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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  My wifes "tank" which she loves - 2003 Subaru Outback
  By Firefighterjake - December 4 - 5:06 am

  My wife is a nurse who has to drive 35 miles each way to and from work in all kinds of weather. Before she used a Nissan 4WD pick-up, which worked well, but it seemed a bit top heavy to her in the snow and was severely under-powered. She absolutely loves this Subaru as she says it powers through everything Mother Nature throws our way here in Maine. In fact she says its a lot like driving a tank as it goes through anything with no issues. Weve had no problems and honestly feel the 4-cylinders provide plenty of giddy-up and go for us.

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  LL Bean Outback - 2001 Subaru Outback
  By cc - December 2 - 8:16 pm

  I love my LL Bean Outback. Its 2 toned which makes it look like a small SUV. The 6 cylinders give me plenty of get up and go. It has and excellently smooth ride and gets fairly good mileage on the highway, not quite as good in city driving. It has loads of room to pack and haul things. I would buy a new one today but Subarus last forever. At 50,000 miles all I needed was fluids checked and an oil change.

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  Strange little bugger - 2003 Subaru Forester
  By hboggs - December 2 - 2:00 am

  Originally purchased for my wife, it became mine when larger SUV was traded. Had only 1 problem, a leak in the engine, which took 3 trips to fix. No other problems. Generally a solid build. Overall very pleased. Look forward to keeping for many years. Recently, I purchased a Toyota Avalon for not many more $, much larger vehicle, get much better gas milage, more inexpensive by 1/3 to insure, makes me question, in retrospect, the Forester purchase.

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  2008 Subary Legacy 3.0R - 2008 Subaru Legacy
  By tdoggydog - November 30 - 9:43 am

  This is a great car - rides smooth, corners well, sounds great! Cant wait to open her up after the 1K mile break- in period with the Sport Sharp mode. Everywhere I go people are asking "Whats that?" and are amazed at not only the style, but the features, performance and out-the-door cost. This is my first Subie and I think Im going to be a lifelong customer.

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  Subaru is a Total Disappointment - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By David Zimlin - November 30 - 4:36 am

  Although I love this car, the biggest problem has been with the dealer and Subaru. I had a synchronizer problem develop, and took it in for repair. I was told that the transmission needed to be rebuilt due to "driver abuse", and that it would cost $2,900. After going back & forth, including talk of legal action, Subaru repaired the transmission free of charge, but said it was only a "gesture of good will", and not a warranty repair. Now, after only 25,000 miles, the clutch is slipping. I am not an abusive driver, I have never raced the car. I am 60 years old, and I have never had a problem with any manufacturer until Subaru.

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  My Review - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By Gene H - November 28 - 6:46 am

  Ive owned 2 Subarus in the past and both were very reliable. I heard that the 2010s were going to be larger and I had to test drive one. It didnt take long to decide that the new 2010 Subaru Premium AWD (2.5i, 4cyl, CVT) was for me. I have over 800 miles on it and getting 24 MPG. It is a very smooth ride and comfortable front and back seats. Im sure Ill buy another new one in three to four years.

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  This is an awesome car - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By MikeJL - November 28 - 2:06 am

  This car is a knockout! It is a winner in every category - interior comfort, available options, exterior styling, performance and fun factor. I still cant believe its a Subaru. Ive just returned from an 1800-mile vacation jaunt and I am more impressed than ever with the car. It is very comfortable during long days on the road and has plenty of power to handle any driving situation with ease. The DVD and NAV options really enhanced the enjoyment of the trip. The car competes very well with the luxury brands in its size class but at a substantially lower price. Anyone looking for a car in this class should definitely take a close look at the Tribeca.

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  Basic and awesome. - 2013 Subaru Forester
  By curban - November 27 - 10:25 pm

  This is my first Subaru, and I love it. I was looking for a comfortable and basic SUV that can handle weather, terrain, and carrying bikes, camping gear, whatever. After 8 months of ownership Im completely satisfied with the Forester. Its great fun to drive (the base model with manual transmission, I drove the automatic at the dealership and didnt like it), its hard not to feel happy when youre in it. Handling is solid and it doesnt feel top heavy at all (helps that the Subaru engines are mounted very low to the ground). In terms of interior comfort I love how spacious the interior is. The controls are a bit plasticky but I like them that way. The seats are quite comfortable.

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  Problems - 2006 Subaru Outback
  By blair - November 27 - 3:20 pm

  I purchased 2006 Outback because of price and ride quality, also reliability. The transmission started slipping at about 5,000, dealership tested and it was normal, and kept driving. Shortly after, the air conditioning wasnt cooling very well. Dealership replaced the expansion valve... works fine. Wheel bearing had to be replaced at 15,000 miles last year. Then recently, the window switch had to be replaced. Lastly, the torque converter, which is part of the transmission is bad and new transmission probably will be needed. The car is in the shop. I have had the car in the shop on/off for about twenty business days and counting.

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  shot marks - 2003 Subaru Impreza
  By dave leatherman - November 26 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car thinking "this is it!". I admit it is a fun and fast car. But Ive found it had a lot of little problems. The steering isnt always there to help you with agressive turns, shifting can be missed when pushed a bit more agressively and it is already showing signs of wear... which makes me wander how reliable it will be as years pile up. My friend bought and Evolution, I recently got a chance to drive it... and inmediately I realized my mistake. The Evo is much more refined in all aspects and has a better steering feel. I think my WRX is a great car, but I think the EVO will always be more refined... even when the 290Hp STi comes out.