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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  reliable? - 1999 Subaru Forester
  By bperk - September 2 - 2:00 am

  Although Subaru is known for reliablity the Forester may not be. My Forester had 2 sets of wheel bearings replaced in under 50000 miles, went through 2 sets of tires in the same time. The ABS system locked up causing the need to replace the brake pads. The coup was a leaking head gasket at 57000 miles. Thankfully just within warranty and in time to trade it. Thanks Subaru

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  A solid performer! - 1999 Subaru Forester
  By gplind007 - September 2 - 2:00 am

  Dependable & efficent, it has never failed. New tires and tune-up, also one of the highest passing grades in crash tests by Consumers Report. We bought it for the childrens safety, now we are looking for something larger for a growing family.

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  My first Subaru, very impressed. - 2014 Subaru Forester
  By comiskeybum - September 1 - 1:16 pm

  This is my first Subaru and my first AWD vehicle. I have driven other AWD cars before from Ford on test drives but nothing beats Subarus AWD system.There are youtube videos showing why this is and why their system is head and shoulders better than others. -Gas Mileage: I will report back on this again after more miles are put on it. But right now driving around the city running errands I average 26.7 MPG. Well within the advertised range. -Powertrain: I am shocked at how fast this vehicle accelerates off the line. Because of the CVT transmission it is able to perform like V6 powered cars I have owned in the past. Plenty of power. Much more than our 2010 Chevy Equinox.

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  The Outback LL Bean Rocks - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By Newly_Loyal - September 1 - 9:30 am

  This is my second Outback. My first a 2001 was fun to drive - handled well and made me a Subaru Believer. Alas, the flat four was not powerful enough when I needed it. Now the 2005 LL Bean is a different story. The 6 cylinder at an improved 250 horses is just what the doctor ordered. It is slow off the line, but once moving, look out. I am not into a lot of auto froo froo. The leather seats are more of a nuisance than fabric. It is a shame that the Suby execs in their (in) finite wisdom insist that the "good" engine only gets installed in the uberdeluxe models! Some of us need the real utility of a workin wagon!

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  Exceptional Car, Money not an Issue - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By Damien - August 31 - 10:00 am

  Exceptional performance. terrific sound system. AWD. Great car. Far exceeds the competition (RSX Type S, Mustang GT, Celica GTS)

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  Trust me!! - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By THE TRUSTY ONE - August 31 - 10:00 am

  This is the most reliable veicle ever! its got every thing you need to drive fast and safetly (if your a good driver) it will be the drive of your life.

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  dont buy xt - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By bad experience - August 31 - 7:30 am

  The engine on this car (turbo) blew up in a remote location late at night in a snow storm. We had kids in the car. BAD experience. Totally unacceptable for a car with 9600 miles on it. Subaru paid for the rental car for the time my car was at the dealer; plus got them to pay me $1000 for my hassle and pay for free scheduled maintenance on the car for the rest of the lease term. I was told by dealer that turbo engines have an oil piping problem. The turbo gets starved of oil. The result is mechanical failure of turbo. Metal pieces somehow get into engine. Bye-bye engine.

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  350 wheel hp - 2005 Subaru Legacy
  By don wone - August 31 - 6:30 am

  Twice the car of my 2000 A4, if not more.

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  Tribeca is great! - 2008 Subaru Tribeca
  By Dave Mason - August 30 - 1:20 am

  Easy to drive, firm on the road, no hassles in rain, snow or sun or even off-road. Nice lay-out inside and I get comments from strangers about its looks!

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  Great SUV - 2008 Subaru Tribeca
  By jaypol - August 29 - 2:13 am

  I leased a 2008 Subaru Tribeca Limited 7 pass last month. I have always driven Acura vehicles over the last 10 years but was turned off to the high cost of the MDX. I test drove the GMC Acadia, Buick Enclave,Toyota Highlander, and MDX. The Tribeca beat all these with respect to ride, performance, comfort, and safety. I only have 500 miles on it but am very satisfied so far.