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:

• 

  Seven Months, 8,000 miles - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By johnheiam - July 19 - 4:16 pm

  We are very happy with the cars power, handling, and gas mileage (25 mpg overall). The only quality related problem with the car was the rubber coating on the drivers door handle peeled off in the first month. We have been disappointed in several aspects of the cars design however. The most annoying is that there is only one keyhole on the entire car! This forces you to carry the remote which I hate to do. The second problem is that the front seats are so low the rear seat passengers cant get their toes under the seats so it is uncomfortable for an adult to sit in the back seat. This wasnt true in our 1995 Subaru wagon.

• 

  I want to like it - 2010 Subaru Legacy
  By John - July 19 - 1:00 pm

  I traded in a 2002 VW Passat manual, so the AWD CVT Subaru Limited is quite a change. Its mileage is equal to the Passat. It has a pleasing interior (black leather), and attractive ruby red exterior. The paddles are good for quick downshifting to a stop. The engine and CVT produce enough power to meet my needs. It can become noisy under acceleration. The ride is comfortable, but inconsistent, with some bumps surprisingly jarring. It is sensitive to wind shear. Its good about town, but a little tiring to drive on a highway trip - it seems subject to "drift", so one has to pay attention. The jurys still out on this Subaru. A longer test drive might have led to a different choice.

• 

  Ok, but lacking in certain areas. - 2005 Subaru Forester
  By Mister R - July 19 - 5:16 am

  I needed a AWD SUV and didnt want another monster (I had a Tahoe) and had options that were a must. The Forester seemed like a good compromise. Or so I thought. I bought it sight unseen based on reviews and comparisons. BIG mistake. The suspension is such that you feel every pebble in the road as if it were a boulder. Driving noise invades the interior and the gas mileage is no where near what I had expected. At 64 and 250 this is clearly the wrong vehicle for me. My right leg rubs against the console and steering wheel. I have to put the seat all the way back and down to accommodate my height - but then have to lean forward to reach the steering wheel. Under powered and transmission slips.

• 

  Another good Subaru - 2003 Subaru Outback
  By Chuck - July 18 - 8:23 pm

  I am generally happy with this car. It gives me the cargo capacity that I need and is also useful as a passenger car. My car is a 4-cylinder and it seems a little weak on acceleration and going up hills. This can be particularly annoying when trying to merge onto the highway. Probably the 6-cylinder engine is best on this vehicle.

• 

  Best bang for the buck - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By Lazy Vulture - July 17 - 5:53 pm

  We have had the car for three months and 3000 miles. Very happy with it. Also have a Lexus RX350; the Subaru is more comfortable and almost as quiet. Steering is a little numb, but comfort negates that. I love the CVT, my last Subaru would continually upshift and downshift on grades- that is obviously cured. Mileage excellent for a car this big. Subaru should have cars satellite radio ready from factory as opposed to $400 purchase-install from dealer. AM radio reception ridiculously poor.

• 

  Great Car - 2010 Subaru Impreza
  By Mark T - July 17 - 12:16 am

  So far Ive had it 3 weeks, and have a little over 1500 miles on it. Have taken a trip through Adirondack Mountains and averaged 30.1 miles and city driving is about 26. Its a great car for 20k, sunroof, premium stereo, fog lights, heated seats, winter package,alloy wheels and AWD. Looked @ a lot of other cars, Honda Fit Sport, Scion, Toyota, Nissan, etc, nothing and I mean nothing came close. Dealership was great to work with. Thanks Tony.

• 

  Great All-Wheel Drive for Money! - 2001 Subaru Forester
  By Karla - July 16 - 1:10 am

  I got the "Protector" for undercarriage all-wheel drive mechanism, dust protector for back window. The twin cup-holder position bounces coffee and pop into heating/ac vent so they break off and need replacement from sticky goo and trying to vent in different directions. Very dependable and comfortable car especially on hills in San Francisco!

• 

  Legacy Meets WRX - 2005 Subaru Legacy
  By Bob R. - July 15 - 6:26 pm

  After 5,000 miles, I can say that Subaru has done a wonderful engineering job. They have mated the formerly slow, boring Legacy with the racy WRX. My 4-cylinder feels like an 8. Even with the 5-speed AT, the car still moves like a BMW. Turbo lag is not noticeable. The car handles, turns and brakes great. The MOMO steering wheel, luminescent gauges and grippy heated cloth seats tell you that youre about to go racing. However, this car is perfect for a family - comfortable, a forgiving ride, quiet (even the 17-inch sport tires do not roar) and safe with the additional air bags and AWD/ABS. My father took it out for a long run over all kinds of roads and came back amazed.

• 

  My first Subaru - 2003 Subaru Outback
  By Bob R. - July 15 - 2:00 am

  I bought my Outback in December 2003 and have just topped 5,000 miles. Acceleration is so-so, probably hurt by the AWD. My keyfob, for whatever reasons, does not unlock my doors in certain parking lots, but this is rare. Learn how to manually disable alarm. On the positive side, car is fun to drive, engine is quiet, car turns and handles well, automatic shifts smoothly, ABS braking is good, no mechanical problems and cargo room is excellent. My gas mileage has been similar to EPA numbers.

• 

  Outback 03 - 2003 Subaru Outback
  By jball3100 - July 15 - 2:00 am

  Great car. Doesnt get the milege that was expeted. Said 25 gets 20 city.