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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  Drives like a car, roomy like an SUV - 2010 Subaru Forester
  By Gregg - December 29 - 5:33 am

  I would best describe the Forester as a "nice" automobile. It does everything well, but nothing outstanding (which is not a knock on it). It seats five, pulls a small trailer, can handle dirt roads and snow, usable large storage area, good visibility, good highway manners, etc. A very solid vehicle.

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  Brilliant service people. - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By Anonymous - December 29 - 12:30 am

  Well, to start I should mention I put reliability low because the service people are idiots. Brought the forester in for a checkup and oil change, comes back with 2L too much oil - we discovered after the engine blew. Car is good, interior is pretty nice although leather stretched quickly. Stereo pretty well stinks considering its premium - nice that it doesnt get scratchy at high volume, although its stupid that out of 40 knotches, its not reasonably loud until about 30. Also fuel economy is hardly a selling feature once owned, not good in city at all. I have a 310HP pickup that gets better mileage, although tank is 20L larger, still gets about 400-600km per tank, forester barely hits 400.

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  Such a smooth ride! - 2016 Subaru Forester
  By R. Smith - December 28 - 11:36 pm

  Im thrilled I choose the Subaru Forester! I love how it rides! The additional features (dimming mirrors, back camera, etc.) are great. Im a bit concerned how low the low gear will work inclement weather, as it doesnt seem to slow the vehicle as much as Id like. Navigating through the musical list selections can be a bit cumbersome as well. The rear seat area has a great deal of space and leg room, perfect for my growing kids. Plenty of cargo space as well, enough for a weekends worth of soccer gear and a grocery run. Overall, I am very pleased with my new Forester. I also have received exceptional service from the dealership, both during the sale and after the purchase as well.

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  Very Nice!! - 2016 Subaru Outback
  By KTW - December 28 - 5:16 pm

  Great safety features but not all are standard features so you will need to pay extra for them. I have a young child and a lot of children in the neighborhood so the safety features & back-up camera were very important to me and well worth the cost. I previously owned a Volvo XC70. In comparison, the interior is a little roomier but the material is a little lower quality & not as luxurious. Visibility for me is much better and I like that the vehicle rides a little higher but not quite as high a SUV. I have had the car for a only month and so far I have had no maintenance issues. The car, at first, was a little "jerky" when starting for a stop and it just took a little time to get used to the "touch" on the accelerator. All in all I really like the car. The gas mileage isnt great with the 3.6 engine but its still better than my Volvo.

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  Almost 3 years later, and still love it! - 2003 Subaru Baja
  By NoVa Baja - December 27 - 7:53 pm

  Been by far the best car/truck I have ever owned. For me there is enough power, even here in the DC area. Even 3 years later people ask about it when in parking lots. My MPG has been as low as 18 commuting city streets, with 22 commuting on combined city/hwy, and 29 hwy (a high of 31 hwy on a long flat stretch at 60mph). Looked at the Ford SporTrac, so glad that I skipped it for the Baja. A better fit for the real world IMO. Was able to handled some very rutted roads to a cabin in the Smokys very well.

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  The worst mistake of my life - 2003 Subaru Outback
  By Elizabeth - December 27 - 5:23 pm

  Second Subaru - both lemons. After 83,000 miles on the car (legacy Outback) and regular maintenance (no problems to date) the car needs over $4k worth of repairs. van Bortel, Victor NY - worst dealer ever - offered me $800 trade in. Thats right, $800, even though Edmunds lists rough condition as worth about $4k in trade in. Yes, I bought the car there. van Bortel really knows how to treat their customers. I will never buy a Subaru again. Shame as I really wanted to like them.

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  2013 Subaru Legacy Sport - 2013 Subaru Legacy
  By pedrobud1 - December 26 - 7:56 pm

  I narrowed my search down to two cars, the Subaru Legacy Sport and the VW Passat TDI. Both impressed me but living in Vermont, the AWD made the most sense. I must say I am very impressed with the Legacy Sport. I am averaging over 31 miles per gallon with mostly highway miles. Great looking car and handles very well. Sport has 18 inch wheels but wish it had 16 or 17 inch wheels which would cost far less when I changed tires. Ride is nice and smooth though with the sport model, I suspect the regular Legacy models have less stiff suspension. My family has owned several Subarus and have never had a problem. Highly recommended !

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  Awesome - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By Nen - December 26 - 10:00 am

  Great Ride, the car is all and all just great the interior has a great racing type look to it.

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  Bad Fuel Economy (19 MPG) - 2011 Subaru Forester
  By bandiao11 - December 26 - 7:02 am

  Generally OK, but bad fuel economy (average 19 MPG, mostly high way miles), manual claim 91 octane GAS, but Subaru website says 87 octane. All the instruments will be in red color during night while driving. Can not open trunk without remote. Inspection need to be handled specifically.

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  A great Suby - 2003 Subaru Baja
  By MikeeB - December 24 - 11:46 am

  A great vehicle. Has never been to the dealer since I purchased it for repairs, I do all the regular stuff to it. Carries all my stuff, tows my ATV, is very comfortable to drive. Good mileage for AWD, I average about 24 mpg, and high 20s on the highway. This is my first Subaru, and I will definitely look for another one when it is time to replace the Baja. Build quality is outstanding, with no weird noises or issues like many other cars. It is very comfortable to drive for long distances, I now have 113,000 miles on it, and will try to go for at least 300,000 before I replace it.