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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  lemon - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By rmo - February 20 - 1:13 am

  Redid the motor (cylinder slap), rear suspension, along with O2 sensor and to top it off the radio craps out. Wheel wells easily pack with snow and the tires go out of balance with a little dust.

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  We love our Forester - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By lisaandjason - February 19 - 12:00 pm

  We bought a Subaru Impreza back in 2005 and loved it. At the time, I tried to talk my husband into the Forester, but he really wanted the Impreza. As soon as we saw the new design though, he was sold. We absolutely love it! We went on a short road trip with my Mom and our Border Collie, Abby and it was the most comfortable drive Ive ever had. There is so much space inside. I was truly surprised at how roomy it is. There is plenty of cargo space as well. We have the Premium Package with the roof rails, tinted windows, etc and it was definitely worth the extra money. I would definitely recommend this car to anyone looking for the convenience of an SUV, but the driving comfort of a sedan.

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  Couldnt Be Happier - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By wyattearp - February 19 - 2:46 am

  With just over 9,000 miles on the car I couldnt be happier. Fit and finish is on par with any car that I have seen. Subaru is know for its reliability and loyal customer following and I can honestly say that I am a believer. The car looks great and has all of the interior comforts that you would expect. Highway driving is sure footed with AWD and the interior is pleasantly quiet. The leather seats are plush but also durable enough to take outdoor activities without worries. Interior space is great especially in cargo area and front seats. Commuting mileage averages 27.5mpg in 60% hwy 40% city driving. Recent 700 mile road trip averaged 31 mpg.

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  Awsome car - 2007 Subaru Impreza
  By jdvozz72 - February 18 - 8:22 pm

  Love the car!

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  Family car for those born to drive - 2001 Subaru Legacy
  By tauyeung - February 17 - 10:00 am

  Do your research and youll find out about the excellent crash test rating. However, the Legacy L is also fun to drive when you get the manual transmission. It is not a fast car, but it has the same mass-to-horsepower ratio as a MINI Cooper base model. The Legacy L only needs 87 octane gas instead of 91 octane gas, which saves you money as well. Its roomy enough to move 6 book shelves (one at a time), yet drives like a car. Take it to the snow (which I did) and AWD shines.

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  INCREDIBLE - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By FrknSexy - February 17 - 10:00 am

  This is an incredible car. I have been driving this for 2 months and truely believe it has been one of the best cars i have ever owned. I am a huge Porsche fan and this is WRX drives just like one its a GT2s little brother.

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  the best but still junk - 2001 Subaru Outback
  By pavel - February 17 - 10:00 am

  There are very few wagons in the market, even fewer are imports, available with manual transmission and have 4 wheel drive. Only two are affordable - Outback and Legacy. Therefore, Outback is obviously the best and at the same time the second worst in its class. Problems: - very low torque at low RPM - the flip side of inflated max power at high RPM. They are fixing the numbers at the expense of actual performance. - clutch glazes in no time - very poor material and design - interior material is poor - mexican assembly and even some part manufacturing

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  Nice, but I like my 2005 better - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By javan68 - February 17 - 9:07 am

  I have a 2005 Forester that is the 2.5X Manual version. I bought the 2009 for my wife, with the Auto. It is the Premium version. As a summary, I like the vehicle, but the fuel economy is crap. We get about 20-22 mpg on average, whereas my 05 gets 26-28 on average. If we really baby the gas and drive ultra conservatively, we may be able to get 25 mpg, but that is a huge IF. As for Snow driving, I will take the 09 over my 05, granted, my 05 is more fun to drive. The 09 is like a tank in the snow. We are in the market for a replacement for the 09. Our family is growing again, and the forester is just too small. Perhaps if it got better fuel economy, we would reconsider.

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  After 30,000 miles! - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By sabatia - February 16 - 7:20 pm

  I have driven 30k miles, including three trips to my extreme getaway in the near arctic in winter and summer, city driving, and semi-rural around home. This car is fun to drive, feels quite safe, has plenty of cargo room, a big sunroof. If I could do it again, I would have gone up one more step to the VDC and gotten a major winter safety boost. The all-wheel drive is seamless and has gotten me out of some very slippery and rough situations in my explorations of very remote areas in all seasons. I live in a very wealthy area and I dont see any car Id rather have!

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  Great everyday car for anyone - 2006 Subaru Legacy
  By FMak - February 16 - 3:20 pm

  Rock solid feel, handles like a BMW, cant beat the AWD in bad weather. Plenty of power for everyday use, engine has the nice Subaru Boxer growl. If you want to fly, opt for the Turbo. The mileage is accurate if you go easy, when driven hard expect 20-23 MPG, if you cruise on a daily basis,expect 2-4 MPG more.