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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  My favorite car - 2006 Subaru Baja
  By kim - April 16 - 3:03 pm

  A truck doesnt compare. A car doesnt compare. This is the best of both worlds. You have the versatility and payload of a truck, the four wheel capability of a truck, the acceleration of a low end performance car, and the comfort of a low end luxury car.

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  Great Car needed better Shocks - 2011 Subaru Outback
  By bwein - April 16 - 7:05 am

  Love this with the 3.6 plenty of power with descent gas mileage 22 combines for 18,000 miles. My only complaint was the soft ride and poor handling. I put KYB gas shock on it and now it handles great and rides nice and firm. (watchout Cayennes) We have taking this car on the LA to Mammoth trek many times to go skiing and have needed the AWD plenty of times and it works great. We can fit 4 adults and a dog for a weekend of skiing if we put the skis and boards on the roof. Ingenious rack system.

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  2004 Subaru Impreza - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By garylynd - April 15 - 10:00 am

  Perfect after one year!

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  Amazing - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By Erik - April 14 - 11:13 pm

  I love this vehicle, it has given me zero problems and Ive owned it since new, Just took an 8K mile trip to colorado (from mn) without any issues, the 3.0 climbed pikes peak without breaking a sweat, what a treat it is to own this vehicle. I work at a subaru dealer and see these vehicles come in from time to time, but not for any types of problems, only for routine maint. I would buy another in a heartbeat. This is currently my 2nd subaru, my other is an impreza (1996) with 250K miles, and has been turboed since 100K miles. These cars are indestructible!

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  This Subies got it - 2003 Subaru Forester
  By silversubaru - April 14 - 10:16 pm

  We live in western New York where we deal with our fair share of snow. Let me tell you this car has what it takes. I feel so safe driving this car. On a recent trip downstate, I traveled our state thruway. The weather was terrible - snow and freezing rain. I saw several pickups and larger SUVs off the highway in ditches and snowbanks. My Subie just kept going and adjusted when making lane changes in frozen slush tire tracks. Felt solid, stable, secure.

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  Really really like it, but... - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By Dan - April 14 - 7:33 pm

  Its quiet and well thought out. There is plenty of leg room for four adults. Im having a little trouble with the front bolster on the drivers seat cutting off the circulation in my lower legs and feet. I agree with others about the gauge showing fuel economy, would rather have water temp. The roof rack is a clever solution to a non-problem. Subaru should offer a replacement rail for this so we can fit our old Yakima rack one can actually use. The CVT is great but it is taking some time to adjust to the longer coasting distance. Is it just me or doesnt it feel good hand washing it? If Subaru comes out with a diesel and fixes the roof rack I might buy a second one.

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  Great Car! - 2009 Subaru Legacy
  By Jim C - April 13 - 7:33 am

  I bought this car back in May of this year because I was looking to trade in my 2006 Chevy Equinox which I hated, so I saw an advertisement on tv for Subaru and decided to check it out. I never owned a Subaru before so this was a new experience for me, once I got in it and test drove it there was no turning back. The car drives great, handles great, over all just a fun car. The HK audio system is incredible, those are the types of audio systems they put in much more expensive vehicles such as BMW. The only thing I dont like about this car is that it seems to pull to the right and the dealership told me that awd vehicles tend to do that. Not sure if anyone else has experienced this??

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  2013 Outback Adds Bells and Whistles - 2013 Subaru Outback
  By bepete - April 12 - 6:11 pm

  The Subaru Outback has always been on my watch list because of its high reliability / resale value coupled with proven AWD performance. When Motor Trend awarded its SUV of the Year Award to the redesigned and larger 2010 Outback, I took a closer look but felt the vehicle lacked tech and comfort features that were commonplace in the new vehicle market. The top of the line 2013 Subaru Outback has changed all that, and was worth the wait. The Outback Limited (especially with the Special Appearance Package) was a clear choice for me relative to the awkward looking (Honda CrossTour, Toyota Venza) and the pricey (Acura RDX, Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland). The 3.6R has been a blast to drive.

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  3.6R a winner. - 2017 Subaru Outback
  By Richard Arnold - April 11 - 11:21 pm

  Ive had my 3.6R for about two weeks now. First impressions are extremely positive. Impressed with the overall fit and finish, electronics are excellent, engine performance better than I expected, at $35k fully loaded, you cant touch this on any other car. The CVT is a better driving experience than I expected. The 6 pulls strongly & has plenty of power & im coming from Infiniti so Im used to a big 3.6 engine. I used the Costco Buying Program for a no-negotiation price of $500 under Factory Invoice + 4 yrs no interest financing from Subaru.

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  Subaru is my brand now - 2008 Subaru Impreza
  By bermo61 - April 11 - 5:13 am

  I have had lots of cars, Jeeps, GMs, Fords, Chryslers, but I had pretty much settled on Toyota being my brand of choice for their reliability. Unfortunately they are kind of boring. I own a Yaris and although I love the mileage it is kind of dull. I want to have fun driving without spending a mortgage payment on my car... enter Subaru. I have the reliability of a Toyota with cutting edge technology and feature laden products. I love my new WRX. I have almost 5000 miles on it and it is so fun to drive it should be illegal (and frequently is based on my tickets hee hee).