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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  Exceptional All-Around Vehicle! - 2002 Subaru Forester
  By Ken Tong - April 27 - 10:00 am

  My Forester S+ has been a total joy to own the past year and a half. It excels in performance, utility, reliability, and recreation. I found it to be the best deal overall, confirming Consumer Reports yearly top ratings. Ive taken it thru heavy rain, 100+ deg. desert heat to Vegas, and snowy mtn. climbs, and it blows past other over-sized SUVs (several ran off embankments and got stuck or flipped over) and under- powered mini-SUVs. It has performed magnificently and instills confidence & security with its full-time all- wheel-drive. Reliability has been perfect with zero problems after 25,000 miles. Great for transporting family and friends and all your gear.

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  Subaru Outback good buy for great vehicle - 2016 Subaru Outback
  By Raymond Wilkinson - April 27 - 2:53 am

  There is not much wiggle room negotiating the sticker price no rebates but vehicle has good resale value

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  Everyone should own this car! - 2005 Subaru Legacy
  By Zac - April 26 - 7:46 am

  My wife and I have owned this vehicle for just about 7 months and were enjoying every mile in it. The quality of the interior is impeccable and so well designed in terms of ergonomics. Everything seems to be in its natural location. The endless supply of torque power this car has to offer is overwhelming and will make anybody feel confident behind the wheel. The confidence doesnt only come from the immense amount of power, but it comes from the symmetrical AWD system. I just cant say enough about this car it was truly one of the best decisions we made. It was worth the wait. Hey it wasnt Car of the Year in Japan twice for nothing. Think of the competition it had to beat!

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  Subaru Redeemed - 2005 Subaru Impreza
  By Ron Kuhlmann - April 26 - 6:56 am

  I owned nothing but Surarus from 1972-87 and then went back in 2002, buying a Legacy Outback. The car was virtually impossible to drive smoothly in low gear (manual) and I complained to Subaru for three years. They offered a small compensation amount and just before Christmas it bucked one too many times so I was off to the dealership. I had some trepidation and tested this model in every possible situation before buying. I have had it a month and found it a delight--stable, spunky and fun to drive. I use it for commuting, errands and a very occasional 4-5 hour trip. I am once again a very happy Subaru camper and highly recommend the car for size, performance, and versatility.

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  Loved My Subbie - 1999 Subaru Forester
  By JakeFL - April 26 - 2:00 am

  Great car! Very fun to drive. All controls, etc. are exactly where you intuitivly think they should be. Great traction in poor driving conditions. This vehicle saved my life in a horrendous head-on accident. It was totalled, but I wasnt.

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  VDC good enough? - 2003 Subaru Outback
  By RACCAR - April 26 - 2:00 am

  I really love this car. A 2001 VDC wagon. Handles to well in all weather. I tried to get it stuck in snow this winter. Couldnt. Great at high speeds. The VDC works better than the reviews suggest. However, my wife wants me to find another car. She cant get comfortable in the leather seats. I agree. They are hard as rock, and a car upholsterer says he cant improve it. Dealer said its the only real flaw with the car. We take long week end trips, and this really is an issue.

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  Head Gasket Blew at 69,000 miles - 2012 Subaru Outback
  By Working Mom - April 25 - 5:27 pm

  I bought this car new off the lot in December 2011. I was thrilled with the fact that I could get such a nice car with a 6 speed manual transmission. It was perfect for me and my family - easy to park, utilitarian and good to drive. However, that changed last month when every light on my dash started flashing just before getting home, and the coolant overflowing in my driveway. Thank God I have AAA to tow it to the dealer. Three weeks later, my dealer tells me that it was the head gasket and that they replaced all the seals as well as the timing belt. Since I have the extended warrantee, it didnt cost me any more than my deductible ($100). Now Im wondering how long its going to be before the head gasket fails again. I love this car but now I question its reliability.

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  Should be a Best Buy - 2006 Subaru Forester
  By timberwolf - April 25 - 10:56 am

  Drove the others; wish Toyota hadnt supersized their RAV-4, Honda close, Saturn not yet, I agree with "Car & Driver" Best in Class.

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  Pay Attention to the details - 2015 Subaru Forester
  By lilbit24 - April 25 - 8:14 am

  I was so disappointed the first time I drove this car at night. The interior is severely underlit. The mirrors, glove box and overall interior lighting are not sufficient. My model also did not have memory seats, which is a huge pain. I found the seats very uncomfortable. My model did not have remote start, so I had the dealer install and I was really disappointed in the way it worked - you still had to start the car again upon entering. The locks do not automatically lock - Subaru says this is a safely feature. Compare other models and the interior features far exceed the Forrester. I traded up to Escape within 30 days.

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  I Love this car. - 2002 Subaru Outback
  By terry sillins - April 24 - 10:53 pm

  I live in Pittsburgh Pa. As we all know the snow and steep hills during the winter mounths can be dangerous. Since I have been driving this AWD it is like night and day. I can always get where I want to, no matter what the weather is.