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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  Subaru Forester - 2008 Subaru Forester
  By gerri - August 27 - 11:03 am

  I am so happy with my Forester. It is just as good as I expected it to be. Drives beautifully, albeit a bit noisy. It is a basic straightforward auto. No luxuries, just safety and a good old fashioned "able to see from all angles" car. Absolutely no blind spots... good for us height challenged souls. I adore my suv/car crossover. It fits my bill. My puppies also have plenty of room.

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  Drivers Seat bad for back or knee pain - 2010 Subaru Forester
  By storiesbysteve - August 27 - 10:33 am

  Driven 1600+ miles. I like this car - but it can be very uncomfortable for a person with back or knee pain. I would like ARM RESTS and padding where a guys knees hit the left door and the console. Its rock hard A tilt steering wheel would be good. The moon roof is fantastic - and the drivers visibility is super. It is a pleasure to drive in the rain. Its not as smooth riding as I expected, but very surefooted. I might have been more comfortable in a Honda but the Subaru is faster (up to 130 mph!) As long as you dont need a comfortable drivers seat for your back or knee this is a GREAT car. I made a You Tube video about the seat problems and how to work around them

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  Problems galore - 2001 Subaru Forester
  By subpain - August 27 - 1:40 am

  This car has serious problems with the axle and wheel bearing assembly. I replace the Rt rear bearings in 2005 @33,000 mi, the Rt & Lt rear bearings in 2006 @ 46,000 mi, and this month the left rear bearing @84,000 mi in 2010. The front axles have both been replaced in the last 2 yrs, one twice. now the O2 sensors need replacing. the head gasket was recalled and replaced. It is hard to believe I am driving the same car and the same model as those with glowing reports.

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  Very Satisfied - 2002 Subaru Outback
  By GTH - August 26 - 2:00 am

  Plenty of power when fully occupied. Much quieter than my former Legacy. How would it be if it was supecharged? Awesome?

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  Love my new Subie!!! - 2011 Subaru Impreza
  By SubieLove - August 26 - 2:00 am

  My first Subie and I LOVE HER! I need AWD for NH winters, so considered RAV4, Suzuki SX4, Matrix, Outback, Forester, Impreza. Did tons of research; this OBS had what I needed: reliability, safety, wagon versatility, adorability, good price. I LOVE driving this car. Smooth, but can feel the road; easy shifting (but shifter feels a bit rubbery); comfy seats; perfect cargo space for 1 person; hugs the road; very responsive; good stereo; sits up high w/lift on drivers seat. Ive owned a Tercel/Civic/Miata, so Im used to great mpg. Have driven 170 miles on 30-60 mph country roads; meter says 31 mpg. But I can see my fuel meter wand move down as I drive. Yow. But I adore this car already.

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  Great value, fun to drive - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By cfmelville - August 26 - 2:00 am

  Weve had the car for 11 months now and are pleased with the performance and reliability. The only maintenance weve needed was 2 oil changes, the last included checking for 2 recall issues (neither was found on our car.) Cargo room is adequate although with 2 adults and 2 large dogs we did purchase a roof basket since we car camp frequently. No complaints about handling, in fact the car handles quite well, very fast off the line and easy to drive on winding roads. Much nicer to drive than the Xterra we had before although not as rugged.

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  Bang for the buck - 2011 Subaru Forester
  By Java2 - August 26 - 2:00 am

  I test drove 2010 Forester (and CR-V) after a great deal of research. The ride quality and handling was better on Forester. It offered features I needed and was within my price range. But, I decided to wait for the 2011 model since it was going to have additional torque (174 pound feet compared to 170), slightly better mileage, and standard bluetooth. I recently purchased the 2011 Forester Premium (Automatic with all-weather package and Tom Tom navigation). The ride is excellent and handling is superior (it hugs the tight corners very well). It has great cost/benefit - loads of features (huge moonroof, heated front seats, power driver seat, ample cargo space, bluetooth, USB, etc).

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  Practical and reliable - 2007 Subaru Forester
  By Mowine4me - August 24 - 11:53 pm

  This is the second Forester we have bought and its just a great, practical car.

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  Much better but still needs a bit more. - 2018 Subaru Crosstrek
  By SC - August 24 - 6:40 pm

  I went from 2015 Crosstrek CVT to the 2018 Premium CVT. I went to the Premium as I liked the cloth interior and wheel style better than on the Limited. Overall the car feels much better. Rides better. Much quieter and better breaks. Interior finish is also superior to the prior series. Basic stereo is also much better sound quality and Apple Car Play is HUGE! Still needs a bit more horsepower. The added torque is a plus but it could really use another 10-20 ponies. Now from going to the Limited to the Premium - you suffer in the digital readouts. The ODO and MPH gauges are red which is very cool but then they stick this super bland rudimentary and hard to read bright white gas gauge in the middle. Sorry, they whiffed on that basic readout and design. At night, the brightness and the style does not complement the other round gauges and I find this distracting. Stereo - Ill need to take it in as I get a lot of static when listening to regular radio. The biggest issue - major oversteer/understeer balance. Handling feel is nice but the oversteer/understeer balance was much better in the prior car. I know the car is now on the same platform of the BRZ which helps the feel and I am going to talk to the dealer about it. Im sure nothing will come of it but worth a shot. I most likely will keep this for the long haul and will address the handling. Bottom line - overall I do like this series better than the other. Its a comfortable car to drive and its a beast in the snow. I just may be a bit pickier than most?

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  bad choice - 2003 Subaru Outback
  By walter - August 24 - 5:16 pm

  I think it was my fault buying this car, because my wife needed a wagon or something really fast because she needed it for commuting to work. Suvs were out of the question, but now we feel guilty because anything is better than this junk car. Forget about going on vacation because there is TOO MUCH WIND NOISE!!!! Its almost like having a separate stereo system, one for the radio, and one for the noisiness of the car. You wont get stopped because people love the way it looks because it is ugly, especially the 03 model. We are hoping to trade in the Subaru before it depreciates.