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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  2012 Subaru Outback Moon Roof Leaks - 2012 Subaru Outback
  By goalkik753 - February 28 - 7:26 am

  A car wash revealed a leak at the rear seal of our 2012 Subaru Outback Limited. The leak was enough to splash over the small gutter system below the rear seal and onto the passenger seat. Its designed to be able to pop up for ventilation or slide down and into the roof of the vehicle when full open. In order to do this the rear seal sits loosely against the roof lip. I have had two automobiles with moonroofs before this (a Chevrolet and a Ford). Neither one was designed this poorly. I have tested the seal by pooring a bottle of water on it and it still leaks in 4 spots at a continuous drip rate. I cant leave my vehicle parked outside untill Subaru comes up with a fix.

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  Big Fan - 2005 Subaru Forester
  By Ronnie Stanton - February 26 - 10:00 am

  Amazing motor car, luxury features are brilliant- rde and performance unbeatable

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  A Big Step Up for Subie - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By Jack Hinks - February 26 - 10:00 am

  Needed a second 4WD wagon – I drive an A4 Avant 1.8T – and this was the only good choice below $30K. Much better than last years. Roomy interior with sturdy upholstery, far nicer back end, decent power, killer turning radius. Its no Audi – I think its a little floaty at highway speeds, and nobody does interiors like Ingolstadt – but its darned fine for the dough and it feels plenty secure all the same. Cant wait for winter...

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  A lot of value for the money - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By Buckthorn - February 26 - 10:00 am

  We took this car off-road (St. Elmo, Tin Cup, Colorado) where you mostly saw only Jeeps. Performed like a dream. Also, fun to drive around town. This the sixth Subaru we have owned and we like the new interior and better transmission than our 98 Outback. For the money, you get excellent value.

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  Head Turner - 2006 Subaru Impreza
  By 1lap2go - February 25 - 9:30 pm

  I love the AWD driving experience, coupled with the performance the STi delivers. It is a ball to drive. Its a fair weather car for me. I still have a lot of money in my pocket with a car that can dust off BMWs and the like with ease.

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  Love My Subaru! - 2005 Subaru Impreza
  By Steve Gosselin - February 25 - 5:20 pm

  I drive 2.5 to 3 hours a day back and forth to work in New England weather. This is my second Subaru and in the 3 years of ownership I have never broken traction in bad weather. I have never felt safer on the road! I love my Subaru!

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  Great little Subie - 2013 Subaru Forester
  By skinnerkid3 - February 25 - 7:54 am

  Ive had my 2013 Forester for about 7 months now and so far, so good. It isnt the fastest, most luxurious, or most tech savvy car on the market, but what it is, is a great all around car. In todays market there are not many CUVs you can run to the store in one minute, and then the next go out in the back country. This is what made this vehicle so impressive to me being a Wyoming native who very well may do both of those activities in the same day. This little crossover is just so well rounded and good at so many things it makes me happy everytime I drive it. The interior does have some cheap materials, and the stock mud guards are terrible, but other than that Im happy with my foz.

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  The $20K Mercedes - 2011 Subaru Legacy
  By jonster2 - February 24 - 6:19 am

  My Legacys about to go off-lease after 3 years and I still dont see many of this new design on the road. Last week I had to use my fathers 2001 Outback and Im astounded at how well theyve redone it. These cars have a long history of reliability. They are practically maintenance-free. Now that theyre full-size, I finally found myself in one and Im glad I did. I traded in my 97 BMW 528i after too many winters spent without traction control (in the Northeast). When I moved to the top of a hill, I knew I needed AWD. I researched Subaru and found they are the only car manufactured by Fuji Industries in Japan. It is a dream to drive and I never feel unsafe anymore.

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  02 WRX Sedan - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By WRX4FUN - February 24 - 2:00 am

  The fun factor rating on this car should be well over 10...This is my first subaru and I have had it for 3 weeks and what a blast I am having driving this car...For all you car enthusiasts who havent driven one yet, you must try...I work for a car dealership and have driven many cars and besides exotics most cars dont come close to this car in the fun factor...Recently placed 3rd at the Long Island Custom Car Show with this vehicles

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  The Best of all cars - 2000 Subaru Outback
  By Adel - February 24 - 2:00 am

  It Handles perfect in the snow.