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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  A fun ride! - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By John - August 23 - 3:33 am

  I have been looking for just the right vehicle that will fit my 66" body, be comfortable, get reasonable gas mileage for a small SUV and be fun to drive at a reasonable price. The Subaru B9 is just that car. I look forward to driving this vehicle each day as it truly is comfortable for a tall person. Although it is a bit lacking in 0-60 acceleration it has more than enough power to make the driving experience fun. Both the interior and exterior are refined and stylish. Some have complained about the front end being ugly but I will bet it will grow on people the longer it is out. I love it!

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  XT Fun - 2010 Subaru Forester
  By MN - August 21 - 2:30 pm

  I just took delivery of a 2010 XT Limited less than one week ago. I cant wait to drive in the first snowstorm of the year. I am consistently impressed by the acceleration and handling of this vehicle.

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  Good bang for the buck - 2003 Subaru Forester
  By Brian N. - August 21 - 12:40 am

  This is the first year of the redesign, and Subaru did a good job making the car feel more "quality." The fit/finish is higher than the previous generation, yet they still managed to pack in a lot of bang-for-the-buck features. This car is great for winter/cold-weather climates due to AWD, heated seats, etc.

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  Pleasantly surprised - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By oc22071 - August 19 - 2:40 pm

  This is my first Subaru purchase after owning mostly German cars. I got the forester to accommodate baby seat in the back and has plenty of room for front passenger even with rear facing baby seat. I would like to have the option of power front passenger seat but was not offered on any trim level.

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  Comfy, quiet, plenty of space, and great MPG - 2017 Subaru Outback
  By Ben - August 17 - 7:10 am

  I bought my Outback at the end of May, it is now October and I have almost 18,000 miles on it. The ride is comfy, and the seats are great for long rides. There is very little road noise unless you get past 70-75mph. Visibility is high in all directions, and the eye sight system has been fantastic, we have a lot of deer in our area and it has made me feel better doing my night driving. It does occasionally stop working in heavy rains but other than that I have no had any problems. I have overall averaged 28.2mpg, when I am taking mostly backroads at 55-60mph I average 32-34mpg. There is plenty of room for 2 passengers in the back and our 2 dogs in the very back. I would buy this care again in a heartbeat. I only have a few complaints or groans about it, 1. is that sometimes at low speeds the gear changes are anything but smooth Ill randomly get a jolt this does not happen all the time but happens enough to be annoying. 2. We recently took it on a roadtrip from the UP of Michigan to Colorado, we had a total of 2 adults and 1 weeks worth of camping gear and food, our overall trip MPG dropped to 22.9mpg we were driving our typical 70-75mpg and most of it was flatlands through Iowa, Nebraska, Wisconsin and Michigan ( I expected it to drop but not that much). And finally I knew buying a 4 cylinder engine I would get better mpg/less power I was realistic about this, but sometimes the lack of power is frustrating, make sure to plan you passing on the highway accordingly, because slamming the pedal down does not mean that youll get thrown back in your seat. It is a great car, I love the eyesight, it is quiet and comfortable, the controls are nice and help you keep your eyes on the road, and it has plenty of room for cargo/passengers/our dogs. If you want a car like ride, with plenty of cargo space and great MPG with AWD, then this is a great option. If you like having speed, power, and need to haul heavier equipment I would recommend something else.

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  Nice Car - 2009 Subaru Outback
  By TBUCK - August 14 - 8:00 am

  Standard 2.5i better than what I read. Very comfortable to drive. Harmon Kardon stereo so-so. Mileage seems better than I would think.

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  Most Fun for the Money - 2007 Subaru Impreza
  By Fandango - August 11 - 7:23 am

  This car reminds me of an English sports car in the sense that its a drivers car first. Performance and handling are near perfect, while creature comforts and amenities are less so. But thats OK. Ill trade overhead caddies, fancy cupholders, extra auxiliary power outlets, MP3 hookups, a premium sound system and even a little seat comfort for a thrill ride through canyon twisties any day, and thats what this little car delivers in spades, holding the road like a cat. Its about the most fun you can get in a new sport sedan for about $18,000. And yes, the 2.5 liter non-turbo engine produces plenty of smooth power and great torque for spirited driving in the old sports car tradition.

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  A Lot Of Car For The Money! - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By broman - August 9 - 10:20 am

  Recently purchased my WRX from a friend who owned it since 25K. Car now has 91K. Previous owner only did regular service with no other issues. This is the type of vehicle that you have to know what you are buying. It doesnt do anything spectacular but does do everything well. Power is adequate, interior is decent, looks are unique, MPG is good for a performance-based car, parts/service is reasonable, and resale is pretty good if you purchase used. I bought this car mainly for MPG as my other vehicle is an F150. And for $7000 I do not think I could get more car for the money. The car had already been upgraded to 17" wheels so it looks even better. Otherwise the car is completely stock.

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  Great Value for your Money - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By 23simply - August 8 - 4:00 am

  We were looking for an AWD or a 4WD, however, gas mileage and the NHTSA crash test rating were two big factors for us. We found this perfect and value laden family AWD that gives you the ground clearance and the traction of an SUV, the comfort of a long wheelbase car and the price of a 4 door sedan. Amazing! We love it, perfect for the family on the go, perfect for the New England Region. Oh the NHTSA rating for front and side crash test? 5/5... sweet!

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  Great car with one big issue - 2007 Subaru Legacy
  By Don - August 6 - 9:30 pm

  Ive owned a couple of Subarus in the past few years and theyve all been great cars. My 07 Legacy GT is just as good in many ways. I love this car, but after reading the other reviews I thought the issue of the "dip" / hesitation / stutter needs to be mentioned. Before you buy a new or used Legacy GT with the 2.5L turbo engine, be sure to take a thorough test drive and make sure you dont have the same issue many owners of the 2005 - 2008 MY Legacy GT experience. If you notice a very pronounced engine hesitation or bucking while accelerating between 3-4K RPMs, move on and find another Legacy GT. So far Subaru has not been able to fix this issue and I have just filed a lemon law claim.