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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  Good car but it ticks! - 2008 Subaru Outback
  By Jim D - September 5 - 3:00 am

  I love Subarus and this is my 4th one. Overall Im very happy with the car. Love the huge sunroof and leather. Comfortable quiet highway ride. But, from somewhere in the rear cargo area theres a tick type of a rattle and it ruining an otherwise good car. It started one week after I drove it off the lot. Still trying to find it. Sometimes the sunroof rattles - not all the time. Usually after hitting a big bump in the road, this sets all the ticks and rattles going. Kind of frustrating for such a new car. If you own one, make sure you set the SRS on the stereo to on. It makes a huge difference in the sound quality.

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  Rear Lift gate hydraulic jacks weak - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By G.J. Pence - September 4 - 8:50 pm

  Purchased B9 in July/05 for an extra auto. Found the B9 great to drive, roomy, and very comfortable. After the past 120 days have found the rear lift gate hydraulic lifts are weakening and not performing well. Mileage is getting much better than when first purchased. Larger gas tank would be helpful to go further than just 300 miles on a tank of gas.

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  Nearly Perfect - 2008 Subaru Impreza
  By chris - September 4 - 4:13 pm

  Have had the car since the end of Nov. and I am loving it. Outback package is the best of the bunch, larger wheels, two tone, great features for a great price. Great in the snow, after 3000 miles I am averaging 24.6 mpg in mixed driving. The look grows on me more and more. Roof rack is noisy, but easy to take off. Not a big fan of the stereo, the sound never seems to fill the cabin or your ears. I think I will upgrade or get the amp. Heated seats and mirrors are great. Overall I am very happy.

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  Awesome! But Missing a Few Touches - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By ChicagoSteve - September 4 - 8:56 am

  This is an incredible car. I am in the advertising business for auto dealerships and had my pick of cars. I looked at several but for the money for the B9 nothing comes close. I have the NAV system and the information this car provides is just scary, above and beyond the the actual Nav system. Every car detail from current MPG to service intervals and a calculator are only a touch away. As for what the car is missing, one thing would have to be seat memory. My wife and friends have tried my car and it takes me forever to get it back. Also a coin holder. These thing sound minor and they are, but every model above $30k has them.

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  3rd Subaru - Wagon>Truck - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By eddiethedog - September 3 - 3:59 pm

  This is my third Subaru. Previous was an 04 Sti and 98 2.5 rs. This car is very reliable even at 200K plus miles. I have replaced the 02 sensor once. The slide pins for the front calipers stuck, so those got replaced. Both pretty common. The valve in the AC had to be replaced, a bit of a pain to get to, but not a huge issue ($30 part). The interior is that of any Subaru. If you are coming from a luxury vehicle, you might not like it. Always seems to be cheaply made, but Ive never had any issues. Would recommend to anyone needing an overall reliable car. Any Subaru really.

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  Fun to Drive - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By bkluger - September 3 - 10:00 am

  Just completed a 1200 mile roundtrip that involved interstate highway, two- lane road, and off-road driving. Thoroughly impressed by the overall performance and the highway mileage of better than 25 MPG. After looking and test driving a Jeep Gran Cherokee, Honda Pilot, and an Acura MDX. We decided on the Outback LL Bean, because it represented the best value for our dollar, plus its fun to drive!

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  Glad I bought it!! - 2008 Subaru Outback
  By Outback - August 31 - 7:30 am

  Love the car! Did a lot of research before I bought it. I used to have a BMW 328i; driving my new Outback reminds me of the BMW. Great steering and braking. Like the 5 star safety rateing too, I feel very safe and protected.I also like that I can tow my popup camper. I plan to keep this car a long time and feel it will last as long as I want to keep it. Will diffiently recommend a Subaru to anyone who is looking to buy a car.!

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  Wonderful Crossover - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By Barnes - August 31 - 4:20 am

  I love it. Takes curves with very little lean. The unit is extremely quiet. Subaru compares the Tribeca to the Lexus and Infiniti SUV but stopped short of including XM radio, Bluetooth, and Memory Seats. But the ride and handling of this vehicle make up for the missing items. I would buy it again.

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  Better than my Jeep Cherokee! - 2001 Subaru Forester
  By jmsillers - August 31 - 2:00 am

  Coming from a 95 Jeep Cherokee and having them both in a Minnesota winter I can say that the traction and control of the AWD system greatly outperformed teh Selec-Trac and All-Time 4WD system of the Jeep. while the Jeep slid and tailed a bit on ide and soft snow, the Subaru was easier to control and more predictable. I also shopped for a 2001 Cherokee and found that little had changed in the 5 years since Jeep had made my 95 Cherokee. The interior had been upgraded but still lacked the comfort and amenities of the Forester.

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  handling - 2003 Subaru Outback
  By lechalet - August 31 - 2:00 am

  great on wet roads, freeways or snow , mud ,mountain roads