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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  Excellent Visibility - 2010 Subaru Forester
  By Larry - April 7 - 3:30 am

  Researched this car for over a year and balanced it against the CRV, RAV 4 and Escape. Excellent visibility at all corners, fun to drive factor, AWD, vibration free 4cylinder engine and Subarus reputation for quality won. Getting 24 to 24.5 mpg with 50/50 city/hiway mix.

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  My Rex! - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By Slinky - April 6 - 10:00 am

  I absolutely love this car. From the handling to the speed. I have put this car through alot of road testing, both on and off, and have been completely satisfied. One recent trips included Colorado where we drove it to the top of Pikes Peak. It performed like a dream. The turbo handled the high altitude like a charm. I have the 5 speed manual, and with that comes the initial lag at start off. But in a matter of miliseconds that turbo kicks in and you are gone!

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  Great car - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By Travis - April 4 - 3:00 am

  First thing that I noticed when i bought my used WRX was how great of shape the interior was. It was not worn out at all, besides the drivers seat. Mileage does not seem to effect Subarus much. It runs perfect.

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  Great Bang for your Buck. - 2016 Subaru Outback
  By robert - April 3 - 5:12 am

  Much more visability. Love the blind spot detection and lane assist options. Leg room for passengers is great

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  Very refined over previous Outbacks! - 2011 Subaru Outback
  By Eric - April 2 - 8:45 pm

  Purchased this Outback used. Its my 5th Subaru. I have been pleased with all of them. This car very refined compared to my 03. Very quiet. Lots of room. I am 6 ft 5. Out of habit I put the seat all the way back. This is one of two cars when doing so I cant touch the pedals! The other was a 60s Mercedes 250S. Reviewers state these Subarus dont handle as well as previous models. They are not race cars. Its turn well and has adequate road feel. Base radio is fine, though I miss the weather band. A review commented that the interior had to much plastic. It doesnt not look cheap to me. Fit and and finish are good. I think Subaru was on target with this redesign. Tight, well made, and will last a long time. The 03 was around 8 years. Longest I ever held on to a car. We are blessed with good dealer support in southern New York. Been dealing with the same dealer for over 20 years. My 03 was in an accident. Turn around time to my 2011 was done in a day! recommended

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  Great for everything - 2001 Subaru Forester
  By t in colorado - April 2 - 10:00 am

  I bought my Forester used (lease return with 37000 miles), got the 30k maitenance done and a clean bill of health, then drove halfway across the country and back. The sight lines are great, adjustable seat height is wonderful for me at 52". Its zippy and I like the feel of the suspension. MPG topped out at 40 (yes, 40) on the road trip with a tailwind in Wyoming; I average 28-30 mpg when driving in the city. I would buy this car again in a hearbeat.

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  3,0R VDC is great! - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By KarlB - April 2 - 10:00 am

  Ive been super impressed with the Outback, it has fantastic build quality and drives like a sports car, yet can go offroad most places a large SUV can. Power is great with the 3.0R being one of the most powerful 3.0liter engines in a production car in the world. The all wheel drive system works amazingly well, there is never even the slightest hesitation, no delay engaging as in other cars without permanent AWD.

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  I Dare You - 2006 Subaru Legacy
  By Kevin - April 1 - 10:00 pm

  Ive had my 2006 Legacy sedan for about 5 months now and I dare you to find more car for the money. Top notch safety, beautiful interior (really, SO much less "cheap" feeling than Camry or Accord), very sporty exterior, strong engine, sure handling, tons of great standard features (never been a real car buff, but I love my 17" wheels!), and excellent predicted reliability -- all in the low to mid $20s. I have done a ton of car shopping lately (I am now looking for a new car for my wife; well probably get the Outback wagon) and nothing comes close to what you get for the price of this car.

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  Wonderful car - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By Steven - April 1 - 1:03 am

  We have been enjoying this car for two weeks now, and the only complaints we have are menial. The car has an extremely smooth and comfortable ride quality while providing very good gas mileage for a car of its size. It would be nice to have a little more "ummf" under the hood, but I wouldnt call it underpowered. All in all Subaru has managed to improve an already great car!

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  No worries with the 2010 Outback - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By cencal stem - March 31 - 9:56 pm

  Car drives and handles great. We have had it in the snow this year and drove like dry pavement. Have used the roof racks with our tandem ocean kayak and they work great-very beefy. Ya our old Thules wont work, but I stopped sniveling when the road noise went away and got better mpg when not in use. Overall great car.