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:

• 

  Pretty sweet car - 2009 Subaru Impreza
  By j09sti - March 16 - 6:36 pm

  This car is pretty awesome and gets a lot of stares. It drives smoothly and sounds great, especially the turbo. The price is okay, but I wasnt impressed. The tires are summer performance, I would have liked all- season. The interior is laid out nicely and is built with quality. Some of the carpet seems cheap and doesnt connect nicely with other parts of the interior, the steering wheel has a nice feel as well as other control surfaces. The exterior looks aggressive and confident. People try to race me all the time. The SI-Drive is pretty cool, I keep it in (I) most of the time for fuel efficiency. If you drive nicely it can get good gas mileage, but can also burn fuel quickly with turbo.

• 

  Owner - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By Ronald L. Jordan - March 16 - 3:56 pm

  We have owned this vehicle for two weeks and have found the experience very delightful. We took one long trip in it thus far and found the car to perform beautifully and the ride was most comfortable. There is plenty of leg room both front and rear and the quietness of the ride was the best we ever experienced.

• 

  Best Value for the buck - 2017 Subaru Impreza
  By Chris McCormick - March 16 - 6:33 am

  This is my 3rd Subaru, most improvements in next generation model.

• 

  08 Impreza Sedan - 2008 Subaru Impreza
  By hntrania - March 15 - 11:33 am

  I have had this vehicle for 2 weeks now and it is great, lots of highway driving and have had no problems. Cant wait to try out the AWD in the Colorado winters.

• 

  Subaru STI - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By softandfuzzy - March 15 - 2:00 am

  The car is fast, fun, and reliable. I recomend this car over evo, not only does it look better, subaru is know for their reliabity.

• 

  New to Subaru - 2018 Subaru Forester
  By Patti - March 14 - 12:31 am

  Having driven Hondas for many years, & deciding it was time to give up my Honda Pilot of 13 years, & decided to downsize, I chose a Subaru because of its safety features and realiability. I also ski in the winter, & weather & road conditions in our area can be pretty tricky at times, but with the all wheel drive I hope to get great traction. My lease specialist (Brad Lunar) was very thorough throughout the entire process and made me feel comfortable with his expertise.

• 

  2nd Subaru - 2009 Subaru Outback
  By George - March 13 - 9:50 pm

  I just sold my 7 year old 2002 Legacy Wagon L,with 215,000 miles. It was very hard to part with,since it never let me down and will give the new owner many more thousands of miles. I upgraded to the Special Edition 5 speed Outback on 11/01/08. The test drive sold me. I drive extensively in both city and highway. This is a non-pretentious car that is as good looking at the campground as it is pulling up to a top Manhattan restaurant. I expect the same reliability and longevity. I also expect greater mpg than listed, since I did experience the same on my prior Subaru Wagon. Also,annual maintenance is relatively inexpensive and resale value is high.

• 

  Great Ride - 2011 Subaru Outback
  By DMM - March 12 - 2:00 am

  I traded in a Jeep Grand Cherokee for a 3.6R Outback and now have 4,000 trouble free miles. Rides very smooth at highway speed and the seats are very comfortable. The outback performs much better than the Jeep and the gas mileage for a six cylinder is fantastic. Took it to the snow and it by far out performed the Jeep. I am very impressed and happy with my Outback.

• 

  Subaru number 3 - 2011 Subaru Outback
  By Tammy - March 12 - 2:00 am

  Just brought home the new baby. Traded in my 2007 Outback which had nothing wrong with it at all! I was seeking more room, as we travel a lot. We carry two kayaks across the country with us and these are the best vehicles. The new car is huge! I have more head room than I have every experienced before. The fit and finish is great, handling crisp, features are abundant. This is a lot of car for the money. My husband has a 2009 Forrester and loves it. We are truly a Subaru couple.

• 

  Little Red Ru Rocks! - 2006 Subaru Impreza
  By chef tim - March 10 - 4:30 pm

  We had a 2005 2.5 RS that we traded on our 2006 WRX TR. I was absolutely thrilled with the difference in performance. I have owned dozens of Subarus and my experience with new ones is just as pleasurable as with my older ones. We will continue to be loyal Subaru owners well into the future.