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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  new baja - 2003 Subaru Baja
  By sag - April 25 - 2:00 am

  i love the versatility from going to home depot, Christmas tree,or carrying people. it is great navigating through 10 inches of snow. Subaru is a well engineered automobile.It is definately worth the money.

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  Bad Roads - 2001 Subaru Forester
  By TFC - April 23 - 9:36 pm

  (90K) Handled very well 2000 miles and very bad dirt rural roads in Laurel Hill Fl. in 04/2009. Only normal and minor things wrong. Front passenger axle assembly, $268, 03/2008. Alternator 11/2008 (rebuilt), $168. Driver door outside door handle,($69 P/L.) Clock, CD Drive (not done). Cold, Rain and moderate off road very good. Rear tire hum tolerable. Full non-towing load performance very good. Still love it. Go anywhere, do anything. Beach, fishing, hiking, bicycling.

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  Subaru #6 - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By ihtpsswrds - April 23 - 2:40 am

  Ive driven them all (yep, Ive had a De Soto); domestic, Japanese, German and American, and this make is the best bar none. The only brand Ive been able to consistently put 300k on since the Ford Falcon of the 60s. But this is a lot more fun. All Wheel Drive - its very addictive. The first time you squeeze a little too much out of a wet curve and you feel the Outback "hunker-down" and dig in its claws, youre hooked to the car like the car is hooked to the road.

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  Great Value -- Subaru!! - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By Vancouver, WA - April 22 - 11:56 am

  The car drives very smooth and quiet. Great car for the money that looks good in and out, safe and fun to drive, and good on gas. Good handling and AWD is great in slippery/snowy roads. I drive about 40% city and 60% highway so I get very good gas mileage (average is 20-21) and on all of my highway trips I got 23-24 mpg. So the EPA is accurate for the highway for me. But again I drive very smoothly and try not to drive hard for no reason.

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  I finally got one! - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By tennisbum - April 22 - 8:56 am

  My 96 Outback was superb for its time but was underpowered without a turbo. The new 3.6 engine and 5 speed auto are perfectly matched to deliver seamless power. The new design is superb and still retains the Subaru qualities we valued in past models. I only have a few hundred miles so far but really enjoy driving it every day.

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  Amazing Car - 2005 Subaru Legacy
  By alsmiata - April 21 - 2:00 am

  Picked up my Legacy GT wagon last week. Looked at a lot of wagons, Passat, Audi A4, Mazda 6. Volvo v50. Fodge Magnum. Amazed at the way Subaru pulled this car together. Staying with the GT not the limited and manual, purchased the car for 26,300. No other wagon near this price range had the performance of the GT. Passat had nice interior but was over 31,000 with 4-wheel drive. Same with the Audi and Volvo. The Magnum looked better but interior did not have same quality and with the Hemi was also over 31K. Subaru was a better handler although Mazda 6 was close and the turbo was quicker than all. Nicely done exterior and interior, car is quiet but really comes alive on a twisty road.

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  Who Needs a WRX? - 2006 Subaru Impreza
  By Jason M - April 20 - 1:10 pm

  Its official: no one needs a WRX. Im sure the WRX is a blast to drive, but the 173 horses in this base model with a very sporty manual is a great thrill in and of itself. Not to mention, Im $6,000 dollars richer for choosing the base 2.5i. This car handles superbly on roads and highways alike, and is as stable as much bigger cars, what with the engine being so low in the engine compartment. And of course, you get AWD and Subaru reliability. Also to be commended is the basic, no-options package that you get with the car. I did get some accessories myself because of my personal desires, but this car is very nicely outfitted for the entry level segment. I love it! Cant wait to drive it more!

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  Second Subaru in 4 months - 2003 Subaru Forester
  By Kate and Steve - April 19 - 2:00 am

  I bought a ForesterX 5 speed in October. I loved the zip and fun driving the Forester. On Jan 20, my husband lost control and at about 65 mph went head on into a jersey barrier. Front airbags deployed. The car was totaled. My husband walked away with sore arms (from the air bag) and my father, in the front passenger seat, had only a seat belt bruise and a jammed thumb. I am convinced the Forester saved thier lives. It is the main reason I bought another. I upgraded the interior in this one, and did switch to automatic.

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  good ride - 2003 Subaru Forester
  By dutch3 - April 19 - 2:00 am

  Fun, is the best way to describe the Forester. I tried several other small SUVs ( CRV, VUE ) none matched the overall "fun" factor. Performance was a concern from reading other reviews, but it has a real quick "first" step that makes the performance seem better than it probably is. No problems, Great Car

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  I love my new 2016 Suburu Outback - 2016 Subaru Outback
  By Gerri Graves - April 16 - 5:44 pm

  Great value for the money! Handles beautifully in ice and snow. I am 4 weeks into my purchase and so far, I am very happy.