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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  yip-dee-doo for my subaru - 2003 Subaru Forester
  By dante inferno - September 9 - 10:00 am

  i really like this car

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  Drive it, youll like it! - 2003 Subaru Baja
  By heidiincolorado - September 9 - 10:00 am

  I was initially looking at the Outback and I decided to give the Baja a test drive. What a hoot!! I drive the mountain roads outside Denver to work everyday and this car is fast, fun and is really tight in turns. Ive gotten used to its unique styling and I love the fact that not many people have these right now! We got an awesome deal and we shop Home Depot alot so its very useful and practical! Besides, my husband likes the "truck" look better so he could drive it too. This is my first Subaru and I am very happy! I love driving this car. Drive it, youll like it too Im sure! And I love the yellow, its bright, fun and of course, easy to always find!

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  Bang for your buck - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By ferris - September 9 - 10:00 am

  This car can embarass muscle cars especially in the corners where it counts. Superb engine, no real turbo lag unlike my previous WRX.This is thanks to the bigger displacement and valve timing. All wheel drive is great although I have reservations as to how necessary the DCCD is. Also the suretrack front diff seems to enhance understeer not reduce it and makes a grinding noise when it is working as it is mechanincal as opposed to viscous.

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  Subaru is awesome - 2005 Subaru Impreza
  By STI - September 7 - 9:50 pm

  After weeks and weeks of looking for a car I narrowed to 2 and it was a 05 BMW 545 and a 05 sti and after test driving the bimmer I went to test drive to subie and as soon as I shifted to 2nd my decision was made. This car is so fun to drive, I get a kick watching people in my passenger seats. So quick and tough. Subaru has something going with their vehicles theyre all good ones.

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  Lots of room - 2012 Subaru Forester
  By azrebel51 - September 7 - 1:32 pm

  I checked out some other choices before I decided on this car. I am 52, I have bought 11 new vehicles so far in my life.This is great my best so far. Very little road noise, very smooth ride. Doors are solid. Great visibility. Basic stereo sounds very good. The clearance is terrific, great for exploring in rural Arizona, where 4 x 4 is not needed but added clearance is. Seriously this is the most happy I have ever been with a vehicle in my life. My first Subaru, my first Japanese vehicle.

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  Not for Tall People - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By Gary - September 6 - 2:16 pm

  I am 511." I am tired of leaning forward because the steering wheel doent telescope. My feet (size 11.5) barely have enough room as a driver and no room as a passenger. The front seats are too hard and a little too small. Brakes are not powerful enough, can be scary at times. Regular mode of transmission is uncooperative. Cannot drive with windows open because of poor buffeting. Handles great. Fantastic turning circle. Quiet. MPG not great around town, but good on highway. Average 20.7 over 10,000 miles.

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  Greatest wagon out there - 2011 Subaru Outback
  By Richard - September 6 - 4:46 am

  Fantastic buy for the money. Good luck finding a car this good for the price you will pay.

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  2013 Upgrades hurt overall ratings - 2013 Subaru Legacy
  By fitfd - September 5 - 9:32 pm

  I traded in a 2012 2.5i Premium for the 2013 2.5i Sport for the new performance upgrades. The best way to describe the 13 model is disappointing. I cant question the AWD performance of a Subaru, it handles almost any road condition with ease. The acceleration on the 13 is sluggish from a stop but crisp at higher RPMs. I think the acceleration on the 12 was better overall. I was averaging 31 mpg with my 12 and only 26 with my 13. The Sport interior isnt all that impressive, the seats may feel softer but they also show dirt and lint far worse than the 12 interior. The new suspension is stiff and bone-jarring at times. Camrys run the same 18 set-up with a much smoother ride.

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  Happy With 2012....Should we have waited for 13? - 2012 Subaru Outback
  By rayjayjjr - September 5 - 2:51 pm

  Our first AWD, now with 4500 miles. Needed something that had towing capacity and could pull 2000 lb. boat out of steep sandy boat launch. Certainly fits those needs with added plus of 31 mpg at 70 mph and 27 suburban with AC off. Will drop a couple mpg with AC. Does have an issue with steering drift. I dont think I would want a stiffer ride. This handles reasonably and soaks up wash board roads better than our soft riding minivan. Seats are somewhat hard. Engine and tran will roar at hard acceleration but is quiet at cruising speed. You may want to upgrade to model with power passenger seat.

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  Great car! - 2016 Subaru Impreza
  By Barbara Henshaw - September 5 - 11:35 am

  I love this car. It is sporty yet practical. Really fun to drive, handles like a dream. Very happy with this purchase!