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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  Beware of 2012 Impreza 2.0i (Base) CVT - 2012 Subaru Impreza
  By tpyne377 - April 3 - 11:59 pm

  PLEASE BE AWARE -- The CVT Automatic transmission in the Impreza 2.0i base model is NOT the same as that available in the rest of the line. It does NOT have the up/down shift function on the steering wheel. Even though it lists this version of the transmission as "CVT Auto Transmission with Manual Shift" on the order form and on the window sticker -- there is nothing "manual" about it. DO NOT BE FOOLED INTO ORDERING THIS LIKE I DID. (No 2012 Imprezas were available for test driving at the time.) There is still nothing that notes this in ANY of Subarus online website nor in any independent review that I can find.

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  Very Satisfied! - 2009 Subaru Impreza
  By Ray - April 3 - 12:56 am

  The ride is smooth and the handling is superb!! This car is so much fun to drive. Much roomier then it looks.

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  Family safe but sporty - 2008 Subaru Legacy
  By Rob - April 1 - 10:46 am

  I originally looked at this car as it was the best price for the amenities. 5 Star safety, power everything, AWD, 4 cyl gas mileage, plus it has the history of Subaru quality. What I found out after I drove it was that I not only lost the bad mileage of a V6, but I gained the nice power of a 4 cyl Boxer engine. I have no problem getting onto highways, passing, I even safely avoided an accident with the cars superior handling. If youre looking for something safe, but dont want to feel like youre trading your youth, then this car is a must to test drive.

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  WRX Rules - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By bakaivar - April 1 - 2:00 am

  Excellent performance while going through the bends on the mountain roads near Yosemite. Cant really enjoy the performance on regular roads - too much slow moving traffic! Cool to turn 90 degree corners while driving at 45mph :)

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  Dr. Impreza and Mr. WRX - 2003 Subaru Impreza
  By slimasian - April 1 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle is just flat out fantastic. With superb handling, terrific acceleration, and, of course, AWD for under $26,000, this car is indeed quite a steal. I cant express just how much fun this car is to drive...take one for a test drive and see for yourself. Mine goes through a lot, being that I drive to work everyday (about 50 miles a day) plus trips to Vermont in harsh snowy weather...this car is a real king in any condition. It has multiple personality disorder...on one side is a docile sedan. On the other is a fierce street legal rallycar. Gotta love it.

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  When Lease Over, Will Get Another - 2003 Subaru Impreza
  By Crosbie - April 1 - 2:00 am

  In March 2001, I leased one of the first WRX in the U.S. and am very pleased after two years of driving it. It can outrun, out accelerate, and outcorner anything but the Porsche 911s or BMW M series on dry roads and outdo anything on rainy or snowy roads. Yet police never notice it (particularly my low-key black WRX wagon). Ive got another year left on the lease, but am already planning to lease a newer WRX.

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  Love it - 2009 Subaru Tribeca
  By Pete - March 31 - 4:46 am

  Awesome compact truck. Has everything you need for your adventures!. Great gas mileage for a truck with AWD. The best handling truck i have ever been in! a TRUE AWD truck beats any 4WD any day, just cannot compare.

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  None better at this price - 2008 Subaru Outback
  By Eastharlemboy - March 30 - 3:53 pm

  First 4500 miles impressions: good handling, comfortable, quiet, decent stereo, sufficient (not great) power, averaging 28 MPG. For around $21K - $22K I believe this car is a bargain compared to other all wheel drive vehicles.

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  Itll do - 2016 Subaru Forester
  By Jeff from OK - March 30 - 3:30 pm

  Smooth ride, tho sluggish acceleration. Dealership bragged about mileage- will have to rake their word for it. Handling OK, no need to switch between 2-4 wheel drive - full time "alert" through the cars computer. Interior OK - could be higher end with a touch here or there.

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  Best Vehicle Ive Ever Owned - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By GNC - March 29 - 6:43 pm

  Took almost 12 weeks from order date until delivery, but was really worth the wait. This is by far the best vehicle Ive ever owned, I love driving it. Drives like a much more expensive vehicle. Very responsive acceleration and braking. 3.6 engine has great power and still gets very good gas mileage, avg 21 mpg in city. Extremely comfortable seats. Excellent sound system. Performance in snow is outstanding. Holds the road like a magnet even in deep snow. Hands free phone system is disappointing, not easy to program or use. Heated seats work great but would prefer they turn off automatically when engine is turned off.