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 Dogmobile!! - 2003 Subaru Outback
  By Lorvamp - May 25 - 2:00 am

  This is my second Subaru. Previously I brought a used 1987 Subaru GL 4WD wagon. I love to go camping and have 2 dogs. It had 104,000 miles on it and when I sold it there was 155,000 miles. The small engine was fine around the city but lacked the oomph to pass on trucks on up-hill 2 lane roads with the a/c going. No major problems. I brought a new Outback because I wanted more power and wanted the AWD to go on some really bad forest service roads. Its great. The car has the power to pass even up-hill. The ride is smooth and comfortable. I am a lead to metal type of driver and get 27 MPG on my camping/flyfishing trips.

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  Best Sport Wagon on the Market - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By mattzart - May 22 - 4:43 am

  Okay, so Ive only had it a week and Im still in the honeymoon phase. But this a solid little car. Its versatile, good looking and fun to drive. Corners very well, like its on rails. Engine has plenty of pep.

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  Im in love with my car - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By Quad - May 22 - 3:46 am

  I love it when I start it, when I drive it, and when I lock it up. I love it in the middle of the night just knowing its in the garage. The power. The brakes. The handling. The roar. The POWER! And the looks I get -- driving into the parking garage at work ... dropping my kid off at school (from the other parents) ... pulling into the 7-11. You can take your 350Z, your Evo, your (cough) S2000 and keep them. Keep them out of my way, that is.

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  A WRX trapped inside a Volvos body! - 2009 Subaru Outback
  By withdrew - May 22 - 2:00 am

  We have a baby now so we needed something more versatile than our previous car (02 BMW 325i) but just as sporty and fun to drive. The Subaru Outback delivers in every way. Its a great looking wagon inside and out, the build quality is solid and in 2.5 XT form, its more powerful than our old BMW. I couldnt ask for more. The Outback is smooth and powerful and feels like a much more expensive car. Its very quiet and low-revving, I barely go over 4,000 RPM. Theres plenty of room in the rear for a baby-stroller, groceries, luggage, golf clubs, etc. In our old sedan that was a major issue. The 5 speed manual is responsive and crisp. The 2.5 XT Limited is the best Outback available, period.

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  One Word... Awsome - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By Eric_W - May 20 - 10:00 am

  This is the best car that I have ever purchased. The handeling in the car is great and hugs the road on curves. The auto trans is better then expected. Ya, there is some power loss, but none that you could tell. With just a slight press on the gas petal... youre off. Im glad the fixed the design from the bug eyed modle from before. Also, I was waiting for the moonroof and it is finally avalible in the 04. Dont pass one of these up!

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  Luv our sube! - 2003 Subaru Outback
  By Drifter - May 17 - 11:56 pm

  Knock on wood, car has been good to us. 2.5 4-cyl has plenty of pop. Ive found a good (ex) Subaru mechanic who has his own shop. I dont need him much. Passenger side CV joint boot let go @ 60,000 miles. You know when its gone, grease drips on the cat and you can smell it burning. Its adjacent to the exh sys so heat breaks it down over time. My mechanic also says I can look fwd to head gasket leak @ 100k miles. This is because of the Boxer flat design, it stresses the head bolts. All in all, he says the 4 cyl is solid, but the 6 cyl is usually $$ trouble after 100k miles. Wind noise was an issue, common problem, he tweaked the front window corner piece with screw driver.

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  Fun - 2006 Subaru Outback
  By P.Krezel - May 16 - 4:50 pm

  I bought the Outback for our growing family and I’m impressed. Nice interior, big trunk and lot of storage. Outside sporty wagon with AWD – Do you need more - No. When I drive Subaru I have a lot of fun a specially when I’m using “sport” driving. I have always wondering what’s make Subaru Subaru – now I know.

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  Mileage is above advertised! I love it. - 2013 Subaru Impreza
  By charitygirl - May 15 - 3:30 pm

  I bought my CVT premium hatchback in December. This is my 4th Subaru impreza but first new car. The best thing about it is the mileage. At first my average MPG seemed low but then I started looking at the instantaneous MPG readout and adjusting my driving style to maximise fuel efficiency. Now at around 5,000 miles I am getting almost EXACTLY the MPG estimated by Subaru, 28 around town, 30 mixed and 36 highway (actually I did get 38 a few time on a long 100 mile drive). The other great thing is the leg room in the rear. I had to drive a rental Ford Fous for a week and my son complained that he had LESS room in the back than in the Subau. Not sure hes right...but still.

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  The Test Drive Sold It - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By bsm222 - May 15 - 10:40 am

  Have put about 2000 miles on our new Outback and were loving it! We considered a Toyota Venza, Acura RDX and this and after driving these vehicles, the Subaru was the winner hands down. While we dont consider it quite as stylish as the other two, this car is quiet, fits just right and has the features, gas mileage, quiet good ride and build quality we were looking for. Were averaging 26 mpg back and forth to work and have averaged 31 mpg on a 350 mile trip so far. And its all on regular fuel. Trade an Audi A4 wagon and the ride height and roominess of the Subaru are so much better!

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  A good buy - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By rick - May 14 - 11:03 am

  I have my car a month now I am very happy with my choice I had a 06 honda accord and outback is more fun, better on gas. Its great in the snow, it handle the snow without any problems.