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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  1st Subaru - 2009 Subaru Outback
  By Scott - January 30 - 5:30 pm

  In December I went about replacing my 2007 VW Passat wagon. I had a love-hate relationship with that car. Since it was winter, I was starting to get sick of not making it up my hill to my house. So I looked at the Outback. It had no trouble driving through ~10 inches of snow during my test dive. So I got one. It has been good, not great. Its not really fast, it handles pretty well and gets reasonable fuel economy for an AWD vehicle. AWD is great in the snow and the back holds lots of baby things. The HK stereo is pretty good, wish the audio controls on the steering wheel would control presets, and wish there was a sub control. Now that it is getting warmer, I am enjoying the large sunroof.

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  Avoid this model - 2002 Subaru Outback
  By Ridergirl - January 29 - 5:00 pm

  My previous car was a Nissan Pathfinder which I finally retired at 308,000 miles. I bought this as a Subaru certified, used, at 60,000 miles, hoping I would get the same performance. Not so. The engine had to be replaced at 90,000, the clutch went at 110,000, as did the entire transmission. Check engine light comes on regularly just like an old friend. The fuel smell inside the car in the cold weather is awful. Wind noise is terrible, and the seats are uncomfortable for long drives, with limited leg room if you are taller than 57. Junky plastic parts. This car has cost me $11,000 over the purchase price so far. CS at corporate & dealer rude. Shame on Suby for this sub standard machine.

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  Junk - 2008 Subaru Tribeca
  By 1rich - January 29 - 3:33 pm

  I did a lot of research when the 08 model came out. Unfortunately there was not enough real data out there. Reliability and performance are poor. We get 14.5 miles per gallon in mixed driving. Full size SUVs with V8 engines can do better. Besides the gas useage is the oil useage. Check it out on your own. Subara considers 1 quart of oil used per every 1000 miles within spec. I should know. This is our Tribecas oil consumption. We have had interior components fall off (Visors, seat backs, seat track covers, etc.) The dash squeaks, the hatch rattles and engine components have failed (EGR valve). All this and less than 25k miles on it. I will never own another subaru.

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  Going strong at 74,000 miles - 2002 Subaru Outback
  By Laura - January 29 - 12:43 pm

  Just started reading about all the bad reviews on the engine head gasket. We have 74,000 miles and have no engine issues so far! We have had minimal wind noise from the window, no big deal! Also brakes wore rather fast and dealer fixed before warranty end. We bought at 12,000 miles so not sure why this car was traded in! So far this is a great little car. Fair miles 21 around town/mixed and 26 on the highway. Awesome in the snow! We have the triple tread assurance tires. Awesome!! This car is great compared to an SUV except it is only a 4 seater. Very hard if not impossible to get more then 2 kids in the back unless you buy the radian carsets which are hard to install/narrow

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  This car is awesome - 2002 Subaru Legacy
  By Joseph Piel - January 29 - 2:00 am

  great handling very fun to drive in bad and in good weather

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  The New Outback is Fantastic - 2011 Subaru Outback
  By rlj-Seattle - January 29 - 2:00 am

  This is our first Subaru and we could not be happier. This is the perfect trip car. The highway ride is smooth, quiet and the interior is very spacious. We tried both the 2.5 and 3.6R and went with the bigger engine that is more powerful and refined. It still gets great gas mileage for a vehicle this size. The Hardon Kardon stereo is definitely worth the money for both the sound and bluetooth phone. I drive an Audi A4 quattro so I was very happy to get this excellent all- wheel vehicle for my wife. She hasnt driven in the snow yet so she is in for a treat! She loves her new car.

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  Tribeca B9 is a winner! - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By Indiogoa - January 28 - 9:16 pm

  We checked out several SUVs in this size class before buying, including the Murano, Highlander, RX300 and Pilot. This SUV outclassed all of them for interior and exterior styling, performance and overall value. We are impressed with the handling and ride of the Tribeca; it is fun to drive and handles tight curves with little or no body lean. Our Tribeca gets about 22MPG highway with four passengers and camping gear, about 17.5MPG around city. It cruises well on the highway. The third row is cramped, fine for very small kids. But for our family of four, the third row serves as a cargo hold. The sound system and DVD are outstanding as our all the extras, heated seats etc. Overall, this is a great SUV.

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  Outback 2008 3.0 - 2008 Subaru Outback
  By Jose Alvarado - January 28 - 5:13 pm

  I owned a ML350 of very questionable quality and performance and two discoverys before. I pick an Outback looking for a smaller confortable car paying almost one third of the money I paid for the other cars. A big deal! Great off road and fast in road, a lot of space in a not-too-big car.

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  The best small true SUV yet! - 2010 Subaru Forester
  By John in Pacific NW - January 28 - 2:33 pm

  This totally redesigned 2010 Forester is much better than any of the other Subaru designs to date, and miles ahead of the older and dated designs of the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. The double wishbone suspension gives this Subie a supple quiet ride with superb controlled handling, even with over 8 inches of ground clearance. The outstanding outward vision and seating position is much better the competition. The high torque engine provides 2400 lb trailer pulling capacity which is much higher than most of the competition, and something I needed. Last, but not least, the safety features and crash tests scores are excellent for the 2010 Forester.

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  Unbeatable Value - 2007 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By spokane steeler - January 28 - 2:10 pm

  Researched and drove every SUV around (<$35K) and nothing excited me like a Tribeca. Interior is stunning. Used price is unbeatable. Drives just fine despite negative reviews in the media. Alfa Romero inspired front end will grow on you. Created an emotional connection for me that was completely lacking in an explorer/edge/highlander/pilot/crv or virtually anthing else. Also embraced the wisdom of buying used instead of new with 2 young children in the house.