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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  Best car ever - 2017 Subaru Impreza
  By Eric - July 8 - 12:35 pm

  Im not into writing long reviews. my run down and i got one of the first new Imprezas. Super quiet ride, all wheel drive, very safe and great sounding stereo. If you dont buy this car in that price range your an idiot.

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  Fun and reliable - 2003 Subaru Impreza
  By nhibbert - July 8 - 10:00 am

  I wanted a sporty, fun-to-drive car. My wife wanted a safe and reliable car. The Impreza fit the bill at a price we could afford. Unfortunately, I had to give in and get the automatic.

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  Best bang for the buck - 2003 Subaru Impreza
  By alex1234 - July 8 - 10:00 am

  my wife wanted for me to get the 350Z, but I can think of many other ways to spend $8-12k to get the same performance. Granted the bug eye looks arent that great and the new EVO is supposed to be overall a great performer, but this Subaru has great reliability and status. Its amazing fun to drive (2 speeding tickets in the first 6 months). Worth every penny!

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  Traded up from a 14 to a 15 - 2015 Subaru Outback
  By cornpuff - July 6 - 7:23 am

  We drove a 14 Limited Outback for a year, our first Subaru, and we loved it. When the 15s came out, I was intrigued by the new features and positive reviews. We are not the kind of people who trade up this quickly, but we wanted a push-button start and power lift gate to help my wife, who suffers from RA. We loved the push-button parking brake in the 14. Bottom line: this car is quieter, more powerful, more solid and way more luxurious than previous Outbacks. Features galore, right down to LEDs and ambient interior lighting! Awesome stereo, beautiful night time display. Our 14 was noisy at high speeds; not so, this one. Honest! Yes, trade up! It is SO worth it!

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  Outback 2.5i Limited Excellent Value - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By Dr. Barry - July 6 - 7:13 am

  Drove a Saab 9-2 x as a loaner car when brought my 9-3 Linear in for service. I was so impressed with the Saabaru I drove over to the local Subaru dealership. I test drove the Outback Limited 2.5i and lost no time trading in my 2003 trailblazerEXT.Yes folks I have a few cars but Ive got to tell you the Outback is the best all around 4 wheel drive for the money if you dont want to be married to a gas station. Try one and you will buy one!

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  Outback - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By zeke - July 6 - 5:26 am

  Driven 4000 miles. I am really happy with the purchase. Needed a family car and was not interested in SUV gas mileage. Been getting 27 mpg combined. The CVT is slick but does get confused at times. It is a little funny looking and after coming from a BMW m3 performance and outback should not be in the same sentence. But its versatility and price can not be beat.

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  Dealer great, Subaru a good company to deal with - 2017 Subaru Impreza
  By Joe - July 5 - 5:11 am

  We purchased a nice red 2017 basic Impreza on Valentines Day. Overall, it is a well engineered Subaru. It is a Subaru, so is a little hoppy--it isnt ever going to ride like a luxury sedan. Our car needed an alignment in the first 100 miles--when aligned it drives very well. Dealer was embarrassed and very apologetic. I recommend requiring your dealer to align any new car your purchase, regardless of brand. And any dealer would sell tons more vehicles if they aligned every vehicle as it came off the truck. There is nothing as sweet as a car that tracks right and hugs the road. The backup screen froze at 120 miles but Subaru had a full-blown recall on the basic head unit ready just five days from the incident. Remember this is a brand new design throughout the vehicle, so glitches happen. I was called within hours of the local dealer receiving the recall and they had the revised software installed minutes after I brought it in that evening. We have not seen any sign of the problem since. Negatives: No place to put change for tolls. Lack of a CD player--they are hardly no longer in use. CPAs, attorneys, use them. Libraries use them for talking books. Rear deck is rather high, so visibility out the back is not very good. Of course the camera makes up for that a lot. I will try to keep this updated if anything else shows up.

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  STI for adults - 2008 Subaru Impreza
  By erven50 - July 3 - 9:10 pm

  I purchased my 2008 STI in March of 2008 and have been completely satisfied. It is fast, useful and the 2008 avoided the "boy racer" wing of older STIs. Some say the car has gotten soft - as compared to what? If a far better car and as fast as my 2004 Mustang Cobra and a powerful car with all wheel drive is simply amazing. The dealers are now discounting the STI heavily - my advice is if you want performance and durability - test drive the new STI - and gas mileage is 20-22 if you exercise some control. The STI is hands down the best performance car I have ever owned

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  We bought another one! - 2006 Subaru Forester
  By Dave - July 3 - 2:36 pm

  We traded in a 2003 Forester. The new one is very similar but with a vast improvement in brake pedal travel. My wife loves this car more than her first.

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  Low passenger seat - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By svskyus - July 3 - 12:30 pm

  Nice car, first Subi in 15 years. Drove all the others, studied the forums, happy with my choice. Only disappointment is the passengers seat, very very low and not adjustable for height. Wife can barely see out! Fun to drive, feels solid, great viability in all directions. Great safety and best AWD around. Warning: Check your tire pressure after delivery from dealer. Many, including myself, have found the tires seriously overinflated (46 psi). Risk of tire failure this time of year!