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:

• 

  Excellent Car - 2016 Subaru Outback
  By Nick Vintila - March 9 - 11:08 pm

  Be sure to get EyeSight!!!

• 

  Favorite Car in 40 years of driving - 2006 Subaru Forester
  By Jesse - March 9 - 9:16 am

  I have owned this car for only a few months and have put a quick 12,000 miles on it. I have never owned a car that felt more secure on the road, in all kinds of weather. I drive it mostly in town, but also have taken it now on several 1400 mile round trips on interstate highways, and it handles those high speeds and long hours effortlessly.

• 

  Great in the Snow, Rain - 2007 Subaru Outback
  By Michael - March 8 - 7:03 am

  Great car. Great value.

• 

  Great Performance Car - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By Jackal - March 8 - 2:00 am

  This is a great car. Handles great even at its absolute limit. Quality is second to none and the fit and finish are excellent. This car is a performance oriented car that is made to handle brilliantly and be a fun car to drive. It is not a luxury car and if that is what you are looking for pass the WRX buy, but is you know what you are getting into this is a great package.

• 

  Subaru Impreza STi Fan - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By AngusinMD - March 8 - 2:00 am

  I was fortunate enough to get one of the first few in Annapolis. I love the car, it is everything I thought it would be in terms of performance. I wanted a car with a huge grin factor to justify all of the hours spent at work. And this car provides the grin factor in spades. I cant really ask for anything more from the car in terms of performance, styling, and fun. It is a sports car so the creature comforts must be overlooked.

• 

  Completely Impressed - 2010 Subaru Legacy
  By Teddy - March 6 - 11:53 pm

  Living in Utah I needed something that that could perform year round unlike my last car. I knew I needed AWD so Subaru was the first car I thought of. My buddy works at the dealer so I went over, saw the Legacy, took it for a test drive, then had them get the papers together. The look of the car inside and out really sold me. The AWD was also key. This has got to be, by far, the best car you can get for the price that has AWD. I love the standard features like the iPod hookup. The rear seats have plenty of leg and head room as well as the front seats. Unless Subaru changes their quality and styling, Ill be a customer for a long long time. Now if it would only snow to test the AWD...

• 

  Really love this Subaru! - 2006 Subaru Impreza
  By Conner .S - March 6 - 9:14 pm

  I bought my 2006 impreza sedan in December of 2013 with 110000 miles on it for only $7000. What I dont like about this car is I found out that it the head gaskets were leaking coolant and I had to spend about a $1000 to replace them at the Subaru dealership just a week after I bought the car (this was a recall for Subarus with the 2 and a half liter engine for this impreza body style). I have had this car for almost 2 years and have put 30000 miles on it and have had to only take it to the shop for only oil changes and getting tires rotated (Super reliable!) . The cars all wheel drive has allowed me to have so much fun in muding, sand drifting and ice skating (So Much Fun!). If you think you will ever go off of regular roads this car will have your back because it has given me the confidence to drive through 3 to 4 inches of mud and really soft sand. Some things that I dont really like about the car is it the road noise is pretty pronounced an it I usually get only 25 mpg in mixed driving when Im not driving like a racer. With that said I absolutely love this car and I would recommend it to anyone who wants a daily driver with low maintenance cost, safety in mind, sporty looks, and all weather dependability.

• 

  Excellent car - 2005 Subaru Impreza
  By Gonz - March 5 - 7:10 am

  I have owned this car for a year now and put on 15,000 miles. It is easily just as much fun now as when I first bought it, actually more. I started auto crossing it this year with amazing results. The corner steering is pretty pushy but that is about the only negative thing I can think of for the STi and that can be fixed with bigger sway bars and an alignment. The ride is pretty comfortable for a long trip and as long as you are easy with it, it gets good gas mileage for 300HP. Overall I believe it is a wonderful car for the money.

• 

  Very Happy - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By R - March 4 - 4:33 pm

  Purchased Limited 3.6 new, have driven 5950 miles, 19.5 mpg in town, 28 mpg highway, very quite even on the highway, Great SUV, would purchase again.

• 

  Not your neighbors subaru - 2009 Subaru Impreza
  By firsttimer - March 3 - 2:43 pm

  One month into ownership of my STI, and what a pleasure to drive. Driven hard in the S# mode it is quite the quick sports car, but move into the I mode and it is pleasantly sedate. Owned an E36 M3, 535xi, RX-7, Prelude over the years. This car the best combination of performance and practicality by far. Never considered the brand before, but glad I did. Love the ability to haul people and golf clubs, and the AWD will be important in the winter. While expensive for a Subaru, a great value. Never had so many people look twice before..the scarcity of the car keeps many wondering what it is.