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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  Gotta love me turbo Subies - 2010 Subaru Legacy
  By Andre - April 16 - 2:56 am

  This is my third Subaru, and second Legacy. First Subie was a 2002 WRX, then a 2005 Legacy 2.5 Turbo GT. I loved my 2005 and yearned for more space and a six speed manual. I picked this car up three weeks ago and have 460 miles on it so I have not yet broken it in. The six speed has short, precise shifts. The engine is very smooth, and appears to have a bit more power than my 05. Subaru did one hell of a job adding space inside of this car. It is much bigger inside and much more comfortable. The 2.5GT Limited is a mean looking sedan, and is what the WRX strives to be. Great car, well equipped, fully loaded with NAV was 33K out the door and you CANNOT beat Subarus AWD in the winter.

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  Was a great deer hunter - 2001 Subaru Outback
  By Kirk - April 14 - 10:50 pm

  We got the outback limited with 115000 miles on it. The only items I replaced were the wires and an alternator which was very simple to replace. The one thing that drove me nuts was the seat heater buttons. I was always turning them on, bad placement. I lost the car when a deer ran in front of me. I was going 75 mph and the car stayed straight as an arrow. The car was totaled by the insurance co. My wife and I did not get even a scratch. So we bought another 2001 outback with 68k on it. I hope to get 250000 k on this one. I still have to put up with that seat heater button.

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  Great Car....Love it!!! - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By WRX - April 14 - 10:00 am

  This car is great. It has outstanding performance and reliability. Believe me...when you press on the gas you will not believe the power and performance it delivers....well worth the money!

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  Jaw dropping test drive - 2009 Subaru Impreza
  By chris - April 11 - 10:23 am

  I looked at way too many new cars before finally test driving this car and instantly forgot about all other cars I was looking at. I bought it the next day. The power and AWD this car has blown me away. It handles like a dream. I have pushed this car in all the weather I can find and have NOT been disappointed. Even when driving this car as calm as I can possibly drive, I still only average around 26mpg, which in the grand scheme of things, isnt too bad for 265hp and 244ft/lb of torque from a small engine. Great car. I highly recommend anyone test drive one who has even thought about the car. Well worth your time.

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  I am in love!!! - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By kf - April 10 - 3:26 am

  Turned in a leased Jeep Grand Cherokee, but still wanted AWD, room for 2 kids and 2 dogs. Well I got it and so much more! Added leather to the Premium model, well worth it. Seats are beyond comfortable and interior is so spacious. My 2 kids, both in carseats, are not kicking the back of the seats. The new larger body style is perfect. So fun, peppy and comfortable to drive and I cannot believe gas mileage, especially compared to previous vehicle. My car is as quiet as a whisper, I love the dash layout and can read every inch of it w/o a problem. So glad I waited for new body style, people doing "double takes".

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  My first Subaru - 2006 Subaru Outback
  By bassmohn - April 9 - 7:36 am

  Im just one of those people who likes wagons, and need once a week extra room but dont need a typical sized SUV or a van for the rest of my driving. The Outback is pretty much a base model with a couple extra option packages, power seat, dimming mirror plus a host of standard equipment - certainly is a comfortable well designed car. Its ride is comfortable and fairly compliant. The base 4 cylinder isnt spectacular, but once up to freeway speeds is peppy. Im averaging 27.9 mpg over the first 7,000 miles, 80% freeway and 20% city. Id easily get over 30 on continuous 70+MPH drives. Great car so far.

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  Best Car for Fun and Family - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By exp_deal - April 8 - 10:00 am

  I bought my WRX last weekend. I am very impressed with it. Not to mention the great horse power and acceleration that everyone knows about, the interior is actually very good and up to my taste. Some people complain about the cheap interior. For those who are doing research, you must go to dealership to see it and test drive it. Its not luxury, but it is not cheap either. The ride is much more quite than I expected. The basic sound system is not bad as well. I have a big cargo room and a roof rack that I know I would appreciate someday. For fun, family and practical use, this car is simply the greatest for the price.

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  Great is you live in mountainous areas - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By jayp - April 8 - 10:00 am

  I purchased this car as a result of living in mountain area, and bad winters. I like the fact of all wheel drive of course, but its reliablility,pepppy, safety, fun to drive factor and decent fuel mileage was the winning factor for me. Theres really nothing to compare it to.

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  An Excellent Choice - 2006 Subaru Legacy
  By John - April 7 - 3:46 pm

  I did a lot of research about the Subaru Legacy before buying. I previously owned a Mazda 6, but I found that it did not perform well in snow or even rain covered roads. My experience with my Subaru Legacy has been excellent. I live in the country with a lot of hills and my Legacy is very dependable in snowy weather. The all wheel drive technology is very impressive and I would not even consider owning a front wheel drive car again. I would definitely recommend people examine the Subaru Legacy when considering a car purchase. It feels safe and secure while driving and holds the road well in all types of weather.

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  Love my outback - 2017 Subaru Outback
  By DA - April 5 - 8:58 pm

  I changed from a Santa Fe to an Outback and it is much easier to drive and the ride is much more comfortable. I love the amount of cargo space.