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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  Love the CVT - 2010 Subaru Legacy
  By pepperzoe - March 23 - 6:46 am

  Ive only had it a week but so far Im loving it. There arent many AWD sedans out there and most get lousy gas mileage. I dont think the 2010 Legacy looks any better or worse than the 2009 on the exterior. I do like the look and feel or the 2010 interior much better. The car drives very smooth and handles well. Has lots of little features I never knew I wanted.

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  From Volvo to Subaru - 2004 Subaru Legacy
  By T. Devine - March 19 - 2:00 am

  I traded my (third) Volvo for the Subaru, chiefly because of the AWD. However, I love the car. It is agile, quick, easy to drive,and much more than my Volvos, it is fun to drive. And, of course, it cost about 40% less to buy. Now I cant think of why I paid so much money for cars that really didnt please me. (Snobbery, probably.)

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  Impreza a good little hatchback wagon - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By Subaru convert - March 19 - 2:00 am

  My first foreign car purchase. Ive never had 4 wheel drive before either. So the Impreza was an all-around new experience. A good experience so far. Looked at the Matrix/Vibe, loved them but for a lower price got a loaded Impreza TS Wagon in AWD. Also looked at the PT Cruiser.. great storage space but performance, lack of AWD and very poor gas mileage. All in all very happy.

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  Reliability and Value - 1999 Subaru Forester
  By gooddesign - March 18 - 10:00 am

  Nice amount of space offsets abundance of plastic parts in the cabin. Plenty of nooks and crannies. Great value with all-wheel drive.

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  Awesome - 2006 Subaru Impreza
  By STIHawk - March 13 - 9:40 am

  I have had the car for a a month and a half and it has been everything it is advertised as being. Awesome acceleration and handling. I have just over 2000 miles on it because I cant stop driving it. I highly recommend this vehicle ... cant wait for the summer.

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  Subaru WRX wagon... - 2003 Subaru Impreza
  By babb1 - March 12 - 10:00 am

  It rocks! This car is FUN to drive! And, being a wagon, itll not only haull ass, itll haul stuff!

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  Moving up to the 2016 Outback Limited - 2016 Subaru Outback
  By S D Miller - March 11 - 5:51 pm

  I looked at several other vehicles including the Forester, Hyundai Sport, Volvo X60, VW Tiguan and the Audi Q5. In the end the Outback seemed a much more logical choice for the money. The Outback rode a little better than the Forester and Tiguan, but the Audi Q5 was indeed a nicer vehicle, but at a much greater cost. The Subaru Outback Limited was a loaded vehicle and really liked the latest safety equipment provided. We immediately drove the vehicle from Houston to KC and hit some of the worst rainstorms wed ever been in. There were even tornados. The vehicle handled marvelously and was always sure-footed. The front and back seats were both very comfortable for four adults and handled all of our luggage. The HID lighting was not available, but I will get after-market which is a nice option when driving on old blacktop roads. The only other item not available was a front passenger seat memory & height adjustment. It can be difficult for over 6 ft people when the seat cant be lowered. The engine is very smooth with the transmission, but definitely could use a few more ponies under the hood. However, the trade-off with the 6 cylinder didnt really work for us. There wasnt a big difference in power in the lower range and the mileage dropped quite a bit - as do most larger engines. The Turbo 4 cylinder as in the Forester would be a welcomed option indeed. We did end up getting an extended warranty due to all the electronic equipment on this model. (not shown in total price)

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  Another 1st time Subie owner - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By kurtamaxxguy - March 11 - 8:06 am

  Tackling 45 degree potholed hills with no problems, this 09 Forester XTs practical (plenty of interior room given size, tight turn circle), and fun to drive (euro-style ride and handling). Turbo and SPORT A/T mode helps in passing, but some turbo lag remains (5 speed would better match power to wheels). No fuel miser (18 mpg mostly city) but may improve when broken in. Despite being 1st year car, is well finished (dash squeaks, clumsy rear hatch opening only irritants). Leather spices up decent if unremarkable interior. Good auto A/C, well laid out engine bay, other thoughtful touches. Huge ground clearance at 9 inches. A car offering practicality over style, and does it well.

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  Not perfect, but close - 1999 Subaru Forester
  By CarDudeMeister - March 5 - 2:00 am

  I traded a Suzuki Sidekick 4-door for this Forester, and it was everything I missed in the Suzuki - adequate power, comfort, features, smooth, quiet - of course, it cost twice as much, but it was worth it. The full time AWD is fantastic, the ABS worked perfectly, the seat heaters were great on ski trips. . .in a nutshell, you cant find a better general purpose vehicle that combines capacity, comfort, and economy for anywhere near this price. Oh, and as a topper - the build quality was on par with my last BMW - and THATS saying a lot! A must buy. . .

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  Love it.... - 2003 Subaru Legacy
  By Choreographics - March 5 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car after many years of wanting a AWD vehicle. Looked at several alternatives and decided upon a Legacy. Bought it for $20,800 which was, at the time a better deal than what was being offered for end of year 2002 models. My biggest complaint so far is that I seem to be only able to get 20mpg or less around town. Thats a couple less than the rating was. No big deal, but.... Just had our first storm in Vermont (10/17) and the snows were due to go on in a couple of days. No problem. Took a while to get used to the fact that it was easier to move in the Subaru than stop (on ice). Looking forward to performance once the snow tires get on.