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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  Great Overall Car!!! - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By Keith r - August 10 - 7:43 am

  The car has sufficient power and handles very well. Very safe ride! Inside is roomy, comfortable, easy access to all controls. Love the instant manual shift! Sound system is great! Cup holders everywhere! Easy fold downs and back door lift is a pleasure to use! Lights under doors are a great option. Gas mileage avg 26.5 up to 31mpg on hwy. Ground clearance and 17" tires are nice! Rear view is not good and side view can be obstructive at times. First time Subaru owner- extremely pleased!!!!

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  Great car/crappy company service - 2000 Subaru Impreza
  By bookburner451 - August 6 - 10:00 am

  I love this car except for the fact Ive had to replace the wheel bearings three times already. This is a common defect,which can be fixed easily by replacing with outback bearings, according many of the club sites, but Subaru Customer service varies greatly depending on location. I had a sales nightmare at Stevens Creek. Livermore Subaru put you through the wringer when I tried to get warrantied repairs done. Turlock Subaru was awesome. They are the only reason I stayed with Subaru.

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  poor mans sports car - 2003 Subaru Impreza
  By guido1952 - August 6 - 6:46 am

  This car is fun...fun...fun!!! As long as the engine rpm is kept in its powerband, youll have the feeling that it is much larger than the 2.0l that it is. My car is a 5 speed. Stomp on the pedal, and its warp speed capable! The car handles the road as if were velcroed to it. Living in Vermont, there is no shortage of twisting roads. Some of which, have more kinks in them, than a roll of cheap garden hose. Yeehah!!! I truly wish that I could drive this beast, as it was designed to be driven. If I did, Id be walkin! Speeding tickets are expensive. With a few tweaks, my mileage is hovering around 32 mpg. Thank you Subaru,

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  New ERA - 2009 Subaru Legacy
  By Chef - August 2 - 9:20 pm

  Traded in my VW tdi because nobody around my area could fix it. Was used to the great mileage of a diesel but I drive a lot and being safe in the winter has its benefits as well. The car runs me 29 mpg per tankful at 90% highway driving. It is cemented to the road and I always feel in control. It is agile and fun to drive although long distances my right leg seems to fall asleep. The headlights have a horizon to them and is kind of funky going down a hill. I love the look of the inside and how the stereo is angled towards the driver as well as the placement of things, except the emergency brake and cup holders. If you are looking for a fun and safe car you should take it for a drive.

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  2006 2.5i Limited Edition Legacy Wagon - 2006 Subaru Legacy
  By Chris Moth - August 2 - 9:30 am

  Great family wagon. Very efficient for all wheel drive (30MPGhighway - and even slightly higher at times). Prior to this car we owned a 98 Outback, and an 89 Justy before that. Please bring back the weather radio. We miss that from the Outback! The cockpit is very sporty - but my and my wifes leg runs into the handbrake. It needs to be moved out of the way.

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  Subie convert!! - 2008 Subaru Legacy
  By sarduchi22 - August 1 - 10:48 am

  AWESOME car!! Very well appointed and classy looking interior. Great quality and look to the interior materials and lighting. Ride quality is super smooth yet firm enough for cornering. Feels firm over uneven road surfaces but doesnt break your back. Seats are firm and comfy even on long hauls. The 2.5i is a little sluggish off the line but over 30mph has plenty of power spooled up for passing. Fun factor is moderate only lack of power hurting this aspect of the sedan. Back seat is a little tight not reccomended for people over six foot. Also passenger side footwell is a touch shallow and the seat needs to be slid back to for a comfortable leg position. Over all look is handsome!

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  LL Bean Still Strong After 6 Years - 2002 Subaru Outback
  By Matt - July 31 - 2:46 pm

  My Subaru Outback LL Bean is still running perfectly after 6 years and 90,000 miles. I have never had any mechanical problems. The car is awesome in the snow and rain, is actually fun to drive for a wagon and has decent acceleration. Very smooth on the highway. The biggest flaws in this car are 1) the undersized front rotors (I have replaced them twice). This was never a safety issue, just an annoyance. 2) The wind noise from the front driver window. Never leaks, just whistles unless you fiddle with the weatherstripping a bit. Gas mileage is decent (for AWD) at 23 mpg average and a highway mileage around 26 (at ~70mph).

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  Review after having it a few years - 2002 Subaru Outback
  By Subaru Tank - July 29 - 12:23 am

  I thought Id provide a review after having the car 6+ years. I have the 2002 Base Model with the All Weather Package. I commute 25 miles to work along a treacherous 2 lane very windy and icy mountain road and so my main concerns when buying a car were safety and all wheel drive. I drove it for 4 years and it was great but I then also bought studded snow tires for the car and its a tank. Downsides are right in the drivers side of the windshield theres always a streak, no matter which wipers I use. The headlights go out a lot and Ive had to replace the brakes more than my past cars. I wish it was a hybrid too. I was getting 24 mpg but in the last year its dropped to 22.

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  Disappointed with CrossTrek - 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek
  By flyguy12 - July 28 - 8:37 am

  I have owned Subarus since the early 1980s. My basis for choosing a 2013 CrossTrek was its size, my previous history, and the better gas mileage. Initially I was very pleased after coming from a 2005 Legacy. However, at 7500 miles I noticed that I was 1.5 quarts low on oil. I was told that this is normal and I would have to "top off" the oil between changes. I also have been quoted $75.00 for 7,500 mile oil changes from 2 different dealers. I am very disappointed with Subaru. I will not change my oil through the dealer, and I would not recommend this model due to what may be excessive service costs.

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  Fun and function in one! - 2005 Subaru Forester
  By Bob Kelly - July 28 - 1:26 am

  The XTs performance is exceptional, not only the engine response, but the overall handling also. It replaced a M-B E-Class and had big shoes to fill. It hasnt disappointed. Hauling capacity is adequate and it is usually our car-of-choice. No problems in over 15,000 miles.