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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  Got it! After much research - 2017 Subaru Outback
  By Matthew Weigand - May 14 - 9:29 am

  I have had this car for 3 weeks, love the ride, tech, acceleration, stereo, room and safety. Well be taking it on a road trip later this month and I am looking forward to more time spent in the car.

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  Kicken off road - 2005 Subaru Forester
  By Going anywhere - May 14 - 7:36 am

  Great visibility, excellent handling, zips along at 70+ and still gets 27MPG or higher. The Forester is the real deal when it comes to all wheel drive, sand, mud, snow; you cant seem to stop this thing.

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  GREAT VALUE AND QUALITY - 2003 Subaru Forester
  By ScienceChick - May 13 - 10:00 am

  Needed to retire my Mustang convertible from daily driver and wanted a practical vehicle that could actually go in bad weather. Generally dont like SUVs, but co-worker has a 2001 S that has been excellent. My car is totally stripped down, yet it still has so many basic features like power windows, doors, and cruise control. Standard cloth seats, A/C and CD player are good enough for me, but 6-CD, leather, moonroof, and climate control are available on higher models. No other smaller hatchback (Ford Focus ZX5, Mazda Protege5, Toyota Matrix)had anywhere near the cargo room.

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  Great Transpo - 1998 Subaru Forester
  By mac/s - May 13 - 10:00 am

  Drive many many highway miles in this delightful vehicle...always comfortable and has never let me down. Snow, rain, fog, heat--always feel safe and secure. Toots right down the road with passing power when I need it. This is my second Subaru, wont be my last.

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  its worth a look - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By jagsubaru - May 11 - 4:10 am

  Just picked up the new subaru. Hard to find six cylinder ltd, but in my opinion the six cylinder is the way to go for highway driving. Drove both the 4 cyl and 6 cylinder and the 6 had a lot less road noise and seemed more solid. Drive both before you buy and you will see what I mean, and you can decide if the extra cost of the 6 is worth it. The interior is very comfortable. It would help if the passenger seat had a height adjustment like the drivers seat. It may be cramped for taller passengers if the sunroof option is added. Looked at a lot of suvs and the subaru seemed like a great value for what you get. Try one

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  Fun and Great! - 2006 Subaru Impreza
  By Jeremiah - May 10 - 10:46 pm

  This car is amazing in some things and ok in others.Starting out with amazing things: great, AWD handles EXCELLENT in rain/snow/mud, great exterior style, drives very smoothly and takes corners very well, 26 MPG. Some of the things I dont like: jerky @ very low speeds in 1st/2nd gear not so much 2nd, inconsistent low fuel light and one rattle Ive noticed under the steering wheel. This car has good pick up speed. The interior is pretty nice, but the seats could be a little more comfortable. Carpet in the car seems a little cheap, hard to get pine needles, dirt etc out of it.This was fixed by buying rubber floor mats I cut to customize fit. Overall a great buy, money well spent VERY safe and a blast.

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  buying a preowned Legacy GT - 2008 Subaru Legacy
  By darrrel - May 10 - 9:09 am

  i was in the market for a fun to drive sedan. i poured over online reviews, Consumer Reports and generally obsessed over this for about a year. I test drove new BMW 325, Civic Si, Legacy GT, Saab 93, Infinity G, Mazda Speed3, Mitsu Lancer etc...just about everything. At the local Subie dealership they had a preowned 2008 GT. It was love at first drive. So i did a bunch of research and bought it --$20K with 30K miles. I thought it was a great deal...0 buyers remorse. Every time I drive this car I absolutely looooove it...it handles great...is super fast in S# mode, and a dream in the rain. i love the 3 engine modes -- I, S and S#. Subaru certified it - got 100k bumper to bumper for $800.

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  The WRX is a really fun car to drive! - 2010 Subaru Impreza
  By WRX in ABQ - May 9 - 7:23 am

  Just under 1,000 miles so far, which means I can start going a little higher on the revs. Thats scary, because even at 4k-5k, the acceleration is phenomenal! Outstanding pick up at low mph or highway level. Very smooth. Got two window roll-downs from other drivers on my first day saying it looks great and asking how it drives. That just doesnt normally happen. I wish the front under-fender (Im not really an expert, so Im sure thats not the name) were a little higher for curbs, but I think I can get that changed. Averaging 24 mpg so far, but Ive been driving it pretty hard, lots of city, and its still breaking in. Most fun car Ive ever driven. Cant wait to take it skiing!

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  Great vehicle - 2005 Subaru Forester
  By Michele - May 8 - 7:06 pm

  Fantastic vehicle. Great handling and control of the road. We had much snow this winter and this vehicle can get through anything. Overall a wonderful experience.

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  My 1st Subie - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By JP3 - May 6 - 8:03 pm

  This is my first Subaru and based on what Ive seen so far it wont be my last. We had some pretty specific requirements for our next vehicle: A vehicle in which the whole family could fit including the dog. AWD (especially after this winter) Sunroof Manual. Not ugly. We looked at the Outback, RAV4 and CR- V and the Subaru beat the CR-V for real world driving. CR-V concerned me with part time AWD. RAV4 and Outback are more expensive with same options. The RAV4 actually has a 4x2 option? I also liked Subarus dedication to safety. Side curtain air bags, active head restraints, roll over sensors and VDC all standard. There are a lot of extras in this SUV.