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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  great value in sport compact - 2013 Subaru Impreza WRX
  By ejhara - September 21 - 6:33 am

  Fine car, starting with styling. Has functional hood scoop and side vents for cooling turbo and brakes. 360 tour takes you by four doors and nice spoiler plus four exhaust tips. Subarus tend to be durable (Ive had five). AWD and hill-holder on manual shift are great features. Secure-feeling, nicely-handling car, even when you are not putting your foot into the throttle. When you do that, hang on! Great power for a 2.5 liter.

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  Versatile - 2002 Subaru Outback
  By TW - September 21 - 5:53 am

  I value versatility or all else and this car has it in spades. Bought it new, now have 167,000 miles with very few issues. Family trips with 4 kayaks on the top, 4 bikes on the back, 4 people and a 160# dog and loaded to the gills. Enough power and decent gas mileage. I tow with it. I have hauled stone and mulch and top soil. Im a musician and it holds all my equipment and is easy to load and unload. Love the low weight of the flat 4 engine and how it just pulls you through corners. Im up for a new car this year. This one goes to my daughter and I will most likely get another Outback.

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  All Speed, Junk parts - 2003 Subaru Impreza
  By Sooby Doer - September 20 - 2:00 am

  This car is very fun to drive, but buyer beware. My car is not even a year old but its been to service more times than my older car. Ive had problems with the cheap paint (easily stains), the engine light turning on and fluid leaks.

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  1998 Forester - 1998 Subaru Forester
  By Pat - September 19 - 1:03 pm

  Love it to death, it is reliable, comfortable, fun to drive, and just tears through the snow, without a hesitation! We highly recommend this vehicle!

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  2014 Forester - 2014 Subaru Forester
  By shafferbcs - September 19 - 7:13 am

  First week - The truck seems excellent.

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  Our New Outback - 2009 Subaru Outback
  By Tom - September 18 - 4:23 pm

  We researched numerous cars and had focused on the Honda CR-V or Toyota RAV-4. We then hear about the Subaru Forester and test drove that great vehicle. But the Outback jumped into our possibilities and offered the best overall vehicle flexibility. The expressway ride and cool features/appearance sold us. The HK sound system is great and our iPod came to life like never before. After we brought this home, we discovered how many friends have owned Outbacks for years and will never switch to another vehicle. We are now part of the family of happy Outback owners. It is the perfect vehicle for us.

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  A superb vehicle - 2004 Subaru Forester
  By lamar14850 - September 18 - 10:00 am

  My Subaru Forester XS is totally a thrill to drive! The ride is great, acceleration is more than ample, & it is very comfortable to drive on long trips. I simply love it!

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  Fun to drive - 2005 Subaru Forester
  By naomi1 - September 18 - 10:00 am

  I have had my Subaru Forester 2005 for about one month. I was previously driving a dodge caravan which was not great in the snow. I love this car. Great traction, smooth quiet ride, great on gas. Lots of room with the back seats folded down. Easy to drive, I thought it might be slow but it is quite peppy!!

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  One versatile vehicle - 2003 Subaru Outback
  By ToughCar - September 18 - 10:00 am

  We bought our Outback 03 in Nov 02. We needed a good AWD for tough winters in northern NJ and boy does the Outback handle winter! Reliability has been spotless so far - odo 23K. Mix driving averages us about 23 MPG. We were considering an SUV but are happy we got the Subaru instead. It handles very well in clear and inclement weather. Comfortable on long rides as well - took it down to NC and upto NH. We love this car and plan on keeping it for a long time. If youre looking for the most value for your money, I doubt theres anything better out there.

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  Looking for the Ultimate Sleeper?? Gramps approved - 2007 Subaru Forester
  By Chris Hodges - September 16 - 9:32 pm

  First of all, I need to begin this review with a bit of a reality check- in 07, only 87 of these vehicles in my color of Metallic Grey, with a 5 speed AND the Towing Package (1 1/4 trailer hitch with 4.41:1 axles), so, if you THINK you may have found one of these beauties?? DOUBLE CHECK. Now that we have that out of the way, lets continue. As with any other car, what Ive found with Maintenance and the inevitable Tuning- find reputable shops who KNOW WHAT THEYRE DOING!! I found a Shop I thought was reputable, only to find, THOUSANDS of dollars later, that this shop was staffed by a bunch of hacks!! Pros: with the appropriate plug in Cobb tuner, will make GOBS of torque, with little or no change in mileage! With a dyno tune, turns this vehicle into a TOTALLY different driving experience!! No problems with head gaskets or major repairs. This car has been driven hard, but, with regular fluid changes, timing belt changes,etc., runs like a champ! Negatives: THE SEATS ARE ABYSSMAL!!! Omg...if you can find older leather WRX seats, PUT them in...your back will thank you! Invest in Grimmspeeds Master cylinder brace!! Why? Again, this is a part right off a Forester...the Base model...so, the brakes arent the greatest. The steering could best be described as numb...but, not to worry! 2004 STi power steering pump bolts right in, and, does WONDERS for steering feel. And, if youre looking at ANYTHING approaching decent handling, ditch the stock springs for Swifts. The first car Ive EVER owned as a gearhead where I can honestly say Im NEVER going to sell it...its been THAT good to me! Oh, and, do yourself a favor and spend that money for decent snowtires to put on your factory steelies- my Blizzaks turned this little SUV into a goanywhere vehicle, even in feet of snow here in Massachusetts!