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 MILEAGE SUV awd - 2011 Subaru Outback
  By jasperdog - May 17 - 12:35 am

  Fabulous Mileage for a 3400lb SUV...better than my CRV by 20%!! Just put on my first 8,000 km (90%hwy/10% City) or 5000 miles by driving to calgary,salt lake, sedona,LA,etc and back to Vancouver,BC. I used AVERAGE 7.0 l/100km...thats 34 us mpg or 41 canadian mpg for 5000miles. At one point when I kept speed downto 60mph I averaged 39usMPG or 47 cdn MPG for 200 miles. Car is very comfortable with best leg room ever( 6,3inches...my crv sucks in comparison) for long drives. Fantastic Car!!!Suggest you rename car as SUPARU

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  GeezerMobile! - 2017 Subaru Forester
  By Robert Williams - May 16 - 11:25 am

  It may be an ideal SUV for a small family, but it also fits well for us senior citizens. Easy to park; great visibility; easy to enter and exit - just the right height for that. Very quiet and smooth riding for a small vehicle. Engine and CVT transmission seem perfectly mated for this vehicle. Oh, the best part is amazing gas mileage for an AWD - got 30 mpg out of my first tank for city/hwy combined! What s not to love!

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  bang for your buck!!! - 2003 Subaru Impreza
  By Steven Roy - May 14 - 10:00 am

  This car lives and breathes for performance. if you want to have the best performing car for under $40,000 this is your car. You will have people wondering how can this car drive the way it does for only $25k. throw another $3,000 into it and youll need a porsche to play with the WRX. The car was designed and perfected for one purpose to demolish the competition in performance and let me tell you they passed the test!

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  Subaru Quality - 2000 Subaru Outback
  By Rosalie Curtis - May 14 - 10:00 am

  It is a good safe car. I survived a major accident with very little injuries considering the impact.

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  Happy with Purchases - 2001 Subaru Forester
  By Pele - May 14 - 10:00 am

  Overall good value for the price. Needs some improvement in the seats. Handles well, does great in the snow with the all wheel drive. As other comments made the cup holder position....very poor design.

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  Second Beaner - 2008 Subaru Outback
  By jim n. - May 13 - 10:16 pm

  Traded our 2002 Bean Outback. This one is a much better performer but the interior has been redesigned for the worse. Controls were moved around to accomodate the opt. Nav. screen (which should be mounted on the dash). Climate controls placed low behind gearshift, audio controls lowered. You used to be able to adjust with a glance, now you have to take your eyes off the road. No storage for cds or loose change. The ashtray barely holds a chapstick. Rear seats no longer fold truly flat. Parking brake lever intrudes on drivers right leg. Odometer/temp/etc multigauge is useless and annoying.

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  Mechanical Masterpiece - 2013 Subaru Outback
  By phomat - May 13 - 12:16 pm

  Swapped my 1991 Acura NSX for this--wife wanted an SUV and I wanted a junk hauler. Have always admired Subaru for being unique, but poor gas mileage in the past kept me out of them. Theyve apparently solved the issue recently. Were getting better than EPA estimates, which is quite good for this size vehicle. The Outback has grown a lot since being a station wagon Legacy. Its now a full-fledged SUV, although, unlike most SUVs, it is sporty and utilitarian. Handles much better than expected (despite reviews Ive read). Corners flat unless driven excessively hard. CVT is really quite good providing you adapt your driving to the way it works.

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  Great little car - 2013 Subaru Forester
  By sicsniper911 - May 12 - 7:44 am

  I bought the car new in September of 2012 and thus far it has been a great car. I have nearly 10,000 miles on it already and everyday i still look forward to driving it. It has the 5 speed manual tranny in it and with that it has plenty of get up in go. The cornering on road is great for how big the car is and offroad it is even better. I have plenty of clearance for mild to moderate offroading and plenty of grip as well. Also performs excellent in the snow with no slipping unless i forced the car to do it. Highly recommended to anyone looking to buy.

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  Legacy - 2000 Subaru Legacy
  By Legacy - May 12 - 6:26 am

  I am an average driver, and this car has been full of issues. First the check engine light kept coming on, and took it in about 4 times with no luck. (can’t find a good Subaru dealer) After warranty was over a non Subaru mechanic found the threads to the knock sensor were striped, causing it to bounce around and get a false signal. Then at 35,000 miles the rear wheel bearing went out. There have been 2 recalls on it, a coolant additive was put in to help prevent issues with the bad head gasket design, and a rear suspension issues was the other. Now at 100,000 miles, the transmission is acting up. Should have bought a Chevy or a Ford, I never had issues like this with them.

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  Ill miss my Integra, but LOVE my Subie - 2004 Subaru Forester
  By Frankie and dog. - May 11 - 10:00 am

  Love my new 2004 XT beauty/sharp red color. Bought for a GREAT price. Got Permaplate paint protect +leather conditioner pkg. Cant get enough huge moonroof. Even when open, its quiet. The size, perfect for my outdoor lifestyle, bigger than Rav 4 but smaller than midsize. My retriever is getting used to having jump up+ in 4 " higher. Only added is I got windows/ mnroof tinted, looks fabulous! Fun and smooth drive 210 hsepwr is plenty! Turbo euphoria! In a few moments of clarity I remember Im breaking in the engine and slow to 60, I do get 22MPG. Optimistic when engine is broken in, MPG will improve. Cant wait to go camping in 2 weeks!