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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  LOVE this car! - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By elfie - September 2 - 9:10 am

  Ive had the car for a month now and LOVE it. Everyone who rides in it cant believe it is a base model and how much it costs. It really feels like a luxury car. I went from a minivan to an Outback Wagon and the space has not been an issue as of yet. I have 2 kids in car seats and can fit a third booster seat in the middle in a pinch. Power is sufficient for me and have only felt a very slight lag when the car is loaded with firewood and all seats full with folks. Best feature - cuts through snowy roads like butter! 7" yesterday was no problem for this car. We are now die hard Subaru family and would never purchase anything else. My husband is looking at the Impreza or Outback Sport.

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  WRX as good as my M3 - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By salligator - September 1 - 10:00 am

  To me a Subaru makes a great winter snow car. This time I bought a WRX, since my summer car is a BMW M3 convertible. Except at very low RPMs, the WRX might as well have an M3 on it. The handling on a very narrow twisty road is as good as the M3, and the accelleration as long as you stay above 3000 RPM is also about the same. But the WRX has more features, it does not transmit potholes to your back, it goes in snow, and it has all weather performance tires that do not require replacement every 13000 miles.

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  Excellent! - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By trrbocharged - September 1 - 10:00 am

  I decided that I needed to get another car to compliment my modified 944 Turbo, and I really wanted to find something "affordable" with comparable performance. The STi definitely fits the bill. I have logged about 1600 miles on it so far, it its running great. I didnt care much for all of the external decals and the chrome lettering on the trunk, so I removed everything except the little STi logo on the front grill. I think the body looks great, and I actually think the tail size is just fine. All in all, I am very happy with my purchase and would recommend the car to anyone.

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  Wow... - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By Greg_STi - September 1 - 10:00 am

  I love this car. Last week I had an 2003 Acura NSX race me, he could not belive why he was behind me. lol Everyone that looks at dosent belive how fast it is untill I take them for a ride, afterword they are just blown away. Its about time the STi came here!

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  Absolutely LOVE my Subaru!! - 2000 Subaru Outback
  By jcanz - September 1 - 10:00 am

  My husband and I just bought a used 2000 Outback wagon to replace our bloated old gas guzzling boat of an SUV. It was definitely the wisest thing we ever did. I feel very safe driving this vehicle-- the AWD is the best. Our dogs love the LARGE cargo area.

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  My Favorite So Far - 2004 Subaru Outback
  By WendyB - September 1 - 4:13 am

  After 2 Foresters (that I really liked), I upgraded to the V6 Outback Sedan. Its really fun to drive, is very comfortable, and looks good too. The pick up is a little sluggish, but a world of difference better than the Foresters were.

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  Meets expectations and reputation. - 2017 Subaru Outback
  By Cloutier - August 31 - 1:36 pm

  Shop around to locate the best deal and services.

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  Fourth Subaru Forester - 2010 Subaru Forester
  By DW - August 30 - 10:00 am

  Im almost to the end of my first year with my 2010, the fourth Forester weve bought (we still have 3 of them in the family). Was driving a 2008 Premium, which gave me an insight into how Subaru shaved costs to keep pricing where it is. For 2009 and 2010, they dropped the leather wrapped steering wheel, integrated turn signal lighting in side mirrors, and premium radio with 6 Cd changer in favor of a cheap radio with one CD. Love the ride, how supple it is over bumps. The power is plenty adequate, particularly if you push it over into manumatic and stir it yourself. Like the tinted windows on Premium and Limited. Love, love, love the extra space of the new body style.

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  Second review after 3 months - 2008 Subaru Outback
  By gtskier - August 29 - 8:13 am

  Great fun to drive. Mileage is better than expected, 24 mpg in SI Drive - "S" mode driving up and down canyon 5400 to 9200 feet on weekly shopping trips and local mountain driving daily. Handles great on curves, highways, dirt. One exception: factory Bridgestone tires squirm excessively on grooved pavement. Road noise is a bit high, but crank up the great stereo with SRS-WOW, MP3 CD and jack. Cant wait to see the VDC work on snow and ice this winter.

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  Great Car - 2002 Subaru Outback
  By larry - August 26 - 4:16 am

  Very happy with this car. Excellent build quality, pick up and handling. Very reliable and with snow tires, unstoppable. Winter package especially appreciated. Excellent cabin comfort and cargo capacity. This is our second Subaru and the ownership experience has been pleasant for both. Only nits are the crappy front sunroof and the climate control system is annoying. we have 60K trouble free miles so far. We opted for a new CRV this round but will keep an eye on Subaru when we sell this beast in a few years