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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  Best in class and several classes above - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By SilverF4Turbo - July 2 - 10:00 am

  This car is simply the greatest gift to driving ever. It is a perfect balance between daily driving functionality and gutwrenching high performance (and when the pedal meets the metal and the turbo fully spools you do feel your gut wrench). So much emphasis has been put on the performance (and rightfully so) that other aspects of the car have been shadowed out. The shape and layout of the dashboard is more remeniscent of a de-trimmed Porsche boxter than of a Japanese four door. The exterior is beautiful: aggressive yet not overstated; the way a true rally car is supposed to look.. with performance and handling to match.

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  MOST RELIABLE ALL WEATHER CAR - 2002 Subaru Outback
  By BEV - July 2 - 10:00 am

  This is our 3rd Subaru after leaving Mercedes in our past. We have found reliablity and safety of the Subaru never disappointing.The car handled well in deep snow and slush on the highway. The dash is well designed and everything works well all the time.No paint problems,no engine problems, just no complaints. The price is right for a great car.

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  My "new toy" - 2016 Subaru Forester
  By Frank - July 2 - 5:41 am

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  Subaru WRX - 2006 Subaru Impreza
  By mary lou - July 2 - 1:20 am

  I drive a 2005 WRX, awesome car! AWD handling, extreme acceleration, and very solid for a small car.

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  So far so good - 2010 Subaru Forester
  By Hammerhead - June 30 - 3:20 am

  My wife and I are "heavyweights" so we appreciate extra leg and hip room. The Forester has plenty for us. I like the peppy power train and tight turning radius. Its like driving a go-kart. More power than I expected from a 4 cylinder 170 HP engine. I think the fuel economy is great, Weve gotten 33 mpg on the highway and up to 24 mpg in the city. That far exceeds the 22 mpg EPA estimate on the sticker. I believe that a 6-speed auto transmission would help increase the gas mileage even more. We have the "Limited" edition which has the upgraded interior, but the interior seems a bit cheap and thin plastic is abundant.

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  Best Subaru - 2016 Subaru Outback
  By arthur - June 30 - 12:12 am

  Go buy one.

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  I love it more every day! - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By Karen in AZ - June 29 - 6:43 pm

  This is a major upgrade from my previous vehicles (05 Outback, 99 Forester, 92 Legacy). I looked at various other mid-sized SUVs, including the more expensive luxury makes, but this was an easy choice. The legroom, ride comfort, seat height, quietness, rear AC fan/vents, acceleration, and low entry/exit are the main reasons I bought this vehicle. After owning it for over 4 months, and 8400 miles, I can honestly say I love it! I have taken it on everything from extended interstate miles to various back roads and forest services roads, and it has performed beyond my expectations. If it proves as reliable as the other Subies Ive owned, Ill be keeping this one for a very long time!

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  A decent AWD car - 2016 Subaru Legacy
  By Shyam - June 29 - 4:10 am

  I have the base model and I like the CVT Transmission that is smooth in transition. Unlike most people complained, acceleration is not poor or bad and actually its good and got better after I changed my airfilter to K&N. Its roomy and the ride quality is good. However, I would prefer that Subaru improves the ride quality and make it more cushy drive with soft ride especially on bumps and on pot holes, suspension is not helping. My car fish tailed at least in two incidences of snow despite the symmetrical AWD and the dealership and Subaru could not find anything wrong and did not give a satisfactory explanation. This is my second Subaru after I tradein my 2015 Subaru Impreza which I felt was a better car in snow and never fishtailed. I get a decent mileage on Legacy averaging about 32 which is comparably good considering the all wheel drive.

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  Subiedoooo! - 2007 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By Subiedoooo - June 28 - 8:06 pm

  Very nice SUV. Well designed; very comfortable interior and ride. Exterior look of 07 is an eyecatcher (disappointed Subaru changed 08 exterior - but I guess makes my 07 all the more special). Gas mileage no surprise (good or bad). A couple of design/materials issues but dealer fixed with no problem.

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  New is better! - 2016 Subaru Outback
  By PT - June 28 - 10:52 am

  Our new 2016 Outback is outstanding! It is an incredible improvement over our 2011! I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in a practical, comfortable, reliable and safe vehicle!