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:

• 

  Pound for Pound the best - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By gdogg - June 21 - 6:06 pm

  When my wife and I bought our first WRX in 2002 I had no idea what was to come. When I first drove down the street in my STi I was overwhelmed... I was like, "its really mine!” My only reservations were the seats - which I already replaced with JIC Magic seats (aftermarket race seats). After adding some basic bolt ons I was impressed even more. The build quality is awesome and I know that reliability is no issue.

• 

  Great Wagon - 2005 Subaru Impreza
  By stocksj - June 21 - 2:19 pm

  Ive have my Impreza RS Wagon since new in 2005 and its always been very reliable in all weather. Mileage is good and it always runs. Ive used it as a truck hauling my hobby stuff and gardening things. The HVAC does not blow cold AC from the lower vents but its no differnt than the 2002 WRX wagon I traded in for this. This cars a keeper for life.

• 

  A confirmed Subaru buyer - 2006 Subaru Outback
  By Trina Stephenson - June 20 - 10:26 am

  I have owned many Subarus -- 1993 Impreza, 2000 Forester, 2004 Outback and now the 2006 Outback. Basically the car gets better with each iteration. There are a few things missing on my 2006 that I had on the 2004 which I miss: 1. Weatherband radio, why was this fantastic feature removed? It was great when we traveled through tornado alley to make sure there werent any weather events that we should know about. 2. The beeping feature on the seatbelts is annoying. My dog sets off the seatbelt alarm, my bag of trash or myself driving 100 feet down my driveway before I dash out to open my gate all set it off. 3. The cupholder is still awkward and small.

• 

  my best car so far - 2005 Subaru Impreza
  By fuapiti - June 20 - 1:40 am

  Im a car enthusiast, and a former owner of two Acura Integras and one Nissan 350z and by far my Impreza WRX has been my best ride, sporty yet practical, fast, not flashy, reliable, and most important fun to drive on a daily basis and to own for that matter.

• 

  Love my Forester - 2002 Subaru Forester
  By carolyn - June 19 - 4:43 am

  I bought my 2001 Forester in April of 2000. I drive many miles for work and have about 55,000 miles on it already. Other than tires and oil changes, we have not had to do a thing to this car! I love the pickup, the way the car handles and the sound system. I never know what kind of weather I will need to drive through and always feel safe in my Forester. I dont know why anyone buys an SUV when they could do this instead. The Subaru beats my old SUV hands down.

• 

  Best Purchase Yet - 2003 Subaru Baja
  By PhotoBear - June 19 - 2:00 am

  The Baja Sport is one awesome car/truck. Comfort, hauling capability, and AWD safety at a very affordable price.

• 

  Best all round car !! - 1999 Subaru Forester
  By computer guy - June 17 - 10:00 am

  It has great head room (Im 66"), can travel in any weather, drives like a luxury sedan, has great power for trips and long hills (went from SLC to Seattle at 75-80 the whole trip, downshifting the automatic to 3rd for climbing only the worst grades, holding 75mph at about 4k rpm), engine is really quite ... I really like this car. Tops in crash testing too. This car is a keeper.

• 

  off-road wonder - 2001 Subaru Forester
  By Compass Crissy - June 17 - 10:00 am

  Auto club knows me well from my early years of off-road exploring in inappropriate vehicles. Ive had all the SUVs and this one does it all without the huge fuel costs. Walks over snow covered roads, jeep trails and hiking trails. Yes, I did that, looking for a lost child. A forest rd in AZ went from good to gone and we made it without a problem. A rate this car Outback-Outstanding.

• 

  160k miles and still going strong - 2005 Subaru Forester
  By 160kmiles - June 16 - 2:00 am

  Bought this specifically for long distance commuting on the highway and its been a great car, 110k miles before I had anything break on it. Great highway mpg 25-26.

• 

  Great Car if you can find one! - 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek
  By dashriprocket - June 14 - 4:13 am

  Bought this car over a week ago. Three months of constant research after selling my Honda Element which I loved. I was looking for something sold, unique looks, reliability, comfort and just a plain kick but car. My Subaru XV Crosstrek limited in blue with beige interior...not a pocket rocket, but I genuinely love this car. Extremely practical, unique, good looks, great gas mileage, great performance!