep others from getting perturbed. The "all weather" mats that come as part of the "upgrade" package are quite cheap and ineffective. Subaru should be embarrassed. They would be better off contracting with Weather Tech to make some decent mats- particularly at the sticker price they put on these crappy things. The only other "regret" I have is the interior color. I got the blue exterior, which is really snazzy, but I didnt pay much attention to the seat color, which is a very light shade. I can see that down the road these are going to get grimed up. I guess you can argue the light color seats will be cooler in the summer- but living in the north, that is not a great benefit. I cant fault Subaru for my choice- just be aware. Overall, I am very happy with my new Forester, and I expect to be driving it for years to come.