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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  Its not a station wagon! - 2004 Subaru Forester
  By T-$ - November 29 - 4:26 pm

  This vehicle is rock solid. It chews up the lousy road conditions a crummy New England winter can throw at you. No need to shovel your driveway when you have one of these parked in it. This car will crunch its way up the steepest ice covered hill in town. I also love the fact that off the line you can easily smoke those larger SUVs. All of my friends are surprised at the power the Forester has after the take a spin in it. So please people get it straight the Forester XT is not a station wagon - its a small SUV!

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  Subaru believer - 2000 Subaru Impreza
  By russ - November 29 - 2:46 am

  This is my 3rd Subaru and I must admit the best of the lot. The 2.5 is quick and economical. I have not had any problems with in the 130000 miles I have on it. I just had to replace the timing belt and water pump and one rear bearing in 10 years. I wish you could put on hydraulics to lift it off the ground more in the winter. Too much snow and I have problems. I trained two kids how to drive a manual in duluth, mn which is full of hills and the clutch held up till last spring. I still get looks from some people when I drive by.

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  Cant part with it. - 2002 Subaru Legacy
  By ctgal - November 29 - 2:00 am

  I bought my subie because I needed a reliable car to get me back and forth to work every day in the NW CT hills. Through snow, ice, torrential rains, you name it. 120 miles a day. This car never failed me and was fun to drive! Finally, at 150,000 miles and 3 trips from East Coast to West Coast, it needed a new head gasket. There is no rust on this car and the finish looks as good as the day I bought it. There is a little wind noise from the drivers side window but I never felt noise was a problem. Now, with 175,000 miles, the car lives in sunny CA where I hope to put another 75K on it driving back and forth to the Sierra Nevada. Still has the pep of a youngster.

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  2010 Tribeca Ltd - 2,000 mile review - 2010 Subaru Tribeca
  By Roman - November 29 - 2:00 am

  After 2000 miles still love the handling and safe feel of the Tribeca. The leather seats are comfortable, and the power moonroof is nice too. The home-link on the sun visor eliminates all the remote control clutter. Have not setup the Blue-tooth as yet. Getting better mileage then advertised, around 18.5 mpg city, dont know about highway. Would like to see more storage compartments up front - glove box just big enough to hold manual nothing else. I have not tried the transmission in Sport mode - regular mode seems plenty perky and alive.

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  Wow-e-wow-wow! - 2011 Subaru Impreza
  By MIke - November 29 - 2:00 am

  What a neat car, fun to drive, fast and MUCH more comfortable than my Miata. I have had Mustang GTs and an older Camaro and a Ford ZX2 SR and nothing compares to the fun factor so far. The 2011 has a great stereo that allows blue tooth streaming as well as a USB jack for music on a memory stick. I have no complaints so far. Ok maybe one, I had to change to all season tires for the snow here as it comes with summer only tires. Make sure you get the short shifter option it makes a world of difference!

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  WOW, driving is fun again! - 2005 Subaru Legacy
  By sanman76 - November 28 - 3:26 am

  Wow, I have had this car a month now and I love it. It is the best car I have driven. It accelerates, brakes, and rides like a dream. Totally shocked at how nice the car is for the price. What other car can go 0-60 in 5.7 sec with the same build quality, all wheel drive, etc. for under $25k? This car will spank 3 series BMWs. People complain about the tires, but I find them to be decent for what I paid. Yes they wear out quickly, but it is because people who own this car push it to its limits. If you were to drive slowly (which is impossible for me in this car) your tires would last much longer. Overall, highly recommended. Trust me and test drive one!

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  Warranty Issues! - 2007 Subaru Legacy
  By Slitch - November 27 - 6:23 pm

  The car performs as expected and I am generally pleased, but as soon as you have a warranty issue Subaru of America will look to weasel out. They immediately demand copies of receipts for oil changes and say that all turbo engines must be serviced as shown under severe service conditions regardless of how you drive. This is an obvious contraction to what the service manual states. An extended service contract is a must for the turbo, but still be prepared to duke it out when you try to use it! Research Subaru forums on warranty issues and read about all of the people getting jerked around. Consider with the added cost of the service contract, other awd makes might be a better purchase.

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  hazardous headlights - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By aok - November 27 - 1:30 am

  Nice look and ride in daylight. Very dangerous low beam headlights. We had it checked out and service said thats the normal operating characteristic. Cant see 10 feet in front going down a hill at night. Flawed design-needs safety recall. Another Tribeca owner said its like a horizon line right across your vision. Its a notched line, pitch dark on top. Need to drive with high beams on-creates another safety issue for oncoming cars. Poor, hazardous headlight design. Service has heard it lots-why dont more bring it up?

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  What a Joy - 1998 Subaru Forester
  By DoDred - November 26 - 8:53 pm

  We have 170,000+ miles on our Subie and still feel that it is one of the best cars we have ever owned. I have used and probably abused it back and forth across the US and Canada, from California to Prince Edward Island, from Key West to Vancouver, BC. What a joy of a car to own.

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  Love my Subbie! - 2010 Subaru Legacy
  By Jeremy - November 26 - 8:13 pm

  Ive had my Legacy now for about two months. Ive been very happy with the driving experience. The car handles extremely well. I am getting about 26 mpg in the city and about 32-33 on the highway. I got the all weather package with heated seats, heated mirrors, and heated wipers. Im excited for winter for the first time in my life driving a vehicle! I enjoy the large tank (17 gallons). I was able to go on a 500 mile trip without stopping to fill up. Some people complain about the looks outside, but I like it. The interior space is incredible for a midsize sedan. Trunk space is adequate and designed well.