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 WRX Rocks - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By sourcemonkey - April 19 - 10:00 am

  I know youve heard it a million times, but the WRX Rules. Ive bought mine on New Years Eve and have been happy ever since. I can blow just about anyone away, just ask the guy in the new Altima I dusted at 120 on the way to New Orleans this week. OK so reality check, it is a car under 25k. So its not like your driving in luxury, but if you value performance over floating down the highway this car is for you.

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  Very satisfied in Ohio - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By lvjohn - April 17 - 4:36 am

  Weve had our Outback almost 2 weeks now and we are delighted with it. It is so much better than I remembered our test drive car ever being. I have owned 7 new cars in my 45 years of driving and this is clearly the best of them all including our 2000 Outback. We love the versatility the Outback provides. It can haul a fair amount of stuff and it can transport 5 in comfort and quiet. It gets reasonably good gas mileage; we got 24.8 mpg in mixed city and freeway driving on the first tank. The build quality is the best Ive seen in any new car.

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  Great Vehicle - 2014 Subaru Forester
  By fad1520 - April 16 - 7:46 pm

  I took delivery of my Forester on March 21. I have about 4K miles on the car to date. I traded in a 2005 Honda Element. Boy, what an upgrade this has been. The car is fun to drive and handles great. I have been averaging about 30 MPG with a mix of highway and city. The radio and navigation system are not difficult to operate as other reviews have pointed out. My 10 year old daughter had it figured out in no time. The nav system works great. I had to meet some work colleagues at a supplier about an hour away from home and I was the only one who made it to the right location. The others used the iphone and got lost.

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  GREAT SMALL UTE - 2004 Subaru Forester
  By Floyd99 - April 16 - 10:00 am

  If you want a spacious, well-built, fun to drive small UTE with the BEST AWD system and the highest safety rating, look no further. We are so impressed with this automobile - on all levels. We even drove in the heart of the Canadian Rockies on a rough muddy trail, stream crossings and STEEP inclines....it did great! All that, PLUS the legendary Subaru reliability? What a package!

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  2002 WRX Wagon - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By The Dream - April 16 - 10:00 am

  VERY fun to drive. Disappointed that the wagon doesnt have the same curves / lines on the body as the sedan. ABS too sensitive. Downshifting usually helps... ABS sucks if youre trying to eat an ice cream cone or something though - really is too sensitive - esp. on bumpy roads. Love the car though.. I guess the one thing I would change (and Ive been putting it off) is the ABS. Still havent found affordable fog light covers either.

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  No time for indecision - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By DonPaco - April 16 - 10:00 am

  The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences, and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon. (Alexander Supertramp) In my new subaru I have seen just this. One day in the city the next racing on the beach at 70 mph. What a rush. A real sence of saftey and durability. I traded my 850 turbo wagon for the wrx wagon. What a difference. Just as much power but 1/2 the size and cargo space. It enables you to take roads you wouldnt even think of. Small suv meets sports car with the added bonus of turbo charged awd samuri, at no added cost.

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  Fun and practical - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By Adrian Smith - April 16 - 10:00 am

  After drooling over the WRX I finally bought one and couldnt be happier. An absolute blast to drive but with plenty of interior room so it still remains practical. Before the WRX, Ive always driven pickups and was worried that I wouldnt have enough space for my camping equipment, but with the rear seats folded forward there was more than enough room. Really dig the way it doesnt look like sports car, but performs like one.

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  Happily Pre-Owned - 2008 Subaru Legacy
  By gioguy21 - April 16 - 12:56 am

  So far Ive owned my Legacy for a little over a month and I have to say its by far the best car Ive ever owned. I was in the market for a car that was great on the highway (safe/mpg/fun to drive) since I drive an hour each day to and from work. I will surely be purchasing another Subaru whenever this one bites the dust hopefully a long time from now. I love the sound system, was able to tweak the quality of the speakers through my ipod, the moonroof is wonderful and the car handles like its on rails. I highly recommend anyone that wants a great car at a great price, pre-owned might be the way to go. Low miles for 5k cheaper than new a year old?...be stupid not to.

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  WRX TR - 2006 Subaru Impreza
  By The Big Fungoo - April 15 - 12:26 am

  Fun to drive, great power and handling, good looks, good reliability. The ideal sporty car. Warp drive for less than $25,000.

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  Love It! - 2012 Subaru Impreza
  By abhandari - April 14 - 7:18 pm

  Stepped up from a 03 mazda 6 and I love this Subaru! I got it yesterday only have 40 miles on it but loving it so far! I got the limited hatchback with navi/moonroof, wanted a sport limited but hard to find these cars. The seats are definitely comfortable in my car the navi is super easy but for some might have to get used to it, I am kind of tech savvy. The speakers are awesome! I dont know why people are complaining about it. The cvt needs getting used to