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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  Like no Other - 2010 Subaru Tribeca
  By Mike - November 23 - 10:00 am

  After 8000 km this car is definitely fun at the wheel. With the one of a kind symmetrical AWD this car is firmly planted on the road and while driving I always feel in full control of the vehicle. With a low center of gravity due to the lower placement of the Boxer engine this car does not sway while turning. With two small children safety is a top priority and with the 5 star crash test and safety ratings we could not ask for more. The stylish interior is a sight to behold and with smooth lines it is also very easy to wipe clean. Visibility is great front and back and the over-sized side mirrors are a bonus. Seats are comfortable and firm and on long rides the body stays rested. Great car

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  One helluva great car - 2002 Subaru Outback
  By Snowchaser - November 23 - 10:00 am

  I am by no means a conservative driver. And this car keeps up with me without even breaking a sweat. the H6 is an insanely powerful engine. The snow and ice in this car are not even a problem. It powers through it like its not even there. Great space for over night ski trips. Great looking. comfortable. The best car ive ever owned

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  Really wanted a diesel - 2011 Subaru Outback
  By Wendy - November 23 - 10:00 am

  Traded in a 2007 Passat, really wanted a car with AWD that was safe and had good gas mileage. Although I doubt if I will get any speeding tickets with my Subaru it is a great car...I had trouble getting the Bluetooth to work; had to get a new phone and that was an aggravation. Love the seating position and the lack of blind spots. Love the sparkly gray paint. Cant wait to see how it handles in the snow, but during a few torrential downpours it handled quite impressively.

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  My auto transmission has 5 speeds - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By Barry - November 23 - 4:30 am

  I wanted to comment about the complaints regarding the use of a 4- speed auto transmission instead of 5- speeds in the Forester 2.5X AT. I have tested it, counted shifts and watched tach, and my AT definitely has 5 gears. It does not shift into 5th gear until about 60 mph if the engine is cold, but if warmed up and driving on a flat surface, the 5th gear will engage as low as 35-40 mph as long as you are not heavy on the gas pedal. Regardless of what the 09 Forester owners manual says, the dealership confirmed that the AT is really a 4-speed with an overdrive. Could this be something the assembly line changed mid-year? Mine was one of last 2009s to come off the assembly line in Dec. 2008.

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  The sport compact for the auto enthusiast - 2017 Subaru WRX
  By Keith G. - November 19 - 6:05 pm

  Absolutely love the WRX sedan. Have mine in the base trim with the 6 speed manual. It was always a dream of mine to have one of these cars for years now and I finally have it. I bought mine right before the snow storm here in NY and had the opportunity to enjoy the weather with the car but it left me with one of my biggest complaints I think I will ever have : it comes with summer tires and they are awful in the snow. If you think youre getting a "subie" to show off in the snow, please remember to either get yourself a set of all season shoes or another set of rims with winter tires. I know this is painfully obvious but it really isnt an option either way. Otherwise, the interior is pretty cheap but it fits the nameplate, honestly. I really love the hell out of this car and couldnt be happier.

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  my pickup car - 2004 Subaru Baja
  By harvey R. - November 19 - 2:00 am

  the vehical is great in snow. I just drove 70 miles in pouring rain and it hugged the road at 65-75mph. never hydroplaned. great economy 26mpg at city/highway combo.4 people ride in comfort and plenty of room to keep packages outside under the covers. the quality is excellent and i would defenitly buy another

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  Overall a solid little wagon - 2006 Subaru Impreza
  By mck - November 18 - 2:53 pm

  I have had the car for about three months now, and am overall quite pleased with it. I wanted something that handled well, got decent mileage, and could haul stuff in a pinch. I narrowed down my search to two vehicles with the other being the Mazda3. The Mazda had less cargo space and will not take a trailer hitch, and lacks roof rails, although it is slightly less expensive and reportedly gets better mileage. I recently subjected it to a 2,500 mile road trip and consistently got just above 31 mpg on the highway (and much of this was through the mountains of North Carolina with the AC on); in the city I got around 25.

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  Love My Car - Has a Few Quirks - 2016 Subaru Forester
  By Donna P - November 14 - 7:51 am

  Ive been driving my Subaru Forester for almost a year now. Pros: Safety is huge - my work responds to accident scenes and Ive seen a survival in this vehicle I wouldnt expect in others. I loved the way it drove in the snow last winter, it gripped the road while others were skidding out all around me. I was able to drive through a foot of unplowed snow uphill! The back seat has enough leg room for my babies (who are each 6 feet tall). The gas mileage is great, visibility is great and I love the huge sunroof. Cons: The new touch screen has issues. Once in a while it wont work unless I turn the car off and turn it back on. Sometimes my phone isnt recognized by the bluetooth. I wish there was moor light in the rear cargo area. Theres a strange pause when I shift gears. It feels questionable when I take corners faster than I should. Overall, Im happy.

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  Subaru legacy 2.5 limited - 2005 Subaru Legacy
  By peyton - November 13 - 12:13 pm

  I have only one complaint about this car. No mp3 option. That is it. It rides nice, has lots of power and can take a pretty good hit with minimal damage. My wife was rear-ended by a neon traveling 70km/hr, black ice, wrote the neon off. We have only 2 small cracks in the rear bumper and a plastic plate benieth the car for damage, about $900 CAD. My wife had a sore neck for roughly 7 days, but is fine now. I will probably never own another make of car if this one has little to no maintenance issues. So far so good. Average milage to date, including city driving is about 19mpg. These miles were hard ones. It got roughly 25-29mpg on highway trips, averaging 125-140km/hr(75-85mph)

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  Go for the 3.6R Limited! - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By rpr - November 13 - 6:30 am

  Our 2005 Forester was in an accident so we test drove the new Subarus and were thoroughly impressed with the 2010 Outbacks. The 4 cyl didnt have enough power for us, so we went w/ the 3.6. Didnt like the fabric on the seats on the Premium models, and we needed bluetooth, side view mirror defrost & auto climate control, so we went with the Limited. Outstanding redesign, plenty of power, good fuel economy, extremely comfortable interior, very quiet (much improved w/o the frameless windows). One thing to look out for, these 3.6 engines can have a fairly bad hesitation when accelerating from low speeds. Many may not notice it, but I trust/hope there will be a TSB fix from Subaru.