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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  Perfect car but Navigation is not good - 2018 Subaru Forester
  By Bobby K - April 4 - 7:03 pm

  For an affordable cost we got a car this is good to great in every category, except navigation. We are used to using a garmin. With that when you are driving and need to stop for lunch, a coffee, gasoline, your passenger just searchs for it on the garmin and then inputs it as an add to the current route. We use it all the time. But with the stock navigation system it locks you out from any changes. I think you can use voice commands but the voice recognition is poor. So my solution is to get a new mount for my iphone or garmin and put it over the expensive nav screen. I used to put the garmin up in the middle of the windshield but you cannot do that with this car because it will interfere with the “eyesight” system. Still a good car but the navigation sucks.

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  Early Maintenance - 2004 Subaru Forester
  By Bill - April 4 - 12:00 pm

  This car is great except for fuel and maintenance costs. Plugs only last 50000 and cost 300-400 to replace due to complexity of the flat design and the turbo plumbing. Most recently I had a raw gas odor requiring replacement of fuel hoses which required removing the intake manifold for repairs. Also found an air turbo intake hose with a hole in it ($100).

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  Very reliable car - 2004 Subaru Forester
  By subaru enthusiast - April 3 - 9:03 am

  Great car. Currently at 120,000 miles. The only major problem was leaky head gaskets which I think is an inherent defect in the engine. But easily fixed for less than $1000. Otherwise the best car I have ever owned. On my way to 200,000 miles and beyond.

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  great vehicle! Subaru heritage SUV style - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By chemgirl9 - April 2 - 7:20 pm

  Bought it to drive from TX to NH with a 100lb dog and a cat - no problems, all were comfortable. Use the DVD all the time for 2 hour trips to see relatives nearby. We were the first ones in to the dealer with 30K checkup - we drive a LOT! Handles NH snow/ice excellently and always feels solid. Easily carries 5 adults, 7 for short trips (the rear seat is small, but okay). Quiet interior (as good or better than others I drove, including VW, Lexus, BMW, etc.) and good Subaru value (put $ where it counts, not on wood paneling!). Everything is still solid and we are @~40K. Tires are still doing well. Puddle lights are great - I had no idea how useful they would be!

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  When is leather not leather? - 2008 Subaru Tribeca
  By Wil12345 - March 31 - 12:33 am

  We have had this car for about a year and a half. It rides well, drives well and has been reliable. Only two complaints. Windshield is very poor quality and breaks with the slightest touch of a pebble. Leather interior is mostly vinyl. After a small tear, I found that the only part of the seat that is leather is the small section in the middle of the seat surface. The entire rest of the seats including the bolsters on the seat surface are made of vinyl. No happy about paying for leather and not even getting full leather seating surfaces! Contacted Subaru and they told me that customers like vinyl better. Sounds like a way for Subaru to save money!

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  Forester Sport XT - Manual - 2007 Subaru Forester
  By Gordon S - March 29 - 9:40 pm

  Looking for a small wagon with a ton-of-fun factor, then this is for you! Mine has a short-throw shifter, turbo gauge (visual toy) and heated leather seats (to warm ones hide on those chilly Minnesota Winters mornings). Our car delivered us to Colorado skiing, pheasant hunting in SD and canoeing in the BWCA, while allowing us to enjoy the scenery through the panoramic moon roof. The Forester Sport handles all tasks with ease, and the AWD triumphs over any treacherous weather condition encountered. It readily tows (2.4K lbs) with the trailer pkg, allowing us to haul our gear to the cabin and back with a minimum of fuss/muss. I cant say enough good about this car, it does what I need it to do

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  Smooth 6 cylinder Outback - 2002 Subaru Outback
  By duke - March 29 - 7:40 pm

  Recently purchased the H6 3.0 liter model of Outback wagon and was very impressed by the smoothness of the engine and its power, compared to the 2.5 liter engine. Interior is very tasteful and has a nice level of quality throughout. Sometimes the transmission hunts for the right gear, I have noticed.

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  Sweet & Sour - 2007 Subaru Outback
  By Earl - March 29 - 9:20 am

  Subaru, like all other cars are mechanical beings. Some sweet some sour characteristics. Four wheel drive for the price they charge is unbeatable but steering is hard at low speeds. Overall it is a fine piece of transportation. The seats are uncomfortable after 15 minutes. The transmission is annoying because of lag when under hard acceleration and then rockets off when it catches up. Center console is useless because it does not act as an arm rest and you have to park the car to find anything in it and its small. Not enough storage space for personal items. Subaru needs to control their dealers so they dont try to fix your car when it isnt broke. That is the worst thing about it!!

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  Sweet ride! - 2007 Subaru Impreza
  By luvmysti - March 28 - 5:33 am

  Have only had this car for about six weeks as of this post and I love this car! Im still in the dealer recommended break-in period (stay under 4K RPM first 1K miles, on mile 800 now) and I can tell this car is begging to be unleashed! Handles like a dream, looks great, and sounds great (dealer installed SPT cold air intake and cat-back exhaust, boost gauge and short throw shifter). I marked comfort down a bit because well, its a rough ride, but duh! I marked fuel economy down b/c Im getting about 20 MPG (not doing highways yet). Performance and fun to drive I put at 9. Once break-in is done, I know itll be 10! All-in-all, this car is pure fun to drive!

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  Drive it, youll like it! - 2003 Subaru Impreza
  By Funwagon - March 28 - 2:00 am

  Although I have owned 2 Subarus, I thought I was going to end up in a Jetta 1.8T, or used Audi A4. Jetta summary - higher perf and a higher price, no AWD, not as safe, or reliable. Comparably priced A4s were 1999 vintage, a bit long in the tooth. I considered the protege5, but looking at the safety data quickly ended that. The wagons cargo options are extremely flexible. My 55 lb. dog fits comfortably in the back. The drivers seat is comfortable and visibility is good. The instrumentation is adequate. Although I read lukewarm reviews of the acceleration I suspect they were based on the automatic transmission. I find the M5 to be more than satisfactory.