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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  Fantastic choice - 2014 Subaru Forester
  By jdherzog13 - April 1 - 1:55 am

  After test driving the Rav4, CX-5 and Forester, there was no debate between my wife and I. 2 months in, we love it even more than we thought we would. Fuel efficiency is awesome, I sometimes get 36 mpg on the highway. Interior is highly functional and a great value. No its not a BMW, but for the price tag its exactly what I expected. Having gone from the VW GTI, not the same driving experience, but I do think performance is adequate. The open cabin, comfortable ride and top motch AWD make this an overall fantastic choice for people who want a mix of urban and off road testing. weve taken a few outdoor adventure trips and its been great.

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  Traded in our 2012 Outback for a 2015 - 2015 Subaru Outback
  By rweller49 - March 31 - 7:16 pm

  I read a lot about how the 2015 Outback was improved over the 2014 and earlier versions. We decided to take a look and drove off the lot with a new Premium model (4 cyl). Everything is better on the 2015. Stereo, speaker quality, suspension/handling and interior materials have all been upgraded. Most importantly the CVT auto trans is greatly improved. The cars acceleration is far more responsive and that horrible CVT engine drone and "mushiness" is gone.

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  Sorry I bought a Subaru - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By susancolorado - March 31 - 2:23 am

  This is my first and last Subaru. I bought it because of its reputation and the new design. Ive been driving it 5 months and as much as I try to love it, I do not like it at all. The road noise is excessive, I already have several rattles. You sit very low to the ground, even lower than some cars so if you are used to sitting higher up, beware. The acceleration is slower than I had hoped for. Also, the mpg isnt as good as expected either. The gas tank is small so I am always filling up... at least it doesnt cost too much to fill up.

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  Avg car - 2003 Subaru Forester
  By Angel - March 29 - 4:50 pm

  Noise on highway, expensive maintenance, hard to fit car seats, good handling, good gas mileage. I was not happy with it, that I had to replace it with a Honda Odyssey.

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  Love my car! - 2001 Subaru Forester
  By ruthieshopping - March 29 - 10:00 am

  Super fun to drive! Holds a lot, too. Weve been everywhere in this car, and it is a real pleasure. My dogs like it, too!

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  Blown Turbo(s) - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By zkeatley - March 29 - 4:48 am

  This was my familes second Outback with the first one putting in 10 solid years of service. The only thing that was lacking for me was that there was not sufficient enough power for passing so I was excited to find the turbo model which added greatly to the cars performance numbers and made the car fun to drive. The first turbo blew right around 60k and the second was like clock work at 120k. Sure things break on a car but at $2500 a piece, and the same exact part with the same exact problem...not really. The first time it took 4 weeks to get my car fixed because the turbo was on back order and there were two other cars at the same dealer, with the same exact problem.

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  2008 Outback - 2008 Subaru Outback
  By France - March 28 - 11:20 pm

  This is the 4th Subaru Ive purchased. My last one was a 2002 Outback which I found comfortable to drive. Ive owned my 2008 for about 2 months and am looking to get rid of it. I started getting back pain within a week. There isnt enough foot room between the brake and gas pedals to place your foot comfortably on the gas pedal. In my 2002, the passenger side didnt have enough leg space. Now the 2008 does, but at the expense of the driver side.

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  Buy it--Best Bang For Your Buck - 2005 Subaru Legacy
  By Scubie WoW - March 28 - 10:43 pm

  Folks, Listen I have gone on so many test drives, BMW, Acura, Honda, Volvo, Mazda just to name a few. And the Subaru is "The Best Bang for your Buck". Buy it. Dont waste your money or time with the other dealers. Gas Mileage is the topic of the year and Im getting 26 MPG in the city and I live in Houston. Ill say it again---BUY the Subaru Legacy!!!

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  OBS - 2008 Subaru Impreza
  By Joe - March 28 - 8:43 pm

  Purchased this OBS 4A a week ago and now have almost 600 miles on it. Nice little car with a roomier interior than one would think. My first Subaru (Ive owned 62 vehicles including all the German and most Japanese). Im averaging 25 mpg in mixed driving and expect it to go up another 10 to 15%. The OBS has good content. It does lean a bit as others have mentioned but not to a point of concern. My only complaint is of some dash plastic vibrations, lack of a sorely needed 5 speed auto, and lack of moonroof. I was aware of the latter two shortcomings going into this and purchased it anyway. I expect my OBS to serve my purposes for a couple of years and I am really quite pleased with the vehicle

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  I LOVE My Car - 1998 Subaru Forester
  By eieio - March 28 - 5:33 am

  I am horrible on cars, but this one is still kicking. It is terrific in the snow and off-road. The wheel bearings need to be replaced every few years. If you are looking to buy a 98 Forester, then make sure the head gaskets have been replaced. These cars either die at 120K or they live forever. I would love another Forrester in the future.