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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  Not For Big People - 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek
  By connrailfan - August 4 - 12:32 am

  I bought my Subaru XV Crosstrek in August of 2013. It was peppy and fun to drive. They are nice looking cars and have a nice feel for the road. Compared with other cars I test drove, the Crosstrek had less modern, and not thought out dashboard. For example: The main gauges are red, which is great at night, but there are two glaring blue panels in the dash too that compete. There arent as many gauges as other cars too, mostly warning lights. The dash bezels also squeeked on bumps. Im a 5 10" man. I had the seat all the way back. Three months with the car I started have back issues from the seats that grew worse. By this spring it was difficult for me to drive for any length of time.

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  2 head gaskets at 20k - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By dsomeda - August 3 - 8:50 am

  At 2 yrs old developed small oil drops leaks 20k miles. At 3yrs started to drip coolant on driveway and oil drops. Dealer would not cover this fix because Subaru claimed only the Forester has bad gaskets but they asked me for my VIN any way. They gave me a bottle of head gasket sealer for 2$ and told me they were going to charge me $3500 for new gasket replacement. The very fact that the dealer even stocked(sealant) and basically gave it to me indicated that they have a widespread problem. It did not work. Used Bars Stop Leak instead. 2014 75k add coolant twice a week and code (Knock) triggered prob due to worn bearings from water in oil.

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  Must have been built on a Monday - 2005 Subaru Legacy
  By kd - August 3 - 7:20 am

  This car is fun to drive. Have had quite a bit of trouble with little things. Had the check engine light come on in the first 1000 miles of driving. Well, if any of you have had this problem you know that the cruise control does not work. Not good for long trips. Fuel pump went bad. In the shop three times for cruise issues. Do a lot of travel and not having cruise stinks. Had to adjust drivers window due to high pitch noise. Would not buy these high priced cars again. Does not hold value very much like other cars.

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  dont do it - 2008 Subaru Tribeca
  By dissappointed - August 2 - 10:53 pm

  I had a forester before the tribeka. Loved it and decided to stay with subaru. I have been so very disappointed with the tribeka. Sure it rides well and is easy to handle, but the small gas tank is a BIG problem!!! i have to fill the gas tank every two or three days and find myself almost running out of gas on a regular basis. I have had the car for 2 years and i still cant get used to this.This is a major design flaw. At 18 mpg (ouch) the tank should be a 2 gallon and not 15.

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  2017 outback - 2017 Subaru Outback
  By Karen sims - August 1 - 1:38 pm

  Two things I wish Subaru did are to allow the radio to stay on when car is off and the window mechanism is tricky to just go down/up part way.

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  Never Again - 2005 Subaru Impreza
  By xtrmr - August 1 - 3:30 am

  I bought this car after researching it against its competitors and hearing that they were great cars. I owned the car from 6/05-8/06 and put 33k on it. The dealership got to know me on a first name basis over this time. Problem areas that I encountered: keyless entry+chirp replaced, got a nail in one of the tires and had to replace all 4= $700, overheated 2x on a short 500 mi trip - left stranded, exhaust manifold began to rattle - had to be re-welded on, leather wrapped steering wheel came undone after a month, rattling speaker on left side had to be replaced 3 times, inconsistent cruise control+/-15mph but dealership couldnt fix, and trunk release amongst a handful of other problems.

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  Reliable AWD - 2008 Subaru Outback
  By NJ - July 30 - 2:13 pm

  Overall, very nice car. Leather seats are luxurious and comfortable. Decent MPG for AWD system. Accurate Navigation system. Nice cargo room. Back seats are a little too cramped. Ive owned 4.9L V8, 4.5L V8, 3.5L V6. Maybe this is why this Outback seems so so so so so slowwwwwwwwwwww. I make sure engine revs at around 6000 rpm and this car doesnt pick up speed quite well. I shouldve got XT or H6 version. If you dont care about acceleration, then this car may be the perfect car.

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  Stealth Wagon!!! Glad I waited for 04. - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By SeaBiscuit - July 29 - 10:00 am

  Glad I waited for the 04s - redesign is stunning with mucho BIGGER scoop, sexier front end and rear tailights, interior ceiling is upgraded (was cheepy in the 03), headrest/seat is combined (cool), seats are more bolstered with improved fabric, Tach in CENTER with silver edgings around gauges, paid $1,100 for aftermarket sunroof (love it). Car handles beyond my expectations. Look forward to my commute now and constantly look for other WRXers.

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  Go Baby Go - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By Impreza Fan - July 29 - 10:00 am

  This car is the best I ever drove. I really loved the Preformance. It is amazing for a car at this price. If "you" ever get a chance to dirve one, dont hesitate. It might just be the best experiance "you" will ever have driving a car.

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  So-So performance, scary clutch - 2002 Subaru Outback
  By clutchless - July 29 - 10:00 am

  Shortly after purchase has problems getting clutch into 1st/2nd gear. Bad chattering. Tough to drive in stop and go traffic. Clutch shudder made it unreliable busy intersections were getting scary. Dealer where purchased "could not duplicate" denied any problems. Was able to get another dealer to replace clutch assembly. HUGE improvement immediately but problem began again about 12k later. New dealer not that interested to replace again. Worsening clutch and warranty period approaching I traded in for an automatic Forester. Feel like I lost $, and Had to trade down to get rid of t