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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  A Happy Subie owner - 2008 Subaru Outback
  By A Happy Subie owner - June 6 - 12:30 am

  I absolutely fell in love with this vehicle after I saw quite a few on the road driving around. After doing my research and going to this website (www.edmunds.com) and Subarus website, reading all of the great comments people had on this particular vehicle, I was sold. I got the sport package with the heated seats and the heated mirrors. I think the heated seats will help me in those cold winter early mornings to work when i have to clear the sidewalks at a school where i work at.

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  Subaru, where did the reliability go? - 2007 Subaru Outback
  By equiuga - June 5 - 6:29 am

  I love my car, but it has had soooo many issues that a car with 70K should NOT have. Both boots in front, the front AXLE!, front bushings, rear wheel bearing, DS seat malfunction, Ck engine lights to name a few. I get my regular incredibly expensive maintenances done and expect more out of a car that I paid this much for. I spoke to a lady with a 08 model and she even had to have her transmission replaced at 30K plus many other MAJOR repairs. I actually chose this car over a honda and I now regret it. Subaru, where has your quality gone?

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  Pray for me! Its winter. - 2013 Subaru Impreza
  By gboyce - June 5 - 4:26 am

  Pray for me in the snow because this car makes me scared. First my wife wanted it. Now as winter approaches the lowness of the car scares the hell out of me. It is cheaply made and its no frills inside feels it. There is also no center arm rest that makes it extra uncomfortable. We have only 8,000 miles on it and the seats are showing bear wear and tear already and we are not behemoths! The radio is bland and low even at full volume and sound quality is bland. Sounds like an old AM radio from the 60`s. It was only bought for the gas mileage and thats been good but not as advertised-nowhere near the 35 MPH. Worried about winter-does not make me feel safe.

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  Great overall car with just a couple design issues - 2016 Subaru Outback
  By Bart B - June 5 - 12:55 am

  I really like my 2016 Subaru Outback. It rides very well, even in the rain. Its roomy, comfortable, great family car, and reasonably priced. The safety features cant be beat. P.S. If you have an iPod Classic, dont try to get it to work with the infotainment system - it wont! Just buy an iPod touch. Pros: Drives like it is on dry pavement, even in the rain. Eyesight features are great (cruise control that speeds up/slows down as needed to keep a safe distance from other cars, automatic braking to avoid collisions) Cons: Acceleration from a stop is not smooth. Climate control layout could be better (2 buttons for the fan instead of a dial?) Infotainment system wont work with an iPod Classic.

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  Love this car - 2016 Subaru Outback
  By Ed Cure - June 4 - 6:25 am

  2016 Outback Limited with Eyesight and Navigation. Four Cylinder. We just completed a long trip SW Florida to Morganton NC, to Phoenix, AZ then back to Florida on I-10 E to I 75 S. Really like the 18.5 Gallon gas tank. Gives us a lot of range. Comfortable feeling when driving on some of those roads out west with gas stations few and far between. I agree most of the previous contents so I will not repeat. RE 4 cylinders vs 6. We did not feel deprived at all for lack of the 6. I would not buy the 6 just for the pickup but if it rode better and quieter, I would definitely consider it. Starlink was useless to us on the trip. We listen to talking books downloaded from our library to a cell phone. We then use bluetooth to listen on car radio. Starlink would not work in that situation. It seems now that give a 3 year subscription to Sirius radio. That is good if only to stop the annoying calls and e-mails from them if you do not renew. We only got a 30 day free trial. Generally like the Nav except that I detest the fact that the Voice Guidance cannot be turned OFF. I anything that is dangerous because when travelling at speed on an interstate at highers speeds by the time the voice tells you to take a turn in xxx feet, it is too late to do anything about it if you rely only on the voice. Looking to buy another one so that we have two. Our older 2007 Toyota Avalon Limited runs well but lacks the safety features like eyesight, backup camera. It does have the dynamic cruise control which is almost never used because it it not smooth like the Subarus. Will probably buy the 2017 Touring which inclueds what we like as standard. After reading some of the other comments, I will also evaluate the 6 cylinder to see if it does ride better.

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  Eye sight needs an eye check!! - 2017 Subaru Outback
  By FABNY - June 3 - 11:18 pm

  Right turning vehicles even in another lane cause crash avoidance braking if adaptive cruise is active. High beam assist very erratic. When decreasing speed using cruise control it applies brakes to slow down instead of doing a gradual slow down. Cant even allow passenger to use navigation when moving

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  70,000 mile update - 2007 Subaru Impreza
  By Fandango - June 3 - 10:53 pm

  Ive put more than 70,000 miles on this car, and I still love getting into it and snicking through the gears, zipping through the twisties and feeling the power as I explore the upper range of the RPMs. Ive had no mechanical problems whatsoever, and, believe it or not, Im only now getting ready to replace the original set of Bridgestone tires. The car consistently gets 29-32 mpg. With its simple, almost primitive features and great handling, it reminds me of an old British sports car. It was made for people who love to drive.

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  WRX STi - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By disalvoj - June 2 - 2:00 am

  With 300hp this vehichle is awesome! The unique looks and the engine make the STi worth the money.

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  The Little Car That Could... - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By Trei - June 2 - 2:00 am

  Besides its reliability and AWD, the WRX is just fun to drive! Gas mileage could be a little better, but when youre cruising on the highway, one tends not to look at how much gas is being used. I never thought shifting could be so fun!

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  Great car for the price - 2002 Subaru Legacy
  By Fryguy - June 1 - 10:00 am

  I just recently purchased my Subaru Legacy GT Limited and love it. It rides great and handles just as well. I was looking at similiar models from Audi, BMW, and VW but they do not come close for the price.