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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  Practical but Fun - 2000 Subaru Outback
  By jhigby - May 4 - 10:00 am

  This has been a great car - yes "car". It rides like a car, handles like a car and for the 95% of average driving is exactly what you want. It does have enough clearance along with the AWD that you can get off the pavement. Ive done this some but mainly just for camping not for some baja type adventure. Thats the beauty for me - Im not trapped by 4" of clearance but I dont want a fulltime SUV ride for those rare times.

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  Pretty happy, would change a few things - 2007 Subaru Outback
  By petergibons - May 3 - 4:56 pm

  I really like the reliability and, ride, and performance of the car. That beings said here are a few things I would change, but I still like the car. Though I wont be getting another Subaru after the lease is up. The nearest dealership is 45 minutes away. And thats too far.

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  Best sedan in size and quality - 2008 Subaru Legacy
  By Jake - May 1 - 9:03 am

  I bought a 2008 Legacy in mid 2007 and it has been hands down the best vehicle Ive owned. Its hard to find a high quality sedan thats not too large. The interior is quiet and materials are superior to others. The design is perfect - everything is proportional, unlike so many new sedans that look "different" to get attention. I always buy new cars and this is the first one to go the first 20k miles without even one tiny, minor little thing to look into. Its been fantastic and Ill definitely buy another.

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  A very reliable car - 2001 Subaru Forester
  By Bill - April 30 - 7:50 pm

  I bought this car new in late 2000. It has performed very well during that time. The 2.5 liter boxer engine provides sufficient power to maintain interstate speeds even while climbing some steep Appalachian Mtn. highways. The best feature of this car has been its utility. Weve loaded, hauled, and towed many different items with the Forester ... it has a lot of cargo room for its size class. My two biggest complaints have been: 1) outside of a large city, its difficult to find a quality garage to service the car 2) when in use, the cup holders block/prevent the use of the climate controls (I know thats picky, but after five years of ownership ... its really annoying).

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  Big (Pleasant) Surprise In A Small Package - 2015 Subaru XV Crosstrek
  By argus4 - April 30 - 3:03 pm

  Ive only had my 2015 Limited since Dec. 31 and 600 miles but to date it appears to be even more of a "find" and "value" than I hoped. A very practical vehicle with legendary AWD and durability, the Crosstrek also has thoughtful design, comfort and overall appearance. Great handling, relative quiet, impressive and still improving economy (+/- 30 mpg), excellent braking and more-than-adequate power/acceleration for real-world situations are all in this compact package. (Somewhat smaller than a Forester, CRV or the rest of that herd, its the right size for me.) In short, as of now, Im surprised, delighted and looking forward to a long "vehicular friendship"!

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  Best in Class - 2010 Subaru Forester
  By Arby - April 30 - 2:23 pm

  I looked at all the usual suspects-- rav4, crv, etc. The Forester was the only one that made me feel like I wasnt riding in a tin can with no visibility. Exceptionally fun to drive (unlike the others). Would love to see a 5 speed on this, but thats ok. There is simply no better value for the money.

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  best performance around - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By ohfreddie - April 29 - 10:00 am

  Thinking about getting the sedan? Think again--the wagon is the exact same except you can actually haul things! Extremely fun when the boost kicks in, and then the turbo just doesnt stop. Handling is perfect.

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  After 17000 miles - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By Little Blue - April 29 - 10:00 am

  Ive had my WRX wagon for over 17,000 miles now...those ar TROUBLE-FREE miles!. I must admit (dont tell my wife!) that I love this car as much as the day I picked it up at Mastro Subaru in Tampa. It is the epitome of the Beach Boys song...fun, fun, fun. The automatic does have the much talked about turbo-lag, but to me, it is not a problem; this is a great, comfortable everyday driver that is practical...30 bags of mulch and a basketball set!

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  A supercar for the rest of us - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By jokerman1 - April 29 - 10:00 am

  Im 45, with a wife and 2 young kids, and probably dont fit the demographic for this car. Nonetheless, its my daily driver, and its outrageous! Ive owned 2 porsches, 3 bmws, and many other cars - but Ive got to say this one takes the cake for value+performance. At first I was planning to remove the wing, but its growing on me and Ive decided to keep it. Ive never met a highway on-ramp I didnt like, and with this car daily driving is a real treat.

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  Happy I bought the 2017 Impreza Limited hatchback - 2017 Subaru Impreza
  By Nitpicker - April 26 - 1:29 pm

  My husband says Im no fun to shop for cars with because Im so critical, so its very, very significant that Im so enthusiastic about the 2017 Subaru Impreza Limited hatchback we bought a month ago. (The price, $27,500, included some options but not the HK stereo.) We were replacing my 2001 Audi A4 turbo-charged sedan with all-wheel drive, and I wanted a vehicle that was safe, reliable, and had good visibility. (Im only 5 feet tall, so visibility was a big issue.) I also wanted a vehicle that could fit in our smallish garage but could carry lots of stuff. We narrowed down the contenders to the 2017 Honda Civic hatchback, the 2017 Mazda 3 hatchback, and the 2017 Impreza hatchback. We ruled out the Mazda right away; in order for my feet to reach the pedals, I had to sit with my elbows practically on top of the steering wheel. The Civic was nice, but visibility was better in the Impreza, and the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety had criticized the Civics headlights. (The Imprezas headlights are really good.) Granted, weve only had the car a month, but my initial impressions are really positive. Some of the features I especially like: blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure monitoring, wonderful visibility, smooth ride, being able to use regular gas, automatically adjusting lights. (If you turn the light stalk to "auto," the car automatically switches to daytime running lights or regular headlights, depending on the conditions.) Rear leg room is good (unlike in many vehicles this size). Handling is almost as precise as handling in the Audi was, and the brakes are nicely responsive. I also like not having to use a key. When we first bought the car, a keyless fob didnt seem like a big deal, but now its so convenient to unlock the car simply by walking up to it (when youre carrying the fob in a purse or pocket, etc.), and its so nice to have the car lock itself when you simply walk away from it (again, carrying the fob). My two main complaints are that the car is a little underpowered; for example, in my turbocharged Audi, I could zip around other cars. This car doesnt have the same "kick," but thats not a major annoyance. In fact, the so-so power is probably one reason the car gets good gas mileage for an all-wheel-drive vehicle. One other attribute that potential buyers might not like is that the seats are very firm. At first I thought the seats would be uncomfortable on a long drive, but they seem OK now. (I do wish Subaru had included lumbar adjustment, though.) All in all, though, I really like the car. Even though crash-test results for this car arent available yet, I felt confident about buying the car anyway because Subaru has such a great safety record, and Id read about safety enhancements that had been incorporated into the 2017 Impreza. Subaru has invested a lot in development of this vehicle, and the quality shows -- from the fit and finish, to the solid "thunk" when you close the doors. Because of all the money and work that had been put into development of the 2017 Impreza, I assume that reliability will be good. Some of the Subaru ads include the slogan "Confidence in Motion," and I do have a lot of confidence in this vehicle. Although I gave the car only four stars (instead of five) in some categories, Id give it five stars overall. If youre in the market for a new vehicle -- especially if youre a short driver -- I strongly recommend the Impreza Limited hatchback.