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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  After 9 months review - 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek
  By rivernsnow - January 1 - 7:18 am

  Nice Little SUV. Cool looking! Sufficiant power, but not a sports car. Steady pedal application versus jamming it down, eliminates most of the comments about droning or response. Very comfortable front seats, Great road hugging performance! Rides rougher than expected. Its small so with two adults and a toddler on a road trip its really packed to the max. Like Edmunds review said, does not get advertised mileage. Expect 25.5- 26 MPG average Using 89 octane brings it up to 27- 28 Bad - cant power or remote entry lock without arming alarm. If you use a sub key/non remote entry key, alarm wakes neighbors at 5 AM. Manual locking not available on rear hatch!!! No air vents for rear passengers

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  Out to Lunch on New Forrester Purchase - 2003 Subaru Forester
  By J.J. - December 29 - 10:00 am

  Purchased a 2003 Subaru Forrester XS, prem/lthr. Biggest complaint is a horrible blind spot on the left side. The right side is great. I use the rearview and side mirrors when switching to the left lanes on the highway. As an extra precaution I turn my head to the left and my view is seriously hindered by the panel that is between the side and rear windows. Its really a dreadful feeling as I feel as if it is "merge or die" and I hate to solely rely on mirrors only. Does anyone else have this problem? If so, then how do you overcome? Really interested in your comments. Am seriously considering a trade on a one-month old car. Many thanks.

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  Love the XV Crosstrek, Limited nav/moonroof - 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek
  By cooknation - December 28 - 2:06 am

  When looking for a car I needed a CUV with decent gas mileage. Main reason was for carrying my dog and for future family family vehicle. I tested the equinox, mazda cx-5, and nissan rogue. When i went to drive the cx-5 i saw the crosstrek (Mixed dealer). So i took a shot at the crosstrek, right away the looks of the car can make you fall in love. And i know plenty of my friends with wrxs and stis and they praise subaru. I have to say the car has been living up to the hype sofar. I got the limited CVT with nav and moonroof. The car is great and i average 31 MPG! Do not gun the car and you will find the mileage is great. Ease into acceleration, and keep an eye on the mpg needle.

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  Great - Except...... - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By rabbitman - December 27 - 1:10 pm

  This base model is a great auto but for those of us who do go off the highway and travel through the mud, over unpaved roads and such there is one item that the factory left off - the under the engine cover is not included on the base model. That means dirt, water, gunk, etc splashes up into the engine compartment. The 2.5i Outback wagon does offer an engine undercover insulator, however it is a side-type and offers no rear protection. The full width large type is standard on the XT, XT Limited, LL BEAN , and VDC models. The specs in print and on the web site no not point out this omission. A dear friend of mine also purchased a 2.5i last month and the dealer installed the protector at no charge.

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  Car Love - 2010 Subaru Impreza
  By JungleLover in Utah - December 26 - 9:10 pm

  A perfect car for me! Living in Park City, the AWD is amazing - remember, not all AWD cars are created equal. The seats are comfortable, and having the 60/40 seat folding is great for loading mountain bikes, skis, or anything you might need to get out and play. The shifting is really easy in the manual and is fun and speedy to drive around. Its a beautiful car and inexpensive in relation to comparable cars and what you get. Averaging 31mpg (I drive conservatively and coast wherever possible).

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  Most fun car Ive ever driven! - 2003 Subaru Impreza
  By allanak - December 23 - 10:00 am

  If youre looking for an sporty sedan, look no further.Awesome performance for under 25k. It seats 4 people comfortably with even the fifth "real seatbelt," not just the lap one. Just make sure you buy it stick shift so you can really make use of that turbocharged engine. Once you get a feel for it, take it in the canyons and when you hit the turns in 2nd or 3rd gear HOLD the gas pedal! Now youll know why you bought this car.

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  My 2.5RS w/ sport package - 2005 Subaru Impreza
  By JEFF CHEN - December 20 - 4:16 pm

  I bought my white 2.5RS in March 2005. I love it. I drive it everyday. It is a practical car. Im still breaking in my engine and shift up before 4k rpm. The engine sounds great even under 4k RPM, the ride is smooth, and the handling is responsive. However, the launch from zero of this car seems to be soft ( I guess it is due to AWD torque distribution), and the braking is soft too. The braking is acceptable but NO where near impressive. I may upgrade the brake in the future. You dont get WRX or STI from this one, but you got an Impreza, too. Id proudly recommend this great car.

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  Dislikes - 2016 Subaru Outback
  By Robert Evens - December 20 - 1:36 pm

  Road noise isnt as bad as previous vehicle but still leaves a lot to be desired. At thruway speeds you really have to turn up the radio to be able to hear it. Steering responsive fog lights are a joke as they dont really light up that much when making a turn. Would much prefer a set of good driving lights / fog lights that illuminate the road on low beam.

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  Surprisingly fun - 2008 Subaru Impreza
  By bloovis - December 12 - 7:56 am

  This car replaced a beloved 2001 VW Golf GLS 1.8t. I was hoping to find something as fun and comfortable as the VW, but with AWD to get me up our steep Vermont hills in winter in the places where the VW failed to make progress. The Outback Sport has turned out to be much more entertaining than I expected. It doesnt have quite the zip of the VW turbo, but its plenty fast. The biggest surprise was the excellent steering and handling: quite an improvement over the somewhat squishy VW. The next biggest surprise was the fuel economy; Im getting 28 on average, and as high as 32 on some off-freeway road trips.

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  Almost a Great Car - 2002 Subaru Outback
  By DCU - December 11 - 4:00 pm

  Had the clutch "shudder" early and dealer eventually fixed it after repeated failed attempts to duplicate the problem. No problems since it was replaced. Wind noise on highway is annoying. Leg room in rear seats is too small. Mileage hasnt been up to advertised. Never gotten more than 26 mpg and usually its only 20-22, even on highway. Great in snow, suspension and tire life are fantastic, extremely versatile, brakes are decent, winter package and amenities make this a real enjoyable car overall and I have found it reliable.