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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  The Best WRX yet - 2018 Subaru WRX
  By Vlad - April 22 - 12:49 am

  I drove 2018 WRX Premium with Performance package. Outstanding! This car handles like a king and the RECARO seats deliver great support and firmness. Shifting is precise and steering gives you a great feedback. I would recommend to test drive different trims and packages before you make your decision. Now Subaru has a car for every driver

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  What a great mix of performance/utility - 2004 Subaru Forester
  By Fullserve - April 21 - 2:00 am

  I have been a performance car enthusiast all of my life. Alas, with a second baby added to the family, it was time to move to something bigger and more "practical." I drove several "good" cars in those categories to replace my Cobra, but none which would make me really happy. Finally, I heard about the XT. WOW is all I have to say! Within one minute I knew I had found the car. This car is a total blast to drive (now that Im over my break-in!) and I am very impressed so far with the build quality and ride. The AWD is just second to none. Now I look forward to storms coming through! I cannot wait to take it to the mountains to try it in the snow.

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  Baja Rocks! - 2004 Subaru Baja
  By davescomp - April 21 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle has just what I wanted, and everything I needed. The ride, space adn comfort of a car, and the ability to throw whatever I need in the back. I dont have to worry if I am hauling something dirty or smelly, and if it is something long, I can open the back end. It may seem like a short bed at first, but with the conversion of teh back seat and the bed extender, it is not bad at all. I have brought home full sized panneling, lumber, lattice, bags of concrete, and hauled many other things like plants and muddy yard tools. All I had to do was spray out the back end!

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  Fun Pocket Rocket - 2003 Subaru Impreza
  By FishNutz - April 21 - 2:00 am

  I work with a ton of car buffs who sport around in their 50k porsches or other sports cars. Not all of them appreciate the car design but they all have the same reaction when I drop the clutch at about 3500 RPMs...Holy S!*#!!. If you want a luxury "sports" car look somewhere else. If you want a car that drives like a gokart on steroids this is your ride. With the popularity of the car there are a wide range of modifications coming online for those who want to take the next step in performance.

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  Most Imprezive car in its class. - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By BeverEater - April 21 - 2:00 am

  Before I bought my Impreza RS I researched compact sendans under $20,000 for a few months. The cars that I was looking at where: Toyota Corolla S & Matrix, Nissan Sentra Type R, Honda Civic, Ford Focus, Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart and the BMW Mini Cooper (base model). Of all these vehicles I chose the Impreza RS because it offers more performace and features for the price than the competition and Subarus exellent reputation for being reliable. This is a high quality car.

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  This car quietly rocks! - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By RNMorton - April 21 - 2:00 am

  Love it! Traded in a 2004 Nissan Spec- V with great relief, took a massive financial hit, and got twice the car (at a lower price). Quality, performance, and a great great value. Engine cranks up nicely, good compromise on ride/handling, decent mileage and big gas tank, quality interior, all good stuff. This would be a good bargain in the sports sedan class without the 4WD, with the 4WD it kills the competition. And the rep is pretty good for durability and safety. Assuming no service problems, and the same line of cars, Im a Subaru guy for life.

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  I love my Suburu - 2005 Subaru Legacy
  By Chris Johnson - April 20 - 9:53 pm

  I was always afraid of driving in the snow and now with my Suburu AWD, I have confidence Ive never experienced before. From the minute I test drove the car I knew it was for me. Its both classy and fun.

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  Worth the wait - 2015 Subaru Outback
  By nchesanow - April 20 - 6:55 pm

  Ive only had the vehicle for 4 1/2 days. I was able to mate my iPhone to the car on the first try. I used a voice command to change the temperature on the first try. The radio comes with 36 presets, instead of the usual six. In 28 degrees, the heater heats the entire vehicle in 5 minutes flat. Some auto writers feel its looks are ho-hum. When I pulled into the first shopping mall, three store owners came out to admire it. Great-looking metallic paint is standard ($550 extra on a BMW). The speed appears in large numbers in the dash over the steering wheel, so you dont have to look at the speedometer. The nav system directions also appear over the steering wheel. No need to look at the map.

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  Utility meets Luxury and Reliablitity - 2008 Subaru Outback
  By FXOFFROAD - April 19 - 7:46 pm

  This is a blast to drive. Mileage is good and the sport shift truly rises to the occasion. Hard to believe this is 4 banger that cost under 30,000 for the 2.5i Limited. I trade a 2003 Ford F250 so it was a dramatic change, but definitely for the best. Test drove Honda CRV, Ford Edge, Escape & Explorer, Audi wagons. But for the value, the Outback was truly the best choice. Extremely satisfied. Taken up to the Colorado Rocky Mountains often and its performs extremely well. Compared to my 07 Lexus ES, this vehicle is truly a great value for its outstanding build quality, AWD, and economy.

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  Love my new Forrester - 2016 Subaru Forester
  By Ron - April 19 - 4:06 pm

  Only had it a few weeks. Enjoying being in it. Love the milage.