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:

• 

  My First Subaru - 2003 Subaru Impreza
  By WangDAT - July 6 - 4:46 am

  First thing I noticed when I drove this car home from a SoCal dealership was how quiet the engine was compared to all the Honda Civics Ive owned. Its suprisingly fuel efficient if you stay off the boost, I netted 450 miles on a tank on that trip back home, where I average approximately 70 mph. Gas is now $2.90 for premium in my area, so this was a really pleasant suprise. The motor is pretty laggy though, but once youre in boost, its heaven. The handling is awesome and still offers a pretty good ride. I feel this car has the perfect mix of power, handling, braking, and fuel economy... at any price. My co-worker owns a 2001 Audi S4 and this car feels like a 9/10 version of it.

• 

  STi - 2005 Subaru Impreza
  By byron - June 30 - 9:43 pm

  I really love this car. The styling of the car is awesome. Though it may not be the fastest car out there it will really impress you.

• 

  Great Car at Great Value - 2006 Subaru Legacy
  By Sandman - June 25 - 6:30 am

  When it came to buy a new car, Legacy was not on my list until the last minute. I was looking at Audi A3 & A4, Acura TSX and Cadillac CTS. After test driving all of them numerous times, I wasnt quite sold on any of them. I really wanted an Audi but could not bring myself to spend the money for a car with one of worst reliability ratings. Acura TSX had everything I would want in a car in a nice package but was very boring to drive. And one day, I saw a car I hadnt seen before parked on my street. It was a brand new Subaru Legacy GT. After doing internet research and 2 test drive & a great treatment from the dealer, I had my car with everything I ask for in a car.

• 

  Great car! - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By James - June 22 - 6:23 am

  I purchased this car in 2003 with 20,000 miles already on it. I beat this car HARD all the way through college and its still kicking. Ive done all my own maintenance... its never been to the dealer. Ive had to replace the brakes (pads & rotors) at 68k, accessory belts at 70k, and a set of tires at 60k. I redline the car every time I drive it...its fun, reliable, and great in the snow!

• 

  EPA Mileage Joke - 2005 Subaru Forester
  By Bluepassion - June 19 - 11:53 pm

  I love my Forester, but the mileage is horrible. After several road trips I am lucky to get 22 MPG. This I find unacceptable. I have been driving like a Grandpa as well. I also find the performance to be sluggish at high speed. I can only muster 108 MPH top end from this car. Pathetic. I will drive it and I am going to start driving it hard. I had hoped for a more economical vehicle. At this juncture I almost should have opted for the Honda.The only reason I dont go back to an Audi is the arrogant price.

• 

  Could have been great, but... - 2002 Subaru Legacy
  By Dr. Alif Terranson - June 19 - 2:00 am

  The performance of the 4 wheezing mice just doesnt cut it. I actually thought the car had a problem, and brought it in for service - the service manager stated that this was "just the way it is with the newer Subarus, because of the emissions control requirements". This is, of course, pure BS, as I have an even newer car (from another manufacturer) that meets emissions without this performance hit. The performance is *so* bad that I was going to upgrade to the 6cyl, unfortunately, a drive in that confirmed that this is a design issue, and not an engine size problem.

• 

  WRX Wagon - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By LastCar - June 17 - 10:00 am

  The WRX Wagon is fun to drive and has a lot of power. Handling in the corners makes this car fun to drive. I could do with out the road noise. I like the wagon because people think I bought a family car, Until I give them a ride. All they can say is "WOW" The all wheel drive makes this car a great package.

• 

  Fun to drive! - 2006 Subaru Impreza
  By yotuki - June 17 - 8:46 am

  This car is a kick in the pants to drive. Ive had it for 3 months, and its been nothing but pleasurable. Performance wise, the car has a lot of power, and is very nimble; cornering is fun, as is taking it on a windy road. The build quality is good, but Ive noticed a few rattles. The clear plastics that cover the gauges and stereo scratch a little too easily, so be careful. Minor annoyances aside, its a great car at a great price point. I wouldnt hesitate recommending this car to anyone.

• 

  At least the 3rd recall since redsign - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By bergerb2 - June 15 - 12:00 pm

  Another recall - each one successively more potentially dangerous and harmful. Original upholstery build quality was poor and I wrote sub of America and sub of Indiana - alerting that if I can see the poor upholstery - what couldnt I see. In the intervening 6 months 3 recalls. A piece of crap. And oh - no one of responsibility ever even wrote with a comforting statement. Avoid Subaru outback.

• 

  My first and last Subaru - 2008 Subaru Impreza
  By chenn78 - June 11 - 12:30 am

  This is my first Subaru, I bought it because I wanted a fairly inexpensive car with AWD and a manual transmission and I liked the style of the hatch. The car is a pleasure to drive and gets decent fuel mileage but service and build quality is pretty poor. The car has a large number squeaks and rattles. The paint on the car is terrible, the lower parts of the rear doors and the are behind them have been chipped away so badly after 16,000 miles I already have rust forming. This has to be a design flaw since the front wheels kick everything up on the side of the car and the cheap thin paint chips the second anything touched it. Fuel door release broke has broken twice.