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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  Stylish & practical value wagon - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By nigel1000 - June 30 - 10:00 am

  Exterior - improved over the 04 model, with the silver/grey and gold/grey combinations particularly attractive. More conservative than the Mazda 6 but more interesting than the equivalent Audi & VW wagons Interior - one of the most attractive available for less than 25K, with very nice materials and workmanship, and an elegant and simple dash; std 8-way heated power seat Performance - very stable and quiet on the freeway, even at speed over poor surfaces; nice & precise cornering with very little lean or bounce; base engine power adequate, which SprotShift auto improves somewhat Saftey - outstanding, with good manoueverability, excellent visibility and

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  2008 Subaru Legacy - 2008 Subaru Legacy
  By wrx-man - June 30 - 3:56 am

  Just bought it... already have a 100 miles on it and I am very impressed. I have owned an Audi A6 2.7T, VW GTI and GLX, a Maxima 3.5L SE, and my other car is a 02 WRX. This car is one of the best I have driven especially for the price. If I wasnt looking at the Subaru badge, I would have sworn I was driving a BMW or an Audi (dashboard, leather seats, etc). This car is great on the highway and still firm enough to have fun on the twisty roads. I was averaging 28 mpg on the highway with a new engine with less than 100 miles. Germany should be afraid with the performance of the Legacy and the proven reliability of Subaru. I recommend a test drive of the GT, you will not be disappointed

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  Great car - 2009 Subaru Tribeca
  By scott2s - June 30 - 1:36 am

  I really like this SUV. It drives like a car, handles excellent in the rain and snow and has enough seating for our family. The gas mileage is average for a SUV of this size with AWD but with it would be better. My teen age son prefers to sit in the rear seat and has plenty of space, so not sure why the 3rd row seat gets the bad rap in the Edmonds reviews. This isnt a Suburban and I dont think anyone should expect caverns of storage and lay out seating in a SUV of this size. This is just right for the daily driver and the ocational family road trip. When I need extra storage space I use a $60 hitch mounted storage shelf that I store totes on. Works great to put extra gear.

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  Brief Review - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By Dean - June 27 - 12:20 pm

  Nice vehicle so far.

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  Love the Legacy - 2002 Subaru Legacy
  By bunsbuggy - June 27 - 2:00 am

  Purchased in November of 2001, I love the car. It is great driving in snow or ice, all four wheels keep you going straight as an arrow. The AWD feels cool around corners too, you can feel the weight shift and the gripping tires rail you around the corner, its awesome. Fuel economy disappoints at 21 in city, 24 on highway. I have the manual tranny, its fun to use. The back window defroster is weak, takes forever to defrost. Otherwise, solid manufacturing, should last 200,000 miles i hope.

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  Nice Car - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By green - June 27 - 2:00 am

  This is the best car on the market. The acceralation in this vehicle is insane. The desgin on the interior and exterior is real nice. There is still room for personalizing. The only thing that would make this car any more awesome than it is is more torque and horsepower.

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  Dream car/truck - 2006 Subaru Baja
  By Frankie - June 26 - 12:03 am

  Ever since the first ad came out for the Baja, I was hooked. I test drove the first models our Subaru dealership got and it was instant want. They handle beautifully, gets awesome gas mileage and has a wonderful sporty design. The comforts of a sedan with the utility of a truck. I had a 2000 Ford Focus before I got the Baja I have now, and when it started giving me problems, I wasted no time giving the dealership the keys and traded it for my very own, my first Subaru Baja. And I am happy I made the decision. This vehicle is certainly made for someone like me with the life style I have. Versatile and impressive. A well built machine for its day!

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  2013 subaru outback - 2013 Subaru Outback
  By tiger59 - June 25 - 11:43 pm

  never owned a subaru outback....so far...excellent! will get alot of funtionat of this wagon....big family trips!

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  Crystall Grey Metallic - 2005 Subaru Impreza
  By vz64 - June 25 - 10:00 am

  05 STi replaced my previous 02 WRX wagon. I was leaning toward buying Lancer Evo, but 05 models fixed all handling problem 04 model had.

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  You gotta luv it! - 2004 Subaru Outback
  By Coloradolefty - June 25 - 10:00 am

  My first Subaru. Value per dollar spent is the best of any car I have owned. It is a marvelously easy car to drive and its inclement weather capabilities are second to none. If you live in snow or wet weather climates, this is the car...very stable and sure footed on the road.