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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  Fix the seats - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By roadturtle - December 5 - 10:33 pm

  2009 Subaru Forester 2.5 X, Auto. This is my first Subaru. While I really like my AWD wagon. Subaru needs to up their game. The drivers seat has broken twice in less than 4000 miles. It took two weeks to get a new frame. A long time. Tech stated that Subaru has known about this problem for awhile. Yet they gave me another seat frame that broke in about one week. I am now waiting for another seat frame. Why couldnt I buy a drivers power seat without spending $4000 extra. Now I wish I had. This may be last Subaru.

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  Great bang for the buck - 2007 Subaru Outback
  By Jonathan G. - December 5 - 9:33 pm

  My 72 year old Mom decided it was time to trade in her 1990 Mercedes 300E for a new Mercedes. We looked at both the new Mercedes "C" and "E" models and we were NOT impressed. Looked at Cadillac and Lincoln, just not right. Took her to the Subaru dealer, she got in the Outback, shut the door and her eyes twinkled and said this is "IT". The only thing bad was the dealer offered her almost nothing for her Mercedes that only had 80K miles in garage kept perfect condition. But maybe that was good, because I told her I would buy it for that much, and later that day she said I could have it as a gift for helping her select her new Subaru - AKA Miss Suzy!

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  Best sports car for the money - 2005 Subaru Impreza
  By 05 WRX Wagon - December 5 - 5:10 am

  This is the second WRX that I have owned. It has been driven in heavy snow and rain w/ original tires and has never let me down.

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  A great touring car - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By lhaugen - December 4 - 3:30 pm

  Shortly after buying this vehicle, we took a 2000 mile round trip vacation. This car is very responsive and makes long driving days seem shorter. Best of all, we got up to 28 miles a gallon!

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  False MPG - 2012 Subaru Legacy
  By monkey21 - December 3 - 7:44 am

  I purchased a new 2012 2.5I Limited. I was told the average mpg was 30., this is false. I have put 500 miles on it in the first week. I drive 80 miles a day highway miles to and from work. My average is 23.7 mpg. I would not recommend this car if you are looking for decent to good gas mileage. I live in Denver CO. and thought the AWD would be nice. It is ok but would never have bought if I new the true MPG. I had I 2004 Chevy Impala prior getting 27 mpg. You would think I new car with posted 31 mpg would do better but it does not.

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  Feel Secure - 2004 Subaru Outback
  By Merle - December 2 - 8:36 pm

  Just like our 1997 Outback, its reliable, good of fuel, and we feel secure.

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  Wonderful Driving Experience - 2005 Subaru Legacy
  By E. Castro - December 2 - 11:13 am

  I got great financing from Subaru. I think this is the best year for the Subaru. Finally a car company has finally put the true meaning of "GT" into a car: style, performance, power and handling. Its not some superficial dressed up version that they slapped GT on it to give you an impression that its faster then their standard models. This thing GOES!

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  scooby - 2000 Subaru Impreza
  By Stathy - December 2 - 2:00 am

  The car itself is great but after owning it for two years, with everything coming out now, it is sometimes stagnent. Around windy roads it is a dream but for highway use lacks a punch. Also a major factor in the score not being higher than it would of been is the crumby service of the Subaru dealerships.

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  Great Car!! - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By Jaap - December 1 - 10:50 pm

  Just bought a Tribeca after test driving several SUVs. The final choice was between a Murano and the Tribeca. I was able to get a great deal on the Tri (maybe due to the bad reviews on looks). This car is great! Moved from Texas to Massachusetts and needed a car that would be safe in the snow . Just survived my first snow storm and this car handles suburb. Especially the guided traction control helped me out in some slippery situations. 3rd row is a joke but it is made up for by the double sliding middle seats. Im 63 and the legroom in the back seat is great. Power is at higher RPM (by design) so dont be afraid to rev it up when needed. I found the 250 hp to be sufficient.

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  Limited limitations - 2007 Subaru Outback
  By nornet - December 1 - 11:40 am

  There are few limitations of this vehicle. During the first 6 months of ownership the AWD with its amazing cornering has got me out of 2 very tight situations where I was cut off by vehicles doing 40 mph less than myself (I wasnt speeding, they pulled out). About the only thing I dont like is the leather heated seats. They are cold up north and the heated area is a little narrow.