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:

• 

  Return of the rough rider - 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek
  By rivernsnow - December 6 - 10:17 pm

  3 or 4 stars, but am giving it the benefit of the doubt. Only had it a couple weeks. The engine has plenty of zip. The CVT noise is only noticable if you floor it, which isnt needed to get quick acceloration. Corners and holds the road really well. Getting 26 MPG all around which is low for my 40 mile RT city/hwy commute. Ill wait till its broken to see if it gets the advertised 28 MPG all around. Styling inside and out is nice. Front seats are quite comfy. The back seats not so much which accent the abrupt or jerky ride. Thats my biggest issue. Annoying even over modestly rough surfaces. Rougher than most of the other small/ midsize SUVs I drove. Subaru needs to work on this .

• 

  Great Car - 2007 Subaru Outback
  By MDM - December 6 - 12:06 pm

  I bought this to replace the Impreza WRX because I needed the extra cargo space. I have not been disappointed. The fuel economy is reasonable. I have a little over 4000 miles on it and get about 26 MPG for every day driving and it takes regular fuel instead of premium which saves some money. I fill up about evert 330 miles. Drives through snow very well. I drove through 8 inches of wet snow with no issue.

• 

  she gave us 130K trouble-free miles - 2002 Subaru Legacy
  By kat2015 - December 5 - 12:42 am

  We bought our 2002 Legacy Wagon brand new in 2001. We have put almost 135K miles on her, and now shes burning/leaking about 1 quart of oil every 1000 miles. Mechanic tells us she has a cracked head gasket and unlike older Subarus, where you could simply put a new engine in the thing for about $1500, these models dont work like that and will require repair for about $2000. So we are shopping for a new car. Most likely another (our 3rd) Subaru, as we are addicted to AWD in the unpredictable northwest winters.

• 

  From a New Car owner - 2016 Subaru Forester
  By Dalen Chiang - December 4 - 11:03 am

• 

  A lot of car for the price! - 2014 Subaru Impreza
  By rswaim - December 4 - 6:27 am

  Ive had my base model Impreza sedan for about six months now, and I have already put over 12000 miles on it. This car was a fantastic value! I live in MN, so an AWD is essential. Its no WRX, but the 2.0 with a five speed manual gets up to highway speed with ease. I am averaging 34mpg with mixed driving. Gets around 40 on the highway if you know how to drive properly. Im a fairly tall man, 65 and this thing has tons of head and leg room. I check the oil with every fill-up, and it has not used a drop of oil. I have the oil changed every 3500-4000 miles, even though im sure it would make it to 5k with no issues. This is my first Subaru and it wont be my last!

• 

  Keeps on chugging - 2001 Subaru Forester
  By Bob - November 29 - 9:30 am

  Just went over 190,000 miles. Repairs: Oxygen sensors at 170,000 miles. Cost about 180 including labor. I got the sensors off of E-Bay and had someone local do it. Head gaskets at 154,000 miles. Cost $1200 by local mechanic. Left rear wheel bearing. Cost: $140. Other then that people are surprised when the get in and find out how much mileage it has on it. I changed out the plugs and wires at 175,000 miles. Cost less then $50. I did it myself. In short I guess I have been somewhat lucky. I look forward to taking it to 250,000 miles. Next timing belt change at 220,000. Anticipated cost: $400 at dealer. Popularity in family: very high. Its always on the road.

• 

  Just what I was looking for... - 2004 Subaru Forester
  By brian - November 25 - 3:53 am

  I do not give this vehicle 10s across the board, but I give it a 10 in what I was looking for. It is not fast. It produces lots of wind noise. It doesnt corner particularly well. It does provide amazing versatility, functional all-wheel drive, and plenty of room for storage. I am an outdoorsy type. I take this vehicle camping, hunting, fishing, biking, and for long distance traveling. I have driven this through sand, mud and water. I accidentally went through an innocuous looking puddle that came up over the hood, and the Forester pulled right through. Am very happy with the Forester and will drive it until the wheels fall off, or I do, whichever comes first.

• 

  2002 WRX with 18000 miles review - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By alamike - November 24 - 10:00 am

  My wrx has been a blast. I love the acceleration an performance for a very affordable price. However it is a hybid of a economy car and a performance car. The only major item that I do not like about the car is the transmission. It is stubborn to get into 1st when drifting (a lot of double clutching) and is also notchy. But heck it is $18 k less than an AWD BMW 330.

• 

  Fragile details = big disappointment - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By Norman - November 23 - 11:06 pm

  Advertised to have you believe that it is rugged. Because of fragile details, IT IS NOT. The paint on the plastic bumpers, wheel opening/lower door trim and the door protection strips is chipping from light bumps and dings and looks like heck particularly because of light colored paint over black plastic. Some interior plastic items are way too fragile. Two items have been replaced because of cracks or breakage and snap-in retainers for rear deck wont stay on place. Drivers seat position and adjustment is barely adequate for my 6 2", 200# size. Anyone over 6 0" might want to look elsewhere. Gas mileage for the 2.5L non turbo is not as good as our other car which is a 95 3.0L Maxima.

• 

  Owning an amazing car. - 2005 Subaru Impreza
  By Leonardo Pineda - November 23 - 6:04 pm

  My name is Leo , and I have owned my Subaru WRX STI for two years now. This car his given me no problems at all. I am from a small town where it snows a little so people are always struggling with driving in the winter, but with my Subaru the snow was no challenge . The AWD makes it ride really smooth and all 4 seasons. I did not even have to worry about putting chains on my car , for the car would go through it like nothing . Not only are these cars amazing with weather, but they are also really fun ( speed wise ) . My car just got a stage 2 tune with a Cobb v3 accessport and it runs amazing! I have it tuned at 19 psi and can hear te turbo starting to spool as soon as I hit the gas. I have the td04 turbo which is not the best at starting to spool, but once it spools the car pulls really hard. I also have an ERZ downpipe, Cobb v3 accesport, GBF BOV, Perrin cold air intake , mancoo boost gauge , and bigger injectors. I have not had one single problem with my car since I bought it. I got my car for 18 thousand dollars with 96xxx miles, and I can tell you its one hella of a deal that Ive made.