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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  Poor quality cant hide - 2003 Subaru Legacy
  By louis Eastman - October 19 - 4:26 pm

  Not happy with braking system, chews up rotors and discs, air conditioning system needs to be recharged yearly, heating system does not heat floor very well. Destroys tires, less than 20000 miles for tires. The entire undercarriage is rusted out after only 5 years; this is a major problem. Two pistons were replaced under warranty and now the remaining two are near failure and are not covered. I would not recommend this vehicle to another person.

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  fooled - 2003 Subaru Legacy
  By A.V. - October 18 - 10:46 am

  I bought this car brand new seven years ago thinking that since it was a Subaru I wouldnt have to worry about a major repair bill until well after it hit 100,000 mi....I was wrong. This car only has 86,000 mi. on it and the cylinder head gasket is leaking. Cost estimate for repair is $920 to repair the one, and if I want to replace both the estimate is around $1700. Shortly after I bought the car, Subaru had a recall on it to fix something in the transmission. So much for the Subaru reputation for building a reliable car. Another irritation is the heater, it gets my right foot nice and toasty but leaves my left foot cold. On the positive side; it is a comfortable ride.

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  Not so in love anymore - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By lisa - October 13 - 12:36 am

  I have had my Tribeca for 7 months and the bloom is off the rose. I have to open the drivers door and put the seat back so I can reach the gas opener which is hid underneath the seat. This is a problem because I am at the gas station twice a week! The bells ring for the seat belt if you put a gallon of milk on the seat. The drive is becoming stiffer (didnt know that was possible). Had a piece of the dashboard fall off and I dare anyone to find the hood open latch without the manual! I had much better luck with an Outback. Good news is its a lease so the end is in sight. Just doesnt have the Subaru reliability you look for.

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  Hate my Impreza!! - 2007 Subaru Impreza
  By Mehmet - October 9 - 8:10 am

  I bought this 2007 Subaru Impreza in summer. I did not have any problems back then. However, as the winter came, I started to have problems with my car. It was getting more difficult to get the engine started. The Subaru service is very kind in Turkey. They even traveled many miles to get my home and tried to fix my car two times in front of my home. (They also tried two times at their service department with the same result.) But the car is the same if it is not getting worse. This is my second winter with this car and the words are not enough to describe my experiences. I have to get up at 12:30 am and drive this car about 15 minutes so that it works in the winter mornings easier.

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  2 blown head gaskets 20k miles - 2002 Subaru Outback
  By derek_someda - September 29 - 8:37 pm

  at 2.5 yrs noticed coolant drops in driveway. Problem progressed to wet spot. I thought no big deal that a hose needed to be replaced or clamp tightened. At 3yrs checked under car and found both head gaskets were leaking oil and water. Subaru was out of warranty and said my VIN was not amongst those recalled. Changing the gaskets would be over 3k. They sold me a 6 oz bottle of Subie coolant stop leak that did nothing. I used barrs stop leak with nano tech the last several years. Now it clogged the overfill hose so I cleaned it out. At 60k miles the oil is indicating overfill so I assume the water is now crossing into the engine block and have to get rid of the vehicle.

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  So long, Subaru - 2002 Subaru Outback
  By Tsquared - September 29 - 1:40 pm

  This was my second Outback, my first being a 96 5 speed manual I traded for the 02 4 speed automatic. I wish I had held on to my 96. The 02 quality did not seem to be as good and was disappointing. Most recently, the engine sporadically idled poorly or hesitated on acceleration--even on the Interstate. My biggest concern was a leaking head gasket, which is apparently a common problem on 1999-2002 models and there was a recall for some--not all (Google "Outback head gasket"). The "fix" involved adding a conditioner to the coolant to seal the leak. Seems like a stop-gap to me. Between the head gasket and the sporadic acceleration problem I decided to it was time to trade.

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  Need some improvement to be fun to drive - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By ben_d - September 29 - 6:06 am

  I drive mostly city, but took one road trip to CO. Car needs some power especially when trying to pass vehicles on hwy. I like the comfort of the car and the features (can be pricey if you add few). It needs a bit of power kick to be "Fun to Drive" and to eliminate some of the road noise. In Midwest performs OK in the city, but with 2.5i not so great on mountains of CO. CVT is a good concept but will need some work to be done to use with bigger engines. This is a large vehicle that need power to do what it should be. Interior is nice, exterior did some improvements, could be done better but better than last year.

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  reliable? - 1999 Subaru Forester
  By bperk - September 2 - 2:00 am

  Although Subaru is known for reliablity the Forester may not be. My Forester had 2 sets of wheel bearings replaced in under 50000 miles, went through 2 sets of tires in the same time. The ABS system locked up causing the need to replace the brake pads. The coup was a leaking head gasket at 57000 miles. Thankfully just within warranty and in time to trade it. Thanks Subaru

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  This for a 2007 Subaru Forester. A 2007! - 2007 Subaru Forester
  By Bob - August 28 - 12:23 pm

  Generally pleased with purchase. Tiny engine has great pickup and can climb hills. Car rides hard as though it needs shocks. Has all the characteristics of the old poorly made Japanese models of years ago. Car has "tinny" sound. Road noise is very objectionable. Cant hold conversation. It is only satisfactory as will be used for local trips only. Rate it 6 out of 10. Not worth cost.

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  stay away from turbos - 2005 Subaru Legacy
  By dougiej - August 26 - 1:14 pm

  ought at 45,000, now have 77,000. have replaced turbo, gas tank, power steering pump, transaxle, rack and pinion on right side, head gasket leak, #3 cylinder coil and spark plug, and now the timing chain kit needs replacing ?