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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  1000 km Review - 2010 Subaru Tribeca
  By Michael S. - April 9 - 4:43 pm

  My family have been loyal Volvo owners for the last 12 years. Given Volvos current lack of a value proposition we decided to expand our horizons before purchasing a car this year. My checkpoints for our decision were a. needed to be real AWD; b. must accommodate 2 6 ft+ boys comfortably in the back seats; and c. it need to fit our budget. Point A eliminated a bunch of vehicles very quickly. Point B narrowed the list down even further. After looking at Mercedes, Audi, Volvo, VW, Toyota and Nissans offerings we went off to look at Subarus offerings on a friends recommendation. We took a 60 minute test drive of the car and came back thrilled with the drive, the space and the value.

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  Just the right mix - 2016 Subaru Outback
  By David Enlow - April 9 - 4:24 pm

  Outback brings all the good factors of a wagon and a suv into one platform. The safety features are without peer. The handling on the road says its ready for long distance excursions. The visibility exceeds other cars we have owned. Looking forward to many road days in the years to come.

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  Nice vehicle - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By vermonter - April 7 - 12:50 pm

  I like the styling. The fit and finish are fantastic and the interior lights are quite soothing. Small gas tank and overall MPG of 16 is a modest drawback. Rear seat is small, good for little children and little else. Very easy to adjust rear seats. I got a back up warning signal as option. Needed given rear design.

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  Like a Miata with 4 doors & AWD - 2008 Subaru Legacy
  By SubyConvert - April 7 - 5:50 am

  When I bought an Acura TL a year ago, the Legacy was my second choice. I recently reversed that decision and traded the TL for the Suby. What a difference! I love the sports car handling and the AWD because I live in a part of Canada that gets a lot of snow in winter. Its the first car Ive looked forward to driving every day since I sold my Miata. Acceleration is impressive in sport sharp mode. My TL had crazy, dangerous torque steer when accelerating hard in corners. The Suby is tight, predictable, with a slight rear wheel bias. The interior looks great and fits me well, except for the arm rest (needed to get the extender). Bluetooth would be nice, but shouldnt talk on the phone anyway.

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  AWD Confidence with Style - 2003 Subaru Legacy
  By subiefan - April 7 - 2:00 am

  Traded in 01 Subaru Outback Wagon for this car. It has so many great standard features. It was a tough decision between the L Special Edition and the GT but I was a sucker for the heated seats and mirrors and the leather seating. I also went from a straight drive to Auto so I like the Sport Shift on the GT. These cars look great with a spoiler on the back.

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  It is what it is - 2008 Subaru Outback
  By thebigv21 - April 6 - 11:33 pm

  Traded in a Ridgeline for this vehicle. Couldnt pass up the price. It came certified bumper to bumper for 100K and only had 4K miles on it. Didnt really desire a 5 spd but I do like making the 4 cyl shift when I want it to shift. It has plenty of power. I average 25-26 mpg on about 60/40 highway/city driving. Had to purchase 4 tires because it wouldnt go in the snow. Unusual for a subaru. Why would they put high performance tires on a base wagon sold in the Northeast? Car is nothing special, but it does what it is meant to do. Good second vehicle for going back and forth to work

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  Handles like no other - 2005 Subaru Impreza
  By usmm01 - April 5 - 5:43 pm

  I am a loyal fan of Subaru, our old impreza was a 97 outback sport. This is my first purchase of a turbo. We are pleased with the WRX as usual with handling and fuel economy w/ cruise hwy. 29.5 mpg @ 65- 70mph! City 23mpg. I will own nothing but Subaru.

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  A lemon! - 1998 Subaru Forester
  By LJN - April 5 - 10:56 am

  Bought the vehicle for durability and reliability. Have gone through multiple sets of tires, several sets of wheel bearings, two water pumps, and most recently replaced head gaskets ... all before 45K! Vehicle has known design flaws (head gaskets, for example) that Subaru of America refuses to be accountable for, offering cheap, short-term fixes. Will never buy another Subaru unless/until company stands behind their product!

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  1st Subaru - 2011 Subaru Legacy
  By Todd - April 4 - 7:36 pm

  This is my first Subaru. Downsized from a GMC Yukon. My objective was to get better gas mileage and still have a capable vehicle to handle the NE Ohio winters, while still having a fun experience that wont break the bank. So far so good, we have a family of 5 that fits well (booster and car seats). The styling and performance creates a fun commute no mention making daily sales calls and being on the road all day! Leather, homelink, bluetooth and the HK stereo are all awesome.

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  2008 Subaru - 2008 Subaru Outback
  By miamioolite - April 4 - 1:05 pm

  Third Subaru. First was an 86 GL station wagon= 279,000 miles till it rusted away aroung the engine. Second was a 96 outback=120,000 sold to a friend who took it to Baja to be a surf wagon. Bought this one used with 20k Im now at 30k. So far, nice car, no mechanical issues, drives great, still smaller than the new ones (I wanted that) drives through almost anything (snow, sand, mud) very comfortable on the highway on long drives. Finish is solid all the plastic lines up (AHEM chrysler...) and the fuel econonmy is good 23/28. Biggest complaint, the automatic is slow, and chunky, it seems to rob the engine of power. Look for a manual. Subarus are the offical car of the Mountain West!