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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  A great Value but by no means perfect. . . - 2011 Subaru Forester
  By kghofsf - January 31 - 8:35 am

  I recently bought a Pearl Blue 2.5X Limited Forester. I was looking for a smaller Crossover that was rugged enough to handle some relatively sketchy gravel / dirt roads on the way to the back-country, but was not completely out of place in an Urban environment. I also didnt want to spend 40K+ either. After returning from a 2500 mile road trip to the Tucson AZ area I can confirm that the Forester essentially fulfills its twin goals of being both tough enough for the desert and civilized enough for everyday driving. It is Not, however, a luxury car (see the Volvo XC60) nor is it a Performance car. As such people with long daily commutes might want to look elsewhere.

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  Love - Hate IT - 1998 Subaru Forester
  By Unhappy_BE - January 31 - 2:00 am

  I do like my 98 Forester (114k miles) except for the six (6) rear wheel bearings that have failed, the cam shaft seal, and the head gasket replaced. For a quailty car, Ive spend alot of time and money fixing the car to keep it on the road. Great car, now if only they could improve the quaility. For the first time in my life (after driving 100,000s of miles) I had to have my car towed to the shop.

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  Base WRX is just a starting point... - 2003 Subaru Impreza
  By Wavshrdr - January 31 - 2:00 am

  You can’t beat the bang for the buck. I have done more mods than I care to mention but the performance of the car is amazing. I now have a little wagon that will easily run with or beat a turbo Porsche at a fifth the price. I can take 4 other people along with me for the ride in reasonable comfort. Then I can stuff the hatch area full of stuff and take a trip. This car is the ultimate all-weather interceptor. Very few cars can offer this level of performance, reliability and fun! Every day its basic goodness shines through as soon as you fire it off. Downsides to the car: mileage, interior materials and terrible tires. Buy one!

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  Listen To The Owners - 2003 Subaru Baja
  By subguy - January 31 - 2:00 am

  Went looking on a whim. Surprised at how large and rugged this vehicle was. Drives great, tight. Interior reminds me of BMW (in a good way). Went with the all silver design. Looks sharp. Sub. does a disservice by using the yellow and silver with those mickey mouse spot lights as its "show" car. In monochrome, this car would appeal to much wider audience. Youll especially love this vehicle if your used to driving alone or with only a front seat passenger. That way, you can use the folded down rear seat area as your "trunk" (the tinted rear windows serves well to hide valuables) and the flat bed for the occasional cargo haul.

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  like it is - 2001 Subaru Forester
  By ralphandro - January 31 - 2:00 am

  Tires look great but arent very good in the snow should use better tires for snow use since car is sold to be used in snow. A lot of small problems brake noise,fuel filler cap broke,Ox sensor went.

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  John of Columbus, NC loves his Outback Limited - 2013 Subaru Outback
  By jaacolumbusnc - January 30 - 4:24 pm

  On 8/23/2012 I traded in my 2012 Honda CR-V EXL for an Ice Silver Outback 2.5i Limited with Option Package 04, body ice molding, puddle lights and splash guards. It is far more quiet and comfortable then the Honda. It rides like a sedan and is terrific on fuel. I am honestly getting 25-26 mpg around town and close to 29 on my limited highway driving. My dealer, Vic Bailey Imports, Spartanburg, SC was a real treat to deal with.

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  I love this car! - 2005 Subaru Legacy
  By Combat Camera - January 29 - 6:43 pm

  I have had my Subaru Legacy GT sedan for about a month now and am extremely impressed with the car. The turbo kicks in at about 3000 rpm and launches the car like a rocket. I am also enjoying the handling of the all wheel drive and suspension system. I would highly recomend this car to those who are in love with sports cars, but need something more practical. This car will give you everything you want.

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  What a car - 2005 Subaru Legacy
  By GunnMan - January 29 - 4:23 pm

  For years I had a Porsche 944. It got old and had 245,000 miles. Time to go. This Legacy drives very similar to the 944 in the mountains. You can set this car up in the corners very well. Its transient response in the switchbacks is remarkable - and this is a sedan! In tight hilly switchbacks - you can feel the car transitioning power front and rear. Do I have to complain? It could use a 6 speed. Id buy this car all over again.

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  I cant wait to get into this car! - 2005 Subaru Impreza
  By MIke Vax - January 28 - 11:56 pm

  After driving trucks and minivans for about ten years, I am having a ball with this car. I actually look forward to getting into it and sometimes go the "long way" just to have more time in it. I just completed a 760 mile drive in one day and it was a "piece of cake." I was refreshed when I arrived and had a great time while driving. The turbo lag takes some getting used to, especially after bigger engines, but this car does get up and goes when you want it to, especially at higher speeds. (We wont talk about how fast that long trip went.....) I need room to carry people and things and this car is perfect for that. Four people work in it. The drivers seat is really comfortable

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  This thing is GARBAGE!!! - 2011 Subaru Forester
  By markfu - January 28 - 5:55 pm

  It burns oil!!!!! My wife bought this new and we just had to have the engine rebuilt because it had no oil in it at the dealership recommended 7500 mile oil change!!!!! The dealership, with a straight face, tells us that 1 quart every 1500 miles is normal??? I have a 1995 Ford Bronco and it burns a quart every 6k miles. Why is it that an engine that is 19+ years old burns less oil than one 3 years old? How is this ok? How did this pass quality controll??? Why, why, why????? Pass these heaps over if you are wise! It is completely insane that a "modern" vehicle burns oil like its a vehicle from the 1970s, INSANE!!!!