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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  spec b ing - 2007 Subaru Legacy
  By wilson - May 19 - 10:03 pm

  This car is great in the snow especially fitted with snow tires. Acceleration is good it pulls when its in s#sharp mode. The bilsteins are plush but stiffens up a bit when carving the corners. Interior is not up to par while previous car acura tsx had better interior. The body has a nice sleeper stealthy look but it dings easily cause of thin panels. Fuel economy is decent for a turbocharged car, overall Ive gotten 22 city and hwy, if its all highway Ive gotten 29.7 mpg. Navigation is horrible, it needs to be updated and easier to use.

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  Great Deal - 2005 Subaru Forester
  By The Analog Kid - May 18 - 1:36 am

  This was my first car purchase, and for the money, gas mileage, performance, safety, and reliability I am very glad I bought the Forester. Great design, fun to drive, and great in the snow/ice/wet roads. The mountains are no match for this car and I have had no qualms or buyers remorse. Lots of space, good for highway or city commute. I would recommend Subarus college graduate program for it too. A lot of car for the money.

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  Fun car - 2002 Subaru Legacy
  By blueklister - May 17 - 10:00 am

  I didnt plan on buying another Subaru. We have an Outback, which was great for skiing and well put together. But I needed a new car and drove the Hondas, Toyotas, Golfs, Passats, etc. Great cars all, but no soul, no real road handling. Found myself back at the Subaru dealer test driving a Legacy sedan. Not the prettiest car -- but what a great road handling car! I guess its the AWD that gives it that great road feel. My only complaint after 22,000 miles is it is a bit jerky at low rpms. Incredible brakes, zippy when passing on quiet country roads and handles so incredibly well in the corners.

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  The Little Old Ladys Turbo - 2004 Subaru Forester
  By Annina - May 14 - 10:00 am

  I love this car. I went from the hard to get into Jeep to this comfortable smaller SUV. It drives like a baby carriage and and flies up the onramp. Perfect car for freeway driving and looks good too.

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  Happy :) - 2010 Subaru Legacy
  By wmartini - May 11 - 5:11 pm

  This car rides well and is very comfortable for everyone in my family to drive- from 60 230 to 56 120. I really like the Engine/Trans. combination and the mileage for a full size AWD car is amazing. The 6 cylinder has more boogie but doesnt get the CVT trans. so the MPG is not as good and of course its more money up front. If you dont care much about mileage and have the coin go with the 6- its trans. is silky smooth and the extra power is sweet. That being said, the 4cyl and CVT is loosening up and car is getting much faster. I dont mind sacrificing speed for mileage at $3.10 plus a gallon!

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  Almost the perfect sedan - 2018 Subaru Legacy
  By Rick - May 11 - 6:48 am

  If you are shopping for a classy, updated, contemporary sedan, look at the 2018 Subaru Legacy limited. I’m coming from a 2015 Legacy which I liked very much. This 2018 Legacy has a much tighter suspension and quicker handling. It has good acceleration quite acceptable for everyday routine driving. I was also impressed that road highway noise has been reduced over my 2015 Legacy. However, I am really disappointed with the seat comfort. The seats are extremely hard so be prepared for back and leg pain on long trips. I did not pick this up on the test drive unfortunately. It was discovered on my first hour long trip. About 30 minutes into the trip, my butt went numb all the way down through my right foot. The leather looks very nice, but buyer beware of the hard seats.

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  04 falling apart - 2004 Subaru Legacy
  By jimflys - May 11 - 12:16 am

  Ive had nothing but trouble with my 04 Outback once it hit 50,000 miles. I will never buy one again and Ive owned two others.

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  Not so sexy, but.... - 2003 Subaru Legacy
  By Welldav - May 9 - 12:36 pm

  Ok, the car isnt the greatest car in the world. But it is very practical, reliable and just a plain workhorse. It hauls my family around, my toys and junk we buy. Its short so my wife and folks can get in and out without assistance (they are disabled). When I bought it my wife hated it and laughed at me for wanting a wagon, now she took it away from me, so I am stuck with the sedan.

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  Great Little Crossover - 2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek
  By AJ - May 6 - 2:44 pm

  My wife and I bought this new in 2014 and have put about 38,000 miles on the car. Ive driven this car in the rain, snow and gravel roads and it has not let me down. We have the limited trim with leather seats which are comfortable. We have taken it on several road trips and have no gripes on comfort. Ours came with the six speakers sound system and the sound is great. Another plus is the cargo in the rear and theres lots of it with the seats down. MPG wise our Crosstrek has averaged around 27-28 MPG of mostly mixed driving. The car is very reliable, maintenance wise, costs are low and we have only taken it in for scheduled maintenance. The cons of this car would be the transmission and acceleration. The CVT is loud and noisy. The car feels slow and sounds like its struggling when accelerating on the on ramp but I realize that this is not a performance car and therefore it does not bother me as much. Another con would have to be the noisy interior. You can hear a lot of road noise in the car. Overall though I love the car. Especially in bad weather, it will never let you down.

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  No issues after a year of driving - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By PharmD - May 5 - 2:50 am

  I bought the car shortly after it came out. I wanted to wait at least a year before I submitted a review. So far I love the forester and have no regrets. I test drove the Rav4 and the mazda CX7 and felt the forester was the better car. Fuel consumption has been a bit disappointing. I am getting an average of 18mpg in mostly city driving. I have not experienced the rattling that was mentioned before however, I find the location for the heated seats very inconvenient. With the limited you get 2 additional speakers to which I added the optional subwoofer. Even so the sound is mediocre at best. Overall, the forester is not perfect. However, you get a lot for the money.