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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  Fun to drive little bastard! - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By kotpet - June 9 - 2:00 am

  This is about my 5 speed turbo, 2002 WRX. This car is in a class of its own, for $25k youre getting an outstanding performance, quality, and AWD, whick is very cool! I low when the engine revs above 4,000, and turbo kick in. This car is not without its drawbacks though: fuel economy (what economy?), close to 10 mpg city cycle, and this is pushing it half-assed, level of road noise- maybe one has to invest in better tyres, also ABS is not tunned to the sports car, it starts too early, but one can disable it by removing a fuse (I dont recommend this!). Great car again, my next one is going to be Lancer Evolution.

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  Good car, great value - 2007 Subaru Outback
  By LL - June 2 - 2:03 am

  This is my first Subaru. I cant report on reliability yet but I think the car is much undervalued (Audi, Volvo?). I actually left the US and brought it with me to Europe (it costs about double here!); drove it across the continent during winter, pulls you nicely out of snow, handles well on the dry road (although certainly not like a BMW), okay mileage but rather poor at high freeway speeds (I guess its the AWD, ground clearance and relatively big size, btw, backseats down and the cargo sleeps 2 people v. comfy), feels friendly, safe, uncomplicated yet sufficiently equipped, practical and robust, non-flashy and well respected. Maintenance + engine compartment will be the next frontier.

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  Fun Fun Fun - 2014 Subaru BRZ
  By malmel - May 22 - 7:27 am

  Im 64 years old, this car is a gas to drive. cornering, handling, is very tight. Ive been averaging 29 miles to a gallon. The bucket seats have nice supporting sides, instruments are very nice the controls are at your finger tips. I like not having all the horns and whistles on the steering wheel. The automatic climate control is very good too.

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  Not a Happy Camper - 2010 Subaru Forester
  By lexi209 - May 22 - 2:22 am

  I have a Forester 2010 that has less than 60,000miles. The leather seats are showing wear, especially the drivers seat. Contacted Subaru and have been told it is normal wear! Seriously?? This was to be my retirement car. Got the leather so it would stay nice. Guess I was wrong. I feel this is inferior material, but the company wont stand behind their product. Very disappointed! Close to $2,000 to fix both front seats. I love driving this car, but wont be buying another Subaru because of low quality interior.

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  Big investment..looking for big reward. - 2014 Subaru Forester
  By readytodrive - May 20 - 4:27 am

  I bought this car after shopping for two months. I kept coming back to it, I like the clean line look, the great visibility and with the premium enough new gadgets but not to overwhelming. I havent owned the car long...it is a 2014! However, I would suggest to anyone to drive the car both day and night. I HATE the dashboard lighting...it is red. Without 20/20 vision it makes it extremely difficult to see the small icons. Comfort is good but not luxurious. Value was fair. Design is simple and inexpensive hardware. Reliability, visibility and reputation was the selling points. Not getting promised gas mileage yet. On first tank of gas. Look to own this car for long time.

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  First time subaru - 2016 Subaru Outback
  By Marian Mehegan - May 16 - 8:43 am

  Might want to get the larger engine for more pickup

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  I would buy another one - 2005 Subaru Forester
  By DOGFACE - May 13 - 10:26 am

  This CAR is fun to drive. Lots of aftermarket performance options.

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  04 WRX wagon - high rpm, low gas mileage - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By cbird - May 12 - 6:13 pm

  This car is fun to drive, if you keep the rpm up to maintain turbo boost. The cost is your gas mileage, which has ranged from 16 to 20 mpg for me. My biggest complaint is the lack of low end torque, unless you rev the crap out of the engine. I love the interior! The material covering the form-fitting seats is great. Dashboard layout is attractive. While this car is fast and handles fantastically, with my aftermarket wheels and tires, the lack of low end torque has left me wanting. Ill either have to install some mods or get a different car.

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  227hp rocket - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By JTmoney - May 11 - 2:00 am

  Ive had a lot of fun with this car. performance is excellent. Looks are good. Only complaint is how easy it chips and dents.

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  Happy 1st Time Owner - 2001 Subaru Outback
  By Belinda Tuneblom - May 11 - 2:00 am

  This is our first Subaru and my Husband and I are very pleased with it. We are skiers and the car is great for our ski tirps up to Vermont. We now have a baby boy and feel that the car is more than adequate for our growing family. I do however, wish there was more room between the back and front seats. It is a bit tight for the driver with a rear facing infant seat in the back seat. We like the racks on top due to the fact that our skis will now have to ride on the roof to make room for our son. Being a 4 cyl, it does lack a little power on uphill excelleration but this is something we can live with.