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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  so far disappointed - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By me2 - November 13 - 12:13 am

  If you are short (53") you may have trouble with the brake pedal - its very soft and high, and if you try to rest your foot on it (like us shorties have to), it starts to brake immediately - very hard on your legs! And just 2600 miles on it, on a long road trip, the cruise control just stopped working, the "cruise control" warning light started blinking, the "traction control OFF" light came on, and the "check engine light" came on - cant bring in until next week - heaven knows what is going on - still had 300 miles to get home with car loaded with kids and gear.

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  Transmission and/or fuel delivery problem - 2014 Subaru Outback
  By lillie12 - October 26 - 9:48 pm

  After shifting into drive, the transmission waits a beat (about 1 long second) and then shifts. When the car is in drive, the fuel delivery and/or timing surges periodically. Both make for a jerky drive. The gas pedal is VERY touchy. The gas pedal must be pressed very lightly at first, so as not to give passengers whiplash on start-up from a stop. For short drivers (5-54") the headrest can be uncomfortable. Instead of a flat surface, it bulges out and tips forward, pushing the drivers head into a chin downward position. It is not tilt adjustable. Eyesight is helpful, however, it once stopped the car on a highway when the car in front moved left to make a left turn.

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  One of the worst cars I have ever owned - 2006 Subaru Forester
  By New Subaru owner - October 11 - 8:36 pm

  Nice car in many respects, but the engine hesitation when starting out from a complete stop is terrible. Gets worse as outside temperature gets over 90 and AC is on. Dealer tells me that it is normal. I think a 3 or 4 second hesitation is unsatisfactory and unsafe since you never know what its going to do when you give it some gas.

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  Oil burner - burnt engine/valves. Awful - 2010 Subaru Impreza
  By crtruthbtold - October 7 - 4:10 pm

  I bough (and I am now selling) my 2010 Subaru Impreza (Outback Sport). I bought it new, it burns oil. Ridiculous. All the maintenance and oil changes as required. In under 100K miles I had an oil leak develop and had to replace valve gasket -$$$ repair. less than 10K miles later I had a push rod bearing go because of oil burning! and now I have to buy a short block engine if I wanted to repair it. I am selling it for salvage for more than I expected as I refuse to sink good money after bad. At least I dont owe any money on it. This is the 2nd Subaru I have purchased with oil issues (the other was a turbo Baja - 4 burned valves while still under warranty in the first 36K miles).Stay away.

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  Sucks gas, eats headlight bulbs and the doors wont unlock - 2009 Subaru Tribeca
  By tommymight - September 26 - 3:02 am

  I had my 2009 Tribeca Limited for 2 1/2 years and I just traded it on a new non-Subaru vehicle. More negatives than positives for me. Issue #1 is the fuel economy. I got 15 mpg around town in good weather and 12-13 mpg in winter. The car is great in snow, especially with Hakapelitta snow tires. On the highway, it was a miracle to get 21 mpg. The fuel tank is small - 16 gallons and I was filling it up constantly. Navigation system was weak, a $300 Garmin blew it away. This car EATS headlight and brake bulbs. I installed headlight bulbs 3 times in 2 1/2 years and brake bulbs twice. Dealer parts department told me they sold a ton of bulbs. The remote key unlock took 4 clicks to open all doors

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  Dont get the hype - 2015 Subaru Forester
  By zaclette - September 15 - 6:49 am

  I have owned a lot of cars. I moved to the Subaru after some German car woes. Overall the car is decent, but it feels very cheap for the pricing. Secondly the gas mileage is not what it is cracked up to be. Around town the Sub has great manners, 24 MPG in suburbia. The visibility and access are great. Errands are done with ease, great for getting the kids in and out. On flat highways it does well too; however in a recent jaunt through the mountains the car struggled to keep pace with traffic with significantly diminished gas mileage (17 MPG)....worse than my wifes full size luxury SUV.

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  Dont drink the Kool-Aid - 2016 Subaru Forester
  By Daz - September 13 - 12:26 am

  The Pros - steering is excellent in the car, it can take sharp turns very well. Safety and visibility is also a big plus for the car. Acceleration is pretty good, but the sport shifting can sometimes lag. Head space is pretty good. The Cons - very small backup camera. The center console storage is too far back. The front passenger seat is way to high up, with no ability to lower it. Paint is very thin and scratches easily. MPG is less than satisfactory, and requires premium gas. Vehicle requires maintenance much quicker than other cars. Stock tires absolutely suck!

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  2013 Upgrades hurt overall ratings - 2013 Subaru Legacy
  By fitfd - September 5 - 9:32 pm

  I traded in a 2012 2.5i Premium for the 2013 2.5i Sport for the new performance upgrades. The best way to describe the 13 model is disappointing. I cant question the AWD performance of a Subaru, it handles almost any road condition with ease. The acceleration on the 13 is sluggish from a stop but crisp at higher RPMs. I think the acceleration on the 12 was better overall. I was averaging 31 mpg with my 12 and only 26 with my 13. The Sport interior isnt all that impressive, the seats may feel softer but they also show dirt and lint far worse than the 12 interior. The new suspension is stiff and bone-jarring at times. Camrys run the same 18 set-up with a much smoother ride.

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  Not Thrilled - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By Jim Porter - September 3 - 12:43 pm

  I am very disappointed with the features of this vehicle that are not working properly. The radio has poor reception and Subaru keeps telling us that it is a setting that needs to be changed on the radio itself, Unfortunately that is not the problem. When you fade just to the rear speakers the radio barely comes in at all and the reception is poor on any setting. The rim design on the 2.5X Limited is also poor the vehicle is sold as an all wheel drive for snow and other types of bad driving conditions, however when it snows more than 4" snow gets in the inner part of the rim and freezes over night causing the vehicle to shake excessively at 40 plus mph. We are being told to purchase other rims.

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  Drivers Seat bad for back or knee pain - 2010 Subaru Forester
  By storiesbysteve - August 27 - 10:33 am

  Driven 1600+ miles. I like this car - but it can be very uncomfortable for a person with back or knee pain. I would like ARM RESTS and padding where a guys knees hit the left door and the console. Its rock hard A tilt steering wheel would be good. The moon roof is fantastic - and the drivers visibility is super. It is a pleasure to drive in the rain. Its not as smooth riding as I expected, but very surefooted. I might have been more comfortable in a Honda but the Subaru is faster (up to 130 mph!) As long as you dont need a comfortable drivers seat for your back or knee this is a GREAT car. I made a You Tube video about the seat problems and how to work around them