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:

• 

  Best Car Ever Owned - 2008 Subaru Forester
  By Michigan Winters - July 25 - 6:40 am

  This car is absolutely fantastic. My Wife and I were looking for an AWD or 4x4 vehicle that could handle our tough Michigan Winters. Along with that, we LOVE to travel. This car fits the bill - it can outhandle snowy roads/ slushy roads/ muddy roads better than any truck or sports utility vehicle I know of. Add the fact that I average around 28 mpg and its quite the vehicle. Its built with extreme quality, which in itself makes it look expensive. It doesnt need the fancy bells and whistles.

• 

  Fun! - 2009 Subaru Impreza
  By Rich Hopkins - July 23 - 6:53 am

  Great small car to drive around town and a blast on the highway too. You will WANT to pass everyone. And you can. Fast throttle response, not as quick as an evo, but you get so much more car and reliability with the Subaru. Only fault: headlights have a very short cutoff: although highbeams are great. Youll enjoy yourself in this car.

• 

  AWD Kicks! - 2000 Subaru Outback
  By kalliday - July 21 - 6:03 am

  This car was an impulse buy and despite my research beforehand and then afterward, it has not been worth the money 10 times over. Check engine light is always on and off (catalytic converter), goes through a whole set of brakes and rotors in less than a year (and I am NOT driving like a maniac!), acceleration is crappy, alignment is never quite right, need I continue? Unfortunately for Subaru, this is my second and the last (I had a 1999 Forester before that which was great but no lumbar support).

• 

  I like my Forester - 2004 Subaru Forester
  By Sharpener - July 21 - 2:00 am

  Very capable in the ice and snow. Handles like a good sedan. Good fuel economy for a vehicle of this type. Adequate, but not thrilling acceleration. Everything works, so far.

• 

  love it needs heated seats - 2004 Subaru Baja
  By angiono - July 21 - 2:00 am

  love it dont need a ladder or parachute to get in or out of it, can carry a lot (2 7 xmas trees fit in easy peazy, just would like heated seats for the really cold days.

• 

  Finally satisfied - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By Slo STI - July 21 - 2:00 am

  It feels like an import muscle car. Tremedous amount of torque for a 4 cylinder import. Everyone that gets a ride in my car starts grinning and giggling once they feel the power. Expressions are always the same. i couldnt tell enough about this car......Performance is lets choose the word awesome. I have had 8 sportbikes and a custom turbod S2000...

• 

  wind noise &poor defrosting - 2004 Subaru Outback
  By naum - July 21 - 2:00 am

  Great auto. Interior wind noise is driving me crazy. Poor defrosting

• 

  I LOVE IT! - 2004 Subaru Outback
  By KATHY JUDGE - July 21 - 2:00 am

  I FEEL SAVE IN MY SUBARU. ITS THE ONLY CAR ILL EVER OWN. I HAD A 1999 AND JUST TRADED IT FOR A 2004. THE MILAGE SEEMS TO BE ALITTLE BETTER.

• 

  MY 2003 OUTBACK - 2004 Subaru Outback
  By RICHVANWAG - July 21 - 2:00 am

  THIS IS OUR SECOND OUTBACK--WE PUT 135000 ON A 1999. THIS CAR IS THE H6, WHICH IS A BIG IMPROVEMENT IN POWER. WE FOUND THE OLD ONE AND THIS NEW ONE TO BE BULLETPROOF. THE NEW ONE HAS HAD NO PROBLEMS WHATSOEVER. WE HAVE DRIVEN IT 14,000 MILES IN LESS THAN SIX MONTHS, AND NOT A SINGLE COMPLAINT. IT GETS REASONABLY GOOD GAS MILEAGE (ABOUT 25 IF YOU HOLD IT TO 75MPH ON THE FREEWAY) DROPPING TO 23-24 IF YOU DRIVE IT 80-85, WHICH IT DOES COMFORTABLY. I DISLIKE THE NOISE LEVEL IN THE CABIN AT HIGHER SPEEDS. IT IS AN EXCELLENT SNOW CAR. THE HIGH CLEARANCE IS A REAL PLUS IN DEEP SNOW.

• 

  Still great cars, more fun than ever! - 2008 Subaru Outback
  By gtskier - July 21 - 2:00 am

  Great vehicle, moving upscale to compete with the likes of Audi and Acura in the AWD crossover arena. Too bad they got rid of the steering wheel buttons/paddles on the limited, went to other controls for stereo and cruise. The iDrive system is cool, maps the throttle response and upshift points to economy, sport and sport sharp. If you keep it in economy, expect mixed driving mileage at about 22-23. In sport or sport# mode expect maybe 16 mpg and lots of tickets!