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:

• 

  New Subie - 2010 Subaru Forester
  By oxnardsubie - August 8 - 1:50 am

  This is our fourth Subaru. 02 WRX, 08 Outback, 09 STI, and 2010 Forester. If you know Subaru you know the beauty of Maximum Value, Reliability, and Safety! Did I mention a blast to drive as well. This car has the same dash as my STI and drives like an AWD car with slick SUV looks. Subaru did a great job with the new style! This car is driven primarily by my wife and she loves it! (So do I!) Id rather have her in a forester than any other compact SUV or crossover. Go with the best get a Subie!

• 

  Nothing I dont like about it - 2014 Subaru Forester
  By conbrio - August 7 - 6:52 am

  Over this ast few years Ive owned an Audi A4, a Prius, a Mini Cooper S, a VW GTI, and a Chevy Cruze Eco. All were good cars but each had characteristics I didnt care for right from day 1. Not the case with my new Forester. I havent found a single thing I dont like about this car (well okay, I didnt like the wheel rims so I replaced them with some I do like - but thats it). This 2.5i is the bottom of the line Forester, but it has everything I would ever want in a car, including cruise control, which, on other cars I looked at was available only on the upscale models. Oh, by the way, this color, this eggshell metallic white, was a thousand dollar option on my 2000 Audi.

• 

  Update... - 2009 Subaru Outback
  By ywilson - August 5 - 5:56 am

  This is an update on my Soobie. Man I have to say that this is one great car. I have no complaints after 5400+ miles. No problems, great ride and the gas mileage is going up just like everyone said it would. My best to date was 33.7 MPG. I change my own oil and will do my others as well when the time comes. It is easy to work on this car if you are slightly mechanically inclined. Everything is reachable. This is going to be my 10 years car! Sorry Subaru but I am keeping this one for a long time. It is obvious it will last!!

• 

  Not My LEXUS, but we still like it! - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By J. P. Bacsick - August 5 - 4:52 am

  Expect to be looking for "RUST RESISTANT" brake rotors to replace factory installed. Factory specs for allignment not the best for breezy days on open road. Oh, and the water intrusion! Jammed driver door window, "premium sound system" really sucks. Constantly having to clamp loose heat shields from rattling. Going back to Toyota products.

• 

  DUMB college kid here... - 2006 Subaru Impreza
  By OOPs - August 3 - 7:50 pm

  This little wagon is one tough car. I love the car, drive it sanely (mostly). I took it deep into the woods of western Colorado and ended up 4-wheeling across a field of 9" snow at 40 mph, floored in third the whole time. I then accidentally sailed it right off a seven-foot embankment. There were three people in the car. It landed, HARD, and the whole front end tore off, which we ran over. One front tire exploded, the car swung to the left and rolled onto the pass. side. We escaped, pushed her back over; she started right up. DUMB mistake-but terrifically durable car. On a FLAT she made it outta the field, minus the bumper and badly leaking radiator, then made it 91 miles home on the spare.

• 

  2009 Forester - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By ra18983967 - August 2 - 12:26 am

  Like most people today we did a lot of on-line comparison shopping looking for a new car. After several weeks we decided on the Subaru Forester and we are more than happy with our choice. The car is ultra quiet. At an idle I could barely make out the engine noise at all. on the road and at speed the Forester is amazing quiet except if you roll a window down. With the automatic fuel consumption/ miles per hour monitor you can see the gas mileage you are getting. We did a side by side comparison of driving with and without the cruise control. We are now big believers in cruise control even for short jaunts. The interior is more than roomy and has lots of over head space for my 64" frame.

• 

  No Regrets - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By TayTay - July 31 - 1:50 pm

  Had the Forester for 1 year and had no complaints. Manual version cannot get stuck in snow. I drove it 60 miles in three feet of snow with the wife and son. only time I stopped was to help a guy in a Jeep (not joking). Others have complained about 23 MPG. Get real, remember its an SUV and its AWD. My wife and I have had 2001 Forester, 2002 Forester, 2001 WRX, 2006 LGT and 2009 Forester. 2009 Forester has twice as much room compared to the 2001- 2002. Great design and made of quality parts.

• 

  Its not just a sports sedan, its a WRX - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By GMac - July 31 - 10:00 am

  Being a teenager, I was immediately attracted to this vehicle when I heard about it early 2002. My Mom was seriously considering the most popular car in Vermont, the Subaru Outback wagon. When I heard about the WRX I hounded my parents about it every time a we discussed new cars. After about a year of looking, we found a used 2002 Subaru WRX sedan, black, that my Mom loved. We got it in late March and have been loving it ever since. The WRXs cornering, acceleration, ride, and responsiveness are unparalled by any car in its price range or even those more expensive for that matter.

• 

  2002 Suabru WRX Wagon - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By refuse2growup - July 31 - 10:00 am

  This is the most fun you can have with a station wagon, or sport wagon as Subaru calls it. Plenty of room for four adults with the wagon portion providing ample room for storage. The front seats offer excellent lateral support but can be a little firm for long drives. This is the first car that I have owned more than a year and I still love it as much as the day I bought it.

• 

  2017 WRX Limited - 2017 Subaru WRX
  By mariusz gajdka - July 30 - 6:47 pm

  It is my first Japanese car ever and I love it. One comment though. If you are not fammiliar with manual transmission this car is not for you. Clutch is unforgiven buy it if you are confident in your abilities. For sure you will start smiling from the first day you owe your WRX