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:

• 

  Subaru, terribly good! - 2017 Subaru Forester
  By Subaru Forester - December 7 - 9:01 pm

  Im 66", more room than my Cadillac! Easy to get in and out of, love the adaptive cruise control, and visibility.

• 

  Im impressed - 2006 Subaru Impreza
  By A guy - December 7 - 7:20 pm

  I purchased my 2006 Impreza 2.5i almost a year ago now. So far the car has remained reliable and cheap to maintain. I had a minor problem with the exhaust plumbing that was fixed under warranty, but other than that just oil changes and an alignment. The car has enough power to have spirited acceleration. The turn-in is sharp and precise; good steering feel, shifter is smooth and fluid, seats offer good support. The interior is a good drivers environment with excellent touch points. The car handles very well on both dry and wet pavement.

• 

  Best of All Options - 2006 Subaru Forester
  By MDS - December 7 - 2:46 pm

  I shopped for months comparing the CR-V, RAV4, Murano, FX35, Pilot, MDX, Tucson, etc. and kept returning to the Forester. Having put 1,400 miles driving it in 6 days, I feel great about my decision. The turbo gives me the acceleration of a sportscar, while the raised stance and AWD allow for off-road ventures, and the sunroof almost make it seem like a convertible. Gas mileage is exactly what the EPA says; 26 highway, 21 city, average 23 mpg on premium. Some road noise but engine is quiet. I could not be happier with the car or my purchase experience!

• 

  Worst car I ever owned - 2002 Subaru Legacy
  By thebaaron - December 7 - 6:33 am

  I picked up this car with 30k miles in great shape and right away started having problems with window seals, moon roof seal, O2 sensors, head lights, check engine light, heat shield, clutch, electrical bugs, you name it, Ive fixed it, until finally with 70k miles on the odometer, the engine jumped time and bent all the valves costing me $3500. No aftermarket support either, because no one wants anything to do with this lemon. I cant say that I blame them. I cant wait to be rid of this heap.

• 

  Buyers beware - another blown engine - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By SoxFan - December 6 - 12:33 am

  Ive owned 3 Subarus now but this might be my last. The engine blew on my 2009 Forester XT yesterday. Unfortunately this appears to be all-too-common with this years model. Its at the dealer now and everyone has been great so far with the warranty replacement. Still I cant help feeling remorse with a car thats not even a year old. If this is truly a problem across the model then Subaru needs to step up and address it proactively before they have more stranded motorists.

• 

  Best car Ive owned! - 2001 Subaru Outback
  By kk - December 5 - 8:46 pm

  This is a fabulous car and has gotten me across the country 6 times in all sorts of weather, never letting me down. A recent outpouring of money to the head gaskets, radiator, water & fuel pump, altenator, timing belt, and thermastat has given me reserve on whether Ill purchase another.

• 

  Great car! - 2016 Subaru Legacy
  By Anthony Gurganus - December 5 - 2:21 pm

  I have to say that this is the best purchase my family has made in a long time. We really like everything about the car. So far, we have driven the car just over two thousand miles in about one month. Over that time we are averaging 33.1mpg in mixed driving. The car handles very well and feels secure on the road. No complaints with the interior or anything else. We definitely made the right choice for our family. We could not see ever going back to Accord or Camry. FYI- we have the premium trim with Eyesight, navigation, and moon roof.

• 

  A solid build car - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By CCW - December 4 - 10:13 pm

  I have this car for a month. I am enjoying driving it. My impression on it are: ride is firm, mileage is barely over 20 mpg, which is below official claimed mileage, engine noise is loud.

• 

  Dont plan on being far from a dealershp - 2015 Subaru Outback
  By Jane Steinberg - December 4 - 4:43 pm

  If you tire blows on the 2015 Outback and you are not near a Subaru dealer plan to wait 3-5 business days for a replacement. The tires on the new model are not usually stocked at tire dealers! Really bad decision on Subarus part. So ignore the expensive commercials and do not go far from home unless you plan to carry a real spare!

• 

  Best buy for the buck - 2008 Subaru Legacy
  By Corey - December 4 - 11:23 am

  The Subaru Legacy 2.5l boxer engine has to be one of the better small size engines on the market today. Besides delivering almost 30 mpg on the high way it can pack a little punch if pushed to its limits. Its more fun to drive than anything I test drove (which included Toyota awd matrix, Nissan altima, Honda accord). The all wheel drive is superb. Anything from heavy rains to deep snow is no match for the symmetric all wheel drive. Last its not cheap by any means but for what you get it is one hell of a deal.