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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  Comfort and fuel economy - 2017 Subaru Outback
  By Joshua - December 13 - 2:56 am

  Ive put over 7k miles on my 2017 base model Outback and still love the car as much as day one. It takes about 2k miles for the computers to optimize fuel economy for your drivin style then you can easily hit up to 33 mpg on the Hwy, even with an 18 cf cargo box on the rack. In stop and go traffic expect as low as 22 mpg. The interior is spacious with a refined design and ample features even on the base model. The biggest con is the acceleration. As an automatic it is sluggish at best but accelerates well once the rpms ramp up. A manule transmission or sport mode would make this a 5 star vehicle. To improve acceleration Ive started the car in manule mode to get a little more kick off the start when dealing with traffic. Off road capability on snow ,ice and rough roads is consistent with past Subaru models and the added ground clearance opens up more terrain opportunities. Overall an excellent car with a track record for great reliability.

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  Decent car but beware - 2006 Subaru Baja
  By Mike - December 11 - 4:03 pm

  Ive had our 2006 Baja for almost four years now. While I do wish it was a Turbo (the car is too heavy for the engine to accelerate at a decent rate), it drives very well and is very predictable in bad weather and conditions. The styling is pretty cool, and the AWD is great when it snows. However, my engine has a head gasket leak. Yep, at 70,000 miles - both heads are leaking oil. Its not a huge issue right now, as the leak is very minor, but still the dealer wants $1500 for it. Same price as the other guy - I wonder if we have the same dealer? Who knows, but its still annoying and therefore I will not recommend Subaru to anyone until I know that this issue is resolved.

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  After 46K - still and awesome car!! - 2006 Subaru Forester
  By KW - December 11 - 3:56 am

  After 46,000 miles - I still love this car! Down the road, there will be a another Subie purchased; that is for sure. I wanted to pass along some advice. When replacing your tires, do not put the Geolanders HTs (OE) back on, these are not good tires. Subaru recommends H-rated tires; however, I replaced them with Yokohama Avid TRz which are t-rated and seems to do better overall. They ride quiet, handle great in rain and snow, and seem to last. Subaru should have made the TRz the OE tire. I have been averaging 27 mpg overall; best I got was 30, the worst I got was 21. Not bad at all. I love this car, and recommend it to anyone. The 09s are bigger and ride a little quieter

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  Sounds like a Diesel - 2010 Subaru Forester
  By Jimmie - December 11 - 2:26 am

  I go out in the morning start my Forester and it sounds like a diesel! After a minute or so of warming up it quiets down to a normal sounding gas engine. It seems that over night the oil must run off the major parts and in the morning when I first start it up it sounds like a diesel! I would have to say the engine is starving for oil, possibly or the oil is not heavy enough. Took it to the dealer they say they hear nothing out of the ordinary. Also, there is a loud whine from the rear end when applying the gas. And again the dealership could not hear this either.

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  Forester after One Year - 2007 Subaru Forester
  By FrannyForester - December 7 - 6:10 am

  I have had my Forester for more than one year now. This is my first AT after 40 years on the road. It has been very dependable and is fun to drive. I have an aging mother who needs a walker, and the Forester accommodates it easily. Also, it is easier for her to enter than my previous car. I have had to drive in some severe weather, and the AT has proved easier to handle than I expected.

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  Not perfect, but getting close... - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By LaFamigliaGonzalez - December 6 - 10:00 am

  So far so good, and with Michigan winter coming, well really know for sure. This car replaces our Jeep Wrangler - seems light-years different, I know - but not really! The Outback Sport has WAY MORE luggage and passenger space, is vastly more comfortable on long trips, and uses a LOT LESS fuel. But we never took the Jeep on anything worse than reasonably smooth dirt roads (lots of camping), and the Subaru tromps over those even more comfortably. But I wish it were just a little roomier in the very back. The "styled" hatch really cuts into cargo space.

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  A pretty gas guzzler! - 2008 Subaru Impreza
  By SK4417 - December 4 - 10:00 am

  I got this vehicle based on the Subaru reputation for safety and reliability. Its safe, alright, but it has been a money pit for me maintenance and fuel- wise. I commute 90 miles a day, and I average 23-25 MPH on the highway. And, hope you never have to replace a tire-- due to the AWD youll need to replace all four. It looks pretty standing, but is a gas guzzler! I wont buy another one or recommend it.

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  Great AWD car! - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By scheper30 - December 3 - 9:54 pm

  Ive had my 04 Impreza TS wagon for about a year and it has been awesome. I live in Illinois and bought the car in New Jersey, my parents picked up the car and drove it the next day a 1000 miles to me with no trouble. I then drove the car to NJ and back (2000 miles) a month again with no trouble. For a non-tubo model it still has a kick to it from a stop and no trouble passing at highway speeds. My car has 160,000 + miles and runs like new. The cargo area is big enough for what I need, although narrows at the top. All in all I love this car and would highly recomend it. I will definitely buy another Subaru.

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  SUBARU GT LTD LEGACY - 2005 Subaru Legacy
  By GERALD EGNA - December 1 - 9:33 pm

  This is my third Subaru, and the best. Previously had 1999 Outback, 2002 Outback and now 05 GT Limited Legacy. This is by far the most fun to drive car I have owned. I have had quite a few people ask me about my car, and highly recommend it.

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  Fun car except window noise at right side - 2015 Subaru Outback
  By stlfun - November 30 - 9:26 am

  I have this car ~2,000 miles for about 6 weeks now. I noticed the annoying noise problem, that seems from right side of quarter panel window. Took the car to dealer, they confirmed it, tighted the dash board, DIDNT resolve the issue. Second time to dealer, they said they just had another 15 Outback with same problem. This time the technician ordered the window deal, still waiting for the part. It is not very loud noise, usually lower frequency than typical outside wind noise. It is getting very annoying, especially at night and quiet country road, it is a shame for such a nice and quiet vehicle. Love the gas mileage, I am getting 28-29 mpg on average of 70:30 highway/city mix.