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:

• 

  First Subaru - 2014 Subaru Forester
  By atthelake - November 22 - 2:22 am

  Overall I am pretty pleased and it feels like it is built well but time will be the true judge. The ride is quiet and I like the CVT where you are always in the right gear - well not literally but its nice to feather the RPMs for just the right power without stepping across gears. After about 1000 miles I pretty much get 24/32 MPG city/hwy and could probably get higher if I kept it below 70MPH on the hwy. The seats were comfortable on a 10 hour trip and the rear camera is a first for me and works well. If you come from a Ford sync system you will find the connectivity less robust and more challenging to set up. See additional suggestions below.

• 

  Cool Car for Little Cash - 2011 Subaru Impreza
  By B Sova - November 16 - 10:00 am

  I purchased this Subaru because I needed AWD since I live in the hills and have to drive through snow, mud, etc. I didnt expect to have such nice road-hugging and really fun to drive. Bought it with manual transmission which is smooth. No frills, but really fun and dependable little car.

• 

  A bit disappointed - 2002 Subaru Legacy
  By SSmith2 - November 10 - 10:00 am

  I bought a 5 speed Legacy L wagon in August 2001. I had driven a 1995 Brighton for years. I put very few miles (3100 in almost 9 months!) on the car as I commute by bicycle most of the time. In many ways, the 2001 seems to be more shoddily constructed than my 95. The clutch is grabby, it has an odd groan in the steering when executing tight, low-speed maneuvers, the paint has a lot of orange peel, the wheels were unbalanced, the drivers door really takes a slam to get it to shut, and the fuel filler door is misaligned.

• 

  Great Car!...Needs a Tranny - 2002 Subaru Outback
  By Rob Tucker - November 10 - 10:00 am

  This car is very nice. I have owned many Subarus and this car is not like any of them. Quiet, smooth, comfortable, ergonomic. What a great engine the 3.0 H-6 is! Its just too bad that it doesnt have a better Automatic transmission. Needs a 5 speed Auto with closer gearing or a manual tranny would be nice. Overall a great car though.

• 

  Trading in my Outback on another Outback - 2011 Subaru Outback
  By danwatson - November 7 - 11:51 pm

  Ive been very satisfied with our 2011 3.6 Limited Outback. But, its approaching 70,000 miles and at some point it needs to be replaced. They are making changes to the 2015 model including a CVT transmission for the 3.6, six cylinder engine. The 14s still have a 5 speed auto in the 3.6 models. I dont like CVTs so Ive decided to trade in a well worn but reliable 11 Outback. With almost 70,000 miles on a 3 year old car, Im still getting $17,000 in trade for a new one that was discounted nearly 10% from sticker. This will be my third Subaru and Im very pleased with the brand.

• 

  Undercover blast - 2008 Subaru Legacy
  By custom_junky - November 7 - 3:52 am

  This is my second Subaru Legacy, the first one being a 2005 2.5i Limited 5-spd. Liked the chassis so much I decided to get a Spec. B version, if for nothing else the extremely strong 6-spd tranny and drive train over the GT models. The Si-Drive allows simple daily driving as well. The interior is as expected, nav, aux-in radio, heated front seats and soft touch areas where needed.

• 

  2005 Subaru Toy. - 2005 Subaru Impreza
  By Carlos Juan - November 6 - 3:46 pm

  Its a great performance bargain, bought mine used for $13,000 with only 37,000 miles. The car runs flawless 227hp, 24/28mpg and AWD makes this one of the best choices for a good all around car. Dont let the teenager car looks fool you because it can surely put a smile in your face. Excellent in city and highway. Easy to make most sports cars look like an economy car from 0-60 and all on a budget.

• 

  Yeah, this car Rocks! - 2006 Subaru Impreza
  By Stevo - November 4 - 11:40 pm

  This car drives awesome! If you are looking for something that handles well on the highway AND rougher dirt roads, gets great gas mileage and is an affordable vehicle, this is a sweet deal. I have already driven it on some pretty gnarly dirt roads in Colorado and it held up great. This car should get you almost anywhere there is some kind of road.

• 

  Get more than you pay for plus fun drive - 2007 Subaru Forester
  By Nightshade Bob - November 1 - 4:56 am

  A sports car in disguise, a classic sleeper. Performance is similar to the WRX, and it doubles as a midsized family SUV and ski/soccer/beach hauling vehicle. Mom or Dad can drive their fun car, have decent gas mileage, and cart around all the family stuff in any weather or road conditions. Its a budget, sport, family SUV. So, for all its plusses expect some cheapness, avg mileage, and the style and fit of a crossover off-road/family wagon. Still, above avg value, fun and practicality for the money, with good safety. Needs padded side columns, side curtain airbags, design that prevents water/snow drips on floor and seats, and a decent paint job to be a true 10.

• 

  19000 mile and 13 month update - 2007 Subaru Impreza
  By 45 year old kid - November 1 - 12:23 am

  This car has been very good. This is my 4th Subaru. Living in the North east makes AWD that much more important. It is good in the snow but not as good at the Legacy sedan or Outback. I think it is the performance tires. If I ride it hard, I get 25 MPG. If I act like an adult I can get 27.5 MPG. My commute is 25 miles (1/2 highway) one way. I have had no issues to speak of. I actually have gotten 70K + miles on each of my Subarus before I have any kind of repairs >$500 (excluding maintenance of course) The WRX is a great car. I like driving our Outback sometimes for a break, but it has been a year and I still smile when I leave work and see it in the parking lot!