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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  Im a walking Subaru advertisement - 2002 Subaru Forester
  By Single mom - October 30 - 12:13 am

  Purchased new 2002. Not a single days problem. No recalls, reasonable insurance premium, great gas mileage, normal maintenance. Handles like a car. Quick response, great power when needed. Comfortable, roomy, reliable, lots of standard features. I still own it and feel safe with my teenagers driving it, esp. in winter snow and rain. Excellent safety rating. Far exceeded my expectations for a compact SUV. Cargo room with seats down is a blessing! Its going to take a lot to get me away from purchasing a new model. Over 35 years, this has been the BEST car I have ever owned. Cup holder placement has been improved.

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  2004 WRX STI Review - 2005 Subaru Impreza
  By KS - October 29 - 4:26 pm

  Love this car to death! Its very very fast, reliable, good looking and fun to drive. Its worth the money, 100%. I get so many other people waving at me and giving me a "thumbs up" when I drive by that I feel like Im a celebrity. Flat out best car on the market, bar none. Porsche-like speed with 4 doors, rail like handling ... you just cant beat it.

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  Excellent for it intended buyer - 2013 Subaru Impreza
  By tvtruong - October 27 - 1:17 am

  We bought this for for the following reason and so far it has been great at it. - Traction in the snow - Fuel economy - Cargo space - Safety rating - Reliability A lot of people seem to have reliability with the car, so far Ive had no problem, I hope it will stay that way. It prowess in the snow even exceeded my expectation. With a set of Michelin winter tires, it feel like driving in the summer.

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  Great car - 2016 Subaru Outback
  By Mary Remington - October 25 - 11:22 am

  Stepped outside the box on this vehicle and bought the top of the line. Absolutely love this car. I is very comfortable with 10 point driver seat adjustments. Wish I could raise the passenger seat but only moves back and forth. The safety features of the EyeSight are really great, so glad we opted to get this. The dash is well designed. Only downside is on rare occasion there is a glare from the screen but only on rare occasion. Four cylinder has really has good pickup.

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  best thing I ever own - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By the physicist - October 24 - 11:26 am

  6 yrs old, 147000 miles, 27 mpg with premium gas, brakes replaced at 90000 and 100000 miles! What have been replaced: a small rubber hose, 1 supporting leg of the transmission, oxygen apparatus for total $1500 last yr..Otherwise, the car handles like new.. I could drive any car under $150000, and I did selected the best one..

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  Wow - 2008 Subaru Legacy
  By Ron - October 23 - 11:40 am

  I test drove the 08 Saab Aero, Volvo C70, Accord, WRX and a few others and the Legacy blew them away in every way. Performance, handling, style and pricing. Ive had it for about a month and recently had the cold air intake, heat shield and Cat-back system installed. With this system, this little engine actually sounds like a real muscle car. It is a true sleeper that Ive surprised many a driver with already!! I feel like I stold the car getting it for 30k. Well worth the investment.

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  Agile, fun-to-drive, and a great value! - 2009 Subaru Impreza
  By my1stSubaru - October 22 - 9:16 pm

  Extremely fun to drive with amazing handling and the surprisingly spirited engine makes me smile. I feel safe, its reliable and think its worth it to trade some gas mileage for superior road holding, especially in hazardous driving conditions (snow and rain). Simple, but spacious interior and tremendous trunk capacity. It makes it easy to become a Subaru enthusiast!

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  My Tribeca -- a good choice! - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By P. Clarke - October 22 - 4:00 pm

  Love it! Whether zipping around town or settling down for a road trip it is fun to drive. It has great response to the gas pedal and the steering wheel. Have been on a trip from Cincinnati to Lawton OK and another to Savannah GA and enjoyed the Tribeca on the road as much as in the city.

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  Ode to an AWD Alfa Romeo.... - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By PapaHawk - October 21 - 4:10 am

  Capable, confident, and charismatic! The Subaru B9 Tribeca is the complete 7-passenger AWD package. With its Italian styling, Japanese engineering, and 100% Subaru core, this vehicle is destined to enjoy a long ride along the American road, and one of these beauties will always be parked in my garage! This is an amazing vehicle. It is a pleasure to own and a joy to drive. It has my unqualified support as the best automotive value in the SUV world.

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  Great Vehicle - 2006 Subaru Forester
  By jxlewis - October 20 - 1:16 pm

  Pros: Handling and traction in rain & snow. Cons: Noisy fuel pump. Drives and handles well. AWD provides great handling in the rain and snow. Ride is a little too hard over rough roads and RR tracks. Seats are firm and comfortable. Front seat space is adequate if youre not overweight, height no problem at 63". Rear seat leg space is inadequate. Console and controls are placed well and easy to adjust while driving.