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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  SuperSportWagon! - 2005 Subaru Legacy
  By tintinet - March 13 - 3:13 pm

  Awesome car; terrific bargain; tuner-ready! Needs: AWD family and fun to drive vehicle (and I AM a sports car fanatic!). Considered: Audi S4 Avant (too pricey, too unreliable); BMW 330Xi and 5 series wagons (no manual transmission, slow compared to LGT); STI (wife wouldnt ride in it; too garishly styled; bit small for ski trips with kids). LGT Limited Wagon: beautiful as is; modified (ECU tuning; uppipe, downpipe, exhaust, tires, gauges, springs) a 320 HP/360 ft/lbs torque supersports wagon! Terrific aftermarket and enthusiast community for this car. Love it all the way!

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  First Time Subaru Owner - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By John - March 12 - 12:36 pm

  Ive put on 5,000 miles in the first two months and Ive been very happy with the experience. Its comfortable and has a lot of nice commuting features; blue tooth, Sirius radio, all wheel drive, and good gas mileage (27 mpg). Its good in snow but the critical test will be how well it does on the beach this May. Good value for all the features included.

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  Bought it and Waiting... - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By BuzzCT - March 11 - 3:30 pm

  I saw the new Outback, and was lucky enough to have driven it. I immediately ordered one. It is a HUGE improvement over my 2007! The car feels much roomier, and the seats are infinitely more comfortable. I was amazed at how much power the CVT has with the 2.5 engine. And the fuel economy seems perfect for a car of its size. The 2005 change was big, but this new version is huge: I would imagine theyll be very hard to get at first, since its a great boost for the brand!

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  STI performance quality - 2005 Subaru Impreza
  By Dan - March 9 - 1:10 pm

  I love my STI. Coolest and fastest car Ive ever driven. Buying one pre-owned for me was easier on the wallet: car price-wise and insurance-wise. The MSRP for a STI brand new is about $32-33K. Pretty steep for a young bachelor such as myself. The dealer I bought off of started the car at $31k but was willing to crank it down to $29k, which was sufficient. I got a lot for the money; 300hp, dramatic acceleration, great all-wheel drive system, brilliant supercar interior. Just driving it, I forget Im in a Subaru; its a velocity dream car that can outrun a 280hp Mustang in the 1/4 mile. I feel really safe in the STi. Get a lot of looks driving down the road. The car looks mean. I love it

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  Best Car I have ever driven - 2005 Subaru Impreza
  By Subie Newbie from VA - March 6 - 11:20 pm

  I was driving a 1992 Acura Vigor which I learned on and was beginning to give me problems. It had 160K miles on it and was starting to show its age so I decided it was time for a new car. I looked at the TSX, 9-3, Mazda 3 and 6, and the A4. All great cars but in many cases I had to sacrifice something to gain something else. I drove the WRX and I was hooked. I have a dog and love to ski and mountain bike so the wagon is perfect for that. It looks great so it turns heads although its unassuming enough to hopefully not turn too many cop’s heads, and it has more go juice than anything else I drove, lots more. And with the exception of the Mazda 3 was the cheapest. WRX all the way.

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  Quality SUV - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By dtielbur - March 6 - 9:33 am

  What an awesome driving experience! Subaru has put everything they could think of in this vehicle. This SUV packs quality with comfort at an affordable price compared to other luxury SUVs. The dashboard wraps around the front seat passengers and puts all controls at their fingertips. Dual climate controls makes sure that men and women can coexist in the same car, controlling their own temp. Highly recommend the DVD player if you have children. The wireless headphones are a nice touch, making sure that the driver can still listen to their own music while backseat passengers are satisfied watching DVD. The 3rd row seat is not intended for long trips or adults and eliminates storage.

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  RC Review - 2006 Subaru Impreza
  By RC - March 5 - 1:16 pm

  I am very pleased with my 2006 Subaru Outback Sport. With the high cost of fuel these days I am glad to have a reliable car that gives better gas mileage, has sufficient room for passengers and cargo, very well designed folding seats, handles very well in tight turns, and can be relied on whatever weather you go through. This is my third Subaru since 2003 and I will recommend this vehicle to friends and family.

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  I love my first Subie! - 2006 Subaru Outback
  By nhsubie - March 5 - 12:13 pm

  This is my first Subaru and it wont be my last! We shopped around for months for a solid used car and finally decided on the 06 Outback Limited after driving the new Jetta, Rabbit, Civic, Fit, CRV, v50, Forester, Sonata, and old 04 Outback. The 06 Outback Limited outshines them all! This car has everything you would ever want in a car - AWD, HUGE moonroof, heated seats, leather, turning radius, 28 mpg, smooth ride, and space to haul. And at $14k, its a steal!

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  The New Ultimate Driving Machine - 2005 Subaru Legacy
  By GotmyCLU - March 4 - 8:23 am

  My Legacy sneaks in to the very sporty luxury class with the name of Subaru. I never would have thought a Subaru could be this fun with luxury. I remember when the WRX came out and I told myself "They need to make something compete in the family sedan class - then Ill get one." Im car shopping, turn into the Subaru lot, and my heart is content from here. I hope Subaru always keeps its value and price where it is.

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  What a Car - 2006 Subaru Impreza
  By Capt.EMS - March 4 - 1:16 am

  This is my 4th Subaru (1 outback, 1 legacy, 1WRX, and this vehicle), and this is the best one yet. It handles perfectly, and the gas mileage is unbelievable. I use this vehicle as a first responder car and I have beaten even the police cruisers to calls. There is not a single thing I would improve on the vehicle.