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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  First Subaru and its awesome - 2016 Subaru Outback
  By Jay - September 2 - 5:19 pm

  This is my first Subaru after many years with Honda. Felt it was time for a change and absolutely love my Outback 3.6R. For my needs, it has everything I wanted. I do wish it had more horsepower but thats nit picking as the H6 is more than adequate for daily driving and trips with gear and passengers. I test drove the 2.5 and 3.6 back to back on several occasions and felt the 3.6 was smoother overall. The CVT with the H6 engine is a great combination. I actually forget its a CVT. Subaru programmed in fake shift points but they werent necessary. With that addition of the CVT fuel economy was improved and its not that much lower than my 4 cyl Hondas. Ive exceeded the estimated highway mpg many times on road trips. City driving can yield quite low mpg but I usually get the combined 22 mpg or better. Cargo space is more than enough for my needs. Seats are comfortable with the leather and its nice that all seats, including back, are heated. In the 3.6 you get HID headlights which are great. Many times dont need my high beams as I used to need in previous cars. Although I dont take it off road often, when I do it handles great. I switched out the rear sway bar to a stiffer one because I felt that on pavement it had a bit more body roll than I liked. Once I put in a 19mm sway bar instead of the stock 16mm, road handling was dramatically improved. I could go on and on about the pros of my new Outback but best thing to do is test drive one. I highly doubt Ill be going to back to Honda or any other brand any time soon. I find myself coming up with reasons to go out just to drive my Outback.

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  Wow, This Subie is HOT!! - 2005 Subaru Legacy
  By New Subie Owner - September 1 - 1:33 pm

  My previous vehicle was a Buick Regal GS which was very fast on its own. This Subie is unbelievably fast. Not only is there more than enough power when accelerating from a red light but there is reserve power at 70mph on the freeway to make many other sport car drivers feel a little embarrassed. Oh well, poor them.

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  My first Subaru - 2016 Subaru Forester
  By t grimsley - August 29 - 3:21 pm

  Drove everything in this class. Subaru clearly has the advantage. This car still has less than 2000 miles and combined city and highway I am averaging almost 29 MPG!

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  Genuine SUV - 2003 Subaru Forester
  By Zeke3579 - August 29 - 2:00 am

  Wanted an SUV for toughness and abilities. Looked at practically all and listened to what everone said - carefully. Had owned a Subaru wagon previously so deliberately left that to last. Absolutely no comparison, even went back to refresh my memory of the best of the competition. The Forester is relatively simple (not all bells & whistles of say Ford Escape) but does it all so much better - eg, space, comfort, access, reliability etc, etc. Yes, it could be better as nothing is absolutely perfect but the topper is that it is the safest SUV on the road. That and its clear vision from anywhere inside means most to me, and my family.

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  Very Satisfied - 2002 Subaru Outback
  By GTH - August 26 - 2:00 am

  Plenty of power when fully occupied. Much quieter than my former Legacy. How would it be if it was supecharged? Awesome?

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  Love my new Subie!!! - 2011 Subaru Impreza
  By SubieLove - August 26 - 2:00 am

  My first Subie and I LOVE HER! I need AWD for NH winters, so considered RAV4, Suzuki SX4, Matrix, Outback, Forester, Impreza. Did tons of research; this OBS had what I needed: reliability, safety, wagon versatility, adorability, good price. I LOVE driving this car. Smooth, but can feel the road; easy shifting (but shifter feels a bit rubbery); comfy seats; perfect cargo space for 1 person; hugs the road; very responsive; good stereo; sits up high w/lift on drivers seat. Ive owned a Tercel/Civic/Miata, so Im used to great mpg. Have driven 170 miles on 30-60 mph country roads; meter says 31 mpg. But I can see my fuel meter wand move down as I drive. Yow. But I adore this car already.

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  Great value, fun to drive - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By cfmelville - August 26 - 2:00 am

  Weve had the car for 11 months now and are pleased with the performance and reliability. The only maintenance weve needed was 2 oil changes, the last included checking for 2 recall issues (neither was found on our car.) Cargo room is adequate although with 2 adults and 2 large dogs we did purchase a roof basket since we car camp frequently. No complaints about handling, in fact the car handles quite well, very fast off the line and easy to drive on winding roads. Much nicer to drive than the Xterra we had before although not as rugged.

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  Best small SUV out there - 2002 Subaru Forester
  By Amandrew in MI - August 24 - 1:50 pm

  Bought new Nov. 2001, 100K miles as of today. Pros: Im 64" and fit fine, but barely; 25-27 mpg in mixed city/hwy; replaced clutch at 90K miles, which is pretty good; AWD is awesome; have driven in my grandmas sandy-soiled Michigan pasture off-road in all 4 seasons without getting stuck! Cons: auto-dimming mirror failed at 20K miles but was not covered under warranty, not worth $250 to replace; check engine light has come on 4 times between 30K and 100K - vacuum hose, emission control module, air/fuel sensor, and a 4th problem to be found at shop this week. None expensive, but none under warranty.

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  Very happy - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By Mario - August 23 - 4:16 pm

  I come from a German brand and I am very impressed with this car. It looks very nice and runs very nice also. Very good finishing and comfortable interior.

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  A++ - 2005 Subaru Legacy
  By A.J. - August 22 - 4:43 pm

  WOW what a blast to drive. I looked at 6 different makes of vehicles, but I kept coming back to the Legacy. Sporty and comfortable with plenty of room (Im 63"). Not bad MPG if you can keep your foot "out of it": 25 mpg with a 50/50 mix of city to highway usage.