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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  Shear Power - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By zac123 - September 13 - 2:00 am

  This is my first real sports car. I love the shear power of the engine. Very fun to drive and handles turns well.

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  AWD Excellent - 2003 Subaru Legacy
  By Sean Hynes - September 11 - 2:00 pm

  This car has done a great job. AWD is excellent in the snow, and we get 100+ inches each year. Gas mpg average 23 with a good amount of highway driving. Quality and reliability have been excellent, not one problem in almost 3 years! Could use a few more horses, and interior space is limited, basically a 4 seater.

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  Great Pick - 2011 Subaru Outback
  By Nate - September 10 - 7:23 pm

  I took my brand new Outback from Virginia to Colorado a few weeks ago, a true "road test." After almost 4,000 miles, and absolutely no issues, I would recommend this car to anyone. If the upgrades are within your budget, definitely spring for the limited package. Leather, sunroof, power seats, heated mirrors, windows and seats, auto climate control, all standard (with the limited). Unfortunately the luxury comes with quite a steep increase in price (~5,000) over the base. All in all, great car and quite a steal for the price.

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  Paint on 2nd Color of Car - 2002 Subaru Outback
  By MsMcGoo - September 5 - 10:00 am

  The lower plastic on the Subaru Outback has an issue with peeling. This happens after a your car has been severly door dinged. The plastic bends but the paint does not stick to the plastic. This also occurs when a rock goes through your bumper. This is cosmetic but for a brand new car, the paint should not be peeling.

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  So far, so good - 2009 Subaru Outback
  By Sneeral - September 5 - 8:46 am

  Ive had my Outback for a month now and put on 1200 miles. It has exceeded my expectations so far. Im just out of a 2005 Nissan Murano and I expected that it would be a step down in almost all regards except gas mileage. While it isnt quite as comfortable a ride and the quality of interior isnt quite as good, Ive been pleasantly surprised at how well the car drives. Except for pedal-to-the-metal acceleration, it honestly feels like a 6 cylinder not a 4. Good torque and power delivery. The handling is better than the Muranos, no doubt due to the considerably lower center of gravity. Gas mileage so far is consistently 24.6 mpg through each of 3+ tankfuls.

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  Love it. - 2002 Subaru Outback
  By Kent - September 4 - 6:20 am

  Had the H6 sedan for almost 6 months now and love it. Handles great, rides great, and fun to drive. Only issue is that my breaks squeal loudly after they get warmed up and no dealership yet can figure it out. Ugh. Other than that I am sold on my Subaru! Absolutely a great car. I drive a ton for work and I am always comfortable and never stiffen up driving long road trips.

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  Great Car - 2000 Subaru Legacy
  By Ed B - August 31 - 10:06 pm

  Our second Legacy (the first one ran to 150,000 miles without a hitch). Good reliable car, enough pick-up (not a drag racer, though). The seats are comfortable and wear well. Car still looks good 6 years later. I would buy another one in a heartbeat.

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  Awesome Drive - 2000 Subaru Legacy
  By condo9 - August 30 - 10:00 am

  I LOVE THIS CAR. I have put over 80,000 miles on my Outback in 2 years. I bought it because I backpack, bike, and haul my dogs around..Plus, I wanted a car that was going to last me more than 200,000 miles. Ive been to CO, TN, MO, and IN, in rain, snow, ice, and am completely satisfied with this cars ability to handle it all.

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  Too much of a compromise. - 2005 Subaru Forester
  By kdburns - August 27 - 9:00 am

  Rattles, rattles everywhere, so lets go trade it in. This car rattles so much I almost drove it straight to a dealership to trade-in on several occasions. Overall, the Forester is too much of a compromise, it does a lot of stuff okay, but nothing very well. The XT accelerates fast, but doesnt corner to match. The all wheel drive does well on slick roads, but the cheap plastic skid plate will tear off on the first snow berm it finds. 7 inches of clearance is nerve-racking on rocky roads; I was constantly asking myself, "is that rock over 7 inches?" I averaged 25 mpg from a manual XT over 60000 miles. I saw several tanks over 30 mpg, but several tanks well under 20 mpg in city traffic.

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  Downsizing. - 2010 Subaru Impreza
  By Ngnear - August 24 - 1:16 pm

  Sold a Honda Pilot to get the 5-door Subie due to a longer commute after moving. Boy, everyone was right about the stereo. It stinks! But I was expecting it after reading the reviews here. Ride is comfortable. Handling is decent, much better than the Pilot but not as good as my previous Prelude SH. Decent power though. Gas mileage is 27mpg mostly freeway. A little low on mpg but wanted the AWD so its a trade-off. Only had it for 2 weeks. No regrets about getting the Subie. Will update once the the weather gets wet in the Fall.