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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  Solid reliable wagon - 2002 Subaru Outback
  By Bgor - July 1 - 7:33 am

  The LL Bean edition is a great looking station wagon. Solid drive train. Needed brakes after 40K miles, and the heated seats are lukewarm. All other mfgr promises were delivered! Great value, and the 4-wheel drive works in all weather.

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  Nice car but... - 2010 Subaru Legacy
  By Bob - June 30 - 5:16 pm

  Just traded a 2007 Audi A4 on this because I wanted to keep the all wheel drive and have more space. Very nice vehicle but lost the "fun" factor that I had with the Audi. Plus, if you are on the fence between the Premium and the Limited, spend the extra bucks for the Limited. I went with the Premium due to the excellent lease deal but cant begin to tell you how much I regret the decision. The stereo in the Legacy Premium is about the worst stock stereo I have ever heard. Also, really miss climate control and leather seats. If these things dont matter to you, then the Premium is a good choice.

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  So far, so great - 2006 Subaru Outback
  By Joe - June 29 - 5:30 pm

  Only 3 months into this, but the car is great fun to drive, lots of versatility, poor gas mileage the only drawback. (Still better than the 93 Land Cruiser). Excellent road car, wonderful compromise between utility and fun to drive. One pesky factory defect, broken clips in the dash, requiring several trips to the dealer until they got the right parts. Good purchase experience. Fun to own a car that is still unlike everyone else. Looking forward to the all wheel drive in the snow.

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  very pleased - 2000 Subaru Legacy
  By kc66 - June 29 - 7:07 am

  bought this car over 2 years ago with 120,000 miles on it and already put over 70,000 miles in that time. Have had to replace both front cv axles and tie rods, and 1 bearing. So far Ive been able to do all the work myself so in material I have only put $250.00 in it. Its been a very hard working car. The AWD is amazing and the flat 4 is very peppy. I get 25 to 29 mpg and I have driven it from northern virginia to southern florida and back with not 1 problem. I hope the car runs another 100,000 and I would buy another.

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  51,000 Miles and still smiling... - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By Subaru Drew - June 27 - 10:20 am

  My biggest complaint about my 2 and a half year old WRX is that the front windows squeak when powering the windows down. It is annoying, but in two and a half years and 51,000 miles, that is my biggest complaint. I guess you could say that this car rocks! When I test drove this car I was replacing a 95 BMW 530i. That was a great car and its tread was tough to fill, especially with a car at a fraction of the cost. My expectations were not all that high, but my brother-in-law had just bought an WRX and convinced me to try it. That was all it took. This ride has grin factor! It does lack some refinements found in other cars, but it makes up for it in the drivers seat. Try it, youll like it.

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  Useless Sunroofs, Low Power - Good Car - 2001 Subaru Outback
  By TechMarcom - June 26 - 10:00 am

  Car rides well, but is certainly underpowered with a 4 cyl. engine, or way overpriced with a 6 cyl. We lease the 2001 Outback Ltd. with ato trans and 4 cyl engine. Dual sunroofs seemed like a fun idea, but in reality theyre useless. The one over the front seat is a "pop top" that barely opens, and the power sliding moonroof is over the back seat - useless to driver!

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  Excellent car - 2008 Subaru Impreza
  By Rob - June 25 - 9:43 am

  I recently purchased this car and have been very happy with it. The performance is excellent: the tight steering, acceleration, and the way the car sticks to the road. This is my third Subaru as I cant seem to part with the AWD. Definitely go with the premium package, its worth it and adds pizzazz to the car.

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  Pretty good, but could be better. - 2011 Subaru Outback
  By kaitflower - June 23 - 9:34 am

  I traded in my 07 Impreza Outback Sport for the new Outback late last year. I loved my sport and I miss it. I need a larger car to drive myself, husband and 2 60 lb dogs between Ohio and California a couple times a year. I have 22,000 miles on her already with no major mechanical problems. As many people say:STEERING WHEEL. The shake. Its horrible. The process is horrible. Took the car in one day and the insisted that they evaluate the tires. Bad tire was the verdict. Replace it and have to drive 4000 miles right away. Nope, still there. Take it back in and they decide to do the replacement steering wheel, etc. Still not fixed.

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  Some issues - 2014 Subaru Forester
  By muttley36 - June 22 - 7:40 pm

  I like this vehicle a lot, when the weather is warm. I started having issues at about 1,200 miles. When the weather is cold, is chugs, almost like the engine is missing, but there are no engine lights and the tach doesnt show any problems. Transmission? Doesnt seem to change even after the vehicle warms up. When the weather is not cold, runs great. Took it in to dealer but they think Im just not used to CVT. Downshift seems to drag a bit. Gas mileage is good.

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  Perfect match for my active lifestyle - 2005 Subaru Baja
  By Mike Custodio - June 22 - 3:50 am

  Bought my turbo baja with 56k on it, and racked up 10k in 6 months. While there is both positive and negative attitude about it, the turbo baja matches my lifestyle perfectly. It excels in Back country roads, carrying kayak, mtn bikes, and occasional landscaping items. Performance and handling excel that of a true truck. I love trucks, but I love my baja better. Downsides: Get the Bed ext. Turbo lag and reluctant downshifts sap power. But once you get going, your gone. Frequent oil changes: every 3,000 miles for turbos. My ABS unit somehow decided to fail. It will cost $1200 to replace, dealership unsure what caused the failure. Otherwise, this subie matches my lifestyle and driving habits