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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  Take a chance! - 2003 Subaru Baja
  By Peter Troost - January 29 - 10:00 am

  I have been very happy with my Baja, but fair warning -- people either love it or hate it. The pickup bed is great for hauling garbage to the dump or throwing in the hockey bag. One drawback, however, is that you cant really drive with the passthrough open in the winter because its cold! The only way to carry long items such as skis in the winter is on the roof. The stereo is garbage. Finally, mine has had a squeak in the back seat somewhere that has been very hard for the dealer to locate and is very annoying. Be sure to test drive the actual car you are going to buy.

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  pretty darn good - 2002 Subaru Outback
  By dm guy - January 24 - 10:00 am

  It is suprising to me that the car I had 20 years ago had the same gas milage as this. Wow, arentt we making great progress!!! tree-hugging aside, it is a great wagon. not too big, but big enough for small hauls. Back seat is not very roomy- not good for long trips with tall people.

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  Best alternative to SUV - 2004 Subaru Outback
  By spokanewa - January 23 - 10:20 am

  I love this car already; for one it can go up my 20% grade driveway, something my sebring convertible could not (when covered with snow). I dont like trucks/big suvss and other ugly gas guzzlers, but wanted the big cargo. I dont think there are many cars with such a good gas mileage yet are as versatile. Storage is huge and roof cargo is easy to use (i.e. no need for a ladder to reach it). I dont find the car performance so bad; its not nearly as smooth as the v6 i had on the Sebring, but its more linear, power is the same at any RPM, whereas some V6 i tried like the Mazda 6 wagon only had punch at high RPM. Definitely more fun to drive that similar price small suv like RAV4 or CR-V.

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  4th time around - 2003 Subaru Baja
  By UrABus - January 22 - 7:23 pm

  This is my 4th Subaru, my 1st was a GL- 10 loaded 5 speed w/4wh pneumatic air lift shocks 22 mpg. I bought one for each of my kids for safety and dependability, and wanted this vehicle since the BRAT hit the street. Im glad I waited, this is better. 22 mpg. 6 mile commute. 98,000 miles runs like a top. My GL-10 could air lift 3 inches for more ground clearance. A great feature for this one. Air noise, yep, its a truck not a limo. Shift slock between 15 and 20, yep, but it makes up it own mind. AWD yep, but Im not so sure about reverse. Maybe that why it has the hooks on the back. Michigan snow,no problem. Gawkers, yep,its a guy thing. Not a babe magnet. I would buy another one in a minute.

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  Was Not Looking For an SUV - 2010 Subaru Forester
  By Gary 1009 - January 17 - 4:16 pm

  For the last couple of years we had been looking at sedans. We even rented an altima for a trip to Florida. We then changed our minds. Reading reviews, listening to current owners (two in the family) started us looking at the Nissan rogue and the Subaru Forester. We gave up the nice soft and quiet ride of our Camry, for the safety and all wheel drive. We love the leather heated seats, however, the controls are located in an awkward spot on the console, under my elbow. We wish the hatchback had a "pop open" feature on the remote. Little too much road noise and the gas mileage could be a little better with the 4 cyl. Other than that, we love the car.

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  Wow, I Get To Be The First Reviewer - 2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek
  By the_craw - January 16 - 7:48 pm

  I purchased the Hybrid Touring about a month ago, and have over 1,400 miles on it. For context, I live in the Northeast, and the weather has been brutal pretty much each day since Ive owned it. The car drives really nicely. It is quiet, and the steering has good feedback without being overly stiff. It also has a nice exterior look. Traction has been great. As far as the mileage, it has been disappointing. It has averaged about 27 MPG. Like I said, the weather has been really cold, and it is only 1,400 miles, so that might be holding it back. Even with highway only trips I have not been able to average over 29MPG, and Im not a super fast driver.

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  Fantastic now but - 2011 Subaru Legacy
  By Baltimoron - January 15 - 10:00 am

  Being a loyal Honda/Toyota family we ventured over to Subaru for offering a safe AWD sedan with good mpg . Only main concern is the history of the CVT with other manufacturers and its reliability factor. Not a believer in extended warranties we became one due to the CVT and purchased it. We have had the Legacy for one week and it is simply FANTASTIC. Solid, roomy, polished and spirited are just to start. Very Germanic feeling. Excellent build quality so far. No rattles or vibrations. For a family sedan handles great. We ordered ours with the HK radio for the blue tooth phone and media hub. Blue tooth works great and very clear and easy to use. Will update if anything changes.

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  Good job overall - 2002 Subaru Outback
  By NTB125 - January 15 - 4:26 am

  Generally speaking I think its an excellent car. Overall quality is very good. Mileage also excellent at low 20s. Great looking car as well. Nothing is perfect but my complaints are minor; such as the rear view mirror being a little in your vision field, no power port and the factory keyless entry not having an auto lock feature. Climate control seems to have a mind of its own and adjusts the fan speed when it wants to. I also have a Forester and nothing here would stop me from buying again.

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  Great Base 4i, fast fun interior lacking - 2008 Subaru Impreza
  By p2adan - January 11 - 1:20 pm

  Just bought a Base w/out premium package a few days ago. Options: iPod, painted guards, mats. I love the front independent and wishbone, sooo smooth. Especially in Seattle where there are lots of hills, cobble stone brick roads and potholes. 5 star crash test rating. Cant wait to get to the mountain passes and take advantage of the AWD. This is simply much more value then any other car in class. If you can afford Premium w/ VCD do it.

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  will buy another - 2001 Subaru Outback
  By snowplow - January 5 - 2:00 am

  This is a great car, especially in snow country. The 6cyl has lots of pep and did well hauling a small trailer 1200 miles. Gas mileage not bad. The automatic a/c, heat system is hard to operate. Only one repair needed... door seal leaked air (wind).