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:

• 

  Great Value so far - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By Clayton - November 20 - 8:13 pm

  Have owned this car about 1 month. Have taken a 2600 trip with no problems. Great car, averaged 31.8 mpg @ 70 miles per hour. For the price of this car, assuming it holds up the way other Subarus do, is a great value. Well built and very tight.

• 

  Good Car - No Regrets - Highly Recommend - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By Kevin in SF - November 17 - 6:23 pm

  We waited for the manual transmission models to come out so we could save $$. 6MT is good but not great. Clutch take up is a little harsh and its taken a while to get used to. 2.5 engine is adequate even with Nor Cal hills. It can go up freeway hills at 65+ but in 5th gear rather than 6th. The engine does not like to rev beyond 4,500 rpm but it has good torque. Ride is firm but not jarring. Much better sized interior than old model. Im 61" and I can comfortably sit "behind myself". Additional width provides good shoulder room. Upgraded HK radio is good, not great. FM reception is poor. My 10 yr old Acura has better FM reception. Heated seats cycle on/off rather than stay on. FYI, standard Thule and Yakima bike trays wont fit the factory cross bars. Yakima sells one that will.

• 

  Excellent all-around car - 2001 Subaru Outback
  By surfinbird - November 17 - 12:46 pm

  Wonderful car. The boxer 4 has a unique sound and feel. Its a bit thirsty - the best mileage Ive gotten is 28 mpg. Build quality is first rate. Suspension is soft enough for comfortable distance driving but firm enough for the twisties. Seats are very comfortable. After all these years that car still cleans up and looks like new. The all wheel drive is very comforting on long trips in poor weather. This is a car that car be driven long distances in great comfort, Ive covered 800 miles per day on many occasions.

• 

  Cool car!!! - 2005 Subaru Impreza
  By Turbo!!! - November 17 - 12:43 pm

  I got this car as a present for my 16th birthday! its coool and i love the stereo. I had to take it to the car dealer one time because the ECU wouldnt let me rev the tachometer pass 4000 rpm! it cost me $243 for labor and parts but thats all good plus Subaru refunded my money because that shouldve been covered by my warranty

• 

  Best Subaru yet - 2017 Subaru Outback
  By Beardman48 - November 15 - 7:13 am

  Have owned a Subaru since 1969 on and off this is our 8th one, i can tell you what a change of course from 1969. This car does everything but steer itself it tells you who is behind you side of you in front of you, very comfortable handles well when you on a interstate and the cruise is on it will keep you safe every mile. Nothing i would change about these cars except maybe driving itself would be great.

• 

  Great Choice - 2008 Subaru Outback
  By Doug - November 15 - 12:36 am

  I did a lot of research and really wanted to buy my 4th Honda. I looked at the CRV and didn’t like the interior. I am a fly fisherman and like to have a vehicle in which I can lie down and take a rest. I have a serious back problem and need to take breaks in my fishing day. The CRV just wasn’t able to provide a long rear floor space. When the rear seats are folded down there is plenty of room for me at 5’9”. Interestingly enough, the Honda dealer sent us to Subaru! The Subie us everything I wanted. I am an environmentalist and biologist so my carbon footprint and controlling pollution output is important. So far we have gotten 25 mpg in mixed driving short trips (a bit disapointing).

• 

  New Subaru - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By PBRUNNICK - November 14 - 4:26 pm

  So far the car has exceeded my expectations. Great ride and performance and too much fun to drive. Very impressed. I had test driven the Audi, and while they are a bit quieter, the cars are very close in quality and far apart in price.

• 

  Lovin it so far - 2006 Subaru Legacy
  By Dave - November 14 - 2:46 pm

  Looks and feels like a European sport wagon, but with Japanese reliability. I cross shopped the Mazda 6 and used BMW 3-series wagons. This was the best value in the bunch. The BMW was a little smoother and a little tighter on the road, but not by much. And it cost $10k more new. This car was the value point. I considered a GT, but did the math and it has a life cycle cost of about $10,000 more over the life of the vehicle. I dont need the extra power that much. Others might, its a personal thing I guess. After about two weeks and one road trip I got nuthin but smiles. Handles great, feels good.

• 

  Best of Every World - 2000 Subaru Legacy
  By Sandbox711 - November 14 - 10:00 am

  I still smile every time I look at this car and drive it. I have had it for almost 2 years. Looks GREAT - Very sporty without going overboard. Not the fastest car around, but definitly does the job with style. Handles like a sports car. Very solid car (heavier and stronger than the previous legacy models (switched styles in 2000). I was rear ended by a 2002 Honda Accord going 30 mph while I was at a stop light...PAINT damage. Thats it folks. New bumper and paint. Police took pictures because nobody would believe them if they told them. Buy this car, you wont be sorry. I still get stopped on the street and asked what kind of car I am driving.

• 

  Pure Joy - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By infinity5235 - November 14 - 10:00 am

  Keeping it under 4000 rpms for the first 1000 miles was a royal pain as the engine just wants to be driven in the 5 to 7 thousand range. Not that low rpms led to low torque, just the opposite. But once that first 1000 miles was over, it was pure joy to drive. The brakes are superb and the drivers seat range perfect for my 5 11" 158 lb frame. The instrument panel has to be seen to be appreciated unlike any other on the market