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:

• 

  Outstanding - 2004 Subaru Baja
  By BMoon73 - August 29 - 11:23 am

  Before buying this vehicle, I was buying a new vehicle every year. Ive finally found a vehicle that meets all of my needs, and is durable and reliable!

• 

  love my Baja - 2005 Subaru Baja
  By baja - August 28 - 4:33 am

  Recently drove 4,200 miles in a week and enjoyed every one of them.

• 

  Subaru Outback Sport 5sp - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By RGF - August 27 - 10:00 am

  This is the 2nd Impreza Outback Sport Wagon we have owned,the 1st one was a 2002 that had 32000m when traded. The only problem on this car was a recalled clutch assembly and a new flywheel. This was handled without any delay. Our car was repaired and returned in the same day. The 2004 is very tight and handles any condition surface with ease. Subarus engine location and the excellent gearing make for quick acceleration and a smooth ride. The only complaint I have is the shifter that comes stock is too loose and can be a nuisance when trying to down shift. The good news is there is an optional short shifter.

• 

  B9 bmine - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By marta - August 26 - 2:46 pm

  Im tickled by the reaction my B9 receives when I drive by. It truly is unusual without being "weird". It is a luxury ride and makes me smile each time I look at it or drive it.

• 

  love it - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By c - August 25 - 1:16 am

  I downsized from a Pathfinder that I loved to the 2005 2.5i limited. Very comfortable, agile and just superb in bad weather. Driving in rain is like driving on dry pavement. In 18" of snow it did well except when the drifts exceeded the front hood. All I had to do was back up and try again and it blasted right through.

• 

  Kids are gone, and wife wanted out of her minivan. - 2016 Subaru Forester
  By Peter - August 24 - 1:01 pm

  We are recent empty nesters, and my wife wanted to downsize from her Honda Odyssey. We really liked the Odyssey, but at 170,000 miles and 14 years, my wife started to doubt its durability. I think it was more perception than reality, but if you feel nervous driving your ride and you can afford a new one, its time to upgrade. We test "sitted" many of the competitors in the small SUV/CUV segment, and my wife was attracted to the Forester for its 1) outward visibility, 2) Subaru Eyesight, 3) practicability, 4) no-nonsense styling, 5) durability, and 6) ruggedness. What is up with other brands using tiny windows? I guess Gen X and Gen Y likes to hide under hoodies and baseball caps. Maybe they should just cover their eyes with their hands. The Forester was the only vehicle that she didnt feel as though she was looking out of a cave. My wife is a blue jeans/track shoes type of gal (she doesnt buy or use makeup!), and the Subaru brand image fits her perfectly. Subaru Eyesight clinched the deal for us. It is driver assistance technology that includes lane departure, forward collision warning, emergency braking, and adaptive cruse control. Its pricing was very reasonable and did not require expensive and unwanted upgrades. Because we are entering our senior years, we felt that these driver aids will come in handy over the coming years. We wish that it also had blind spot monitoring. However, the windows on the Forester are really large, so you dont really need it. Im a mild car enthusiast and had my doubts about the CVT transmission, but it works pretty well with the engine. There is a little lag with hard acceleration from a stop, and you may think twice about passing a car at 50 mph, but it really is not noticeable in puttering around town or shleping along the interstate. After all, you dont buy a Forester to drag race. We have only owned it for 2,000 miles, but so far so good: no discernible defects or issues. How about me? Well, being ancient, I wanted really comfortable seats, like the zero gravity seats in the Nissan Murano. They are a dream. The Forester seats are comfortable, but not stellar. I would pay more for better seats. Also, the ride could be more compliant. The suspension is a little stiff. Maybe it will soften a bit with more miles. When driving over expansion joints on the highway, there can be a bucking motion that is particularly noticeable for back seat passengers. How about technology? The infotainment screen could be better, but it is acceptable, unless you get your undies in a knot over anything less than iPod ease of use. Come on people. You have a really blessed life if your biggest complaint is hitting the correct station on your touch screen. In summary, we love our Subaru. I hope we dont become those tedious Subaru zombies who rattle on about how great their car is, but I may have gotten the virus. With a little luck, my Subaru will see me out!

• 

  Limited Lover - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By Woody - August 23 - 2:30 pm

  This is my 3rd Outback. Test drove both the 4 & 6 cyl limited 3 times each before deciding on the 4. After 1 month & 800 miles this one is proving to be the best. On a recent Fall weekend we drove this beauty through a field & into an orchard for some apple picking with nary a shake, rattle or roll. From there we headed to one of our hilly State Parks to view the foliage & take in a picnic. We turned down the windows, opened the moon roof & inserted a favorite CD into the radio. I switched the CVT into the Manual Mode & up & down shifted throughout the park using the paddle shifters. What a Blast!

• 

  First Subaru and loving it! - 2016 Subaru Forester
  By Debbie Covington - August 23 - 4:11 am

  I had been looking to buy an SUV for awhile and looked at several. I hadnt really thought about a Subaru, always thought they got lousy gas mileage. But after reading reviews on them I realized they were up there with the other SUVs and beat most of them. I am hoping mine gets a little better but I have been averaging 26 miles in town driving so its not bad. Havent really had it on the highway enough t know how it will do on trips. Only had the car about a month now so it should get better. I love how big the doors swing out for easy entering or exiting. Believe me, I researched a lot before I decided to buy this car and so far it meets my expectations. Love the bluetooth and my grandkids love having a USB port so they can play their own music when they are with me. I hope to get many years of use out of my Forester which is a base model with a few options added. So far no complaints! I really like how I can see out of all the big windows. For the money, I dont think any of the other small SUVs can beat them.

• 

  The anti-SUV - 2003 Subaru Forester
  By Dr. A - August 23 - 2:00 am

  Excellent handling, solid feel, good mileage. Engine, coupled with manual transmission, provides plenty of zip. Plenty of room for hockey equipment, dog, and kids. I love to drive this car.

• 

  Great Car - 2007 Subaru Outback
  By Fredzilla - August 20 - 3:40 pm

  We just picked up the new Outback and love it. I was afraid that it would feel gutless compared to my WRX, but the increased low end torque makes it feel almost faster off the line. With the increased creature comforts of the interior (leather, heated seats, aux plug in the center console, Homelink, autodim mirror) and the added cargo space, we have absolutely no regrets.