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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  4th sub - upholstery quality ba humbug - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By bgbFL - December 17 - 2:56 am

  Upholstery - fabric fit and finish leaves something to be desired. 2002 legacy outback wagon was better at trade in than this is new. Loose fitting in one area "bunch" up in several areas. Mileage is good. Seats firm and comfortable. Rides well. CVT takes some getting used to - at times its seems like its not "c". Paddle shifting a fun to try. Visibility very good.

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  Whats so Great? - 2003 Subaru Forester
  By Mikemitros - December 14 - 10:00 am

  I do not understand why this car receives such rave reviews.The interior is cramped and uncomfortable. The controls are too small and difficult to operate.Especially the cruise control, you must take your eyes off the road for an excessive period of time to turn it on.The air onditioning and defrostis inadequate.The engine has an annoying loud metallic tapping sound for the first ten minutes after started.Poor acceleration with the automatic transmission.Check engine light comes on frequently. Uncomfortable arm rest. Cup holders that block the instrumentation.

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  great car - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By STI-mulation - December 14 - 10:00 am

  pulls hard with very little throttle, in any gear, at any revs above 2000rpm. Very sharp steering and handling. Grip is solid, but tires need to get more miles before I know exactly how much...

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  New to Subaru - 2010 Subaru Legacy
  By mmf3279 - December 13 - 12:56 am

  First, let me say that this is a company car that I did not pay for. I had a Chevy Impala for 3 years prior to this vehicle as my company car. I could choose a Malibu, Fusion, and Legacy. The Legacy beat the others out based on interior room, features, and styling. I love the interior design. I had the wood trim in the old car and I love the clean lines of the Legacys black, silver, and tan trim. The curved backs on the front seats increase leg room in the back seat. I sit in the back with my daughter in her car seat in the middle and I have plenty of room I am 58. I love the cupholders in the door. Avg 27mpg combined. Subaru Legacy is a great value! CVT takes some getting used to.

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  WRX falls short of both 2.5RS and STi - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By Patick2730 - December 12 - 9:26 pm

  The WRX is a very poor day-to-day performer. If you simply want a smooth- driving AWD car, get the 2.5RS. If you want the AWD and the POWER, get the WRX STi. In poor weather any Impreza model is a blast to drive with the AWD system. However you will get extremely frustrated by the lack of responsiveness in the WRX 2L turbo engine. Crusing in normal traffic, you literally have to wait a second and a half after going WOT before the ECU allows the turbo to make full boost and the car gets moving like expected. At any rpm below 3K the car cannot get out of its own way. Also, first gear boost is limited to a measly 7psi, so off-the- line starts are not as quick as you are led to believe.

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  New to Subaru - Great so far! - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By Carl N.C. - December 12 - 7:13 pm

  I replaced a 1999 F150 with a V8 with a 2010 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium. The fuel mileage is as advertised. 29.5 on a trip to Atlanta. Bought the car in Oct 09. Have about 5K miles on it. The 4 cylinder for the weight of the car performs better than my V8 truck did. There isnt much road noise. I do have engine noise at passing speeds. The car is quiet the rest of the time. The CVT works quite well. The steering took a little getting used to. I do not have any problems pulling out in front of i40 65 mph traffic here in NC. For those concerned, buy the 6. No regrets here

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  2016 Outback 3.6 Limited w/MRP/KAS/NAV/ES-CVT - 2016 Subaru Outback
  By Ron Tamulonis - December 12 - 12:30 pm

  Im in my 70s and we hold onto our cars for 15+ years. I did a years research from talking to Subaru owners in my neighborhood and Mall parking lots plus reviewing owners comments for vehicles 2014 on that I could find on the internet. If folks had a complaint I looked to see if that complaint carried through on the latest dated reviews or did it disappear. I wanted the latest safety equipment that I could afford like: Adaptive Cruise Control; Eye Sight: Blind Spot Detection; Rear Cross Traffic Alert and found this vehicle had these plus additional safety features. We drove to Florida and loved the Adaptive Cruise Control that maintained a selected safe distance between us and the car in front from out 75 set speed to 45 mph slow downs and back to 75 without having to reset the cruise control speed. I loved the "Multi Information Display" in front of the steering wheel which I set to show the next route change without having to look at the large Navigation screen. I was disappointed in the navigation system in that it kept trying to take us off route 95 in what was completed Florida construction areas also it couldnt find the Motel address in Miami that the motel gave to us. However when we did a Custom search in the Accommodations category we found our Motel listed and hit Go and it took us directly to it. Both my wife and I have back problems and we didnt experience any pain or discomfort spending over 8 plus driving hours per day (an unexpected benefit). We didnt have any hesitation going from Reverse to Drive with the 3.6R engine that often found with the 4 cylinder engine. We didnt have slippage (wheel spinning) going on to a major highway from a side road in the rain. With the keyless ignition, I did find out how to listen to the radio picking up the grandsons with the engine off. My wife and I love the car and would highly recommend the 3.6 Limited 2016 Subaru Outback.

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  My 2nd Subie - 2002 Subaru Outback
  By schmidie - December 12 - 1:20 am

  I just bought my 2002 Subaru Outback after trading in my older 1994 Legacy wagon. I wanted another, newer version of the car I had loved to drive for years. I ended up getting the Limited version of my Outback, with leather seats, steering wheel, and shifter. The seats, outside mirrors are both heated, and the car comes with important saftey features like ABS, airbags for driver and passenger, daytime running lights, and of course AWD.

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  Surprising Subaru Outback - 2017 Subaru Outback
  By Daniel - December 11 - 8:16 pm

  Great car! Fantastic gas mileage for the daily commute with plenty of room for weekend sporting activities and excursions. Glad to join the Subaru family.

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  Exhilarating Fun Drive! - 2006 Subaru Impreza
  By Britannic - December 11 - 8:46 am

  I love turbocharged cars and for years was a loyal Saab owner, until GM diluted the brand. I wanted a turbocharged car that would stand out from the pack and deliver power, superb handling and excitement. The STi gives all of that and more; once I got used to the higher revving engine, this car is the most fun Ive ever had. Performance off the line and handling through twisty mountain roads is tremendous; the Sube feels like its on rails and Ive yet to notice any body roll. Being European, I love the WRXs stiff suspension, which combines with the super precise steering and available power to provide very nimble handling and a real fun drive! I dont miss my Saab 9-3 Viggen at all!