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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  My Blue Subie - 2001 Subaru Forester
  By TimothyFC - August 19 - 9:00 am

  Bought used in 02/2008 for $8500. 58K mi. Automatic. 09/24/2009 94500 mi. Severe Service. $268 03/2008 Front Passenger Axle Assembly. Alternator Rebuild 12/2008 P&L $150. $168 P&L Left Rear Wheel Cylinder and brake linings. No breakdowns so far. Rear Tires road noise noticeable. Excellent AWD performance on very bad wet and dry farm dirt roads 04 to 05/2009 Laurel Hill, Fl. City and highway driving nice. Bad weather performance good. MPG good. Regular maintenance cost high but, (AWD) understandable. Spark plugs, wires, K&N Air Filter, Radiator Fluid, Radiator Hoses, Belts, Oil Changes all done. Trans & Diff fluid, timing belt not done yet.

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  love it - 2003 Subaru Baja
  By angiono - August 18 - 2:00 am

  it has plenty of pep gets out of its own way, great on fuel, just missing heated seats, easy for a women to drive and get in and out of and you can store a ton in the cargo area.

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  Solid and easy to upgrade - 2003 Subaru Forester
  By ddev - August 16 - 8:40 pm

  This is my 2nd Forester. Traded in the 2000 because I got tired of the manual. When I got the 2003 XS, I also had a 1999 Audi A8 Quatro (315 HP, all aluminum, etc.) and remarkably, the Subo was more fun to drive -- and light years better mileage. I do wish they had a turbo diesel, and Ill probably keep this car till they do and then trade in.

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  My first Subie - 2010 Subaru Forester
  By Anonymous - August 16 - 2:00 am

  I like the subaru forester-had over a year now only getting 24.3mpg highway. I dont like the cup holders or where the seat warmers are placed. Overall, the car is awesome in the winter-drove through 26+ inches of snow up the a 7% grade with no issues. I should have got the outback just because it looks like its a beast!

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  Bad Choice for Comfort - 2011 Subaru Forester
  By Anonymous - August 16 - 2:00 am

  I have had this car for over a month and from day one had problems with driver seat issue. So far only 700 miles on it because it is too painful to drive. Test drove another car than what I purchased thinking they all were the same. Saleman was real pushy and rushed me into sale. My mistake. Cloth seat is so uncomfortable that I now have major upper and lower back problems that I have to go to physical therapy. Love a car that I cant drive!! Dealership and Subaru refuse to acknowledge the problem. Should have bought the Honda CRV!! Will NEVER buy another Subaru.

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  Our 2208 Ru is a Little Tight - 2008 Subaru Outback
  By Barry - August 12 - 3:43 pm

  We had a 1998 Ru Outback that we gave to our son and bought our 2008 Ru in July of 2007. The Ru rides great, has good mileage, 25MPG around town, it also looks great. Our Ru has been very reliable. Only problems so far has been a power steering arm that was leaking when we bought the car new. That was replaced under warranty. We have had an intermittent rattle under the car, especially when cold. Took it to two different Subaru dealers and they could not duplicate the problem. Went to our Subaru dealer in Flagstaff and they finally found the problem, something about the catalytic converter which will be replaced under warranty.

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  I Would Consider Another Forester - 2004 Subaru Forester
  By MaryAnn Smith - August 12 - 2:00 am

  I really like my Forester. However, I never thought when buying my car that I should sit in the back. Just to see how I liked the room,etc. Well, my Forester is wonderful except for the back seat.There is no leg room whatsoever. Not even for a small child let alone an adult. My Forester does great with snow, icy conditions, etc. Handles very well on hills. I would buy another Forester again without any hesitation.

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  WRX ROCKS! - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By boothwrx - August 11 - 10:00 am

  For the money, the performance cant be beat. The wet weather handling is outstanding.

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  Subarus rock - 2003 Subaru Impreza
  By Aaron Walker - August 10 - 11:43 pm

  This car rocks -- I love it.

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  Not worth giving up the room for mileage - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By SubaruAdmirer - August 8 - 8:56 am

  No problem with it so far except gas door release level falling off. Decent acceleration from stop but no power at all on highway especially with ac on, need to drive in "power" mode or else difficult to pass or climb hills. 50/50 mileage averaging 21mpg with the 4spd auto. Will not get the 28mpg+ some claim unless going below 60mph. Not sure about you, but I dont drive on all stretches of country road. A small v6 with a 5 or 6 spd auto would have been better. Interior much smaller than mid-sized SUV with no 3rd row seating. Frankly the only slight increase (15%) in fuel economy was not worth giving up the space and seating option. Overall build feels a bit cheap. Liked our Outback better.