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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  Like it, but could be better - 2007 Subaru Outback
  By Russ - September 15 - 6:53 pm

  Overall, I like the car. Mileage has been just under 27 MPG mixed driving on 3 tanks. I gave up a 1990 Volvo 240 wagon for this and I do miss the Volvo. Seating position and visibility were better in the Volvo. Performance is adequate, especially for the naturally aspirated 4-cyl. Considering the all wheel drive and ground clearance, the mileage is pretty good. Hopefully it will improve with break-in. I liked the looks of the 2007 grille much better than the new 08, so I grabbed it while I could. Havent had it long enough to really rate reliability, so it gets an 8 rating there.

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  fun to drive; service dept. stinks - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By ecwma - September 14 - 12:10 am

  This VDC is an amazing car to drive but has had lots of "little" things go wrong with it; also had to replace tires at 30,000 miles - not cheap. AC did not work first several months I had the car; local service could not find anything wrong with it. Seat was broken but was worst after service department "fixed" it. Windshield broke/cracked with one small rock hitting it on way to work. It was out of alignment, local service said no; had warped rotors already. Subaru needs to communicate with service departments. Its been a lot of little things but many of those are service department errors...thinking of trading for a Honda - more reliable and service better.

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  Not a bad Car... - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By Brian Muir - September 12 - 9:10 am

  I have had this car for just over 9 months. This makes my 9th Subaru. Overall its a very nice car. Front seats comfy and instrument panel are very easy on the eyes. The center instrument cluster is just to BUSY. Wait till you see it at night, I thought I was flying a jet! It wouldnt be so bad if different areas (heat, radio) were different colors. But everything is amber at night. Very confusing to find things. Im not too happy with the automatic transmission, but I love the Sports mode! The Gas economy is terrible. I think most pick-up trucks do better. Remember high test gas ONLY.

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  Sweet - 2006 Subaru Impreza
  By Joe - September 12 - 2:00 am

  Bought it used with 48,000 miles. Had to replace the front axle and rear window (rear defroster wasnt working) but it was all covered by the dealerships extended warranty. I get about 28 mpg regularly, and it accelerates like crazy. The manual transmission is nice and crisp.

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  Rocket-powered Rollerskate - 2005 Subaru Impreza
  By Anthony Goordman - September 8 - 11:23 am

  This is the most exciting automobile that I have ever driven. Taken to the edge of its performance, it is breath-taking. It is not built for larger people. While the seats are comfortable and the controls are all within easy reach, large drivers will find it difficult to enter and exit this sedan. Like most compact sedans, the back seats are even smaller than the front. The boot is very spacious and access is easy. Fuel mileage is highly dependent on how one drives and spirited style will lower the mileage substantially. Quality control standards are equal to or greater than US or European luxury standards.

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  Good, tough wagon - 2004 Subaru Outback
  By kialover15 - September 7 - 10:50 am

  Recently, we bought a Subuaru Outback, mostly because we needed something good in the snow, and boy is it ever. You can purposly try to do doughnuts and foolish car things and your not even able to. Very good in snow. The visibilty is good too, nice big windows in the back.

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  Lots of rattles&whistles - 2002 Subaru Outback
  By HMR - September 7 - 10:00 am

  This 2001 LL Bean is my 2nd subaru. However, I probably wont buy another due to all the rattles and wind noise in my Bean. This after barely 11,000 miles. These are body integrity noises which are proving nearly impossible to find. My 1992 Miata is quiter than this rattletrap. If you put ear plugs on the car drives fine, has plenty of power, and looks (imho) great. It excells on the road until you get a side wind or pass a large truck, then it sounds like waxed paper on a pocket comb. These cars are sold by GM dealers in Texas and they dont much care about customer satisfaction. Like Ricky Nelson, I think Id rather drive a truck.

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  HAD I ONLY KNOWN - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By GEORGE MEYER - September 7 - 6:33 am

  Great looking car. Interiors the best. However, car has no punch, many blind spots and overly sensitive key transmitter. Brakes could be stronger. Had I known before what I know now, I probably would have purchased the 2.5XT turbo, or the VW Passat 1.8 Wagon. Am waiting three months for the re-engineered pollen/dust cabin filter. Informed it will be at least 90 days longer. Gas mileage is sub-par. Hopefully after more miles this will increase. Seats need to be redesigned as they are not comfortable on long trips.

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  Solid Car for your money - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By bw8qbss - September 6 - 6:16 am

  One of my friends got one a WRX in 03 and Ive loved them ever since. I got an 04 in late 05 and absolutely love it. It was very reasonably priced and performed above what i expected. Slight turbo lag but that comes with about any turbo car, but once it kicks in its gone. Handles incredibly well and looks better than any of its direct competitors such as the SRT-4 or GTI. Very very good car all around, and the AWD is unreal. Went straight up a snow covered hill without so much as a slip.

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  Good but - 2000 Subaru Legacy
  By stargazer - September 6 - 4:06 am

  I bought the car for my wife. She really liked the style of the car. We just traded it in on something else. It had 146,000 miles on it. We had it a few days and the front speakers went out fixed under warranty then there was a problem with the front seat belts eats brakes like no tomorrow. Had to have the sunroof replaced because it leak into cabin and had to replace the timing belt twice. The engine is very sluggish needs a few extra hp. But I never left us beside the road and never left is stranded.