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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  Auf wiedersehen VW! - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By behrcub77 - October 15 - 10:00 am

  Ride is absorbent and tight at the same time. Ive had three GTI VR6 VWs before this and always held off because of the 02-03 WRX styling. Now that I got a Blue Pearl WRX with the great 04 redesign...I think the only thing to make me reconsider would be an STi in a year or two!

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  Dont buy a Subaru - 2001 Subaru Forester
  By KBUN - October 15 - 10:00 am

  Had problems with the check engine light, the AT Oil Temp light, and the transmission that the dealership could not resolve. Service at AMD Subaru in North Hampton NH is terrible - the worst Ive ever experienced.

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  satisfied customer - 2003 Subaru Outback
  By satisfied customer - October 15 - 10:00 am

  this car is very comfy but the road noise is a bit to loud. this car is very reliable. the service at carr subaru is superb because they remember your name, face and what car you have. bad exterior design and interior because the seats wear out too fast. this car is to slow, should be able to hit 130 on an open road like a maxima

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  Very Disappointed Subaru Owner - 2002 Subaru Forester
  By pps - October 15 - 1:30 am

  I have owned several Subarus over the past 20 years and have been happy with all of then until I bought the Forester. From the research I read I felt it was well worth buying. I own a 2000 model and put alot of mileage on it. After it hit 50,000 it began to go downhill, I had to replace both rear hub bearings and Subaru would only reimburse the parts cost and not the labor charge. I have had problems with the brakes and the cables and spark plugs have worn out quickly, the fan makes noise and the locking anti theft system does not work properly. In addition, Needless to say this is the last Subaru I will ever buy.

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  Aint what they used to be - 2016 Subaru Outback
  By RMR - October 14 - 8:08 am

  Overall ride is rather bumpy and stiff. Backing up is difficult even with the camera. Engine is under-powered and slow on acceleration. Takes a very long time before the interior warms up when you put the heater on. Earlier Subarus had much better storage spaces. Rear window hard to keep clean (poor design). Electronics confusing and some difficult to operate. It is apparent that Subaru has gone from providing great value and instead has become greedy and cheap.

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  2nd Subaru Forester for Me - 2008 Subaru Forester
  By Michele - October 14 - 2:30 am

  I really like the premium package. My first Forester did not have it. The premium package makes it feel like a luxury car, but the price I paid for it did not! Since the Forester has been around for several years, the familiar technology made me feel more comfortable knowing I wasnt buying a new model or redesigned model that may have had problems. The other car makes I considered before purchasing the Subaru had too many recalls. The Subaru is fun to drive.

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  Having Second Thoughts - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By parrotfinalia - October 14 - 2:20 am

  Bought this to replace a Blazer with 112K. This has been in the shop more and for "unknown issues" than the Chevy ever was. Fell in love with the styling and the kick, but the electrical system is a joke. Mileage is better then the 99 Chevy and took a 3600 mile trip that was fun the entire way. This is my first Subaru but due to the "unidentifiable" mechanical issues, I doubt I will purchase Subaru again if the company does not stand behind their product. My love for the safety, quick response and original styling is being overshadowed by the maintenance issues that should not be happening in a car that is under the 50,000 mile warranty.

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  5K miles so far - 2013 Subaru Outback
  By cdaoust - October 14 - 1:22 am

  Issues Mileage! Dont know how they got a 27/30 EPA rating but I give it 24/27 - upsetting. I read they toyed with tranny to get more oomph on 2013 perhaps resulting in mileage loss. Engine same but EPA would have to retest right? Yes am lead foot but have noticed that even in slower traffic I only get a little over 27 at best. Tranny noisy! listen while test drive - if it doesnt bother you then it wont later. Worst when engine cold. Steering bit odd coming from mazda 6 - I wandered all over lane at first (you can find many reports on net of this) but now its OK/better. Pros Suspension/drive very good on road, AWD, Comfortable/Spacious interior, Bluetooth, Roof rack

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  2010 Legacy - 2010 Subaru Legacy
  By Joe - October 13 - 9:16 am

  I have put about 500 miles on my Legacy and am quite pleased with it. It could use a little more power but it is all wheel drive which eats up some horsepower. Gas mileage at this point is better than advertised on the window sticker. A really good looking sedan. Very comfortable inside.

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  2.5i Hatch w/ Premium Package - 2008 Subaru Impreza
  By trekker23 - October 12 - 11:10 pm

  Picked up the 2008 Imp 2.5i just a few days ago. Not going to lie, at first I hated the new body style, however it grew on me (well everything except for the tail lights, hence the 8 on exterior styling). Still being in the break in period, I havent had the opportunity to really get on the engine, but I have high expectations. Very comfortable car. The seats are much better than my old Explorer. The car is about a million times more fun to drive as well. It handles very well, carving apart roads in West Virginia and still getting around 23 mpg in the city.