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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  Wont get burned again. - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By outback - October 22 - 1:43 am

  Bought an Outback summer of 2005. Came highly recommended by everyone I talked to. I have no idea why. Had to realign at 5000 mi and I hit nothing. OEM tires shot at 20000 miles. Replaced with cheap Cooper tires, ride and handling better than OEM Bridgestones. Seats are very uncomfortable and back seat is way too small. Gas mileage is good (26 to 28 very careful hwy, no A/C) but if you add a roof carrier and bike rack, drops to 23 to 24 mpg. Car is underpowered. Also, the Outback is not an SUV or truck. Not durable.

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  2.5 Curse - 1998 Subaru Forester
  By JAS - October 20 - 2:36 am

  Bought this car used with 96k miles on it and had high expectations. Knew other Subaru owners that swear by them. I should have read some reviews before buying as apparently this particular engine, which also rears its ugly head in other Subaru models in and around this year, has some major issues. It all started with a bad radiator cap and then led to blown head gasket and who knows what else. Im dumping it because it isnt worth what its going to cost to repair. This was my first and last Subaru.

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  Needs Some work - 2010 Subaru Legacy
  By Mike - October 13 - 12:10 am

  As a life long Audi owner I had a hard time converting but the price and test drive convinced me to go Subaru. So far after only 300 miles I have found the steering to be average with shaking at speeds above 60 (Subaru Service says this is a known issue with no known fix yet). Highway handling is fair with several corrections needed to keep the car straight. Compared to the German brethren this car lacks driving exhilaration. On the plus the car is roomy, and priced well. The styling actually grows on you. The braking is superb. Good utility car but dont expect a lot of driving wow. Ask about the wheel shake when buying.

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  OEM Bridgestone Tires - 2001 Subaru Forester
  By truman - October 2 - 7:06 am

  BIG BUT however: the Bridgestone Dueler tires are poor, unsafe in any kind of winter conditions. seconded by Consumer Reports tests, user experiences. There are many other all season tires that have better all season performance without poor handling in snow. Why buy an AWD if the OEM tires no va (remember Chevy Nova?) in winter? More: at 25K the Duelers were worn, wear bars up to tread. 25K wear !!! Replaced with Michelin Symmetrys that DO perform.

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  WRX- Not a performance Bargain - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By Jeff - September 26 - 6:26 am

  The WRX being a top 10 on Car and Driver sounds great. I traded my Acura RSX base for this car and thought it would be an excellent car to own. The WRX is great if youre looking for a racer with build potential. If you want any luxury or are concerned about build quality, do not buy a WRX. The clutch squeaks, driver seat sounds like an old couch when you get into it, the paint quality is the worst I have ever seen, the gas mileage is horrible, turbo lag makes the car feel like it cant get out of its own way until you hit 3500 rpms and then it finally throws you back into your squeaky seat. No power trunk release and Oh yes there are the windows that have no frame--perhaps the worst feature

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  Only if you love your mechanic... - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By RLM - September 6 - 10:33 am

  Ive owned my Forester for 10 months, 11K miles on it and Im considering a trade in. While this vehicle is exactly what I want in a car as a small SUV and I enjoy driving the car at times, overall the poor quality of the workmanship of the car makes me regret my purchase. Ive had the car in for both a major repair (power steering replacement) and major annoyances (mystery noises from door panels, rear-door catch had to be re- welded, and buzzing noises from stereo). Honestly, I miss my 7 year old 125K car I traded in because that car had less body noise and rattling than this brand new car. Im severely disappointed in the quality of this car and I am considering cutting my losses now.

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  Outback wagon automatic trans, good and bad - 2000 Subaru Outback
  By tlpw - September 2 - 12:05 am

  Interesting edmunds fails to list the cars with auto trans. Had this car since 09, purchased with 120k for $4800 and has 176k on it now. CEL on since 3 months after I bought it; spent way too much trying to figure it out; dealership states due to oxygen sensors, which are supposedly all one part with the catalytic so would have to replace that whole thing-they told me to keep driving it. Lots of front end issues, huge motor/trans vibrations that no one can seem to figure out, dealer or other subaru masters. Wasted lots of cash there too. Happens whenever Im stopped in gear, always have to take it out of gear. Better mechanical knowledge needed at dealerships. Seat & driving comfort -10

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  Bad mileage! - 2005 Subaru Forester
  By Elizabeth - August 22 - 6:46 am

  I have had this car only two months and the mileage is very bad. It is lucky if it gets the 22 mph and it plummets from there if the air conditioner is used. Also, it hesitates on take off, leaving me waiting for VERY clear intersections before accelerating. Im told it might be better when it is more broken in. Too late. I wish I had gotten another Honda.

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  Overrated - 2010 Subaru Forester
  By f650gs - August 18 - 12:46 am

  For the price you get a compact wagon with good all-wheel drive system. All there is is the all-wheel drive system. Rest of the car could as well be a KIA or FIAT or worse. Interior plastics smell like a VCR and are probably made from the same material. Hard plastics everywhere. Rattles, rattles and rattles. The car fells like a $10k compact or a cheap rental. Ride quality is good on flat terrain but the car begins to float on hills and around curves. It does very well on gravel and rough surface. Did you know that for only $2k more you can buy the VW Tiguan? Test drive one before you buy the Forester.

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  Exhaust rattle and ping noises - 2010 Subaru Forester
  By ny_donna - August 15 - 10:01 pm

  Subaru Forester 2010, 57K miles - the heat shields in the exhaust are losing their insulation, so the tin shields rattle against each other. Was told I would need to replace entire exhaust to fix. Not covered by extended wtty - why make an exhaust system that falls apart after 2 years, and cant be easily fixed? why is this "my problem?" It is Subarus poor design, should be their money to fix! Has anyone else had the dealer fix this problem for you or found an easier solution? The tinny rattling noise drives me crazy!