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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  2014 crostrek review - 2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek
  By Fred Cook - November 1 - 7:54 am

  Car ate tires like mad and all any of subarus representatives would say is nothing wrong with car its driving style. Original tires lasted 15000 miles second set were rated at 100000 miles but were 20% gone in 5000 miles

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  This is a Subaru? - 2005 Subaru Legacy
  By jen1972 - October 30 - 11:30 am

  Driving out to look at the Acura one more time and possibly sign papers on it, I passed the Subaru dealership. Im so glad I did because it was love at first sight. I drove the Legacy and the Acura was a distant memory. For much less money I got much more car. I wasnt expecting this much; after all, I owned a 91 Legacy and it was a very reliable but very basic car. This car is beautiful and a blast to drive. Has everything I want and more. All of which was standard equipment! 250 HP, ventilated heated leather seats, 6 CD changer, dual climate control, Sportshift, 17" low profile wheels, signal indicators on side mirrors, DRL, AWD, fuel usage and temp display. All this for around $26,000.

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  My first Subaru - 2017 Subaru Outback
  By anna dye - October 30 - 11:23 am

  I love my new Subaru!

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  Buy an 04, not newer body style - 2004 Subaru Outback
  By Happy - October 30 - 1:43 am

  If youre shopping for a used Subaru, buy an 04. Very dependable car, no trouble. Mine has more than 100K miles and getting 27 mpg. According to a local Subaru mechanic, 04 is the best year for Subarus. Run from the 05s. See my review for our 05 Outback XT under title "Money Pit". Its hard to believe the cars are from the same manufacturer. The 04 has been a perfect car and the 05 was a horribly expensive nightmare. Were keeping the 04 and plan to put another 100K miles on it.

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  best car made - 2004 Subaru Outback
  By kevin berlied - October 29 - 10:00 am

  once you go subaru you will always go subaru.there is no turning back.awd

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  1st on many SUBAROO to come! love it - 2008 Subaru Outback
  By edotx1 - October 28 - 10:50 pm

  Love at first sight, grow old together after test drive. Just the right performance and features for me here in TEXAS. Great cargo room, great gas mileage for a big car with 4 cylinders. Great for bike rides with friends as SAG support vehicle. VERY COOL, Cat like performance, you should see the look of other drivers on the road with all my gear mounted.

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  been burned - 2002 Subaru Outback
  By Tmad - October 27 - 11:10 pm

  Its good for hauling things when you put down the back seat. The front seats are not very comfortable on longer drives. If you are tall your head hits the sun roof in the back. Worst of all, I have only 76,000 mostly freeway miles on mine and the head gasket is leaking, causing over heating. I only hope that the head gaskets arent cracked or the block. This is apparently a very common problem on this car. There are three including mine at an authorized repair store where I had it towed. The cost is going to be $3,000 at least. The dealer requires it to be fixed there. Supposedly they are going to cover everything. Towing and rental car too Im bargaining for.

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  Great performance vehicle - 2017 Subaru WRX
  By Jon J - October 26 - 8:58 pm

  This car is super powerful and inspires a lot of confidence when driving. Thats pretty much where things end. The seats are mediocre, the shifter has never been great, and the technology is years behind even other Japanese manufacturers. If you spend the $30K to buy this it will put a smile on your face every day if you get a little bit of open road in front of you. When traffic exists, you will find yourself wondering why the heck you bought this. If you can take it to a track now and then, this is the ultimate all around vehicle.

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  Hot Rod Sport Wagon - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By RadioRich - October 26 - 11:40 am

  I traded in my supercharged 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP on this car to upgrade performance and upgrade the fun factor. Wow, I dont miss the GTP at all. The 5M transmission shifts like butter. Acceleration is smooth and strong. This car has legs. My kayak is easy to load on the low roofline, but the high-seating position gives a good commanding view of the road. The interior leather & plastics are first quality, in the same league as BMW or M-B. In the first 4,000 miles, I averaged 25mpg, with plenty of acceleration-testing. The MPGs have been climbing. 5th gear acceleration at 3,000 RPM produces 60 to 80 MPH in less than 2 seconds. Wow. I LOVE this car! This is a keeper!

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  Good Car for the Money - 2008 Subaru Legacy
  By a4b5 - October 24 - 12:13 pm

  I have owned two Audis and one VW over the last several years and gave up that family due to reliability problems with all three cars. The GT seems like a car with many of the features of the Audi world for less money. Interior is certainly better than most cars in its class, but not quite up to Audi / VW standards. Performance: still unsure about the automatic transmission. This is my first automatic in several years and Im having trouble adjusting. Its nice when stuck in traffic, but it does take some of the fun out of the car. The paddle shifters help make up for some of that; even when in drive you can quickly downshift without having to change into manualmatic mode.