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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  Very comfortable car - 2017 Subaru Outback
  By Johnny - July 9 - 4:38 am

  Intuitive controls. Great driver aid and safety technology.

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  Subaru Outback -Quality Control Issue - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By decisions2make - July 8 - 3:03 pm

  I took delivery with only 3 miles on the vehicle and noticed a steering vibration. My dealer encouraged me to take delivery since the tires probably needed to be broken in. Anyways, the steering vibration is worse, and to date, nobody has the solution. It forces you to use 2 hands on the wheel at all times to ensure adequate control of the vehicle. This has been reported to SOA. Now I wait to hear what is the solution. Based on internet research, this is a common problem with several new outbacks. I have less than 1,000 miles on the vehicle to date. On the positive side, this model is a great improvement in the quality of interior finish including seat comfort and extra space from the 2008

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  Better than expected - 2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek
  By subiedriver6 - July 7 - 11:16 pm

  I have been sold on Subaru for many years, but this is a change from my usual purchase of a Forester. The engine is just average in regard to performance, but exceptional in gas mileage, averaging 29 in rural back road driving. The seats are very comfortable and the cabin seems much more roomy compared to the Foresters I have had in the past. The doors are large and provide easy in/out access. The exterior styling is aggressive and has received a lot of compliments, while the interior is more just utilitarian and the radio readout is disappointing. Overall, the more I drive it, the better I like it.

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  Love my Outback - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By jackco00 - July 7 - 4:23 pm

  I love my LL Bean 2005 Outback wagon, but Im still shocked by the gas mileage Im getting. Highway driving is not problem, but around town I sometimes only get 16 mpg! I switched to mid-range fuel, but that doesnt help much with the price of gas these days. I would love to get another Outback, but Subaru hasnt done anything to improve mileage in the new V6s except changing to regular gas. Im considering a Toyota hybrid for my next car.

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  Suprising - 2015 Subaru XV Crosstrek
  By bronco23bravo - July 6 - 10:03 am

  "Professional" reviews of the Crosstrek hint at the vehicles sluggish acceleration and mediocre drive quality. In my humble opinion, they are absolutly wrong. I just purchased a 2015 Crosstrek premium. I live in Northern ND and wanted a fun to drive AWD vehicle that gets decent MPG. My new Subie is exactly that. My prior vechicle was a 05 Nissan Maxima, this car hauled some serious butt. The crosstrek is of course slower but I was pleased at how fast the little car actully is. Very fun to drive, handles the snow drifts with ease and turns heads as I drive by. Love it so far. Will update with MPG and reliability.

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  Comfort, convenience, and safety - 2006 Subaru Outback
  By Jerbear - July 6 - 5:46 am

  This is our second Subaru. The first was a 1999 Forester. We bought this one because it had better ground clearance than the Forester, was more roomy and looked better. Ours is a stick shift which we like because of the better control and because we tow it behind our RV on trips. We average about 21 mpg in mixed driving and around 29 mpg on the highway. Love the car. No problems aside from an alignment problem when new which was taken car of by the dealer. Wife is an EMT and HAS to be able to get through...this does--and does it very smoothly! Well get another in a couple of years as well.

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  Great Buy - 2009 Subaru Legacy
  By DDOC - July 5 - 10:26 pm

  Just picked up my 2009 Legacy Limited. Impressed by just about every feature of this car. The only con that I may note would be that the vehicle has frame less windows. When you close the door you get your fingerprint smudges all over the window. Other than that it is an awesome vehicle.

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  One Year Past Now, Like It A Lot - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By Linda - July 5 - 11:50 am

  Have had the XT for one year now, 14,000 miles, and like it a lot. Nothing has gone wrong. Ride comfort is excellent, very fun and nimble to drive, gas mileage OK at 22.2 overall. Would have liked a finer quality interior. I made the front seats comfortable with memory-foam seat cushions topped by sheepskin covers. Love the cargo space and visibility, turning circle, cornering ability, power. So far, so good!

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  AWD With Great Gas Mileage, What? - 2016 Subaru Impreza
  By Kalen - July 5 - 6:36 am

  The wife and I were surprised to find the automatic got better mpg than the manual. We live about an hour from work (almost all highway), and have averaged 40.5 mpg with some limited city driving. Pure highway the car will pull a solid 41+ mpg. We bought the least expensive model through the Costco program and ended up $1,000 under invoice + $1,400 for tax and a dealer fee or $449. Car drives good and has plenty of power. Love the Bluetooth. And its nice that the 2016 base model (compared to previous years) comes standard with cruise control and a back up camera.

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  Best car Ive had to date, and had a 911 turbo - 2017 Subaru WRX
  By jb - July 5 - 1:50 am

  I love this car. It doesnt attract too much attention. It is reliable. Oil changes only. No rattles. Interior panels are durable and the ones you might wear (door) are literally 3 dollars or so each online...so you dont have to baby/worry/avoid using it...get in, drive, go. For the real world, this car is every bit as good as a 911. Less attentiona seeking for sure - which to me is a very good thing. Getting 34mpg hwy, 28city...the p car was 24/15.... The ride is comforable. I love the cvt on S# - whatever you read about the cvt, it is likely wrong...it is great and if you live in a metro area (most of us now), it is equal to the stick or perhaps even better....just do a traffic jam every day with a stick.....