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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  Completely Satisfied - almost - 2003 Subaru Forester
  By pnassmac - November 12 - 10:00 am

  Less than one week old (900 miles already) and very happy with my purchase. Were used to Accords - this Subaru feels the most similiar: firm seats with excellent bolstering, dead- on steering, wonderful ergonomics. Yet, the car is more responsive, smoother over the bumps and has a more solid feel. There are couple of flaws. We require a roof rack with 58 inch load bars. The standard (~39in) is too short and no replacements from Thule and Yakima exist for this vehicle - yet. This fact renders the car for our outdoor activities quite a bit less useful. Also, the stereos bass is too boomy even own lower but listenable setting.

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  Go Rally - 2001 Subaru Impreza
  By SWRT - November 12 - 10:00 am

  Overall the car is excellent. Lots of modifications possible. Grabs other motorists attention for its good looks. Great in snow.

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  AWD supercar! - 2006 Subaru Impreza
  By Fernslinger - November 12 - 8:36 am

  This car is awesome. The handling and acceleration blows cars away at 2-3 times the price. The build quality is great and I love the way it looks. I really enjoy driving this car!

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  Perfect - 2012 Subaru Legacy
  By ziptiecloud - November 10 - 9:00 pm

  I love this car. Period. Went from An Audi A4 and dont miss a thing; especially the repair bill! VERY smooth ride, great sound system, TONS of space, great power, awesome handling.. everything about this car is just fantastic.

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  Fun Car - 2005 Subaru Legacy
  By Kris - November 8 - 8:30 pm

  I just took delivery of my 2005 Subaru Legacy GT limited. I researched and drove the Acura TL, the Infiniti G35, the Chrysler 300C and the Legacy of course. I feel that all things considered the Legacy is just a great value. The build quality is excellent and this car is high in the smile category. I have driven 550 miles in just four days. I love it so far.

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  Great Ride - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By Dave - November 8 - 6:23 pm

  I traded in my Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited. Ive only owned the Tribeca for a couple of weeks but so far I really enjoy driving it.

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  Excellent All-round vehicle - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By hunter001 - November 8 - 2:10 pm

  Wonderful vehicle which drives like a Civic when needed and drives like a Ferocious Kamikaze when asked to. Split personality ! The Auto-WRX, whose VTD-AWD system is equipped with a torque-sensing Planetary gear and electro-mechanical Hydraulic clutches for rapidly transferring torque front/rear rear/front, and drives with 55% of the power to the rear-wheels in non-slip conditions, is a pure fun car. No other Subaru (Auto or manual) has this exclusive VTD-AWD system.

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  Very Nice, little room for improvement - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By akwagon - November 8 - 6:30 am

  Picked up a 09 2.5X Premium with All weather package and 5 Spd. Really wanted dark interior. But dealer didnt have any with stick shift. Averaging 21.5 mpg in town driving fairly aggressive. I do enjoy driving this. This car is definitely the benchmark in the small SUV category. This car is fun to drive, and hopefully as reliable as previous Foresters. I would of never considered purchasing a Forester, until this new model came out. Being a single guy in my mid 20s, I do get a little crap for it looking like a "soccer mom" mobile.

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  Great Handling and Fun to Drive - 2003 Subaru Forester
  By Majo - November 5 - 2:00 am

  Not since our Wolfsburg edition VW Cabriolet have we had a car this much fun to drive. The huge moon roof is a nice feature even in bad weather. It is Subarus dedication to All Wheel Drive that makes this car so much fun to drive. It feels more like a sports car than a mini SUV. No wonder Subaru brags in the beauty of "All Wheel Drive". We have a 4 wheel drive truck to tow the horses, but "All Wheel Drive" is about handling in any weather condition. They pack a lot of features in this car for the price and after you drive it you will understand what Subaru means when they say "The Beauty of All Wheel Drive"

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  Its All About Driving! - 2003 Subaru Impreza
  By Elad - November 5 - 2:00 am

  This car is just plain fun to drive! Jumps off the line with great acceleration once you get the engine (RPMs) spooled up. In the turns the car is balanced and rock solid with minimal body roll. Have driven in the rain and have yet to break the grip loose. Would recommend getting the short throw shifter for more precise shifting. I am averaging 21 (mpg) because it is hard to stay off the pedal in this car.