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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  Best car I ever owned in 50 years - 2003 Subaru Outback
  By panda - October 23 - 10:40 am

  Solid road car. Great engine, quiet, very good handling, brakes and steering wheel response. Great road shock absorption. Transmission very smooth. The car is tight at the shoulders and could be a little wider. The steering wheel needs to be adjusted higher to clear my knees.

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  Best ride & handling combo - 2004 Subaru Legacy
  By travis j - October 23 - 10:00 am

  I leased a 2000 Legacy GT ( 5 speed ) for four years. All wheel drive with the rear differential proved quite fun when powering out of corners. But that brings up the week point of this car. Not enough power to go with the great suppension tuning and bank vault structual rigidity. Best combination of ride and handling of any car Ive driven. Quiet interior and very comfortable seats.

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  Fun to drive - 2005 Subaru Impreza
  By Josh Simer - October 23 - 10:00 am

  Tons of fun to drive. It lives up to its billing - a true modern-day heir to the pony-car tradition. I would not trade this in for a Porsche Boxster even if they were the same price!

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  Outback ech - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By Outback - October 23 - 6:16 am

  Bought a Outback wagon 4 cylinder - Im not impressed. I had Saabs for 20+ years. This is smaller inside (almost tight - tough to impossible to take more than 3 golfing), inside design just a 4, the MPG is a major disappointment- 23-25, the ride is stiff, little to no driving feel or fun, all-wheel is good but no better than Saab with snows. So for the good - reliable so far, dealership service good, replaced radio -- odd? So far fairly inexpensive to service and maintain, just oil changes, more at major mileages. So overall: a 5 from 1-10. Next car: back to Saab (expensive to maintain); a domestic, Honda or Toyota wagon hybrid.

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  Love the new outback - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By Peter - October 22 - 4:16 pm

  Traded up from my 02 Outback Sport. Great room for the family including a 6ft tall son in the back. Love the 6 speed manual, especially with the short throw shifter installed. Average city/highway is ~24 mpg (about the same as my smaller outback sport). Very quiet and the lumbar support is great. Looking forward to the next 100,000 miles

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  Enjoying my Impreza Sport - 2012 Subaru Impreza
  By jd_24 - October 21 - 8:29 pm

  15 Monthes and 23,000 miles of ownership and no issues. MPG has slowly increased to now over 37mpg on highway trips. Cold weather and short trips do greatly reduce MPG. Have used it for 300+ mile trips wth 2 adults and 3 kids. Back seat is roomy and comfortable for 3 despite the small size.

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  Great car for the money - 2016 Subaru Outback
  By Chad Moll - October 21 - 7:56 pm

  This car continues to impress me. I purchased this car based on the size/fuel economy. I never thought that I would love it, it was to be an economy cruiser. The ride quality is good but a bit harsh. The upside is you feel in control in all circumstances. The 2.5 is far from powerful but is always adequate. The highlight of this engine is the fuel economy. I am getting a combined 28 mpg in mainly below freezing temperatures and short trips, hardly a recipe for great mileage. The two chances I have had to take the car on long trips have provided over 35 mpg. 35 on the first and 38 on the second. I have had the opportunity to drive in snow and Im pleasantly surprised at the cars ability. I believe the stock tires are not the best but will use the up before changing. I would highly recommend this car to anyone who values economy and capably above appearance, because in the end this crossover is a wagon.

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  love it - 2003 Subaru Impreza
  By wael - October 21 - 2:00 am

  Really an a powerfull car that is under your command. And once its hulked up that car looks completly diffirent.

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  My Outback - 2008 Subaru Outback
  By charli - October 20 - 11:00 pm

  I have had my Outback for a month. This is "moms car" and I love it! I have an 11 year old daughter and she and I go do a lot of outdoor things. I have already driven in snow and the traction was great! My neighbors were sliding on the snow and my Outback did fine! Im enjoying driving this car. I like that everything seems convenient to reach for me. My husband is 64 and he actually has headroom. I had looked at the Honda CRV too but I just kept coming back to my Outback and happy that I did! Love driving it, get a lot of comments on it, even the boys at the carwash told me they like the inside! Im driving mostly in the city. Im getting 22.8 and look forward to taking this camping!

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  WAY TO GO SUBARU - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By Shopper - October 20 - 1:43 am

  Safety, comfort, reliability and it looks good too! It moves out performance wise. The nav system is a very helpful feature and sometimes funny with its voice out of nowhere and bing bings. Backing up takes practice due to narrow limited vision in rear. No vehicle is perfect but this one comes close for me.