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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  I love my Suburu - 2005 Subaru Legacy
  By Chris Johnson - April 20 - 9:53 pm

  I was always afraid of driving in the snow and now with my Suburu AWD, I have confidence Ive never experienced before. From the minute I test drove the car I knew it was for me. Its both classy and fun.

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  Worth the wait - 2015 Subaru Outback
  By nchesanow - April 20 - 6:55 pm

  Ive only had the vehicle for 4 1/2 days. I was able to mate my iPhone to the car on the first try. I used a voice command to change the temperature on the first try. The radio comes with 36 presets, instead of the usual six. In 28 degrees, the heater heats the entire vehicle in 5 minutes flat. Some auto writers feel its looks are ho-hum. When I pulled into the first shopping mall, three store owners came out to admire it. Great-looking metallic paint is standard ($550 extra on a BMW). The speed appears in large numbers in the dash over the steering wheel, so you dont have to look at the speedometer. The nav system directions also appear over the steering wheel. No need to look at the map.

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  Door Locks - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By Door Locks - April 20 - 12:43 am

  Its fun vehicle to drive, but I have door locks. First it was the driver side front door lock that is not working. After few months I found out now its the front passenger side door lock is not working and recently I found that rear passenger side door lock is not working also. I tried dealership to repair it, but due to mileage on it I have to pay $350 for each lock. NO OTHER ISSUES. Does anyone has this problem? Can this be a defective locks from the manufacturer?

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  Utility meets Luxury and Reliablitity - 2008 Subaru Outback
  By FXOFFROAD - April 19 - 7:46 pm

  This is a blast to drive. Mileage is good and the sport shift truly rises to the occasion. Hard to believe this is 4 banger that cost under 30,000 for the 2.5i Limited. I trade a 2003 Ford F250 so it was a dramatic change, but definitely for the best. Test drove Honda CRV, Ford Edge, Escape & Explorer, Audi wagons. But for the value, the Outback was truly the best choice. Extremely satisfied. Taken up to the Colorado Rocky Mountains often and its performs extremely well. Compared to my 07 Lexus ES, this vehicle is truly a great value for its outstanding build quality, AWD, and economy.

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  Love my new Forrester - 2016 Subaru Forester
  By Ron - April 19 - 4:06 pm

  Only had it a few weeks. Enjoying being in it. Love the milage.

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  Pre-WRX fun car - 2000 Subaru Impreza
  By kramp - April 19 - 10:00 am

  I purchased the 4 door 2.5RS due to the fact that my commute had increased significantly, and I was replacing a 4WD Nissan Pathfinder and wanted something I could take to Tahoe. The build quality of the car itself is quite good, but the interior needs some work. Gas mileage seems to stay constant around 25MPG, which I would have expected to be better, especially w/ no turbo. The stock tires are just barely sufficient for anyone that drives their car hard, but they do allow for good slides :o Overall, the car has been great since I bought it in 2000, with very little in the way of problems (had a leaky windshield in the first rain, and a little recall)

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  The WRX Rocks - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By sourcemonkey - April 19 - 10:00 am

  I know youve heard it a million times, but the WRX Rules. Ive bought mine on New Years Eve and have been happy ever since. I can blow just about anyone away, just ask the guy in the new Altima I dusted at 120 on the way to New Orleans this week. OK so reality check, it is a car under 25k. So its not like your driving in luxury, but if you value performance over floating down the highway this car is for you.

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  2012 New Outback Limited 2.5 - 2012 Subaru Outback
  By oldhollow - April 18 - 3:04 am

  Just got the Limited 2.5 with sunroof, naviagtion and I’m really impressed with the fit and finish of the car. Everything works as designed, and the quality of the paint is excellent. I am coming from an 2008 MDX that had a terrible paint job from the factory, the paint was very thin and would mark very easily. I got the car for the gas millage and was concerned that I would not have enough power. That is not the car, no need for the 3.6 for me.

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  Very satisfied in Ohio - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By lvjohn - April 17 - 4:36 am

  Weve had our Outback almost 2 weeks now and we are delighted with it. It is so much better than I remembered our test drive car ever being. I have owned 7 new cars in my 45 years of driving and this is clearly the best of them all including our 2000 Outback. We love the versatility the Outback provides. It can haul a fair amount of stuff and it can transport 5 in comfort and quiet. It gets reasonably good gas mileage; we got 24.8 mpg in mixed city and freeway driving on the first tank. The build quality is the best Ive seen in any new car.

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  Great Vehicle - 2014 Subaru Forester
  By fad1520 - April 16 - 7:46 pm

  I took delivery of my Forester on March 21. I have about 4K miles on the car to date. I traded in a 2005 Honda Element. Boy, what an upgrade this has been. The car is fun to drive and handles great. I have been averaging about 30 MPG with a mix of highway and city. The radio and navigation system are not difficult to operate as other reviews have pointed out. My 10 year old daughter had it figured out in no time. The nav system works great. I had to meet some work colleagues at a supplier about an hour away from home and I was the only one who made it to the right location. The others used the iphone and got lost.