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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  Odor from front hood during defogging - 2007 Subaru Legacy
  By Jay - October 22 - 11:26 pm

  I wouldnt mind if fuel economy was the only setback. I have odor problem. I am surprised I never read any complaints of this from Legacy owners??? During de-fogging operation, the air comes from the outside of the car, thru the front hood. I smell exhaust (?) odor. I went to the dealer and they said they found no problem. There is a rubber pad that isolates the air inlet of the hood from the engine compartment. I think this Legacy has a poor design on blocking odor from the engine area. I noticed other models (Acura, Toyota etc) have better isolation pads.

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  purchase mistake - 2009 Subaru Impreza
  By subylover - October 13 - 6:40 am

  I bought an Impreza Outback Sport and returned it a week later--traded in for a Legacy. The inside was cheap and the radio was awful. However, the seats were the real problem. They were so uncomfortable (no support at all) that I had bad back pain--it was hard to walk after a few days.

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  Pretty Blue Suub, color that is - 2005 Subaru Forester
  By forester - October 10 - 1:26 pm

  Very poor interior quality! Bright color looks nice when brand new and after one year only when its wet! No leg room in back seat. Sad. if only they would put quality exterior paint and finish and quality material inside I would say this was the best vehicle around. Back seat lacks comfort for adults and if you have one car seat theres only one more seat comfortably available.

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  A costly mistake - 2013 Subaru Forester
  By ranac - October 4 - 10:01 pm

  Ive owned other subarus and thought Id try an SUV. Forresters were generally highly rated. I cant speak for prior year models, but I feel like Subaru really cheaped-out on this one. Pro-large cabin, good all around view, no blind spot, huge moon roof. Cons-cheaply appointed interior, leather seat wrinkled first week. the plastic is incredibly cheap, there is even just a piece of black "paper" behind the steering wheel as a dust protectant, not even vinyl. The body is thin guage steel, and you hear every "ping" from road debris. .The radio quality sounds like an old transistor.I am so disappointed, I am actually looking to trade it in, and take a loss....

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  Good Colorado SUV but..... - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By Good around town SUV - October 2 - 6:53 pm

  Likes: 1. Excellent handling in the snow, passed many 4x4 trucks and SUVs in a blizzard 2. Stylish, a head turner 3. Big moonroof 4. Fuel economy averages 25 MPG 5. Practical for a 1-2 child family 6. Great cornering and u-turns. Dislikes: 1. Interior is VERY cheap, especially center armrest; small glove box too 2. Fabric already coming away from rear seat reclining button 3. Little storage and poorly designed cup holders 4. SAT radio and I-pod not compatible together, 1 or the other 5. 4 speed automatic, a brick in the mountains and poor mileage at 75 MPH.

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  You get what you pay for... - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By MG - September 30 - 2:36 am

  Since there are pluses and minuses for all vehicles, we did not feel that the Forester had any major weaknesses; WRONG! Starting with trim levels, if you want any lumbar support, you are forced to buy the limited trim which translates into a higher payment. I could easily do without leather or the extras however with a bad back, the choice was essential. The transmission is not shifting correctly and it has been a fight with the dealership. It has been eight days since we met with the Subaru rep and while he agrees that the transmission is not right, the dealership has still not called; how lovely. Very poor performance in the mountains on a recent trip and the door skins are very thin.

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  Just never fell in love - 2006 Subaru Forester
  By collmm - September 15 - 7:30 pm

  I wanted another AWD wagon after trading my 4Motion Passat & purchased the Forrester. This was a logical decision but a big mistake. No mechanical problems just a boring vehicle to drive compared to the Passat. I love wagons but the Forrester exterior is simply unattractive and the paint is cheap! Cheap looking but sturdy interior finishes. My driving is pretty habitual but the gas mileage varied widely in town from 17 to 26 mpg and had to calculate that by hand-no digital "mpg" or "miles to empty" on the Forrester. Ive just traded the Forrester after only 5 months for a 2006 Volvo S60 AWD and I have no regrets.

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  We call it our Subaru Rattle - 2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek
  By weflybye - September 8 - 9:40 am

  We purchased our Crosstrek new in 2013 and from the moment we brought it home we have had issues with interior rattles. The dealership first put extra foam in the A Pillars. The rattles continued. Next they put extra foam in our speakers grills. The rattles continued. These were rattles that passengers in our back seat could hear and were extremely annoying. After taking the car in several times we had a technician find a bolt in the dash area was rattling against the car frame. More padding put in place. As of today (December 2014) we still have an annoying rattle in the dash. We enjoy this car for all other purposes but we would not purchase a Crosstrek again.

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  I will never buy another Subaru - 2002 Subaru Legacy
  By trs1997 - August 27 - 7:10 am

  I bought my 2002 Subaru Legacy GT Sedan Automatic used (36k). Since then, I have had every service performed, including oil changed every 3500 miles. At 92k miles I had to replace the head gaskets (both sides) $1800. At 120k miles the moon roof computer went out (probably used 3 times a year $500) At 126k miles it spun the #3 Rod Bearing and damaged the Crankshaft. ($4300) - the dealer stocks the short block which tells me they are having LOTS of problems with this motor. This car has never been neglected or abused and always had factory parts as replacement. I am very disappointed in this purchase and now I have no car because its motor blew and its at the repair shop with no money to fix it

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  Lots of noise - 2013 Subaru Impreza
  By seafields6 - August 19 - 12:28 am

  I have a 2012 @ have put 20,000 miles on it. This one has the deluxe stereo & $300 speaker option, which is good because sometimes you can actually hear some music above the engine/transmission noise when youre starting off & the awful tire noise all the time. Subaru apparently has no knowledge of sound proofing. They ruined the car for me by choosing these noisy low rated tires. Maybe Ill like this car once these tires are replaced with something better.