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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  A Really Fun Car - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By snead_c - April 7 - 10:00 am

  This is really 2 cars in one, economy and sport.When you want good milage drive just above 2000RPM and when you want a big grin on your face just wind it out.I have had the car for 9 months and still look for excuses to drive it. Its homely looks grow on you and it definitely gets attention.

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  Funky Head Lights, but who cares - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By HampaW - April 7 - 10:00 am

  Performance first and then looking

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  Outback Sport Disappoints - 2007 Subaru Impreza
  By Suzanne - April 7 - 7:56 am

  I got the space that I wanted in a small wagon. However, I am very disappointed with the ride and the noise level. This car rides and sounds like my mothers rattletrap station wagon that she had when I was a kid. The ride is harsh, feeling every tiny bump in the road, and everything in the back rattles. The paint chips at the least little touch, and the pinstripe on the passenger side is peeling off. This car, with only 4,500 miles on it is the worst car mistake Ive ever made! It had 3,500 miles on it when purchased in Sept 07, so Ive only put 1,000 miles on it. It could also use more storage space in the front. I dont see myself keeping much longer than a year or so.

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  AWD nice - short on details - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By Dr. Dave - April 6 - 6:13 pm

  We had driven the Lexus RX 330 and Acura RXD and found both superior in ride and quality. However the price on those 2007 models was prohibitive, and Subaru was promoting a nice finance incentive for the 2006 B9s. I thought the B9 was overpriced at $37K, but at $30K with the navigation system, we thought it was fair. Its a beautiful body design and the power train is efficient. Those wide tires will grip anything, especially nice for the wifes winter Michigan drives. Driving it is noisy as its not as baffled as our Lincoln LS sedan. The sound system sounds a little hollow too, but it is adequate. The ride was bumpy, and we now found out that all 4 tires are out of balance, needing 2 new.

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  DONT BUY THIS CAR!!!! - 2014 Subaru Forester
  By ex_subaru_fan - April 5 - 3:01 am

  I dont believe the rating system is accurately stating how disappointing this car is, based on some of the statements below: Using Oil ! – but 4 stars? Oil burner & Subaru does not want to admit problem – but 3 stars? Do Not Buy – but 2 ½ stars? Constantly having to check engine oil – but 3 ½ stars? BURNS OIL & has a slight hesitation – but 2 ½ stars? Incessant Rattling – 4 stars? Purchase Was A Mistake – 2 ½ stars? DISAPPOINTED - TERRIBLE RIDE – 4 stars? 2014 Forester BURNS OIL – 3 stars? Let me put it succinctly. Subaru thinks it is "normal" for an engine to use 1 quart of oil per 1200 miles. Thats insane. This is my 6th Subaru; I wont own another.

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  My favorite of all vehichles - 2014 Subaru Forester
  By smlease - April 4 - 8:55 pm

  I have owned BMW (325i), Mercedes (C230), VW (Jetta, Convertible Beetle) Dodge Stratus and my college vehicle Chevy Chevette. I was looking at trading in my Mercedes for Lexus but since Lexus was closed, I drove by Subaru (Plano, TX) and thought I would take a look. I work in Electronics and have learned that Japanese take great pride in quality, so I while I had checked out every major car mfg, I was am so glad I walked into the lot. The only one they had left was a blue 2014. I love the sunroof, makes it fun, but with the upgraded wood added, I also feel like driving luxury vehicle. 9 months and I love this vehicle!

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  Great car for the money. - 2016 Subaru Forester
  By Terri Rude - April 4 - 7:55 pm

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  Loving my sti - 2017 Subaru WRX
  By Big Dee - April 3 - 2:42 pm

  Love it. Boost is great ... handles great.

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  After 190,000 - 2005 Subaru Forester
  By zoneblitz - April 3 - 12:50 pm

  After 190,000 miles it runs great. Changed the oil every 5K, gone through 3 sets of tires and one brake job 2 weeks ago.

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  Subie magic - 2011 Subaru Outback
  By Daniel - April 3 - 7:40 am

  I love this car. Its a wagon. Its a SUV. Its a car. Its a Jeep. Its a Lexus in sheeps attire runs great handles great quiet smooth plenty of stuff to play with.