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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  Best Subaru yet!! - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By sitkayid - April 24 - 10:30 am

  Quieter and more refined than the previous model. My immediate family has owned 12 Subaru vehicles over the past 15 years. Yes, 12 vehicles between 5 people. This new 2009 Forester is by far the BEST Subaru to date. It combines all the important features of its predecessor, but now in a modern and eye-pleasing package. The VDC feature is now standard, and is worth trading in early for.

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  B9 Tribeca - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By Janet - April 24 - 12:16 am

  This is the sixth Subaru that Ive owned. I was very interested in buying an SUV and the timing of this vehicle was perfect. It is beautiful inside and out and drives and handles like a car. I am very pleased.

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  This vehicle ROCKS! - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By DannyD - April 23 - 3:50 pm

  I have owned my Tribeca for 3 weeks now. It rocks! I just absolutely love it! It has such a unique exterior, and the interior could not be better. My commute is 1 hour each way, and the time flies by now. (I hope that feeling never wears off.) The radio reception is incredible. The ability to play data CDs made with MP3 files is awesome. I can put 13 CDs on 1 disk. Who needs a CD changer if you can do that? The ride is incredible. I have never felt so connected to the road before. This car is worth every penny. If only gas prices didnt stink so bad.

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  New owner - 2013 Subaru Outback
  By tblvr0885 - April 21 - 11:13 am

  Only 750 miles. So far, everything I expected. Love the white with corresponding black, headlight design, and overall look. Interior design and layout very good. Wish list: auto headlight delay when shutting off; make memory seats and adaptive cruise separate options; lift gate window open separate from lift gate. Knew these werent there before purchase, but would be good features/options for future. Voice command navigation hard to use.

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  A Happy Owner for Over a Year Now - 2003 Subaru Forester
  By Kan - April 19 - 2:00 am

  bought it when it first came on the market. I am very pleased so far. I travel several times in this vehicle and feel very comfortable over long drive.

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  Easy On The Pedal Easy On The Gas - 2009 Subaru Impreza
  By Chris - April 17 - 10:26 am

  Id wanted a WRX all the way back in 02, but got into Sentra V-spec on price. Fast forward 7 years, and my patience was rewarded with the 09 wagon. Overall, Ive enjoyed it after a month of mostly 100 mile daily commutes. People seem interested in mileage. On Trip A and B the car has a fuel mileage calculator. I reset trip A at each fill up. Yesterday, was the usual $30 donation to the gas gods. Determined, I wanted to see what extremely mild driving could do for this cars mileage. On the drive in this morning, I averaged 29.7 mpg. Not bad for average speed of maybe 60 to 65 MPH in stop and roll traffic. Not a prius, but not a gas guzzler either. Power is just tap of the pedal.

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  Love my Forester - 2001 Subaru Forester
  By ray70 - April 17 - 2:00 am

  We now have 22,000 miles on the car (about 1/3 of the miles are on back roads) and we are truly happy with Forester. It is a great "all around" vehicle. My wife will be driving it most of the time, and it is nice to know that she will have the safety of AWD on our snow-packed and icy roads (a first). We have been getting about 23 mpg regardless of where and how we drive it. It would be nice if the mileage improved with age, but I can live with 23 mpg.

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  Still Happy after a Year - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By billradio - April 15 - 8:34 pm

  It has been about a year of ownership of my Outback. This is the familys 3rd Subaru and my 2nd Outback. It may be too nice a car for me. Subaru owners use their car for hard work, rough terrain and bad weather. The 2010 model change made the car nicely refined and still able to perform those utilitarian functions. The upgraded audio/Bluetooth option was a good investment. I love the CVT transmission: in the mountains it adjusts as necessary instead of the constant shifting up & down on convential trannies. The 4-cylinder is more than adequate to climb on the interstate hills at full speed. The larger interior is great. The gas mileage is much better than expected.

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  Happy Subi Owner - 2009 Subaru Outback
  By slolane - April 14 - 4:10 pm

  I love this car! It shines as a well thought out vehicle. The Annapolis dealer provided the best car buying and accessories purchase I have ever experienced. I was able to get it out the door at 24k, I went in at the end of the month and as we all know the 2010s are coming soon. I wanted a 2009 as Im not comfortable buying a first year remodel of anything. This is to be a long term car for me and from the positive experiences my family and friends have had with Subarus this can easily be a 150-200k car (or more). The engine and transmission are quite capable and powerful for my city and highway driving. I get 32hwy and 28city... great mpgs for an AWD.

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  Trade Up - 2004 Subaru Forester
  By fotd - April 13 - 2:00 am

  I traded my 03 X for an 04 XT. I loved the X and feel the same about the XT. The icrease in power is just what the doctor ordered. Plenty of power throughout the rev range. Hardly any turbo lag. Good tourqe for driving in the PA mountains. I never thought the fastest car I ever owner would be a wagon! (I know its an SUV) The 5spd is a great match for the turbo motor. Great saftey features. Great "stealth" vehicle. This is truly a "do-it-all" vehicle. Gripes: The Auto Climate control does not work well. No sunroof with a 5spd, what gives? I wish the rear windows were factory tint. All of theses are minimal complaints. Overall I rate this car a 10.