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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  love my car! - 2003 Subaru Forester
  By Karen C. - May 26 - 10:00 am

  Really used Edmonds and the posted reviews to decide on a small SUV. Really fell in love with the Forester, found CR-V and Santa Fe too big and visibility not nearly as good. Thanks to whomever said get one with the beige (not gray) interior - much better! I got a gold one, love the handling, love the price (a little over $19,000 for a manual X), cant believe its really mine! It hugs the road, I too went from V-6 to this,but its fine power- wise. the plentitude of standard features, especially the keyless remote and power everything are great.

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  No other car compares - 2000 Subaru Impreza
  By Skerlnik - May 26 - 10:00 am

  Imprezas are incredible cars. There is no other car to compete with this one within $10,000. Its handling resembles a 911 with minor modifications (tires).

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  Best all round vehicle in its class - 2016 Subaru Forester
  By Shiv Kumar - May 26 - 5:45 am

  Subaru has hit a home run with its Forester 2016. This is a very optimal vehicle, refined design, excellent safety rating. Really love the drive and handling. Visibility is the best I found in any vehicle. Very roomy interior. After using Hondas for more than 20 years this is the first Subaru we bought. So far very pleased with it. Drive mostly local with occasional highway driving. Very impressed with fuel economy, given this is an AWD.

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  Love this car - 2010 Subaru Legacy
  By jkjameson - May 25 - 11:00 pm

  Picked up the car 10 days ago and I love it! I think it looks really good both inside and out. I have the base engine with CVT for fuel economy and it is actually fun to drive for what it is, especially with the paddle shifters. I wish they would have offered the Premium with 17 inch tires though. I did not like the wood in the limited. I have never owned an all-wheel-drive car and like the feel. The car is very stable on the road. To me this car hits the sweet spot for looks/fuel economy/fun to drive. It also fits my family of 4 very easily.

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  " On Star " Analog To Digital - 2003 Subaru Outback
  By 2003 Subaru Outback - May 25 - 4:26 am

  Other than the up-coming change in 2 1/2 years for the OnStar system, from analog to digital, the car has been all I have ever expected out of it and more. I have mine serviced every 2,500 miles, and if I find something wrong, I have it repaired while it is still nickel dime, before it reaches quarter half dollar condition.

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  Best AWD midsize sedan available - 2011 Subaru Legacy
  By bchguy111 - May 24 - 2:41 pm

  Ive owned my 2011 Legacy since May 2011. It has exceeded my expectations. Its much peppier then the numbers suggest and I get great mileage. It get compliments on the exterior all the time, with everyone assuming the car is much more expensive. I sold the owner of a restaurant I have been going to for over 12 years a 2012 Legacy based on the looks and positive feedback on mine. The car handles great and is very stable and smooth at highway speeds. Amazing in wet weather. The interior is modern, but clean, and has loads of space. Plus, with the standard AWD, it drives much more solid then any Honda, Toyota, Nissan... Ive had 6 Subarus and counting. Drive one and you will see why.

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  Like my new 2010 3.5 Outback - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By PM - May 24 - 10:23 am

  Got about 600 miles and really like it. Had a 2004 LL Brean and this is a lot more car. Larger, more comfortable to drive, but more difficult to parallel park. A lot nicer on the road and feels like a Lexus ride. Mileage is better too. Will take it to snow country this next weekend. Tires bounce a little (not terrible) and feel like they are over inflated or made of a cheap single ply rubber.

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  An Excelleny Buy - 2005 Subaru Forester
  By NookysMax - May 23 - 10:00 am

  Best of its class. Great road car too. Very fun to drive.

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  Fun crossover, worth the wait!! - 2014 Subaru Forester
  By hazeley - May 22 - 2:15 pm

  After 6 weeks of wait, I finally received my marine blue Forester premium. I _love_ this vehicle. Its zippy, responsive and fun to drive. It has a nice tight turn radius and is easy to maneuver. It feels safe. It has great ground clearance but still seems to hug the road in stormy weather. Its also really open and very easy to see everything around you, and the premium model has a backup camera included.

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  2016 WRX 1 year and 26,000 miles later - 2016 Subaru WRX
  By valerysbills@gmail.com - May 19 - 6:50 pm

  Bought one after being urban and car-free for 2 years. Had SAAB turbos before and wanted something fun with a stick which is becoming harder and harder to get in the US. Always wanted a WRX and was hoping for a 2nd hand clean STI which turned out harder to find than I though. Bought new since the Prem was within my budget (should have ordered Limited for the lights alone). The Good: Nothing offers AWD and this much fun for the price. Tons of aftermarket goodies for tuning. Good fuel economy for a near 300 hp car. Little turbo lag. Beast in the snow when I put snow tires on it. Far better interior quality than that FisherPrice plastics that Subies have been known for. The Bad: Interior is still cheap with a lot of rattles. Stock ECU tune is crap... falls flat on its face at 4,300 rpm and a COBB tune is a must (or a pro-tune). Headlights on prem and base have poor output. Interior ergonomics are 3/10.... One-touch window for driver only (in 2016!!!), no light sensor to adjust dashboard brightness (in 2016!!!!). A lot of engine movement which leads to sloppy shifter feel. Good car for the money but you will spend a lot of time and $$$ on aftermarket bits to remove/resolve some of the penny pinching that Subaru did.