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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  its a subaru thing , u wouldnt understand. - 2016 Subaru Legacy
  By mark - January 23 - 2:24 am

  This is my second subaru. i love this car. Is it as fast as camry or honda, NO. Is it as luxurious as an Audi or BMW, NO. If you are comparing this to other cars in its class you probably wont get it because there are no other cars in its class. I live in the northwest where there is a ton of snow and super slick roads mixed in with mountain passes. Subarus AWD system outperforms all of them. HANDS DOWN. For traction and safety is a slam dunk. throw in comfort , value, and a redesigned interior.*****

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  Under powered / poor engineering - 2016 Subaru Outback
  By Richard Feeman - January 22 - 10:55 am

  The engine is woefully underpowered and can barely get up the hill where I live. I usually have the get the engine to 4,000 rpm to maintain a speed of 25 mph going up a 10 to 15 degree slope. The engine sounds like it is about to fly apart going up my hill. The CVT transmission has a serious design flaw in that there is a full 2 second delay when shifting from reverse to drive. When you are backing out onto a road that slopes slightly up or down, you must be prepared to wait the full 2 seconds with your foot on the brake instead of the accelerator, or the car will roll on you, possibly hitting another car or obstacle. I have had the car checked at the Subaru dealer and have been told that this unsafe behavior is "normal".

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  Never expected to like it so much - 2014 Subaru Outback
  By todrit - January 21 - 8:47 am

  I have had my subaru Outback fro two months and I honestly never thought I would like it so much. I went for it mainly for the value and comfort. it really is a fun car to drive and has great gas mileage. I never even concidered a Subaru, my wife talked me into looking at them. the only issue i have found is that the control for the radio are a bit hard to reach while your driving and the sound system is just OK.

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  Nightmare of a car! - 2006 Subaru Forester
  By Ray Balker - January 21 - 1:06 am

  Do not even think of touching this piece of junk. This thing shifts like crazy. During a gear shift, the car slows down by a couple of MPH and revs up to another couple of MPH. I have back pain and neck pain because of this. The car talk guys were right, buy this if you want to be whiplashed every day and every time you drive this car.

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  First Subaru - 2018 Subaru Crosstrek
  By Bill - January 19 - 7:32 pm

  Great car

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  Reliable, uncomfortable seats - 2003 Subaru Legacy
  By Jaschin - January 19 - 3:00 pm

  This is our 2nd subaru purchase with no regrets. Handeling and reliability consistent. DYI maintenance is easy to perform. Opted for the spoiler and leather seating to improve the "fun" factor. A little underpowered for the weight but as a daily driver, it fits the bill. No problems what so ever. If you are looking for exceptional reliability for commuting through snow, the balance of price and features (including AWD) if a good value

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  Best new compact truck - 2003 Subaru Baja
  By pbranda906 - January 19 - 2:00 am

  This is a great alternative to expensive large trucks.If you are a Home Depot goer this is all you need. It feels and rides like a car and has the room you need for those big items you buy you just cant get in a car.

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  i like it - 2003 Subaru Outback
  By nab - January 19 - 2:00 am

  not the most appealing looking, but rock solid and very capable with inclement driving(pouring rain and deep snow).

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  I dont have a catchy title - 2016 Subaru Legacy
  By Steve B. - January 18 - 3:43 pm

  The car is fantastic. The only thing I wish it had is ventilated seats, and maybe a heated steering wheel. Its quick enough for me, but I would have expected a little more out of the 6 cylinder engine.

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  To drive a B9 is to want a B9! - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By John Giambalvo - January 17 - 10:33 pm

  I happened upon the B9 while out driving other vehicles in its class. It was the fifth drive in less than a week. After about twenty seconds, I knew this was a superior ride to all of the previous ones. In the three weeks since taking it home, it has only reinforced my decision. I wait for the chances to drive it. I cant wait for snow to come. Its obvious that Subaru knows AWD given the incredible popularity of the Outback. The B9 is an utterly new level of Subaru. The cockpit is even fun to just be sitting in. I warn you, if you take for a test drive, you will want to take it home.