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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  PZEV & rough starts - 2008 Subaru Outback
  By Ed - January 25 - 10:26 am

  For those of you considering the PZEV option you should be aware that when started cold some Subarus will produce excesive vibration, engine and exhaust noise. This is due to changes the ECU makes to the timing to quickly heat the exhaust catalyst to reduce emission gasses. Once warm, the car starts smoothly as you would expect. The sales rep asked us to wait in the showroom while he brought the car around for test drives so I didnt discover this characteristic until I started the car the morning after purchasing it. Otherwise the car does exactly what I expected and Im pleased with it.

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  Nice Car - 2008 Subaru Legacy
  By John Marks - January 25 - 3:16 am

  I bought my Subaru Legacy about 3 months ago and I must say its a very great car for the price. Its the 4 cylinder Special Edition version. It has plently of power to merge on the highway and pass. It handles great at high speeds. I can only imagine what the GT version is like if this one has this much performance. I get 25mpg and thats 90% city driving. Highway I can get about 30mpg. I push it a lot since im a college student and love to accelerate. AWD is great in the rain, cant wait for the winter to really test it out again. Overall, great car and I would recommend it to anyone. Good quality all around.

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  owner - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By Jim - January 23 - 11:26 pm

  Rated as being one of the safest vehicles on the road. All wheel drive is beneficial in snow and wet conditions also. Speed and performance is good for this type of vehicle. Mileage is low - we get approx. 21 miles per gallon since owning the vehicle. Wife is driving vehicle. Im not too pleased with the appearance of vehicle, but is handy with hatch and seats that go completely down. Very reliable and no issues whatsoever with the vehicle. GPS system is a great option if you travel frequently. We use it quite frequently. Kids enjoy seeing movies and makes the longer trips bearable for us also. We simply run to the library and have them pick out a few cds to watch.

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  Honest review - 2003 Subaru Outback
  By joewildlife - January 23 - 1:16 am

  We bought this rental car with 12K on it. wife drove it until it had about 90K on it then I started driving it. Only cons are its size--Im 6 and this is a car that sits low to the ground. Id rather have a SUV. Pros: reliability. NEVER a breakdown in 100K miles. Pre 100K repairs limited to brake pads, one O2 sensor, one tie rod end. Original tires lasted over 80K miles. At 100K Ive had to do several repairs that would be expensive if you had to pay labor--AC hose, steering rack and CV boots. 105K timing belt change coming and will cost a bunch. Has typical subaru motor sound, but this car is going to run forever.

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  Too many repairs - 1999 Subaru Forester
  By Bren - January 22 - 2:00 am

  I bought my Forester new. Too many repairs needed already. New brake pads at 50,000 miles, rotors close to needing replacement. Have had to align 3 times. Expansion valve (part of AC) had to be replaced to the tune of $600. Transmission problems now x 3 cost several hundred. New tires needed around 35,000. Driver cup holder blocks view of controls. Back seats uncomfortable. Cannot fit 3 car seats on rear bench. I would not buy again.

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  gas mileage - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By jim - January 22 - 1:26 am

  I love it, but its gas mileage is a joke. My last car a 2000 6 cylinder GMC Jimmy. Got ~19mpg and I am averaging less than 18 with the 6 cylinder Outback. I guess I have to go get gas even more often. Its power and handling for a wagon are excellent. Driving in the snow is a blast.

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  I really do like the car, but there are issues - 2011 Subaru Impreza
  By dfgarrison - January 21 - 1:53 pm

  First the good: This car is a lot of fun when the snow starts to fly. Living in MN this was important to me. The all wheel drive in the WRX never disappoints. I run Generals winter tire and if anything the grip is too good even with traction control turned off. The bad: In the first year two bearings failed (throw-out and transfer). For summer driving the suspension is too soft. The seats lack lateral support, you slide all over the place. The dead pedal is too small (size 10 shoe). Pedals are too close together and your knee will hit the steering column when left foot braking. Front fascia will crack very easily ($750 to fix). Paint chips easily. 5 speed shifter is very clunky.

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  Very good car! - 2007 Subaru Impreza
  By Rally Racer - January 20 - 2:00 pm

  Very good car, More horsepower than any other $18k car. The AWD makes it awesome to drive. If you are more into luxuries rather than fun and performance, this is not your car.

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  I Miss My Forester - 1999 Subaru Forester
  By alycatz77 - January 19 - 8:53 am

  This was a great investment. Had only a few repairs in two and a half years (replaced alternator, brakes and wheel bearings) and the car had 82,000 miles when I lost it. It was fun to drive for a four cylinder, a smooth ride, and great on frozen Indiana roads! This car saved my life in a head on collision with a tractor trailer at 105 mph total impact speed. I will miss my car and recommend it highly to anyone who wants a safe and reliable vehicle!

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  Great car - 2002 Subaru Forester
  By chadGO5 - January 16 - 2:00 am

  We purchased the Subaru Forester for use as my wifes vehicle...however, it is our primary car for family excursions...so I am "allowed" to drive it sometimes....and I love it. For the life of me, I cant figure out why they decided to put the cupholder where they did on the dashboard. While drinks are in the cupholder, you cant see, or access some of the dash controls. The drink sits right in front of the air vents, so if you have a cold drink and the heat on, the drink is lukewarm in minutes and vice versa...anf finally, if your drink is full and you hit a bump, it spills all down the dashboard over all of your stereo controls.