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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  Truly a great car - 2015 Subaru Outback
  By cohmar - May 5 - 5:07 pm

  The 2015 Outback is light years better than the previous generation. Ive had mine for 4 months now it it is an incredible car. Great handling, good enough power, excellent on back roads and highways alike. Handles rough roads incredibly well and very quiet at high speeds on the highway. I have not encountered the wind noise that people complain about over 70 mph. This car has a normal amount of wind noise over 70 which seems to come mostly from the roof rail. And for those who live in snowy climates this car deals with snow and ice like no other. I live on a dirt road on a high hill and never worry about getting out to work or home from work in even the most horrid winter conditions.

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  I want a sunroof and a real armrest - 2004 Subaru Forester
  By jlch - May 5 - 10:00 am

  I want a sunroof and a real armrest. Good, reliable but no frills.

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  Many problems, sold mine - 2000 Subaru Forester
  By rhk0328 - May 5 - 10:00 am

  Its really been a nightmare on problems coming up. I owned the car until 72,000 miles. I had to replace 5 wheel bearings with no sign of a fix. I had to replace the clutch/flywheel/pressure plate around 50k milesfo $1500. Both of these problems are well documented. Good news is that the cluch problem is supposed to be fixed now. That chattering sound is not normal. Mine went bad. I got bad support from subaru for the problems. Its really been a thorn in my side. My gas mileage was around 21 mpg. The stock tires (bridgestones duelers) wear really poorly. The cheaper brands work better. The windshield is also fragile, chipping easily.

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  Best Subaru ever - 2010 Subaru Legacy
  By subieluver - May 4 - 11:13 pm

  This is my wife and my fourth Legacy. All have been exceptionally reliable and competent, but Subaru has hit the ball out of the park with the new car. Interior room on the 2010 is outstanding. No longer do you have to give up space to drive a Legacy. Also the CVT transmission is awesome on the highway. NO ONE makes an AWD car that will achieve the highway mileage like this Subaru. We were already sold on Subarus, this being our fifth, but in our first 6 weeks of ownership I can say we like this one best of all. All that remains to be seen is winter performance, but with all the Subaru AWD engineering under its belt, I doubt well have much to worry about when the white stuff starts.

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  U R (not) A BUS - 2007 Subaru Outback
  By Star - May 4 - 10:23 pm

  I love my car. Cant understand why I havent seen other Subaru sedans on the road. I gave my daughter my Outback sedan (2000) and didnt even consider replacing it with any other car. On the road the mileage is unbeatable. I feel safe and secure. I get excellent service. This car is inexpensive for the engineering, luxury and performance it delivers. My husband has the Outback wagon and we love it too. Our dealership inspires loyalty because the cars are great and so is the service. U R A BUS is SUBARU reversed, and it is definitely an SUV car, not a truck or a bus.

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  Worst car ever owned!!!!!!!!!!!! - 2006 Subaru Outback
  By BHOW - May 4 - 3:20 am

  DO NOT BUY!!!! I had my computer go haywire, and it said that the engine was overheating, when it wasnt even close, and it wasnt even a hot day! The daytime lights went out twice. It is underpowered, and I wasted $30,000 hard earned dollars. DO NOT BUY!!!!!!

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  Better than expected - 2015 Subaru Forester
  By oldfield1 - May 3 - 2:21 pm

  This is a very good car. Easy to drive, comfortable, roomy, and feels solid and well made. Mileage has been 29mpg combined road, mountain, and town driving. The CVT responds quickly and works very well (the engine is a little too peaky for a manual). The car turns in and transitions well on curvy mountain roads. It is actually fun to drive being taunt and predictable. Long highway trips are no problem, and neither are washed out, muddy, and rutted farm and mountain roads with the high ground clearance and real 4wd. I would buy a Forester again in a heartbeat as it has been a better all around car than I thought possible, certainly in its price range.

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  Love my new Suburu Forester - 2016 Subaru Forester
  By Beverly - May 3 - 6:12 am

  I bought a Premium but it has navigation and alerts for driving over the lanes or too close to the car ahead...Has come in very handy. I dont need leather seats and I dont want he button for the rear lift.

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  Do these things ever break? - 2005 Subaru Forester
  By niclo - May 2 - 1:06 pm

  105k miles and still drives like new! never had a car with this many miles that didnt start to wander around the road or rattle or run bad or something...

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  WINDSHEILD ISSUE - Eye Sight module - 2017 Subaru Forester
  By Nancy - May 2 - 8:17 am

  I love my Forester but....my WINDSHEILD cracked for no apparent reason 2 months after purchase. Thankful for warranty covered it. A rock hit the new WINDSHEILD and a small chip. I then reaserched and found out Subaru has WINDSHEILD issues since 2015. I talked to dealer about this information as well and have been informed, the Subarus with Eye Sight have a THINNER glass. Not comforting, I let sales man talk me into having the Eye Sight. The module does block sight a bit as well. My suggestion is to really research the option with Eye Sight from Subaru and if you do purchase it make sure you also get Glass Ins. Coverage on your vehicle insurance policy! I regret Eye Sight all around in my new Forester.