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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  Head Gaskets, Catalytic Converters - 2002 Subaru Outback
  By a20366 - September 29 - 4:56 am

  This is the worst car that we have ever owned. We have replaced the head gaskets, catalytic converters and constantly have brake problems - primarily warped rotors. They say we need new valves now. We have taken care of this car and we have 130,000 on it. Subaru obviously has problems which they refuse to stand behind. We would never buy another one and just hope we can sell this one.

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  Unbelievable car - 2005 Subaru Impreza
  By Alex11 - September 28 - 10:00 am

  Worth double the sticker price. Even or better than the Porsches at the Racetrack and you can take four people up to the snow too.

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  poor seats - 2003 Subaru Baja
  By john burton - September 27 - 10:36 am

  Overall I am pleased with my recent purchase. Seats are my biggest complaint. Poor support, and no padding for the tush. The car I purchased is having some transmission slippage. Have brought it back, and they said to keep an eye on it.

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  Made A Bad Choice - 2001 Subaru Forester
  By RichardM - September 25 - 2:00 am

  Happy with my Subaru???? Not a chance. 2001 Forester, 38,000 miles and I get a check engine light. OK, probably just a loose gas cap, NO. Take it to the dealer and guess what, blown head gasket, ruined O2 sensors, ruined cats. What gives here? I though these were the best of breed for these kinds of cars. Im really upset, disappointed. I have a habit of buying multiple copies of a car if I like it and was just test driving an H6 Outback last weekend. Forester will be traded for a Hyundai Santa Fe, Ill be buying the XG350 for myself. Pretty sad these Subarus.

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  Great SUV overall, but why no automatic locking??? - 2016 Subaru Forester
  By Jun Zhou - September 24 - 9:15 pm

  I purchased this car after having read all the reviews at Edmunds.com on compact to midsize SUVs and test driven quite a few of them (including Hondas and Toyotas). I have to agree with what most of the reviews have to say about Subaru Forester: its a nicely rounded family SUV with a huge attention paid on the practicality aspects. I enjoy the great outward visibility and the generous size of the sunroof. I like the ease-of-use electronics which offers easy Bluetooth connection with my iPhone, so I can have hands-free calls and enjoy mp3 music effortlessly. I love the gas mileage - my first 500+ miles during the frigid winter yielded 28 mpg, which perhaps is the best among this family of cars with AWD), and I do like all the features that the Limited trim level has to offer - However (!!!), to my big surprise, with the sophistication in technologies at this trim level, the car would NOT lock itself when you drive, you will have to remember to press the lock button yourself each time... in past 20 some years, I have driven tens of different cars with power locks, none of them require the drive to remember locking the doors before driving! One day on a highway my son, a very active 8-year-old boy, easily opened the back door when playing with the handle out of boredom/curiosity - thank God he immediately closed it after being yelled at :-) - but it buffles me why Subaru, a company touted safety for their products, would leave this manual which shouldnt be hard to get engineered as automatic. One of my friends told me that his Legacy and Outback dont have automatic lock either... why, Subaru??? Another thing I think is minor, which is the wind noise while driving, which definitely can be reduced a bit...

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  review - 2007 Subaru Outback
  By j henry - September 23 - 4:16 am

  This is my third Subaru wagon, not very sexy, maybe, but in my experience reliable.

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  4th Subaru, and it wont be the last - 2015 Subaru Outback
  By lstickle - September 22 - 6:28 am

  Hands down the best vehicle in snow I have ever had. I have had Jeeps, SUVs, 4 Wheel Drive Trucks, nothing can compare to the sure footedness of the Subaru. Prior to this I had a 2001 Outback, 300,000 miles on it and sold it for $6000. These cars are built to last, they hold their value and are as advertised. Great technology is available now that wasnt available back then.

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  Sooo much for just so little!! - 2007 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By KATHY - September 22 - 2:53 am

  I love my SUV, I cannot believe I was able to afford such a luxurious vehicle. The design inside and out is so extremely comfortable and breath taking. This vehicle has everything and more than I could have ever wanted. It drives like a champ especially in the Miami, FL rain. FYI: I would not change the locking system, because if you ever were to go into a canal you dont want those doors locking automatically.

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  Good Driving, Serious Flaws - 2012 Subaru Legacy
  By desertsubaru - September 21 - 2:07 am

  Roomy interior - previous years couldnt fit a rear-facing infant carseat between drivers seat and second row - the 2012 can. Smooth ride. No engine temperature gauge. Just a "cold" and a "hot" light. Of course, by the time the "hot" light comes on youre screwed. A standard temperature gauge would give some warning as to gradually increasing engine temperature. Check engine light turns off traction control and emergency brake (and cruise control), so if you live on a hill and forget to tighten your gas cap...good luck parking. Turning off traction control is a major safety flaw.

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  Sports Car in Disguise - 2006 Subaru Outback
  By Big John - September 20 - 11:23 pm

  The Subaru Outback XT Limited is a sports car masquerading as a family wagon. With the 250 hp turbocharged, intercooled 2.5 liter Boxer engine and 5 speed manual transmission, it is a car for people like me who like to drive. In spite of its high road clearance (about 8.5 inches) it corners very well, and few drivers will ever take this car to its limits of adhesion. Apart from the driveability, this model has a load of creature comforts, including heated seats and a nice stereo system.