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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  Best of the small crossovers Ive tried - 2014 Subaru Forester
  By misprof - June 4 - 9:05 pm

  I am 65" and my wife is 53" and we wanted something that we could adjust to both be able to drive comfortably. We tried a Forester last year, but the visibility was nowhere near as good and the interior seemed very cheap. The 2014 is a huge improvement. I dont have to adjust the seat all the way back even with my 35" inseam legs. Visibility is much better due to the larger windows all around and the relatively straight roof line, unlike a lot of the competitors. After about 400 miles I am getting about 29 MPG of mostly highway driving. Overall I like the look and functionality. It isnt flashy, but is the most comfortable and practical of the crossovers out there.

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  Disappointed - 2015 Subaru Outback
  By kak53 - June 2 - 6:53 pm

  This is my first Subaru. I am experiencing the annoying wind noise from the triangular window on both the passenger and driverÂ’s side. It certainly has put a damper on the fun of owning a new vehicle. I have been waiting for a call from the dealership, which is waiting for a service bulletin from Subaru. Otherwise, it seems to be a wonderful vehicle.

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  Engine Racing - 2008 Subaru Outback
  By Carol - June 1 - 5:13 am

  Had a 2000 Outback, liked it so well, I bought a 2008 Outback Wagon 5 spd man trans. It has 1,522 miles and just started this engine racing thing. When you shift thru from 1st to 5th gear it seems as though the gas is sticking causing RPMs to go up when you let off the accelerator. Sometimes when you downshift, the engine races like the accelerator is sticking. Took it to the dealer, he called Subaru Techline but before he could finish telling them what was wrong they said it was normal operation. We find that hard to believe. Racing past 2000rpms when the clutch is pressed and no foot on the accelerator doesnt seem normal to us.

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  An appealing package - 2003 Subaru Outback
  By bgabel1260 - May 31 - 10:00 am

  The car feels like a lower-cost Eurowagon. The boxer engine produces a nice amount of low-end torque, sounds great and the shifter has a nice mechanical feel. Despite the raised suspension the Outback is quite fun to drive and handles surprisingly well, though it exhibits some body roll. The ride is comfy on regular pavement but can be really bouncy on torn-up roads. The AWD system is completely transparent to the driver. The cabin is nicely finished though unexceptional. Seats are very comfortable and shod in nice cloth material. The premium audio system can play very loud and clear, a nice touch. Cargo room is plentiful and easy to access.

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  need a decent roof rack - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By kayak - May 28 - 3:53 pm

  Car is good, but less practical than the older subarus. The roof rack is a ridiculous plastic fashion accessory. I had to drill into the plastic to mount cross bars far enough apart for long items like kayaks, windsurfers, etc. Subaru needs to think PRACTICAL.

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  Subaru Legacy GT Top of the Line?? - 2004 Subaru Legacy
  By silverlady - May 25 - 2:00 am

  I just bought a Subaru Legacy GT Sedan, my first new car! Overall it seems to be an excellent car. One problem: when I take it through a high powered, touchless car wash, the drivers side and passenger side windows leak! The dealer said there was nothing they could do; they took me through the car wash with another new Legacy and it also leaked. They said dont use touchless car washes. It is a design flaw I must learn to live with. Bummer, $27,000 for a car and I cant take it through the car wash! Subaru may be built to handle the winter roads, but they are not built to handle a touchless car wash!

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  Nicks Baja - 2003 Subaru Baja
  By Nickb - May 25 - 2:00 am

  Excellent traction on wet roads. Cant wait to test in Winter. Could use more power. But once moving feels spirited when need to passing.

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  2 Foresters in the garage - 2012 Subaru Forester
  By superblue - May 25 - 12:30 am

  4yr ownership of 2008 version sold us. Its price is nice, not the most technically advanced in the segment. Nice ride, spacious great, for a small family that requires wagon utility, that can handle rough weather, is reliable, and safe. We got the alloy wheel-package.

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  A Good Car - 2007 Subaru Impreza
  By Frank - May 23 - 2:46 pm

  I have owned the WRX for over six months now and I enjoy driving it but off the show room floor it does not perform as well as I had hoped. Fortunately there are solutions to some of the performance problems. Better tires made a big difference in handling and ride quality. 22 mpg is okay but 28 or better would help the wallet a bit. The quality of the interior materials is sufficent. I have not had any problems there.

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  Major Defect - 2011 Subaru Outback
  By Bill - May 20 - 11:26 am

  Did a lot or research and test driving, and found the Outback met all my needs as far as comfort, performance,style and supposedly build quality. Shortly after delivery noticed a vibration/shake in the steering wheel at various speeds. Took back to the dealer and they road forced balanced the tires and said that would take care of the problem. It didnt and made it worse at highway speed. Back to the dealer, told them that problem was still there and even worse, car left with them for more testing. Did some research and found numerous complaints about this on NHTSA and on a Subaru Outback forum. I called Subaru and was told that they were aware of problem but as yet had no fix.