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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  Excellent car thanks Subaru - 2000 Subaru Legacy
  By RODOLFO MANNELLA - March 19 - 10:00 am

  Nice car. I have a nice time driving it hard in all weather like rain or on sand. Never have any issues, thanks you. Nice handling at corners and stopping, power good top.

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  Dollar for Dollar it cant be beat - 2011 Subaru Outback
  By tupdog12 - March 18 - 2:48 pm

  I purchased a 2011 Outback Limited with the 3.6R engine for my wife. (Everything except Nav) After driving it from Maine to Oklahoma (home), I had to have my own Outback so I sold my 2010 Maxima and purchased another 2011 Outback Limited with the 3.6R engine except this time with nav. I frequently refer to my outbacks as Honda Accords with AWD, however much more practical. You can haul and carry a lot of stuff home from Lowes. I have several suggestions for improvement (explained later) and have actually conveyed them to Subaru. (Probably will fall on deaf ears though, however I did receive a nice response.) Great vehicle and you cant go wrong.

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  love it! - 2005 Subaru Impreza
  By judith - March 18 - 2:43 am

  this is great fun to drive: very sneaky, as it doesnt look like the great little sports car it really is. Handling is absolutely tight at really high speed on questionable roads, the turbo kicking in is a lovely thing indeed. This is the best fun Ive had in several years!

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  Pretty sweet car - 2009 Subaru Impreza
  By j09sti - March 16 - 6:36 pm

  This car is pretty awesome and gets a lot of stares. It drives smoothly and sounds great, especially the turbo. The price is okay, but I wasnt impressed. The tires are summer performance, I would have liked all- season. The interior is laid out nicely and is built with quality. Some of the carpet seems cheap and doesnt connect nicely with other parts of the interior, the steering wheel has a nice feel as well as other control surfaces. The exterior looks aggressive and confident. People try to race me all the time. The SI-Drive is pretty cool, I keep it in (I) most of the time for fuel efficiency. If you drive nicely it can get good gas mileage, but can also burn fuel quickly with turbo.

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  Owner - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By Ronald L. Jordan - March 16 - 3:56 pm

  We have owned this vehicle for two weeks and have found the experience very delightful. We took one long trip in it thus far and found the car to perform beautifully and the ride was most comfortable. There is plenty of leg room both front and rear and the quietness of the ride was the best we ever experienced.

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  Best Value for the buck - 2017 Subaru Impreza
  By Chris McCormick - March 16 - 6:33 am

  This is my 3rd Subaru, most improvements in next generation model.

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  08 Impreza Sedan - 2008 Subaru Impreza
  By hntrania - March 15 - 11:33 am

  I have had this vehicle for 2 weeks now and it is great, lots of highway driving and have had no problems. Cant wait to try out the AWD in the Colorado winters.

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  06 SE Outback Sport - 2006 Subaru Impreza
  By Erin - March 15 - 4:50 am

  I just traded in a 2.5 XT Forester for this 06 Outback Sport. I love the car. The Forester isnt truly a fair comparison due to size and HP differences. But overall, I am pleased with the Outback Sport. I love Subarus and probably will never drive anything else but they need to fix the seats in the Outback Sport, they are a little narrow (I am not large by any means but found them tight on long trips). I also had a whistling that occurred when I exceeded about 60 mph. I figured it was the roof rack (I added on a Yakima). That doesnt happen on other Subies that I know of.

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  Subaru STI - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By softandfuzzy - March 15 - 2:00 am

  The car is fast, fun, and reliable. I recomend this car over evo, not only does it look better, subaru is know for their reliabity.

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  suits MY style of driving - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By Dean Homan - March 14 - 6:46 am

  I own 2 Subarus. My #1 concern was RELIABILITY. I have 139,645 miles on this vehicle and not once has it left me stranded. I umpire college softball so it is important that I be there ON TIME. My Subaru operates the way I do, aggressive, no let up, always there on time. I love to drive this car ... especially during inclement weather. I have kept track of EVERY penny associated with the ownership of this vehicle. We are currently operating at just under 26 cents per mile.