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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  THE BEST CAR EVER - 2005 Subaru Impreza
  By eric - February 12 - 12:16 am

  this is by far the best car you can get for 30 g. it is the best when it comes to performance with 300 turbo horses and 300 ft/lb of torque. IT IS THE BEST

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  2nd Subie - 2010 Subaru Legacy
  By Jason - February 11 - 1:20 am

  My wife and I went to Detroit Auto Show to pick a new "fun" car. Had 14 on the list and as we continued to circle the show and whittle our choices down, we decided to look at Subaru (Wasnt on original list). Why didnt we look at it the first couple trips around? I heard the new body style was polarizing, but I fell into the bucket of "love it". I guess I just couldnt part with the AWD and was completely satisfied with the 2.5 in my 06 Outback. My wife stated it best: "The Legacy is a perfect blend of sport and luxury for us." If you are in the market for a car, at least put this on your list to test drive. I recommend Limited if you like gadgets.

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  2005 Subaru WRX STi Sedan - 2005 Subaru Impreza
  By Sinister Subaru - February 10 - 1:06 am

  Pros: blistering acceleration, sharp & responsive handling, build quality, seat comfort, tight & precise shifter, excellent brakes, standard equipment level (for this type of vehicle), good a/c & heater, fuel economy (24-25 mpg mixed driving), all wheel drive, excellent price considering overall performance and amenities. Cons: punishing ride on anything but smoothest of roads (jarring, skips, & kicks), poor sounding audio system, extremely short tire-life, poor paint quality, rear seat does not fold down for pass-through.

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  Love it - 2016 Subaru Forester
  By mike lesher - February 9 - 1:49 am

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  Love the boxer! - 2011 Subaru Forester
  By wooddorker - February 8 - 3:38 pm

  I love Subaru boxer engines. Yes, theyre a tad noisy, IF youre used to a V8. Boxers need to REV, the power comes in between 3500-5000 RPM. Let it rip!! Once you understand this, our new Forester is is everything weve come to love in a a Subie. It all becomes clear when it snows and rains hard! These cars are absolutely on rails... Subarus are not luxury rides, but unique, sensible cars that keep on giving value, day after day. Im so happy that the new car still feels light and responsive, rather than bloated and pillow-like as so many small SUVs do. My Forester feels like a tall, maneuverable CAR, not a downsized truck or grandpas Town Car.

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  Wonderful Car for a Reasonable Price - 2007 Subaru Forester
  By phxk - February 8 - 12:20 pm

  This is my first Subaru, but it wont be my last. I appreciate the features and attractive interior that come with the LL Bean model. The ride is quiet and smooth with responsive steering. It handles the hilly and curvy desert roads where I live quite nicely. The AWD leads to only a slightly stiffer ride as compared to my Camry, but I have found it to be less stiff than any of the other SUVs I tried (including Volvo). With the LL Bean model you get a lot of nice upgrades for a very reasonable price. The A/C also works very well in our extreme temperatures.

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  Great Car - 2005 Subaru Impreza
  By Colorado Rural - February 7 - 1:06 pm

  I commute 60 miles per day and was looking for economy car with a hatchback. I was considering the Toyota Prius, Honda Civic Si Wagon and the Subaru Impreza. I debated the WRX, but the turbo defeated the purpose of gas economy. The 2.5 engine has plenty of power for this little car and it zips along fine. I commute over a mountain pass everyday. I live at 7,000 ft. and used to be white knuckled when driving my old 4x4 truck in the snow. Not the case with the Impreza; handles great in winter weather. After driving it for 7,000 miles, I must say that I have had not one problem with it. It’s reliable, has great power, handles great, feels safe on the road, and was an excellent choice.

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  GReat Value - Best AWD design - 2012 Subaru Forester
  By pez11 - February 7 - 9:59 am

  Love my new Forester. I always wanted an Outback or Forester and finally pulled the trigger in March. Great handling and performance for a sport utility vehicle. Interior is a little plain and lacks the extra bells and whistles that come with the competition, but it makes up for that in cargo room, road feel, engine performance, and reliability. If you are not use to the sound of a boxer engine, it may seem a bit load when the RPMS get above 3500, but this engine produces less vibration and balance. The AWD system is what stands out above the crowd. This system is designed to perform off road, not just in snow. Just look on youtube for comparisons on off road performance vs the competition.

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  Keep Your Outback, Outfront - 2016 Subaru Outback
  By richard flaherty - February 7 - 4:56 am

  After only a month I can tell that this car has it all over the Toyota Venza it replaced, except, except, the Toyota, and others I understand, offer free basic maintenance (oil changes, etc.) and state inspections for the first two years, twenty thousand miles, which means the user will pay pretty much nothing during a three-year lease term, i.e., turning it back before the third maintenance date. Subaru should offer this perk. Nevertheless, I feel this is going to be a great car for me.

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  Quality Cars - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By Jody - February 6 - 11:30 pm

  This is an amazing car. I have driven BMWs, Land Rovers, and some other top line vehicles. Standard features of the Subaru are options on cars like BMWs taking the sticker price well into the high 30s and 40s. The Subaru is an amazing quality car, with unique features. In addition, it is put together in America. I am hooked!