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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  Mini Lexus 300 - 2009 Subaru Impreza
  By J Snow - August 18 - 5:53 pm

  Previously drove 2000 and 2002 Impreza hatchbacks. This one is by far the quietest and smoothest driving. Gas mileage about same as 2002 2.5l. Really like the window door frames. Hate limited visibility of sloping back of car and temporary roof rack mounting kit. Standard equipment Bridgestone Potenza tires ride well. Added sheepskin seat covers make front seats comfortable. Lost a couple of wheel well plastic screws holding front fender - sloppy construction. 5-speed gear box smoother than past models, accelerates nicely. Less cargo space than past Impreza models. Best looking Impreza so far and dead ringer as little sister to Lexus 300 SUV.

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  Driving around in my Forester - 2003 Subaru Forester
  By Lovemycar - August 18 - 2:00 am

  Fun to drive. 2.5LXS Premium model has everything you could want in an SUV crossover. AWD system makes me feel safe in the rain. Good pickup. Ride is smooth and quiet. Leather is good quality. Controls are nicely placed and easy to reach for the 50 driver. Nice height. People 60 and over might have close call with head clearence. Many features in this model, including heated seats and exterior windows and windshield wipers. 6 speeds on the wipers. Moonroof is huge.

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  This wagon rocks! - 2003 Subaru Impreza
  By frs1276 - August 18 - 2:00 am

  This car handles and accelerates wonderfully considering its not a light car for its size. The engine has a unique sound and a lot of torque. The chassis is downright unflappable, and again, the handling is simply amazing. I do notice, however, that the steering is more vague on the center than I thought, and the path control is not very accurate; nonetheless, the weighting and feel are very good. Build quality and material is also very good. Front room is good, but back room is a no-no for anyone over 56". The back seat is a bit too upright, though supportive. The trunk is bigger than I thought. Overall, a very good buy!!

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  Subaru works for me. - 2017 Subaru Forester
  By Paul Raquel - August 17 - 7:07 am

  Great driving SUV, comfortable, great safety features.

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  Fun and practical - 2006 Subaru Forester
  By mrjwk1962 - August 14 - 3:30 pm

  Decided to splurge on the turbo engine and am glad I did. The Forester is lots of fun to drive. It has the practicality of a small SUV, but the maneuverability and nimble handling of a car. I love the cargo space, especially with the back seat down. Controls are extremely logical, ergonomic, and easy to use. Some people complain about limited back seat room, but that is not an issue for us.

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  Sweet Subie (Part Deux) - 2011 Subaru Legacy
  By drq - August 13 - 11:31 pm

  This is my second Subie-my first was an 04 Forester XT fun to drive but wasnt too economical-but never failed me in 7 years and 120K miles. I was willing to forgo getting my head snapped back for better MPGs and after 2K miles I’m averaging 29.2 overall (Regular!). This time around got all the bells and whistles and couldnt be happier, never realized how noisy my XT was until now. The interior is well apportioned the leather seating is glove soft and heated-the stereo plain rocks. The back seat is big enough for two boosters and a baby seat. CVT took a little used to but once the engine was broken in you can get higher revs and satisfactory stop light acceleration. $26K @ 0.9% Awesome!

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  Great, fun car! - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By EvanG - August 13 - 10:00 am

  This car is an absolute blast to drive, without compromising utility or day to day usefulness. My WRX has been completely reliable and never had a hint of a problem. Interior is good but not weighed down with silly luxury stuff. Exterior styling is quirky at first but you will appreciate the uniqueness of it. This is a truly amazing car for the money

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  VDC - Very Dynamic Car - 2002 Subaru Outback
  By WRXSTi - August 13 - 10:00 am

  This is my 7th Subaru, and by far the best made and engineered of all of them. No rattles, squeaks, grinding, smoking as of 32000 miles. The VDC is all about the motor, VERY smooth throughout rev range, boxer H6 like a "Porcha", tranmission well matched and downshifts without hesitation. Tip- take the spring on the muffler bypass and reverse it, it allows full flow of exhaust and gives you the distinct pleasure of hearing the engine note at all throttle settings, plus increases the MPG and acceleration.

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  Fun to drive - 2005 Subaru Legacy
  By steveGORDON1 - August 10 - 4:23 pm

  Excellent ride, very fast, steering wheel shifter. Nice winter package: heated seats, heated wiper blades, heated seats 4 positions. Nice comfortable seats. Drove a Volvo S80 T6. Excellent visibility.

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  Best Car Ive Ever Owned!! - 2004 Subaru Outback
  By Big Dog - August 8 - 12:50 pm

  I traded in my 97 Dodge Ram Pickup for this car. It was a dealer demo; had 6k on it when I got it, has 17k now. Car is awesome no problems at all. The 3.0 H-6 is a great engine, it has plenty of power to do the job and gets about 23 mpg, much better than the 13 mpg in my truck. The VDC is pretty cool; it gives you great confidence while driving. I turn it off in the snow and have some fun! The interior is great, leather heated seats and climate control plus the Macintosh stereo are all excellent. I love the wood grain trim and the sunroof is nice. It has a very comfortable ride and still performs excellent when pushed hard. As good or better than my mothers BMW 323 and girlfriends Audi A-4.