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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  Is it a sti no its a wrx - 2011 Subaru Impreza
  By Adam - June 13 - 10:00 am

  The car is over all one of the most fun vehicles i have ever bought. it has some of the same looks as the sti does except for the sunroof and bigger turbo but the awd just takes off!

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  Great choice - 2011 Subaru Outback
  By Marc Lobell - June 13 - 10:00 am

  After careful research, we opted for this car. Coming out of 2 Saabs, this is a totally better built and better thought-out machine. The Saabs were more fun to drive, but had serious reliability issues. We expect to have this Subaru for years and years and cant wait to take a long trip. The car has so much room inside and aside from the extra height, drives like a car, not like an SUV. The only critique is that lacks a bit of oomph getting on highways, but the paddle shifters are a good remedy for this :-)

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  2006 SECOND FORESTER - 2006 Subaru Forester
  By BOB K - June 12 - 5:16 pm

  The 2006 Forester ride and performance was greatly improved over the 2002. Driving the Forester with the larger engine is like driving a sport sedan not an suv. I was very surprised. The quality of the vehicle has improved greatly. Not that my 2002 was a disappointment; I had 90,000 trouble free miles and spend $1700.00 in maintenance in four and one half years. The RAV-4 and Honda CR-V rode more like a truck and cost considerably more.

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  Great Car for the Money - 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek
  By meandrew228 - June 12 - 7:37 am

  this is my third Subaru, I have been driving mostly German cars over the years but my last 3 cars which I usually keep no more than 18 months haveall been subies. love the german cars but quality over the years has gone down hill. not sure what it is but I love the control of the All wheel Drive it just sucks the road. I drove a 2011 outback for a little while with the cvt and was under powered. I choose the 5 speed crosstrek because of the lack of power on the cvt . I think if you stick with the 5 speed it really brings out the true car. it would be even better is there was a turbo version. the build quality is better than the outback probably because its made in japan.

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  recalled after one week of ownership - 2016 Subaru Outback
  By rufus - June 12 - 4:07 am

  We owned this car for a week and it has been recalled for a steering column defect. Subaru did the right thing with the recall and they gave us a rental car, but it has been four weeks and they keep saying we are waiting for the part. I hope this review draws attention to the problem. Follow up--It has been 25 days since our defective car was taken to the dealer. They told me it would take a week to 10 days to fix this. The car is now repaired. After 4 weeks I called the dealer and mentioned I posted on Edmunds. That seemed to get their attention and the car is fixed. THANK YOU

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  Subaru Sti - 2013 Subaru Impreza WRX
  By lucas14 - June 12 - 1:57 am

  The Subaru WRX Sti limited was about what I expected. I bought the care to be my daily driver. It is very fun to drive and more comfortable than I would have expected. Paying the extra money for the limited package was well worth it. Heated seats adds some extra comfort in the winter time, and the sunroof will be nice in the summer. Im not impressed with the stereo system, but I can easily be remedied with some aftermarket additions.

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  Happy with my Forester - 2014 Subaru Forester
  By yooperblue - June 11 - 9:58 am

  Its really hard to review this car without context of having driven its competitors. To me its a very nice vehicle but Im not sure how it stacks up against other CUVs. Ill try to address the major topics. After 3900 miles it doesnt burn oil. MPG as advertised but drops with ambient temperature and speed over 65 mph. I can drive a long way without getting lower back pain so I consider this comfortable. Adequate storage where I can put a coffee in the center holder and water in the door (32 oz!). Storage under cargo area for ratchet straps and wifes purse. Disappointed with stiff ride at first but used to it now. Radio data system intuitive and sound quality adequate.

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  Cant Ask for More - 2005 Subaru Legacy
  By karl newman - June 10 - 3:06 pm

  AWD with style, comfort, and great interior all for less than 25K. Mileage has been great so far, about 25 mpg and AWD works well on this winters ice and snow. Feels very solid and quiet.

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  one week anniversary - 2016 Subaru Forester
  By al arias - June 10 - 9:25 am

  good but not exciting

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  Solid Wagon - 2001 Subaru Outback
  By SeattleDrvr - June 9 - 10:13 am

  Bought it new. Extras include premium sound, heated seats, heated mirors and heated windshield. Manual transmission does well even with Seattles steep hills. No problems that werent covered by the warranty. I plan to keep it for many years to come. My only majior complaint is that the air conditioning isnt cool enough. There are only vents in the front seats so my passengers and dogs bake in the back or we freeze in front to keep them cool.