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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  Was so fun to drive and proven very safe - 2005 Subaru Impreza
  By bizarro13 - January 26 - 11:10 am

  I got my Subie in the end of December and loved it instantly. I admit, I was pretty bad at driving stick, so it took some getting used to, but the car just stuck to the road like it was glued down. The styling is unique. Thats the only way i can put it. The ride is definately choppy though. If you want asmooth ride, look elsewhere. This is a sports car. The car proved very safe as well recently when I hit a car parked onthe highway at around 70 mph. The cabin was untouched. I walked away with nothing but a couple of bruises and a small burn from the airbag. It couldhave been much worse. This is a very fun and safe car!!!

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  Good winter driving - 2013 Subaru Impreza
  By anonymous739 - January 24 - 11:50 pm

  Overall happy with purchase. Great for driving in snow. Responsive CVT. Handles very well at all speeds and while turning. Nice quality sound from stereo system . Good rear visibility compared to many cars these days. Car does sit too low to the ground, often scraping snow on streets with the undercarriage, and bumper scrapes while going up/down driveways. Hatch is a bit low on space, especially if using cargo cover. Fuel economy stated by manufacturer is overly optimistic.

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  First Subaru - 2014 Subaru Forester
  By 14bronz - January 24 - 5:42 pm

  Just bought mt first Subaru this wekend. We were set on the CRV but wanted to at least look at the Forester. Well, we drove it home, done deal. I will come back and post more once we get used to it. So far it seems like an amazing little SUV. A bit of electronic overload setting up the audio, but we have it all figured out now. Good buying experience here with Heuberger Motors in Colorado Springs. 2.5i CVT Touring with mirror and rugged packages for $28,244. Great people to work with.

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  Cool Car - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By Hello - January 24 - 10:00 am

  The Subaru Impreza Wrx is the coolest car I have ever driven!

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  Amazed by the technology! - 2015 Subaru Forester
  By srkeegan - January 24 - 3:28 am

  Living in Reno, I do a lot of driving in the Sierra and snow. You couldnt spin this car out if you tried. The AWD has always been amazing in Subarus. It blows away my 2010 Rav4, which I have since gotten rid of. Beyond that, I couldnt believe how much technology they have put into the lower end models like mine. The cruise control automatically slows down to a safe distance if a car turns into your lane in front of you. Warns if you are leaving the lane. Knee airbags. Plenty of clearance for deep snow. Elongated moonroof. Spacious. MPG computers a lot like my Prius. Excellent Bluetooth features. No blind spots. Easily the safest car Ive ever driven.

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  2006 Suburu Outback - 2006 Subaru Outback
  By Rodger - January 22 - 7:30 am

  Having my Subaru for over a year and through many conditions of snow sleet and ice, it has been nothing short of a great car and I would recommend it to anyone. It has quick response and is very sure footed even in the worse conditions. The only problem I had with the exterior design was the headlights that seem to collect salt and dirt very fast and reduce the light. I actually had to stop and scrape them off while driving. Interior is great. The heated cloth seats are standard and a great extra touch. Having been just quoted $750 for the 33,000 mile routine maintains from the dealership, I do recommend finding an alternative to the dealership once your warranty is up.

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  SC STi - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By an5 - January 21 - 10:00 am

  This car rocks, it has 4 doors & a large trunk. I can fit the kids in the back and still have fun. It launches like a rocket, turns like its on rails, and stops on a dime. I go through withdrawal pains anytime I am not driving it. I want to make trips just to drive it. You cant beat the feeling of the turbo and the 300ft-lbs of torque. The handling is outstanding and the braking is quick and sure. On top of this, it has all-wheel drive (that is computer or manually adjusted). The interior looks great and the controls are well laid out. Performance of a car costing twice as much with safety features like huge brakes (w/ABS), side airbags, and AWD.

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  Went from Infiniti M35 to Impreza and very happy! - 2013 Subaru Impreza
  By rob3016 - January 21 - 8:33 am

  We have had the Impreza Sport Premium about three weeks now and I am impressed. That is saying a lot after trading in my 2008 Infiniti M35. I decided the Impreza is a more practical car for our needs (late 30s with boys). Doubled our gas mileage. Enough room in the rear seat for two car seats and my wife if she chooses to sit there. Plenty of leg room. Huge cargo volume with seats folded down. Seat bottoms are longer than other cars for more leg support. Others shorten the seat to bump leg room numbers. Fun to drive especially with paddle shifters. All wheel drive handling is fantastic, especially in the rain. This is my first AWD car and I am hooked. Very happy with my decision.

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  Wonderful Vehicle - 2008 Subaru Tribeca
  By sunflwr50 - January 19 - 5:10 pm

  After researching the typical makes of SUVs I decided on the Tribeca. It is fun to drive, handles well & looks sporty. The interior controls are easy to use especially at night due to the red backlighting. The stability control is awesome. I feel it is the only thing that kept me on the road when I was hydroplaning in a bad rain storm. You can actually feel the system work as it steers you in the right direction. The ride is very smooth and quiet.

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  Subaru Legacy Special Edition 2006 - 2006 Subaru Legacy
  By guyatherton - January 19 - 1:53 am

  Since buying a new 2006 Legacy wagon in January it has proven to be reliable, fun to drive, practical and has an understated elegance. It is a comfortable car for long journeys. Increased rear leg room would be useful but it is adequate for adults in the back. The load space is very useful and the rear seats easily fold down to open up a large load area. The rear trunk cover is also well engineered and easy to remove (unlike that in the Volvo V50). The dashboard is well designed and attractive however the silver painted plastic around the gear selector scratches easily. The four speed auto-box works well, although having a 5 speed unit would be appreciated.