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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  Dont carry your family in this SUV - 2012 Subaru Forester
  By rpanek - January 15 - 1:21 am

  Very unstable SUV when you carry more than two people including yourself. Sways on every turn with speed over 50mph like is ready to overturn. Looks like Corporate Subaru of America dont care about safety of car owners and passengers by dismissing open cases about car safety and works with World Government and Banks on decreasing population. Downshift on sudden acceleration (when you try to pass other car on the freeway) goes a way to low making engine reaching 5K rpm. Has very low quality sound system. Interior finishing quality - less than any other car or SUV, need a lot of improvements.

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  I regret buying a 2015 Subaru Outback - 2015 Subaru Outback
  By overrated - December 3 - 9:33 am

  I have owned my Subaru Outback a little over a month. The second or third day that I had it, I noticed that the gap between the rear hatch and the body of the car was very uneven. Like almost twice as large on one side as the other. The dealer claims that nothing can be done about it, the manufacturer claims that it is "within specifications", and I claim that the should have better quality control. Since having this happen to me, I have done a fair amount of research. Subaru Corporation doesnt have a great track record for building reliable, dependable cars. The sales staff will tell you how much improved the 2015 outback is, but it is way to early to know that. I regret buying mine.

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  Disappointment - 2008 Subaru Outback
  By Don B. - November 20 - 3:36 am

  Annoying things with this car. The power window makes a scraping noise when it rains. Poor gas mileage after ecm reprogramming for wvm23 recall. Seat belt doesnt retract quickly and gets stuck in door jam. Serious safety issue, Passenger air bag stays off with passenger in seat. This has been "repaired" 4 times still not working right.

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  Keep it away from the dealership! - 2006 Subaru Baja
  By Chris - October 11 - 11:16 pm

  I bought this Baja to save gas over my Chev full size pick-up. WRONG MOVE. At first it got really great mileage (almost 30 mpg on hwy) but then I took it to the dealer for its first oil change. BIG BIG MISTAKE. After that day it starting getting 17 mpg in town and 20 mpg on hwy. I took it back to the dealer (02/07) and the mechanic said no codes showed bad and therefore he couldnt work on the vehicle. The dealer offered me $18k trade in for a new Chevy truck and I guess thats about the best I can expect to get. Such a great concept vehicle but I can see now why Subaru never sold very many of them. Why drive a tiny truck if it uses as much fuel as a comfortable one? Save your money!

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  Lightweight - 2000 Subaru Legacy
  By Jim in Pgh - September 28 - 2:00 am

  Our leased 2000 Subaru GT Ltd has been a brake and tire eater from the day it was driven off the lot. Couple an unforgiving lease contract supported by bad service and its a recipe for a big consumer cost. We went through three sets of brakes and two sets of tires in <24,000 miles before our local reliable mechanic told us a front CV joint was about to fall apart.

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  Dont buy this car - 2001 Subaru Outback
  By montanaowner - September 25 - 7:10 am

  Bought this car new. Now have 118,000 miles and it needs its 3rd head gasket. First went at 36,000 miles, 2nd at 83,000 miles. In cold weather (10 degrees or less) gas lines at fuel pump condense, allowing fuel to vaporize into the engine compartment. Smells like you are riding in the gas tank. If I could have afforded to dump this car earlier I would have. Lots of other smaller problems. Seems to go through tires very quickly.

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  turbo lag, too much, cant stand it - 2016 Subaru WRX
  By jase - September 8 - 8:21 am

  this is my first sti, Turbo lag, cant stand it. worst than the mini jcw I own couple years back. its powerful as far as 4 cylinders goes, but makes me feel like driving one of those Honda civic si, high rpm all the time but a lot faster. I bought it cause its a all season car and Im in NYC. STI in japan has more power, s207. I hate Japanese products including cars now. They keep their best products in their domestic markets like their phones and Walkman in the 90s. trade it in for a m2 recently, the dash of a M2 is hideous, worst than the STI. But no more turbo lag.

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  AVOID the manual transmission - 2002 Subaru Outback
  By Very Disappointed - August 6 - 10:00 am

  Within 3 months of the purchase date the car developed a severe case of clutch "chatter" in first gear. It was like pulling teeth to get Subaru America to authorize replacement of the clutch and that only happened because the dealer mechanic agreed that the clutch was bad during a test drive! Within 2 months, the new clutch started to go bad. With this many reported problems with the clutch you would think Subaru America would issue a recall. Wishful thinking on my part!

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  Cant wait to trade this in... - 1998 Subaru Forester
  By Kris - July 25 - 11:06 am

  This is the most uncomfortable car Ive ever driven. Im 63" and the driving position makes me put one knee on the door on the other on the center console by the radio. If I ever hit anything my legs are broken, period. There are no words in the engine compartment only VERY obtuse pictograms. The car has never broken down but constantly has something broken. The clock randomly died. The rear wheel bearings have needed replacement twice. I snapped a piece of the braking system in half going over railroad tracks at 5mph. Horrible oil leak, killed oil pump, needed to remove water pump to get to oil pump, etc. Boxer engine runs like a champ, everything attached to it, not so much.

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  Lots of touble - 2002 Subaru Outback
  By Tomasz - July 24 - 2:00 am

  Since the very beginnig we had trouble with this vehicle. First- brakes: car went to dealer twice ending with complete replacmnet of rotors and pads.Then computer needed to be reprogrammed.After this another two repairs of engine(crazy rpms).At the end complete clutch replacment.What else will I have to repair? I will never recommend this car to anybody.