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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  WRX like a charm - 2003 Subaru Impreza
  By silverwrxdriver - April 14 - 10:00 am

  Purchased this car 10/30/01 and Im approaching 14K miles. Impressive 0-60 power; it will smoke stock Mustang GTs off the line. Huge public appeal; I even got a thumbs-up from a Harley- Davidson biker (complete with 2 ft. beard). Fun to drive on all-surfaces. Complaints: The shifter and the interior plastic (a few rattles have emerged) could be a little tighter. I have the stock premium sound system including the under-the-seat sub and it longs for more power. Also the volume selector is coarse, there are huge differences between some increments. Overall, only minor gripes - I would recommend this car over and over again!

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  First Sub - Very Happy. - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By Mainer Rich - April 14 - 9:40 am

  This is my first Sub (always had Hondas) and I have been very happy. I was nervous to purchase the car given the history of Subarus head gasket issues. With much research, it became clear that the issue has been addressed for new Subs. Plus, my dealership covers engine/tranny issues for the life of the car. Gas mileage greatly improved after 4000 miles, and with a little warmer weather. 26 mpg around town - 30+ on highway. Great car! I plan to hand it down to my 7 year old when he turns 16. If you are on the fence about purchasing, just do it. You will be happy you did.

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  Good mpg, Good everything. - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By wes - April 14 - 2:50 am

  Went to the Subaru dealership to test-drive an Impreza. Left with a 2009 Forester. After purchasing and then reading reviews, I was leery of mpg. Today, I averaged 27mpg. How can you complain about that with an SUV? Solid vehicle all around.

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  So far, so good! - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By Ione - April 13 - 10:46 pm

  Weve had our OB for about 3 weeks & in that time weve taken it on 2 excursions, 1 thru sloppy snow on black ice, dirt roads & extremely steep grades. Not the slightest loss of traction on the ice while other cars were wiggling thru the snow (tho found changes in acceleration very jerky while in low gear), the bumps melted away on the dirt road, our fully loaded car zipped up the steep grade & the paddles worked very well going down while the car in front of us (older Subaru OB, BTW) had to be pulled off to cool the brakes down. Once we hit the flats & the freeways we got c. 30 - 33 mpg. Drivers seat is very comfortable, ride is very quiet, fit & finish fine, good head lights.

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  A long time dream fulfilled - 2017 Subaru WRX
  By Vernon Meade Jr - April 13 - 7:55 pm

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  My 2007 was better - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By PANORAL - April 13 - 1:26 pm

  My wife totaled our 07 outback without a scratch on her. I therefore replaced it with a 2010 limited. First off, I did not like the privacy tinted Glass-it ruined the rear view. Secondly, the multifunction display is really a non-display, it is invisible in normal outdoor light and placed in a bad position. I had a homelink mirror on my 07 but this car came with only a dimming/compass vanity. The dealer wants about $200 to change it, the difference in price is only about $15. Im not sure about the mpg gauge, it is rarely at neutral and pegs at max going downhill with the engine braking. I wish I had my 07 back!

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  Wintertime Driver - 2017 Subaru Outback
  By New Hampshire Seacoast Driver - April 12 - 9:43 am

  Seems to be the official vehicle of northern New England with so many on the road. Only valid complaint at this time is the poor performance of the navigation software. Will not allow update for 18 months; meanwhile, road speed limits change, routes are modified and the "voice" will not warn of turns until it is too late.

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  Poor Design, workmanship, and service - 2012 Subaru Outback
  By keigzdad - April 11 - 6:36 pm

  Our 2012 Outback passenger side seat molding has fallen off four (4) times. We have to drive 150 miles round trip to have it serviced. Last time it was "fixed" it had fallen off by time we arrived back home. Today we received a call from Karen Quinn at Subaru USA asking us to cancel our saturday appointment and reschedule for Tuesday because that is when their district manager is available. Seriously!? My wife is a COO for a health system and I am a university professor. Since when do we have to facilitate YOUR needs Subaru? Shouldnt you and your district manager facilitate OURS?

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  Good All-a-round Car - 2005 Subaru Forester
  By kdburnsforester - April 10 - 10:00 am

  The Forest XT provides excellence in almost every category w/o much sacrifice. The turbo provides excellent acc + other recent improvements produces enough power at 2200rpms to climb a 5% grade in 5th gear w/o engine "lug-down," resulting in better gas mileage. So far, my combind highway/city gas milage has been 27.4mpg - highway almost 29. The XT /w premium adds luxury to a practical car. The "competition" (Rav4/CRV/Liberty) does not offer comparable features, performance, or handling: more comparable to an X3/Touareg/Freelander. More car for the $$.

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  wind noise - 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek
  By rondo320 - April 9 - 9:51 pm

  Do not buy this vehicle if you plan to drive on highways at 75 mph or above. At that speed with a headwind or crosswind you will get a horrendous noise that seems to be coming from the headliner. Listening to this for several hours on the highway will require you to reassess the wisdom of driving a Crosstrek on a road trip. The dealer cant duplicate it because the speed limit in the vicinity is 65 mph and the noise is at 75 or above. Thanks a lot Subaru! Nothing but Subarus since 1982 but that is going to change.