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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  Oil burner & Subaru does not want to admit problem - 2014 Subaru Forester
  By rickaus - December 21 - 7:14 pm

  I have owned 7 subarus now, 2 brought new and my 2012 Forester brought new is a disappointment. Have had all services done with Subaru, it uses excessive amounts of oil, and dealer / Subaru said this was acceptable and did not want to fix it, despite so many people reporting similar problems. In the end after continual protestations on my part, after a year of oil consumption tests (inconvenient) and with me having to be very assertive in articulating my complaint, they eventually have just now replaced the piston rings under warranty, a complete pull down of engine. Just because of the way I have been treated, I would not recommend to buy one.

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  Good Riddance - 1999 Subaru Forester
  By Good riddance - December 20 - 2:00 am

  Traded in a Toyota for this model. Boy am I sorry. First service was after a brake recall and brakes never sounded the same since. Blew a head gasket at 60,000 miles then 10,000 miles later needed a full transmission replacement. Now, Im suspected another head gasket problem. This shouldnt happen on a subaru ( I was told). Do you think I was just unlucky? Im trading it in and cutting my losses- good riddance!!

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  Big Dissapointment - 2003 Subaru Outback
  By pjgelao - December 13 - 2:38 pm

  I purchased this car new and have had nothing but COST. At 36,000 it had a leaking head and it was pulled out and fixed, then it was the timing belt at 50,00 miles. Something wrong with it all the time. At 77,000 BOTH heads was leaking again & pulled resurfaced. Heater not working & fixed. When contacting SUBRAU they wanted all servicing recordss. I got the packet together of services & plus ALL fixes.. We waited A MONTH- called many times. My hubby called them and They wouldnt do a thing for me !!! One statement why was I didnt have the car serviced all the time from a Subrau dealer - we were very upset and never a SUBRAU again!

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  Not quite there - 2008 Subaru Impreza
  By Mide - December 10 - 12:26 pm

  On paper the car has everything a person needs, but in reality it is lacking at a few areas. First off the 4-speed auto is bad. It is in dire need of 1 more gear. You have to put it into 2nd in order to have any sort of acceleration. Next is the paint quality. It really sucks. There are chips everywhere. Lastly is build quality. The steering-wheel control of the audio system barely works and I have to press very hard to get it to function. Because it still "works" the dealership wont fix the problem. Because of this, it will be the last Subaru I ever purchase. If I could do it again I would not purchase this car.

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  Poor interior quality - 2016 Subaru Forester
  By Jim - November 29 - 8:09 pm

  Had the vehicle less than 3 months. It has been in the shop on 3 occasions two of which were multiple days. The main problem is the quality of the interior. There are multiple rattles throughout the vehicle. The two main rattles still havent been fixed. The engine is under powered. No acceleration at all.

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  So-So - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By E - November 29 - 2:30 am

  We have owned this for a year now and I somewhat wish we had something else. We have two kids and were used to a 4Runner which has A LOT more room than the B9. Fuel economy is horrible, and it really only likes 89 or higher. The heated seats are nice as well as the DVD. The interior is also pretty cool, however, that is about it. We are running into some mechanical problems now. The engine is making some sort of loud rattle every time you throttle from a stop. All in all, just so-so.

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  2014 Forester BURNS OIL - 2014 Subaru Forester
  By doug - November 27 - 11:33 pm

  I purchased a new 2014 Subaru Forester in March of 2013. Have followed all maintenance procedures per the manual. All work done at Saint J Subaru in St. Johnsbury, Vermont. 7K service completed at dealer. at 10,000 display said oil required...1 quart added. Same thing agin at 12,600 miles. Told dealer at next service, 14,300. Said bring back in 1200 miles to check. Did that and found it burned 8 ounces. Subaru will replace rings at 10.67 ounces useage. Called Subaru and they refused to do anything even though I have bought 4 Subarus.

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  Disappointed - 2008 Subaru Outback
  By ashecnc - November 19 - 9:06 am

  Had the car one year, kept having a burning smell that dealer couldnt fix. Deal pedal had a cheap plastic button holding that and the carpet down, and mine had a horrible squeak. Took to dealer 4 times, no fix. Had lots of rattles, and the car seemed weak, no power. I made a bad decision when I got this car, and traded it in.

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  Wouldnt Buy Another One! - 2007 Subaru Forester
  By Arpy - November 6 - 8:53 am

  PROS: AWD, handling, simple controls, gas mileage. Getting 25 mpg, city/hwy. CONS: Lousy brakes, engine noises, road noise, ride quality, cheap interior materials, depreciation. Brakes have squealed and shuddered since new, despite 4 dealer visits (no, I dont ride the brakes). Motor exhibits a variety of rattles and clanks, dealer says "normal." Road noise is so pronounced on hwy, have to blast radio to hear it. Ride is rough at any speed. Seat fabric, carpet, headliner all cheap; driver seat began wearing immediately after purchase. Lastly, Subaru unkindly introduced 09 Forester in the middle of the 08 model year which trounced the value of mine. Going back to Toyota.

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  Slow slow slow slow slow!!!!! - 2017 Subaru Outback
  By Kevin Lowhorn - October 31 - 2:49 pm

  This review isnt likely to dissuade anyone from buying one of these if theyve decided this is what they want. Subaru owners are some of the most loyal in the industry. The Outback offers a lot of bang for the buck, in fact, it may be one of the best values out there; however, Id never own one. The real hindrance in these vehicles is the powertrain. The Outback is seriously slow with the 4 cylinder, its painfully and laboriously slow. The fuel economy is great for a vehicle of its size that has standard AWD, but it really needs an extra 20+ hp, and a conventional automatic. If it had 20+ more hp, and 20+ more lb. ft. of torque with a conventional 8-speed auto, then it would be an incredible bargain. Sure, you can get the 6-cylinder, but then the value proposition changes due to the cost and resultant drop in fuel economy. I was given one of these as a company vehicle, and my other option was a Dodge Grand Caravan-I wish I had been given the Grand Caravan...no joke. The droning CVT and terrible acceleration made this thing a pain to drive day in and day out.