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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  Great value, smart looks. - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By Over the Hill - November 15 - 8:23 pm

  I researched for months and test drove 6 cars before finally settling on the Outback. My previous car was a Honda mini-van, which I drove for 11 years. I was looking for good utility along with sedan comfort; I think this car delivers both. I almost purchased an 09 Outback in May, but the headrests were impossible to live with. The 2010 redesign has eliminated this issue, at least for me. This car delivers great value and I predict that it will be a huge hit for Subaru.

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  Too expensive to maintain - 2001 Subaru Outback
  By familydad - November 15 - 6:16 am

  This car handles well, is fun to drive, and I feel it is safe to drive with the family aboard. But after three, yes THREE radiator replacements, 2 head gaskets and several costly sensor replacements, Im ready to be rid of this car. It has a computer "sensor" for seemingly everything, and Ive had to replace them all more than once, and of course, these sensors are never in easy-to-reach places in the engine compartment, so every time, Ive been totally reamed in the wallet. I just had the catalytic converter replaced as well, and like the other repairs for this car, it was very expensive. Seriously, I owned a Toyota for 10 years, and spent less than 1/4 the cost of repairs to it.

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  Hit and Miss - 2003 Subaru Impreza
  By Diesel513 - November 15 - 5:06 am

  Its a nice car. Stock out of the box it has more perfomance than most. AWD is a definite plus especially if you have changing seasons. From what I have learned from my friends older Imprezas, most of them arent holding up for much longer than 80k miles. But some of my friends dont take care of their cars like they should. The car is shorter than most sedans, but thats what gives it the mobility that it has. I feel bad for the people in the back seat; there isnt a lot of room, but I never have to be back there! A few weird things: Gears are straight cut (shifting isnt as smooth as most); I get a weird hum at 60MPH (Subaru doesnt know what it is); and coolant -- you go through it like crazy, due to turbos.

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  Excellent Car - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By JWR77 - November 15 - 2:00 am

  I do a lot of travelling with this car and currently have 90,000 miles on it. The car is fun to drive and up till now has been problem free. Also great in the snow.

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  I wish it were different - 2000 Subaru Legacy
  By frowning - November 15 - 2:00 am

  I purchased this car with great anticipation. This car is extremely fun to drive, looks great, and is solid on the road. Everything was great until I hit 60,000. Just after the warranty expiration, I blew a head gasket. I thought it was odd for this to happen on such a new car, but forged ahead. Then, not even a year later, I lost the number 4 cylinder. I have 80,000 miles on the car and have two major engine repairs. I have spent $1000s in good faith maintenance over the years and fear the worst going forward. I really enjoyed the car, but, sadly, I will probably never buy another Subaru and cannot consciencely recommend this car to anyone.

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  Love my Baja - 2003 Subaru Baja
  By goatspeed - November 15 - 2:00 am

  I went to the Subaru dealership intending to buy an Imprezza WRX. The wife convinced me to try a Baja that day too, and I went with the Baja. What a great ride! It is stable, grips corners, and hauls the lawn clippings to the compost. Yeah, I cant think of anything I really dislike about this vehicle. It gives you the features of a pickup. I make 28mpg on long trips. It snowed last week, and the thing is a TANK in the snow. Couldnt be happier.

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  Solid at speed - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By Jarno - November 15 - 2:00 am

  Have an 04 WRX auto. Very fast and rock solid at speed. Replaced oem tires with Firestone SZ50 - big improvement in handling and looks. Seats look good and hold you in, but not that comfortable for long trips. Some minor problems including annoying dash rattle.Overall build quality could be better. Premium stereo still sounds tinny.

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  Wagons Rule - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By Kindnugs - November 15 - 2:00 am

  -This car rocks. It has good handling, and a fast motor. It has All wheel drive, and it has cargo space. -So far I have put 1,000 miles on the car, and it has been a pleasure. It NEEDS BETTER TIRES but other than that it is a blast in stock form, plus it can haul a little cargo. Mileage depends heavily on how hard you drive it. -A good reference for this car is WRXfanatics.com, a forum site where you can find anything you want to know. -However you will want to add things to car the second you buy it, because the expandability in every aspect is amazing. So set some money aside for mods and go buy a Rex!!!

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  seat problems - 2002 Subaru Forester
  By wickett311 - November 15 - 2:00 am

  It has been a good, dependable vehicle so far except for two things. First, there is some hesitation after a stop, and I have had the drivers seat covers replaced twice and it needs replacing again.

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  Blind Spots - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By jd4real - November 14 - 1:00 am

  Design flaw that needs reviewing is blind spots. Bigger mirrors may help however there is a definite blind spot in the rear window area. Nice ride, great features but safety concerns.