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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  Fun!!!!!!!!! - 2003 Subaru Impreza
  By Sportcarsforever - August 13 - 2:00 am

  I have driven the car three times. It was a fun experience as expected. Exxxxtremmmmmmeeeee power for a car in it class pluss all upgrades possible. The price is a little bit out thinking in what you can get three or four more grands.

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  Good deal if you use Edmunds and shop around! - 2017 Subaru Outback
  By Jamie Diamond - August 11 - 7:27 pm

  I had been a faithful VW driver for a while, but decided to go with the Outback after my TDI Sportwagen was involved in the diesel buyback. Ive only owned the car 2 months, but weve had our share of snow and rain in that amount of time. Im thrilled with the handling of the Outback. The entertainment system takes some getting used to. Its not as intuitive as I would have expected, and it seems to be glitchy with the bluetooth - it inexplicably tries to sync with my phone and play from my Pandora app about half the time Im in the car, and I suspect this is eating away at my phone data usage. The headlights are also taking me some time to get used to. Theres a definite "horizon" - I can see a defined line right in the middle my field of vision where the headlights end, and I find that it makes the visibility really low when going up or down a hill. It bothers me the most at night on winding back roads, I cant really see if there are deer along the roadside any further than a few yards. I highly recommend using Edmunds TMV to find the best price. My most-local dealership was unwilling to negotiate price and was giving me a hard time about getting the Premium with the options package I wanted, so by using Edmunds, I found multiple other dealerships within reasonable distance who were willing to give me a great deal on those exact packages. Not only did I save over $3000 from what the first dealership quoted me, I got a better financing rate as well. Roberts Subaru in Downingtown, PA made this purchase very easy. It was the most haggle-free, laid back, simple car purchase Ive ever made.

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  A great hatchback SUV - 2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek
  By Kelvin Leung - August 10 - 2:39 pm

  Had a Accura MDX for 10 years. Decided to switch to a car with better handling and better gas mileage. This is a great one. The Tangerine color is so eye catching! Everything is wondering from space, gas mileage, interior comfort. The only lack is the power train. But youll get used to it. I have for a year and its still running a champ!

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  Good Northeast Car - 2003 Subaru Forester
  By cmac - August 10 - 9:50 am

  Good car for the dollar. Handles very well and gets good mileage if driven smooth. The pickup is quick but will show it is a 4 cylinder with 4 people and cargo. The seats are not that comfortable and the engine idles rough. Just change the oil and bring it for regular checkups. Tires are good but expensive to change. Rotate them often with AWD.

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  PZEV - "My Inner Treehugger" - 2008 Subaru Outback
  By highmile - August 9 - 10:10 pm

  We had already decided to buy a 2008 2.5i Outback when I happened across an Outback on the dealer lot with a different badge on the back that said "PZEV - Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle". I was curious as to what this was. Basically, it is the exact same car as your regular Outback, but with a more thorough burning of fuel and an emissions system on steroids. The emissions are as clean as a hybrid. My "Inner Treehugger" decided to splurge for the extra $200 for the PZEV option. We have been extremely happy with the vehicle. Unfortunately, I had to discover the PZEV since there seems to be little to no marketing for this "green" option.

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  Awesome Car! - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By Pinnen - August 9 - 3:36 am

  I dont know what to say about this car that has not alreaady been said. Best bang for the buck, fun car on the market, period!

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  Always wanted a Subaru and will never get anything else - 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek
  By emg2211 - August 9 - 12:14 am

  Love my crosstrek!! First Subaru ever and I should have got one years ago. Had a mazda3 loved it but horrible in the snow (nurses cant call out for snow storms) and horrible MPGs. So after 5 yrs of almost dying every snow storm in MA I made the choice to get my Subaru and I havent looked back. I love it. Its safe, great MPGs, awesome in the snow and enough room for friends and my giant dog. If you are looking for a crossover SUV look into it. I will say downsizing engines took a few wks to get used to, pick up isnt as good but it still gets around great. I have about 6500+miles on it.

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  Love the Baja - 2003 Subaru Baja
  By Glenn n Tom - August 8 - 4:36 am

  We fell in love with the car/truck the 1st time we saw it @ the Philly flower show 2001.The yellow paint sticks out every where we go, yellow was our 1st choice. We love its styling, its comfortable, its certainly not a car you see very often...like the RAV4. The vehicle is on the louder side with the frameless windows and AWD tires. Versatility...great for Home Depot during the day and dinning @ night. We seem to do about 28 hwy/24 city non turbo. Rearward visibility could be better; the c pillars generate a huge blind spot, as well as the rear headrests are non-movable.

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  Best Car that I have ever had - 2017 Subaru Legacy
  By Townsend - August 8 - 4:03 am

  Rides just like a luxury car...and the color, style, looks are beautiful - the Technology is state of the Art.

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  Great Car! - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By fast4 - August 7 - 10:10 pm

  Bought this car used with 18K miles on it. The only mechanical fault that I ever experienced was a "Clutch Shudder" problem that was fixed under warranty at 20K miles. The ride is solid, responsive and communicative.