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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  shy rocket - 2007 Subaru Forester
  By Fyrecherdo - February 11 - 8:46 am

  This is my first Subaru. Ive owned mostly Toyotas. I love the Boxer engine and the feel of AWD. I put two of my buddies inside for a spin and surprised them when the front end "launched" straight up when accelerated. From the outside this car looks like a soccer-mom transport.

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  Subaru Outback - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By eddybauer1 - February 9 - 9:03 am

  I rented a 2005 Outback last week, check engine light came on, dash rattled on rough snow covered roads, flashed Err 55 where trip miles should be and for a long time, the cruise control light flashed, plastic around gear selector is easily scratched, cramped seating for 6 foot tall people, especially on long trips, it is too narrow up front, and your legs get tired easily. Seats are too firm. I did like the heated seat option, and the AWD. Steering and handling were good, stereo was average. It does have a very refined transmission and engine, it shifts smooth, and the auto stick is fun. Build quality is average.

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  pocono taxi - 2002 Subaru Forester
  By meeeary - February 9 - 2:00 am

  very reliable. only thing I do not like is that teh brakes go too low to the floor, as if they are worn out. Dealer checked and says they are OK. Vary good car in the snowstorms that are common in the pennsylvania pocono mountains. Not top heavy like most suvs so less chance of tipping over.

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  First Time Subaru Owner - 2011 Subaru Legacy
  By legacy2011 - February 6 - 2:25 am

  Never had a Subaru before til now, looking forward to driving this car in the Ohio winters we get. 1,600 miles in the car is performing fine, the CVT takes some time to get used to especially if you are coming from a V6. The car lacks power when you get stopped at a light briefly and then you have to accelerate. I feel that the CVT does get better as the engine breaks in and you drive it more. Gas mileage for city has been around 24-24.6(according to the optimistic computer). Havent driven much highway miles to comment on the epa estimate. The AC could be better, I feel it doesnt cool the car down as well as it should. The interior is very spacious for driver and back seat passengers

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  Not The Car For Everyone - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By StellaLuna - February 5 - 8:00 pm

  So take this with a grain of salt ... I love the style, the ride is awesome, features above and beyond, easy handling, smooth ride. However there are blind spots and if you dont happen to be 58" tall they can be dangerous. This is my opinion and I realize others will disagree. The Tribeca needs a few improvements like bigger mirrors, higher seat adjustment, and redesign that side back window; it can really hide a small car who is static in driving speed. Also mileage is poor at about 15.5 mpg using super gas ... big improvement needed here. So take this for what its worth and if you are 54", take that second and third test drive to be sure you are comfortable.

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  Great Car - 2008 Subaru Outback
  By ldtjsa - February 5 - 2:36 am

  I really enjoy the handling and the way the car feels when driving it. With two kids in car seats and two adults up front it feels small inside. But I went from a Ford Excursion to this car. The gas mileage combined city highway and driving it hard is ~23 mpg; if you drive it nice, it is like ~27mpg, all highway you can get around 30mpg. The backseat just needs to have more room.

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  Scoobys Rule. Period. - 2005 Subaru Impreza
  By kf_aviator - February 4 - 10:00 am

  I love it. I cant imagine that I waited this long to own such an awesome car.

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  A complete review through 120,000 miles - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By 2004ILWRX - February 3 - 6:40 am

  A fun and safe vehicle that has been for the most part very reliable. A blessing to drive one of these in IL winter. Problems that Ive had: Tend to go through car battery every 2 years. Engine serpentine belt pulley/tensioner replaced at 80K Engine short block replaced at 115k ($elf induced) Paint is very thin and prone to chips. On average I get 22.4 mpg with includes a good mixture of highway and local driving.

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  Amazing value for performance enthusiast - 2009 Subaru Impreza
  By Dman155 - February 2 - 10:40 pm

  Coming from an 04 Acura TSX, I was looking for something a little sportier and this fit the bill perfectly. 24k for a car thatll run mid 13s in the quarter, mid 20s for mpg, and have the utility of an AWD wagon (I live in New England) is unbeatable. I considered the MS3 and even the Cobalt SS but FWD on those was a major drawback. Plus the Cobalt looks like a Cobalt. The 08/09 MY Impreza wagons are the first Imprezas Ive cared for stylistically (the rear of the sedan version is hideous IMO). I just broke the 1k mark but Ive opened it up a few times already and man, the power is a huge improvement over my Acura. Averaged 25.5 mpg in single digit temps on a recent road trip too.

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  2007 Outback Ltd - 2007 Subaru Outback
  By nornet - January 30 - 3:06 pm

  An enjoyable vehicle that needs a few refinements to make it a very good car.