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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  buy an evo instead - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By chris c - November 10 - 10:00 am

  AFTER A LONG TIME OF DECIDING WHICH CAR TO BUY, I CHOSE THE STI OVER THE EVO. WITH BETTER SPECS,I THOUGHT THAT I HAD MADE THE RIGHT CHOICE. WITHIN A WEEK, THE CAR HAD ALREADY STARTED HAVING MECHANICAL PROBLEMS. AFTER SEVERAL VISITS TO THE DEALERSHIP,MY CAR WAS FINALLY FIXED. THIS IS MY 3RD VEHICLE THAT I HAVE PURCHASED NEW AND SO FAR TURNED OUT TO BE THE WORST ONE.

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  Wish I never bought you - 2007 Subaru Outback
  By Carm - November 9 - 1:02 am

  I heard from so many people that I should buy a subaru because its great in the snow. They were right about the car on the snow, but I have had nothing but problems with my subaru. If you can think of a million problems that could go wrong with this car, its happened! I bought my car from a one owner driver at 60K miles and my problems began 4 months after I bought. It hasnt stopped, so its time to trade it in! I think Ive put 3000 dollars in the car and have owned it for less than 2 years.

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  very very disappointed, lost lots of money on purchase - 2014 Subaru Forester
  By john674 - November 6 - 4:38 pm

  Bought vehicle based on excellent reviews . very disappointed 1.seat front and back very uncomfortable ,got severe back pain, lumbar support too hard on back problem not detected during 15min test drive complain to dealer, other customers also complained no effect 2.poor mileage only 26 on freeway subaru claims 32 MPG 3.light on dials red at night very disturbing on eyes. not easy to change 4.noisy engine hallow noise idling 5. sound quality very poor knobs small. 6. steering heavy 7. problems finding dealerships very important , had to rent car very expensive must consider before buying subaru.had enough of problems so I trade it in at a huge financial loss. careful of excellent reviews.

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  never again!!!! - 2002 Subaru Outback
  By trish - October 21 - 6:34 am

  Bought 2002 suburu outback limited used from original owner. Had it checked by my mechanic and everything was looked good. 140k miles for $5800. Nice looking car too. Ran great for a few months (2 to be exact). It has been a money sucker non stop for the past 2 years! first was something with the Manifold gasket and oxygen sensor $1150 later. The next big one was an oil leak under the head gasket with some "other things" needing fixing $3100 later. A few little things in between that cost couple of hundred $$. Latest was a break down on the highway with a "fried alternator" and a few months after that steering didnt feel right and my temp guage needle was bouncing from normal to HOT. Turns out coolant leak from the radiator. However, I never saw fluid under the car but the mechanic tells me it is leaking somewhere in the car and going where it shoud not be. Was hesistant to even fix it and told me I should just buy a new car. He did an affordable "patch job" for me for $500 as apposed to fixing the problem for $2000 plus as I NEED my car. I bought this car only because I heard they handle extremely well in the snow and this is quite true--- she does But it STOPS right there! This used car has cost me $10,000 within 2 years. This car is a NIGHTMARE but i need to get about and new car not an option now. I want to cry! :( STAY AWAY FROM SUBURU!!!!!

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  transmission failed at 113,000 - 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek
  By Todd - October 12 - 2:13 pm

  dont buy this car. Bought it new and transmission failed. I did all the preventive maintenance. Should have learned from my 1st Subaru that died on me at 110,000 miles. I will be buying a rav4 now because I have lost thousands of dollars. The cost to fix the transmission would be 3 grand. no way jose

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  Very Disappointed - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By sarah19goddess - October 5 - 5:13 am

  Bought this car new off the lot and I have owned it for 1.5 years. From the very start Ive had nothing but problems. Heres a list of issues: The GPS hard drive unit crapped out, entire unit replaced. Sun roof leaked twice in the first rains. Had to have new seals put in and buy a car cover. Sound system has been horrible from the start. At low volume the sound goes in and out in waves. Plastic seat casing along driver side seat kept popping off the track and then cracked. Passenger seat motor died, replaced. Check engine light keeps reappearing for gas cap (erroneously). Electronic e-break system keeps getting stuck engaged causing excessive wear. Theres more but Im out of characters.

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  Customer must change the phone? - 2016 Subaru Outback
  By Jay - September 17 - 12:32 pm

  I purchased 2016 2.5 limited at the last April 2016. The problem started within a couple of days. It started with random changes of the interior clock. Then the audio part (it is a sort of computer) turns off and re-boot again time to time, while driving!!! Then the key less entry does not work at all intermittently. So when i open it by physical key, the alarm actives. I went dealer and they re installed the program, then changed the audio part. At last they said it is not the problem of the car, but my phone interfere the car. Ask me to update my cellular phone or change my phone. Really? I am always updated my cell iphone and my wife also had same problem when she drove. How can they explain this? I think i need to change my car rather than my cell phone....

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  Head Gasket built to fail - 2003 Subaru Outback
  By gib - September 12 - 1:40 am

  it started off as Beautiful Relationship. but the honeymoon ended quickly. 1st the Air conditioner dropped to about 10% output, then the Brakes needed a complete remake, rotors pads fluid, all went bad, then the radio, and now after only 40K the Head Gasket is leaking. This is a "known" problem and there have been many recalls but when i contacted Subaru they took the position of," its 1yr out of warranty". i agreed, but anyone who knows anything about cars knows a 40K engine should never have a HG failure. Subaru makes TERRIBLE Head Gaskets, look it up on-line BEFORE you buy one. the 1 piece of misleading information out there is that many more HGs have failed than have been written about!

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  Transmission Woes - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By jk55 - September 5 - 10:00 am

  The 5 speed manual is awful or, perhaps, I got a lemon. I have had many manual transmission cars and this is the first that has given me trouble.

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  Regular kitchen appliance - 2004 Subaru Forester
  By DL - August 29 - 4:46 am

  This is a great little car for people who think that driving is as exciting as homework. It is not that expensive, reliability on major parts are good, can take a beating reasonably well. It is a completely forgettable car that takes you from point A to point B with no complaints.