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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  Great Fun But Needs Work - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By drcaveman - June 8 - 10:00 am

  To Keep it simple heres what I did to make the car as good as it should have been from the factory. 1. Get rid of the horrible Potenzas they ruin the cars potential 2. Get a K&N this simple change for $40.00 makes a tremendous difference. Eg. at 1800 RPM I make about 5 PSI in the turbo, by 2500 I have reached Peak Pressure. Some handling problems in my car stem from an under achieving rear Limited slip, it behaves as an open diff would especialy when stuck in the snow. Changing tires greatly improves the overall feel.

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  2002 Outback wagon - 2002 Subaru Outback
  By nhs275 - June 8 - 10:00 am

  Car performance in snow/ice is great. Car has poor passing/climbing performance. WAY too much wind and road noise at freeway speeds.

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  5th Subaru and the Worst one ever - 2015 Subaru Outback
  By James Meyer - June 5 - 6:17 pm

  We bought our 5th Subaru because of the Outbacks revised exterior styling, 4 cylinder engine and the new touch screen system. I was happy as we drove off into the sunset and then my attitude soured. I think the entire entertainment layout is horrible. The volume control for the stereo is very small. Touch screen is not intuitive. The outside temp and time displays are very small. The worst is how it handles in the snow. Just driving in my neighborhood I have slid around corners and through corners with bad traction control and antilock braking. My confidence is shattered. Mountain driving is no longer fun as I am white knuckling the entire time. Anyone else experience this?

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  They need to upgrade the quality of their plastics and fix some of the "accepted" normal problems with Subarus - 2011 Subaru Outback
  By 1happycamper - May 28 - 8:12 am

  I have owned two Subaru’s over the past four years (2009 Forrester; 2011 Outback). I was happy to start up with the Subaru line since I thought I would be getting a quality car. I have to say that I’ve been disappointed in the quality and irksome “normal” issues. It has the standard Subaru brake clunk and the muffler-guard rattle. It has a catalytic convertor baffle noise vibration too. It has a clicking noise behind the driver’s dashboard and creaking/rattles in the plastic trays on the sides of the doors. I’ve already started looking at what other car brand I might be able to purchase. Sorry Subaru, it’s sayonara for me.

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  Week Old & Totalled - 2005 Subaru Impreza
  By Skie - May 28 - 6:03 am

  I only had the opportunity to drive the vehicle about ten times before the accident. It handled really well and was fun to drive. The seats became pretty uncomfortable for both my wife and me after 45-60 minutes of driving. I would suggest anyone looking at buying an Impreza to take a long test drive before deciding to buy. I have concerns over the safety of the vehicle from rear impact accidents. Both seat backs broke and were in the reclined position after our accident. In fact the seats went back so far that they bent over the rear seat. We were also pushed into the car in front of us at a considerable speed and the airbags did not deploy.

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  Overrated car. - 2013 Subaru Legacy
  By mperillo - May 22 - 6:31 pm

  I had the 2010 Subaru Legacy and it was a great car so I got the 2013 Legacy. Big mistake. They changed the suspension and now the car has a harsh, noisy, jittery ride. From a great car to a lousy one. I get 17 mpg city, 34 highway. There is no noticeable improvement in handling nor any improvement in mpg. OEM tires are not good. Theyre noisy and neutralize any benefit you get from an awd vehicle. Subaru lost me as a returning customer. Will not buy/lease one again.

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  Our third and last Subaru - 2002 Subaru Outback
  By Moneted - May 21 - 10:00 am

  Exeptional AWD. Came withe bad alignmant (insides of front tires gone-Subaru not responsible), one of the motor mount bolts missing (I discovered it while changing oil at 1000 miles). In general qertionable production line quality

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  Faulty Transmission. Unrepairable!! - 2008 Subaru Tribeca
  By goodhobbes - May 19 - 4:30 pm

  Bought new two years ago. My last Subaru! I purchased this vehicle based upon reputation for reliability. Experienced what appeared to be slippage of the torque converter within the first few days of ownership. A sensation like an engine "miss" in 5th gear (torque converter locked). Dealerships have been unable to correct the problem despite numerous visits, and Subaru Canada have been unable to guide the technicians in finding a "fix".This has persisted for two years. Two new torque converters and numerous adjustments to computer, solenoids,etc. have failed. Subaru has ignored my communications. I am stuck with this vehicle, it appears! Brakes are poor, Front suspension knocks.

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  The quality and love are gone! - 2007 Subaru Outback
  By bobg04 - May 19 - 7:45 am

  I previously owned a 97 Outback, so when I got a deal on the 07 I was excited at first. I liked the high ground clearance, more horsepower, larger fuel tank, and roomy interior. Then I noticed the still weak fuel efficiency, cheap knobs, cheap and hard to clean interior fabric, and door windows that catch (like my 97). This was nothing when my head gasket went at 97.5 k miles, like my 97 head gasket that went at 105 k. Subaru said they fixed this, but too many others have had the same problem. Its inexcuseable. I think Subaru have lost their quality, and owe all of us the cost of the repair for their poor design. Next time Im looking for another brand of car.

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  Second Beaner - 2008 Subaru Outback
  By jim n. - May 13 - 10:16 pm

  Traded our 2002 Bean Outback. This one is a much better performer but the interior has been redesigned for the worse. Controls were moved around to accomodate the opt. Nav. screen (which should be mounted on the dash). Climate controls placed low behind gearshift, audio controls lowered. You used to be able to adjust with a glance, now you have to take your eyes off the road. No storage for cds or loose change. The ashtray barely holds a chapstick. Rear seats no longer fold truly flat. Parking brake lever intrudes on drivers right leg. Odometer/temp/etc multigauge is useless and annoying.