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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  This thing is GARBAGE!!! - 2011 Subaru Forester
  By markfu - January 28 - 5:55 pm

  It burns oil!!!!! My wife bought this new and we just had to have the engine rebuilt because it had no oil in it at the dealership recommended 7500 mile oil change!!!!! The dealership, with a straight face, tells us that 1 quart every 1500 miles is normal??? I have a 1995 Ford Bronco and it burns a quart every 6k miles. Why is it that an engine that is 19+ years old burns less oil than one 3 years old? How is this ok? How did this pass quality controll??? Why, why, why????? Pass these heaps over if you are wise! It is completely insane that a "modern" vehicle burns oil like its a vehicle from the 1970s, INSANE!!!!

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  Frustrated - 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek
  By Steph - November 16 - 10:19 am

  I have 70,000 on my 2013 cross trek, I have had both front axels replaced due to both failing, Ive never gone off road or done anything but normal everyday driving. It took arguing and having to call Suburu directly but they did cover the cost of both. Now my car will not go out of park, apparently another malfunction this car is known for, being repaired tomorrow. Ive driven a lot of cars over the years and this is by far the worse car Ive ever had, I dont trust it. Shame on Suburu.

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  Subaru Crosstrek Hybred: Total Lemon? - 2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek
  By Frustrated Subaru owner - November 2 - 5:15 pm

  After having a Toyota for over 10 years then a Honda CRV for over 10 years with no issues, my husband and I decided to purchase a a Subaru Crosstrek Hybred 2014 which looks good on the outside (but BIG MISTAKE). By January 2015 a message appeared in the dash board whenever I started the car that said(check hill star assist). At my first service, I told the service people and they told me they did not find anything wrong, nor saw the message. I continued to drive the car with the message appearing on and off when finally in November/December 2015 more messages appeared and check engine light appeared and stayed on all the time. I made an appointment to get the car checked in November, this time they told me they fixed it and the lights went away. Within a few months after they told me they (fixed it) the messages reappeared and I brought the car back in March for them to "fix" again. I waited for about an hour and they called me and told me they fixed the problem and the messages and lights were gone. As soon as I turned on the car and try to drive off all the lights and messages reappeared, I called the service person who took the car and said they were going to check it again. After waiting for over an hour they finally told me they there was a transmission control cover problem and they would have to keep the car until June 2015 because they had to order the part. In the middle of April after not receiving an update from Subaru, I finally called and after a few choice words with the manager they told me the car will be ready at the end of April. On April Friday 29, 2015 I received a call from Subaru and they told me they changed the transmission control cover and the lights went away and every thing was fine. So I picked up the car that same day (Friday April 29, 2015). By Sunday May 1 (2 days after picking up the car) those lights that they claimed went away reappeared. I had to take the car back (May 2) and am still waiting May 17, 2015 for word on what is the problem. At this point I am very ANGRY at the run around. I got the warranty which I am using for now to "fix" the car but what is going to happen when it runs out.

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  Ru #5, Do not buy - 2012 Subaru Impreza
  By ruman4u - October 21 - 3:51 am

  Reviews on Edmunds.com are kind at best. The electric power assist steering definately has a dead spot at highway speed. The problem is once you steer beyond the dead spot, youre starting to over compensate. Edmunds is kind saying its not a bad first attempt. I say nay, nay....As a happy owner of 4 previous Rus, I never thought Id buy one I hate, but I did.

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  Will never again buy a Subaru - 2001 Subaru Forester
  By JK - August 28 - 12:53 am

  Before I bought this lemon, I had always owned Toyota vehicles. The reason I bought this was because of some good reviews in Consumer Reports for this car. I regretted my decision within a year of owning it. The engineering is really bad. Every doing simple things like changing the air filter was a chore. Problems that usually surface in Toyotas at 150K miles started occurring with this lemon at 20k miles. Brakes wearing off, check engine lights, sluggish engine performance etc. Another problem with this car is that since Subarus are not as popular as Toyotas, and also because of its idiot engineering under the hood, repair shops dont know how to service it.

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  Dont buy this vehicle!! - 2016 Subaru Forester
  By Stacey - June 26 - 3:17 am

  Subaru has ruined what was once an an unstoppable vehicle in the snow by installing Traction Control/VDC (Vehicle Dynamic Control). The car is unstable and dangerous when TC/VDC kicks in; sending the driver off the road or into oncoming traffic! The driver has no ability to take over the car and drive without the TC/VDC, despite the availability of an "OFF" button. Maybe its just me, but off is a definitive word that means quite simply, "off." My prior Forester (2006) was stellar and unstoppable, its 2016 counterpart is worthless in my opinion because it no longer handles well in snow. Quite the contrary, it is actually quite scary and the driver has no input and has no ability to countersteer in a slide; the vehicle takes over and does what it "assumes" the driver is attempting to do. A horrible and dangerous idea that is also deceptive marketing. Had I known that the bloody "OFF" button did not truly turn off the TC/VDC, I would not have purchased this vehicle. The TC/VDC kicks in even with the "OFF" button engaged, both below 20mph and above 20mph. Its junk and it has ruined this vehicle in my opinion and I would caution anyone considering this vehicle for snow who has any expectation of it handling well.

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  Worst new veiled I have ever drove. - 2017 Subaru Forester
  By Dawg - January 25 - 8:26 am

  Drives [non-permissible content removed] in cross wind.Any wind will torque steer this car.Going to trade in asap.Drivers power seat very uncomfortable with no rear bottom adjustment.

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  dog mobile - 2003 Subaru Impreza
  By scottasbj - September 13 - 8:23 pm

  I totaled my 99, but it saved my life. I had reservations about another one because it was VERY noisy, the shift linkage was awful and the clutch worked best parked. There were a lot of ignition problems, and the rear brakes were drums. But having two dogs, always had manual transmission, and not wanting to be sitting high off of the ground left me few choices. I ended up with a 2003 with 18,500 miles on it for $13,800. I love it! Subaru addressed every issue but the rear brakes (sigh). It is quiet, no hood scoop, more power, and the best shift linkage I have driven yet. It feels like a Legacy.

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  This car isnt worth the money - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By wrx_driver2002 - September 7 - 4:53 pm

  Ive been driving this car for a couple months now and have had nothing but trouble with it. The build quality is terrible, and the car feels like it is going to fall apart any day now. Ive had it in the shop several times in the two plus months that Ive owned it. Stay away from this car!

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  Outback Notorious Transmission Issues - 2011 Subaru Outback
  By Shane - July 27 - 11:31 am

  CVT transmissions have well documented problems. If its out of warranty, installation of a re manufactured CVT transmission is $10K!