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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  $30,000 Porsche - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By LABARINTH - November 1 - 2:00 am

  I have had my STi for a few weeks now and it is amazing. The interior is beautiful. The chrome accents give a hint of luxury to this almost strictly performance car. It has more torque then the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution and you feel every bit of it. When you push the gas you can feel your back being pressing into the seat. Even with all this power the ride is amazingly smooth. The handling is quick and responsive. The car also doesnt have quite as much of the "teenagers Honda" look to it as the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution does. All in all this is in my opinion the best sports car ever made under $60,000.

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  Wifes Outback Sport Special Edition - 2005 Subaru Impreza
  By 5greyhounds - November 1 - 12:36 am

  The ride is very nice for such a short wheelbase, lots of room for the size (two greyhounds fit in the back with the back seat down with no problem). The stereo is very nice and the interior seems to be well made. Overall a good value for the money and a solid car. I miss a sunroof but that will be corrected next year.

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  Alternative to the masses - 2012 Subaru Legacy
  By pwsubielover - October 31 - 11:58 pm

  I got my 2012 Legacy shortly after Christmas, and couldnt ask for a better present. The sedan is smart looking and gives me lots of confidence while facing the rigors of winter roads in Wisconsin. The Subie is roomy and comfortable, without feeling pretentious. It is replacing an older model Infiniti, so I wouldnt say the Legacy is the most luxurious car I ever drove, but it is solid and well equipped. Love the heated seats and iPod port. Gas mileage has been as promised, which is a blessing based on the direction gas prices are heading.

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  WOW - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By silverwrx - October 31 - 10:00 am

  What a fun car to drive, fast, nice handling, AWD, its got it all.

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  Impressed with the Impreza - 2016 Subaru Impreza
  By Roxanne Speck - October 30 - 11:20 am

  Review the trim options on Edmunds and know which one you want before going to the dealership.

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  09 WRX > 08 WRX - 2009 Subaru Impreza
  By Patrick - October 30 - 12:06 am

  I was shopping for a new car, and looked at the 08 STI among others. Waited and test drove the new 09 WRX and felt that it fit my daily driving needs much better. Dont get me wrong, the STI is still a beast, but the updated 09 WRX with 265 HP, better suspension, etc, and some STI looks in the grille and rear spoiler make the WRX a great purchase for most daily drivers. Great handling and smooth power so far. Expect easy maintenance and good reliability. Interior fits well and looks good, just some hard plastics here and there, nothing bad.

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  Great little wagon - 2016 Subaru Impreza
  By Ed Gregory - October 28 - 3:21 am

  Nothing fancy. But a really nice car.

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  06 Sti - 2006 Subaru Impreza
  By bullmonkey118 - October 27 - 3:06 pm

  i bought this car heavily modified knowing it had issues for the price. i bought it for 18,000 with bad piston rings but it was what i was looking for since i wanted to do my own motor build. this car is very user friendly, parts are cheap, and you can get a ridiculous amount of horsepower for the everyday reliability. i drive this car more often than i do anything else and i dont think i could be happier with an all around everyday/ race car.

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  Our First "Family" Car - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By surprisinglythrilled - October 27 - 4:50 am

  This car (more of a cross-over with the re-design)is beyond my expectations. Every person we know who owns a Subaru stands behind its quality and performance. I fell in love with the new look and the all-wheel drive for less than $25k. There is lots of room in back for the infant seat and my husband enjoys the all-weather package. I also treasure the car-like trunk as I found that mini-vans had a lot of vertical space but not enough horizontal space for grocery bags and trips to the home improvement store. Already getting better mileage than my former V-6 two door coupe!

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  Legacy reflects its definition - 2010 Subaru Legacy
  By J Vivar - October 24 - 9:53 pm

  This is the second Subaru we now own. We also have an 09 Forester Limited which is a great SUV and was the first Subaru weve ever owned. 1 year later, we now have a 10 Sky Blue metallic 2.5 Legacy Limited which is amazing. Weve owned a Toyo Solara and Saab 9-5 and the Legacy surpass both in performance and handeling. The leather interior and overall layout is both elegant and simplistic. The exterior is also beautiful. It looks sleek and aggressive even when its not moving.