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:

• 

  Love it - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By shawn t - August 7 - 1:13 am

  After having our 2005 Outback stolen we bought the Tribeca and have been very happy with it. After owning a Lexus RX 300, I find this car as comfortable and even more fun to drive. It has taken a bit to get used to the outside look, but I am very happy with the inside. I am very happy with this car and would recommend it to anyone.

• 

  Why is this car so popular? - 2017 Subaru Outback
  By KJ Osterkamp - August 6 - 5:34 am

  I got talked into this by my husband because it does well in the snow (which happens twice a year here.) However in the ways that count, this is a poor value. The road noise is so bad, one can’t hear the radio and the visors are not set to a position to block bright sunlight (blinding if you’re heading west.) The acceleration is like the old Beetle, albeit automatic, it is loud, slow and dangerous enough that freeway entrances are terrifying. The navigation system is unlearnable and incredibly frustrating while the phone operation is unreliable and not available when ignition is on. But the biggest design flaw involves the rear hatchback, which literally operates on its own. It never opens all the way up and has almost killed both my spouse and me by closing in mid lift! The battery has died several times requiring our AAA friends. The back seat is very awkward to enter and exit and the drivers seat controls do little more than go back and forth with little lumbar or positional support.

• 

  Garbage - 2003 Subaru Outback
  By wis family - August 5 - 4:20 pm

  At 60K the engine developed a bad knock we were told this was normal - as it got worse we had oil analysis done and it indicated there was a lot of aluminum in the oil after endless dickering with Subaru they replaced the engine - the old one had two very bad pistons and would have failed soon. We also have had many electrical problems and oil leaks at the cam seals. Also the alarm system was on and my remote battery died and I was unable to get it started until I got a new battery for the damn thing. We could go on and on about this lemon. We were Subaru fans and drove our last one almost 200K but this one has been a nightmare of epic proportions. We will NEVER buy another one.

• 

  Beautiful and fun to drive - 2010 Subaru Legacy
  By Lulu - August 5 - 1:43 pm

  Bought this for my wife who had been driving a van for 8 years. Got 32 mpg on first trip to visit daughter in college. Fun to drive in the snow up to our mountain cabin. Still feels like a luxury car to us. Wife wanted a BMW but really loves her Legacy. I love it too and hope to convince her to let me get an Outback. The headlights are weird in that they only light up the road right in front of you. There is a line of darkness that makes it dangerous on hills. Turning on the bright lights fix the problem so its not a insurmountable problem. The dealer says they are aligned right and cant fix it. Subaru says they have had others people report this problem.

• 

  I love this Subaru! - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By timedpolaris - August 4 - 7:23 pm

  This car is awesome. It handles winter roads unbelievably well. Power is great. Interior is awesome. Seems complicated at first but has many many useful features. Very nice car.

• 

  Excellent, but pricey and small - 2004 Subaru Forester
  By drewdog - August 4 - 10:00 am

  Reliable, handles well, fun to drive, decent fuel economy, excellent use of cargo space. Unfortunately, its too small (i realize its a "small suv"), and too expensive.

• 

  You must have this car - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By JoshuaWRXOwner - August 4 - 10:00 am

  Ive only had this car for 8 months, but I can already say that I made a good decision buying the car. Definately a good choice to go with the wagon. All the power, with all the versitility and space. I race my mountain bike all over Wisconsin, and have never had a problem with not having enough space. I would suggest the short-throw shifter and arm-rest extension as extras that are well worth the money. Only gripes with the car is the gas milage and the fact that it runs on premium... but dont get the wrong idea, you dont buy this car for the gas milage.

• 

  Cant beat it - 2004 Subaru Outback
  By miken2uzu - August 4 - 10:00 am

  Chose the L.L. Bean Outback over a Highlander, Pilot, Matrix, XC70, and A4 wagon. You just cant get another car with full time AWD, 8 inches of ground clearance, leather interior, dual moonroofs, 6 CD changer, ABS, side airbags and a 212 HP engine for less money (we paid just over $28k). Weve had it for about a year, and the Outbacks winter performance is better than any SUV Ive ever driven (including Explorer, Yukon, Jimmy and Envoy)- it is so much more confident on icy corners. Im a volunteer firefighter who MUST be able to get on the road no matter what the conditions, and this car got me to the station through 10 inches of snow on unplowed roads more than once.

• 

  Practical but fun to drive! - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By itonix - August 4 - 10:00 am

  I have owned Outback 2.5 XT Limited for a month now and it has met all the expectations both in the city traffic and during a road trip. Car has solid build quality inside and out. As with all turbos it is not fast from complete stop, but power curve picks up as soon as you start moving. Plenty of power is available for having fun in the passing lane. Handling is very predictable and Momo wheel adds to the sporty feel. Real life gas mileage is 21 for a road trip and 16.5 for a congested city. Ride is surprisingly quiet on the highway. Interior is appointed in visually pleasing but practical way. Plenty of cargo room with rear seats down. Two-part sunroof.

• 

  I love my car - 2008 Subaru Forester
  By Audrey - August 2 - 11:50 pm

  My husband and I really love this car. It is the first Subaru weve owned, and well probably keep buying Subaru cars forever if they are like this one. Weve had it for 2 years, I love the turning radius on it (I can make u- turns on really narrow streets). Its easy to handle.