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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  awesome car - 2005 Subaru Impreza
  By OBPWRX05 - November 24 - 5:56 pm

  Got it as a Christmas present...Driving this car is so much car... Probably the one car thats completely performance packed... Turbo engine, AWD, sport suspension... Everytime there is a reason for me to go out, i get excited just to drive the car.. absolutely fun car...

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  Noisy low mileage sub - 2004 Subaru Outback
  By leon - November 23 - 7:03 pm

  This sub is fun to drive and responsive, but it gives very low mileage as compared to our sienna awd which gives 23+ mi/hwy; the side mirror makes swooshing sound and suspension --the thug sound. I only have 40,000 miles to date.

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  No real complaints - 2008 Subaru Impreza
  By NJ Owner - November 23 - 5:16 am

  Owned since 03/08 and have 11k miles on it. MPG is good, averaging about 27 with high of 31.5 on highway trip. I should have gotten the 5M instead of the 4A. I just dont like the automatic transmission. The black paint seems to scratch very easily, especially from fingernails around the door handles. I wish the hatch area was a little bit bigger. It looks adequate empty, but fills up real quickly. Cant wait to drive it in the snow, thats why I bought it. I am hoping I can get away with the stock tires, but will use snow tires if need be. I am 6 foot 1, 185 lbs and find the drivers seat comfortable and roomy.

• 

  Good Value - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By DVUS555 - November 21 - 6:10 pm

  A big change for me from an Acura TL, but I wanted a car with some better storage space. I actually went to Subaru to look at the Forester. I didnt like the looks or feel of that and then noticed the Outback. I love the styling and it is very comfortable. Im still getting used to the all-wheel drive feel vs. the front wheel of my Acura. I drove an Infinity EX on the same day on the same route and it was no comparison. The Outback was much better with more storage space. The drive is comfortable. I did have a little trouble with my transmission where it would "bang" into gear when coasting at a slow speed (10 mph) and then accelerating. The reflashed it and all is well now.

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  Disappointed - 2009 Subaru Impreza
  By Miguel - November 21 - 10:33 am

  traded my awesomely outstanding 2001 2.5rs coupe, for a 4door outback sport. have been driving it for about 15 months/10,000 miles. handles great, esp. in snow. power is subdued. mpg 22- 25 vs my 4runner 21-24. problems shifting into reverse. noisy esp. with roof racks in cold weather. nice weather package. battery issues, car would not crank a couple of times, had to charge battery. worry about not starting.

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  What a Great little Truck! - 2005 Subaru Baja
  By Sacttwndude - November 13 - 5:36 am

  Bought this crossover because I was tired of high gas prices and low mileage on my Toyota 4x4 Tacoma Crew Cab, and also the family SUV. However I was really addicted to the AWD on the Hyundai Santa Fe...which was also a wonderful car, but costly in gas and low mpg. Both truck and suv were new. So sold them both and got my first Subaru...a Baja. Definitely best choice, took it off road; no problems handled like a trooper, never got stuck. Took it on a cross country trip, perfect the whole distance, not a problem, and decent to good on the gas for a full time AWD vehicle. Definitely will consider another one, too bad Subaru will not be making them, maybe another manufacturer will start to make them.

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  Car Safety is First in its class - 2013 Subaru Legacy
  By Ron - November 13 - 1:52 am

  Oil burner... at least one quart in between oil changes. Traded it in because of the oil consumption but did get a 2016 Legacy Limited and very happy with it since the changed some engine components and burns NO oil.

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  My Subaru - 2006 Subaru Outback
  By Ron Scopa - November 12 - 2:13 am

  This is my second Subaru. Both were purchased new. I am reasonably pleased with the vehicle. I think, however, that a 4-cylinder engine such as the 2.5l in my car should be a bit better in fuel economy 24.5 mpg average. On the highway, the figure is approx. 27.5 mpg, at 60 mph. In city driving the economy is approx. 17 mpg. The car is fairly well built. The interior comfort is acceptable. The car is quiet, holds the road nicely at high speeds and runs smooth. The acceleration is not bad for a four-cylinder. Overall, one of the best cars I ever owned.

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  Satisfied - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By OM - November 11 - 8:40 pm

  Bought this car in 2005. Handles the Michigan snow great. One of the best handling cars out there. The engine is a little weak for the size of the car and the gas mileage is poor for a 3.0 liter. Interior is nice and comfortable, and quality is good. If maintained properly the car will be in great mechanical condition.

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  After nearly 2 years, still a great car - 2002 Subaru Forester
  By IronChefMorimoto - November 4 - 2:00 am

  Other than a minor fuel system issue 9 days after my purchase, this car has been a great buy. The buying experience at the dealership was superb, and my service experiences have been very pleasant, if a little overpriced in the Atlanta area. The car is relatively roomy, versatile, and powerful enough that I dont really miss my 1999 Mercury Cougar V6. The OEM tires have also worn better than my Cougars Firestones. Buying a new Forester will be a less pleasant experience because Subaru has made a lot of the standard accessories that came with mine a la carte sticker items which cost a bit more. The 2002 model, regardless, remains an excellent value.