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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  Great vehicle - 2008 Subaru Tribeca
  By gmopsman - July 26 - 12:10 am

  The vehicle has good power and does not have to shift down to pull hills. I averaged approximately 23 miles per gallon on the trip from Virginia to Tennessee at speeds from 55 to 75. The seats are supportive. The navigation system needs street number and address info before it will initiate. Good information display. Some people might like more adjustment in the steering wheel position. So far it has been very good.

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  Great Compact SUV - 2005 Subaru Forester
  By Ed - July 25 - 6:33 am

  Fabulous acceleration. Handles and rides like a sedan. Subaru AWD is excellent. Slippery conditions are handled like they do not exist. Plenty of compartments for storage throughout the vehicle. The cargo area is large and very well designed. Drop the flat folding rear seats and the area is cavernous. Very comfortable and we love the power seat and the upgraded audio system that is standard. Turbo engine is really powerful and there is no turbo lag. Overall, a great compact SUV. Kudos to Subaru.

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  Mom-mobile (that Dad likes, too!) - 2005 Subaru Forester
  By susanw - July 24 - 5:23 pm

  My 1987 Volvo 240 died. Dilemma - how to replace a tank without going over to the dark side (SUV)? I did a lot of research to find the perfect car for my needs - top safety marks; enough room for 3 kids, backpacks, a dog and a trombone; great sight lines/no blind spots; good handling in winter and rainy conditions; and under $22,000. I did NOT want an SUV, as I consider them evil and everything bad America stands for. Ahem. OK, I know the Forester is considered a small SUV by most reviewers, but it uses the Impreza car base, so it snuck in under the SUV-dar. And Im grateful it did - this car is just about perfect for anyone for whom safety is key. Check out the crash tests.

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  All weather street-legal racecar - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By Amahl2442 - July 24 - 4:16 pm

  I wanted an STI long before they came to US shores. The amount of power Subaru was able to extract from a four-cylinder, 2.5 liter engine is nearly obscene. I paid $27K for a 375hp (after a few mods) monster thats as much fun on the racetrack or an autocross course as it is running errands around town. The guttural roar of the boxer, accentuated by an aftermarket turboback exhaust, makes you want to turn off the radio and roll down the windows. I am forced to drive like a complete jerk by this car, and still manage to get 25 mpg around town. Test drove the Evo, the VW R32, the S2000, and while this isnt as comfortable as the VW or as go-kart light as the Evo, it is by far the most fun.

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  08 WRX - 2008 Subaru Impreza
  By Tyler - July 23 - 11:23 pm

  Have had this car for 6 weeks and loving every single minute of it. Been driving Subarus since I was 16 and this is my first WRX. Amazing handling, great speed and so damn fun to drive. Gas mileage is fine but i find myself filling up often because I just want to get out and drive the car!

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  Best Outback yet - 2015 Subaru Outback
  By nyken - July 23 - 6:51 pm

  I have looked at Outbacks in the past when considering a new car purchase and have never been impressed enough to buy one. The redesigned 2015 Outback is so much improved from previous model years that it does not even seem to be the same vehicle. It now looks and functions more like an upscale SUV rather than a 1970s era station wagon. It is great looking , comfortable and enjoyable to drive. The 4 cylinder engine is peppy and responsive enough and I am getting 34 MPG on the highway which actually exceeds the 33 MPG EPA rating. The interior is classy and the ride is very comfortable and quiet. The CVT is much better than earlier CVT designs which used to feel a little odd.

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  Theres really not much to say. - 2016 Subaru Outback
  By Paul Caparotta - July 23 - 8:36 am

  Ive owned this car a month and I love it so far. Its pretty much everything Id imagined.

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  WRXTREME - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By wrx 2004 - July 21 - 10:00 am

  Going to be a year old soon-car pretty much lives up to the hype-altough around town performance isnt great if you want to keep your clutch, although once the turbo gets going not much could keep up. Highway driving is awesome, AWD is great and seamless- goes through snow like its spring time- what other performance car could you say that about. Just found out 2005 is even further improved (too bad for me), actually looking forward toward next WRX purchase.

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  Black STi - 2005 Subaru Impreza
  By scruffy - July 21 - 10:00 am

  The WRX STi is a great fun to drive car. It has positive handling, with no under/over steer faults(due to the adjustable center diff.) the car has a huge power band with 200hp at only 4000 rpm! and 300 hp at 6000 rpm! the car is faster than many other sedans in the same price range(BMW 325, Audi A4). If your a true car enthusiast, you will love the car.

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  Nice ride - 2016 Subaru WRX
  By Someone Somewhere - July 20 - 4:05 am

  This car is fast and fun, but its also nice to drive smoothly. It can also get great mileage (29+MPG) around town if you are mindful.