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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  2003 Subaru Forester X - 2003 Subaru Forester
  By Joe C - April 24 - 10:00 am

  After researching small, safe SUVs for over a year, I narrowed my searched between the Subaru Forester and the Honda CRV. The cars were so close in every possible category it was a difficult decision. The final decision was based on safety. Government and insurance safety ratings for the 2002 Foresters were slightly ahead of the 2002 CRVs. So far, I love the car, and have not had any problems. Its safe and fun to drive.

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  WRX Lite - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By toolatecrew - April 24 - 10:00 am

  My Wife wanted the Outback and I wanted the WRX lead us to compromise on the RS. Other cars may generage more Gs on the skid pad but thow the bumps in and the supple suspension, stiff body and 4wd traction makes you faster around corners in the real world.Engine is tourqiest in class by far. The seats are the best feature of the interior.. The stereo is horrible and there is no excuse for it in a car at this price level.Exterior styling is "different" I like the WRX fender flares but the lack of std. fog lights is once again kinda cheap. Overall the car is great for somone who needs to drive in snow and on less than perfect roads.

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  Great ideas, but rough around the edges - 2003 Subaru Legacy
  By PCtechGUY - April 22 - 9:00 am

  Purchased this car about five months ago for the AWD. AWD is great, but does add extra weight to the car. This slows acceleration, but worst of all, you can feel the shifting in the tranny much more so than a FWD. Tranny is the worst part of this car. You hit overdrive at 35 mph, and if you coast at 35-40, it kicks in and out of overdrive constantly for hills, as well as everytime you have to bleed off speed for curves, which makes for a jerky ride. Under normal driving conditions, the car will do a lot of shifting, and the tranny is not the smoothest shifter. Interior quality is good, but could have been a little better. The knobs for the AC and heater feel a little cheap.

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  great first adult car - 2001 Subaru Legacy
  By mufasa1023 - April 20 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car with 60,000 miles from a graduating med student and so got an amazing price. Its a great car and a nice change from my old ford ranger. AWD is amazing the engine is peppy unless the a/c is on then in drags a bit and has to be punched up a bit to accelerate. Has no glaring problems. Windshield does whistle a bit with crosswinds and it has a strange rattle noise during low end acceleration sometimes but still runs perfectly. It corners like its on rails .

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  12k Update - 2015 Subaru Forester
  By BEACHDOOD - April 20 - 2:40 am

  Having logged over 12000 miles and driving thru various terrains and road conditions, I am still very satisfied with my Forester. The CVT does take time to get used to its power band. If you live in an area with hills and 2 lane roads, suggest you get the turbo. For most driving conditions, the non turbo model works fine. I have noticed gas mileage will dramatically change with terrain and driving habits but overall mileage as expected. I had no issues driving in snow. X mode worked as advertised. I suspect other reviews that complained about performance in snow were probably driving on ice and no vehicle is safe on ice. I have found this vehicle safe, economical and very functional.

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  All good except the seats are a pain - 2010 Subaru Legacy
  By roaddogs70 - April 19 - 9:03 am

  Except for the intolerable seats...I like my Subaru and everything else about this car. Economical, reliable, easy to see out of it. Good size trunk. Good in the snow and rough roads. Feels somewhat primitive and mechanical, but well connected. Good build quality. It makes me unhappy to report how uncomfortable this car is on longer trips. My wife and I cant wait to get to a rest stop...just to get out and stretch our backs and behinds. We have taken our Legacy cross country for a 5,000 mile trip...no problems with the car...big problems for us sitting in it. It is really unfortunate these seats feel so uncomfortable.

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  From a Newbie Owner - 2016 Subaru Forester
  By Ellie Richardson - April 18 - 6:27 pm

  This rating is based upon two weeks with this vehicle. I cant really respond to some of the questions, i.e. value, reliability or traction.

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  Engine whirring Noise - 2011 Subaru Outback
  By snowbrush - April 12 - 5:09 am

  My new 2011, which I have had only 3 weeks has already been in shop once and will be going in again this week for the same issues. The issues are that I get a clunk when I release the brake pedal quickly (Dealer says it is normal) and the other more annoying problem is that I get a rpm related whirring from the engine right from idle. Dealer says it was air in power steering oil and said it was fixed. Well, it wasnt and now Im afraid it is something more significant. I plan on driving another new one to see how the brake clunking is and I know that others do not have the whirring. Not a happy camper.

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  My cartruck - 2006 Subaru Baja
  By leslie - April 11 - 5:20 am

  Love the versatility. Love the low entry. Miss storage compartments. Back seat compartment too small. Great handling in rain and snow.

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  Plain girls dance last - 2010 Subaru Legacy
  By RW - April 10 - 12:26 pm

  Youre always hoping for the knockout looking girl to have on your arm or, in this case, the best looking/performing/reliable car to own. The Legacy is not the worst or ugliest but far from thrilling. Maybe thats what the manufacturer had in mind? The car lacks panache. My 2.5 engine is underpowered. Its okay for most daily driving chores but not thrilling to drive. The CVT is fine, handling is better than average, seats are okay. Everything about the car is okay but uninspiring. Then again when one ponies up less than $25K for a new car, what can one expect except what the Legacy provides? Im okay with the purchase but far from a raving fan who cant wait to re-buy.