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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  Love it - 2009 Subaru Tribeca
  By Pete - March 31 - 4:46 am

  Awesome compact truck. Has everything you need for your adventures!. Great gas mileage for a truck with AWD. The best handling truck i have ever been in! a TRUE AWD truck beats any 4WD any day, just cannot compare.

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  None better at this price - 2008 Subaru Outback
  By Eastharlemboy - March 30 - 3:53 pm

  First 4500 miles impressions: good handling, comfortable, quiet, decent stereo, sufficient (not great) power, averaging 28 MPG. For around $21K - $22K I believe this car is a bargain compared to other all wheel drive vehicles.

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  Best Vehicle Ive Ever Owned - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By GNC - March 29 - 6:43 pm

  Took almost 12 weeks from order date until delivery, but was really worth the wait. This is by far the best vehicle Ive ever owned, I love driving it. Drives like a much more expensive vehicle. Very responsive acceleration and braking. 3.6 engine has great power and still gets very good gas mileage, avg 21 mpg in city. Extremely comfortable seats. Excellent sound system. Performance in snow is outstanding. Holds the road like a magnet even in deep snow. Hands free phone system is disappointing, not easy to program or use. Heated seats work great but would prefer they turn off automatically when engine is turned off.

• 

  Subaru Forester XS 2003 - 2003 Subaru Forester
  By harold martens - March 27 - 10:00 am

  This is our families first Subaru, and will definitely not be the last. After a protracted period of test driving many competing models, we settled on the Subaru Forester XS for its sturdy feel, excellent visibility, ease of manueverability, included options, and safety features. Our dealer of purchase: DON DOCKSTEADER SUBARU in Vancouver Canada offered a 24 hour, no obligation test drive which finalized our choice.

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  I love my Subaru!! - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By datafeedback - March 27 - 10:00 am

  Perfect, perfect, and more perfect.

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  The Best Wagon on the Market - 2006 Subaru Outback
  By Jose Alfredo - March 27 - 2:26 am

  A great 4 cylinder car that has very good mileage on all-wheel drive. Many things are standard on this car, like ABS brakes and alloy wheels. Fun to drive, easy to make U-turns, and has ample power for going on vacations.

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  Zero buyers remorse. - 2010 Subaru Forester
  By Joshua - March 26 - 8:23 pm

  I spent two years getting out of credit card debt, and saving up for my Subaru. I knew I wanted a Subaru because of the safety features, and high reliability. I looked at a few other brands. But I found that the Forester was not only the highest rated, but because more equipment comes standard, it was the best value. Some companies charge over $3K for AWD, and even $1K extra for side airbags! My 2010 model is very comfortable, the most comfortable car I have ever sat in. There is lots of room for both passengers and cargo. And the hidden storage area under the cargo pad is perfect for keeping the rest of the cargo ready at all times. Highly recommended to anyone who needs utility and fun!

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  reliable and good-looking - 2009 Subaru Impreza
  By m9mk10 - March 26 - 2:11 pm

  Fun car, reliable in bad weather, nice to look at, easy to drive

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  Love my Legacy! - 2009 Subaru Legacy
  By New Subaru owner - March 24 - 6:40 pm

  When I was forced to abandon ownership of my Jetta because no one in my town was talented enough to fix it - I looked at the Subaru. I live in the mountains in NC - and thought that AWD would be a good idea. I bought a 2009 Legacy (2.5 Special Edition issue). Although the "pick up" isnt quite like my Jetta - everything else more than surpasses my expectations and desires. My favorite part is the stability - in rain (no ice yet, but am waiting for winter), the car handles hazardous road conditions like a magnet on steel. I was amazed. I also love the stereo system - especially since I can plug in my iPod. Now I can listen to Stephanie Miller podcasts on my way to work. I love my Subaru!

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  Practical and a blast to drive. - 2016 Subaru WRX
  By Robert Van Ackooy - March 24 - 8:02 am

  This is my second AWD turbo (I had a 91 Eagle Talon TSi AWD for about 16 years) and first with an automatic. I picked up my white WRX in August of 2015. I love a manual with AWD, but with a 5 speed Mach 1 as my other car, I wanted one of my cars to be an automatic. The CVT in the WRX really mimics a manual very well. Responsive and not too smooth, so that you feel like you are driving a performance car and not a family sedan. Not gonna deny that a manual would be awesome in this car, but the CVT is not time spent in the penalty box at all. The technology in this car is pretty amazing. Never thought I would ever drive a fun, sporty car like this with so many bells and whistles. Lots of safety technology too. Maybe my all time favorite interior (I like it even better than my previous 2011 VW GTI). Seats are comfortable and the instrumentation looks terrific in red. The upgraded (HK) stereo really sounds amazing. The car is fast and feels fast. Very satisfying to drive. Love the signature hood scoop and the quad exhaust looks very sharp. I havent had one regret about buying this car. Practical (4 doors, plenty of rear seat space, spacious trunk), safe (blind spot monitoring, lane change alert, rear camera, awesome AWD), and fun (great acceleration, nice exhaust note, athletic handling) all combine to make this car a total package. No boring drives in a WRX. Update (2/8/18): I had a Borla Catback Exhaust installed recently and it made a big difference in the sound. Factory exhaust was fine, but a bit tame. The Borla Exhaust added more tone and a lot more personality to the car. It simply has made a fun car to drive, even more fun to drive.