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:

• 

  Excellent SUV - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By Alberto - September 16 - 12:43 am

  In Oct 08, I bought an 09 Forester 2.5X with the premium package. I am very happy with this vehicle. It is very comfortable, very roomy interior, smooth, handles very well. There is not a blind spot to block your vision like other vehicles in its class. Im averaging around 25 mpg in city and hwy driving. If you are thinking of buying a CR-V, Rav4, Outlander, Vue, or any other smaller SUV you must check out and drive an 09 Forester. You will be pleasantly surprised how nice the Forester is.

• 

  5 Year Review - Accelerating Misery - 2011 Subaru Legacy
  By foonman_2000 - September 16 - 12:04 am

  Is there a limit to how much you can hate your car? After trying to get the dealer to fix the “Subaru Shimmy” for two years didn’t help the relationship. After ten emails to SOA, I gave up. The car simply has never handled well. With each passing year other unpleasant features of the car are started to surface. Cheap interior, uncomfortable seats, poor heating and cooling, weird brakes come to mind. Not to mention the CVT. While driving over a mountain pass, every light on dash board lit up and the car just stopped dead. This was at 44K miles (covered under power train). How could Subaru make a car this bad?

• 

  2015 Outback Reliability Terrible - 2016 Subaru Outback
  By Adam - September 15 - 4:36 pm

  In March of 2015, my wife and I purchased a brand new 2015 Subaru Outback 2.5 Limited with eyesight for use part-time at our SC house. Considering that we have only put about 3,000 miles on the vehicle in about 1 1/2 years it has been a huge disappointment. First the gas filler door wouldnt open and the first and second recalls didnt fix the problem - the third finally did months and months later. The windshield cracked in half - another recall. Another recall for the taillight bulb that made the eyesight worthless came a few months later. The first weekend I drove it I couldnt get the car to restart about doing an errand for 10 minutes. I had to call my Maryland dealer to tell the SC dealer that there was a TSB on the issue. Now after numerous check engine light issues that went away on their own the check engine light comes on and puts all the other warning lights on. Apparently this was due to driving through a large puddle after a two hour rain. This storm had no effect on our Volvo that drove through the same storm and puddles. Now, even after dealer service the light comes back on with all the other warning lights. Can you say Toyota?

• 

  Dont get the hype - 2015 Subaru Forester
  By zaclette - September 15 - 6:49 am

  I have owned a lot of cars. I moved to the Subaru after some German car woes. Overall the car is decent, but it feels very cheap for the pricing. Secondly the gas mileage is not what it is cracked up to be. Around town the Sub has great manners, 24 MPG in suburbia. The visibility and access are great. Errands are done with ease, great for getting the kids in and out. On flat highways it does well too; however in a recent jaunt through the mountains the car struggled to keep pace with traffic with significantly diminished gas mileage (17 MPG)....worse than my wifes full size luxury SUV.

• 

  Great Car!! - 2000 Subaru Forester
  By Chucks Forester - September 15 - 2:00 am

  This has been the most reliable car I have ever owned. The AWD gives great handling no matter what the weather. This car goes better in snow and ice than 4x4s I have owned in the past. The engine has surprising power for a 4 cyl--I use my Subaru to pull my boat to the lake. I am sold on Subaru thanks to this car!

• 

  2000 Subaru Forester S - 2000 Subaru Forester
  By M. Blanchard - September 15 - 2:00 am

  Positive: Handles most road conditions very well. Will drive across a 12 inch snow drift with ease. Seems to grip the road except, of course, in icy conditions. Stops very efficiently. Very good visibility all around. Negative: Apparently a design flaw, it seems to suck road dirt onto its rear surface.

• 

  Legacy L Wagon - 2000 Subaru Legacy
  By Astro - September 15 - 2:00 am

  Overall a wonderful vehicle in our experience. No problems whatsoever. Drives well and the AWD is great (thought slight delay with the automatic transmission). Fit and finish is nice. Seats firm and comfortable. Cupholder design is better than older Subaru models but still poor. Sound system is so-so. Interior is a bit small for my taste and drivers space is somewhat cramped. (And Im only 510) That said, my wife (59) is perfectly happy.

• 

  Hold on to your Nickers - 2003 Subaru Impreza
  By Slanty - September 15 - 2:00 am

  The car is great. You cant get a better buy for under 30. Dont buy this car looking to modify, unless you take your time, because the parts are hard to come by. Its fun to drive, but to tell you the truth, i have no idea on how reliable it is. The WRX has only been around for a few years... But you should replace your car every 5 years anyways :P

• 

  2009 Subaru Impreza - Poor in Heavy Snow - 2009 Subaru Impreza
  By djarvinen - September 14 - 10:10 am

  The 2009 Subaru Impreza we purchased has for the most part been a very good car. It handles well, has plenty of power, controls are well placed, is spacious and has very nice styling. The big problem is handling in heavy snow! The car has a design flaw that allows snow to build up above the front axle which causes heavy vibrations above 45 mph. At 60 mph the vibrations become violent. We were told by the dealership that we would need to use a high pressure hose to clear the snow out (pretty hard to do in inclement weather/conditions).

• 

  Most reliable car Ive ever owned!!! - 2003 Subaru Forester
  By spunkyhorn - September 14 - 7:41 am

  I absolutely love my 2003 subaru forester. It has never left me stranded and has required the least amount of repairs of any car Ive owned. The only repairs that Ive done on it are wear out parts like brakes and rotors. Ive recently (105,000k) had the timing belt, water pump, and most of the fluids replaced just as a pre-emtive strike to keeping this vehicle running as best it can well into the 100ks.