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:
Showing 1621 through 1630 of 7,752.00-
Excellent Car but needs improvement - 2004 Subaru Impreza
By iluhva - December 24 - 2:00 amThe car handles very well on snow and ice. Car handles beautifully in winter blizzard going 70 MPH on a very dangerous road. On the bad side fuel economy can be better. On average I get 21 MPG which is poor considering vehicleÂ’s size and weight and that is has 4 cylinders. The design can definitely be improved. Subaru has a lot to learn from German automakers. It is comfortable for a driver but passenger seat and the back seats are very cramped and there definitely is a need for a cup holder or two for the back seat passengers. Mirror and wiper defrost are a must for a car that was meant to handle cold weather well.
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Great car, if youre kidless!!! - 2002 Subaru Forester
By bird family - December 24 - 2:00 amWe bought the car because we wanted a small SUV and didnt like what other car makers had to offer. We got the S premium package, which had many extras!!!! We added a few things to make it sportier, like fender flares and rear spoiler. Great car, but when you put infant and carseats in the back seat, its a VERY tight squeeze, in both the front and back!!! Love the extras, like the heated side mirrors and auto dimming mirror, but what were they thinking with the cupholders? Awesome sound system and great in snow and mud, a plus in Minnesota!
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Dont get fooled by the Maint. Program - 2004 Subaru Outback
By jimflys - December 24 - 2:00 amI Love the Subaru. My 99 has over 145,000 on it no major problems excepted for the valve tap. I recently bought a 04 LL Bean. Very disappointed in their Maintanence program that comes with it. The maint. book calls for oil chances every 3500 miles but the program only covers every 7500. Go figure???
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First time Subaru Owner - 2016 Subaru Impreza
By D. Wiliams - December 23 - 7:10 pmCar is attractive and safe. Great car for new driver.
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Hope phase II engine is better - 1998 Subaru Forester
By Subaru guy - December 23 - 7:13 amI bought the car as a project car with one of the cylinders literally smashed. Ive used and worked on Subarus for 4 years. 2.5 liter DOHC Phase I engine is awful. 2.2 engines were much more reliable. After installing an engine with 120000 miles on it it works great. Its a small SUV, really fun to drive. Handles great on snow and rain.
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Intrusive Seat belt chime - 2012 Subaru Forester
By moi12 - December 23 - 12:40 amThis is my partners car and they are enjoying it VERY much. However, Im glad Im not the one driving it, because of the stupid seat belt chime - see below.....
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Very good wagon - 2005 Subaru Outback
By Andrew - December 22 - 12:50 amFuel mileage varies depending on whether Im driving (31 mpg) or my wife (24 mpg). No problems after 10 months of ownership. RPM at highway speeds seems high (approx. 3000 rpm at 65). This results in noticeable noise at higher speeds and lower fuel economy. Protenza RE92 tires receive poor ratings by consumers on tirerack.com. Especially for winter conditions. People who live where it snows should consider buying better tires for winter. Save the Protenzas for the summer. Stability control should be offered as an option. Although I feel the 168hp motor is adequate, Subaru should offer a 180-200hp motor in addition to the 168 and 250. Shifter is stiff in cold weather. Great car in general.
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First Time Subie Owner - 2010 Subaru Outback
By Paul - December 20 - 6:16 amAfter owning Hondas for 23 years I decided to to purchase something else. What a difference in quietness. I feel like Im driving a Lexus. Paddle shifters are great for mountain driving and the boxer engine has good power while providing good MPG. CVT Trans is smooth but takes a while to get use to if you have never driven one. Overall one of the best if not the best values in its class for your hard earned money.
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Great fun to drive - 2005 Subaru Impreza
By devo - December 20 - 5:10 amGreat fun to drive but I have been used to fuel injection so its a bit disappointing to have to wait for the auto gear box to kick down before anything happens. I dont feel confident about being able to accelerate out of trouble or to get between gaps in cars. Otherwise I love the AWD and suspension and will definitely buy another Subaru.
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not so durable? - 2001 Subaru Outback
By colorado chick - December 19 - 9:10 pmIve driven my car hard and its starting to show. I expected more from Subaru. While the Outback has been a vast improvement over my 93 Legacy, Ive gone through way too many brakes, worn through lots of (higher quality) tires. Am now having transmission problems. Plus, like me, the car seems to be losing spunk as it ages; I now have to turn off the A/C to maintain speed on climbs. But, that said, its been the most incredible snow car Ive driven--with 4 studded snow tires, I can negotiate the nastiest mountain roads without fear.
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