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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  More than your moneys worth - 2016 Subaru Legacy
  By Karl Cline - October 22 - 3:56 pm

  0-30 slow, 30-60 good. Handling in corners fantastic, especially if you tweak acceleration in corners. Safety features fantastic. Lots of interior room. Fantastic gas milage, with 30 mpg average. 18.5 gal gas tank gives extended range between fill-ups.

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  Love the Subaru Outback sport - 2008 Subaru Impreza
  By Brando - October 22 - 12:07 pm

  If youre going to want a car that you can love and appreciate here you go. Aside from Subarus head gasket problems that they are notorious for its has been nothing but my favorite car in my lifetime. Keep in mind they did over three grand worth of work to mine for the head gaskets thank goodness it was under warranty if the dealership offers a warranty buy it otherwise youll be wishing you did when you head gaskets start leaking not to mention youll need to have your timing belt and water pump done and consider a set of good snow tires they will make all the difference in bad weather

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  Love the Subaru Outback sport - 2008 Subaru Impreza
  By Brando - October 22 - 12:07 pm

  If youre going to want a car that you can love and appreciate here you go. Aside from Subarus head gasket problems that they are notorious for its has been nothing but my favorite car in my lifetime. Keep in mind they did over three grand worth of work to mine for the head gaskets thank goodness it was under warranty if the dealership offers a warranty buy it otherwise youll be wishing you did when you head gaskets start leaking not to mention youll need to have your timing belt and water pump done and consider a set of good snow tires they will make all the difference in bad weather

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  excellent - 2005 Subaru Impreza
  By Soo-young - October 22 - 11:16 am

  The car is faster then my old fully modified skyline R34. and the handling is better then any 4WD I have driven in my life

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  Truly a fun car to own and drive - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By azn8tive - October 21 - 10:56 am

  Very pleased with our 09 Forester. Easy to drive impressive in winter conditions so far as AWD is even more impressive than the write ups have mentioned. Ride is smooth and quiet. Interior is functional and moderately styled. Only think I would do different with this is add the iPod interface. Other than that, truly a great car.

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  MY SECOND FORRESTER - 2004 Subaru Forester
  By BOB ICHISHITA - October 21 - 10:00 am

  THIS IS MY SECOND FORRESTER, MY 1999 DID NOT HAVE A SUNROOF AND I LIKE CARS WITH SUNROOF SO I ORDERED MY NEDW 2004 WITH A SUNROOF, WHICH I LIKE VERY MUCH AND I LIKE DRIVING WITH THE SUNROOF OPEN. THIS 2004 HANDLE A LITTLE BIT BETTER THAN MY 1999, LIKE THE UPGRADED ELECTRNICS. THE 2004 HAS GOOD HANDLING IN THE MOUNTAINS WITH THE TWO KAYAKS ON TOP. IN THE SNOW THIS VEHICLE IS HANDLES THE SNOW VERY WELL. THIS FORRESTER GETS GOOD MILLEAGE. WITH THE HIGH COST OF GAS I WILL BE KEEPING THIS FORRESTER FOR A LONG TIME.

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  Subaru Outback 2016 - 2016 Subaru Outback
  By Mary Spence - October 20 - 10:39 am

  You should drive both the 3.6 and the 2.5i to get a feel for the difference. Also should test the difference between the cloth seats and the leather seats, In my view comfort is important with the leather seats that give more. So I got them.

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  Goes like stink! - 2005 Subaru Legacy
  By White Devil Subie - October 19 - 2:20 am

  I bought this car after owning two Acuras (1998 CL and 2002 TL). I like quality, safe, reliable but high performance cars. This Subie has been the best car I have ever owned. It is also a very stealth mobile in that hardly anyone recognizes what this car is and what it can do. It gets decent mileage for what it is (a high performance car). It so fun to drive and is sure-footed in the snow and ice in Kansas City. It climbed up a serious incline on 14th Street in KC during a major ice snow without hesitation while all the other drivers were spinning their tires. My advice if you live in a snowy or icy area in the winter is to have two sets of tires (the stock Potenzas and good snow/ice tires).

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  A 3 series beater - 2008 Subaru Legacy
  By BZ - October 18 - 9:10 am

  Researched small AWD sport sedans for over 3 months and drove the Audi A4, BMW 328i, Acura TSX, Lexus IS 250 and Volvo 2.5. The Legacy GT out performs all of them at a price that is $10,000 less than the 3 series. Build quality is superb, and the ride is extremely quiet for a 3200 pound sedan. The negatives are: the rear seat is a tad firm, but more than adequate for anyone less than 6 feet on an all day trip and lack of storage compartments. This is my second Subaru (the first being a forester, which has 71,000 miles on it, and has been trouble free). The Legacy GT is quick, quiet and handles superbly - a truly remarkable car at an attractive price, compared to its competition.

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  First Subaru former Toyota owner - 2006 Subaru Outback
  By marcob68 - October 17 - 10:20 am

  Great handling, mileage now averaging 27.6 mix of mostly highway and 10% city. Interior finish is excellent and everything works the way it should. Acceleration without turbo is very good and no problems cruising at 75. Radio and CD changer sound quality are very good. Much tighter handling than prior Toyotas.