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:

• 

  Poor interior quality - 2016 Subaru Forester
  By Jim - November 29 - 8:09 pm

  Had the vehicle less than 3 months. It has been in the shop on 3 occasions two of which were multiple days. The main problem is the quality of the interior. There are multiple rattles throughout the vehicle. The two main rattles still havent been fixed. The engine is under powered. No acceleration at all.

• 

  So-So - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By E - November 29 - 2:30 am

  We have owned this for a year now and I somewhat wish we had something else. We have two kids and were used to a 4Runner which has A LOT more room than the B9. Fuel economy is horrible, and it really only likes 89 or higher. The heated seats are nice as well as the DVD. The interior is also pretty cool, however, that is about it. We are running into some mechanical problems now. The engine is making some sort of loud rattle every time you throttle from a stop. All in all, just so-so.

• 

  Best car I ever owned ! - 2010 Subaru Tribeca
  By walt - November 28 - 10:10 pm

  I feel very lucky to have purchased my Tribeca Limited.I get a lot of stares while driving it and it is a true pleasure to drive. The Boxer engine puts out great passing power. I dont always relax when driving it because Im afraid someone will be on their cell-phone, not pay attention and hit me.My wife test drove the car and a young girl on her phone tried to cut in front of us and almost caused an accident. I love my Subaru!

• 

  good car - 2006 Subaru Baja
  By oscar - November 28 - 8:50 pm

  I sell Hondas, so you can imagine what kind of buyer I am. The Subaru is for my wife (yes I could not sell her a Honda). Anyways the car is great - she loves it, the only thing they need to improve is the pick up from 0 to 60 for the auto transmission, its a little bit sluggish. Also a gas guzzler considering is a small car; we get 18.5 miles to gallon on city with light traffic. That is what I get in my V-6 Isuzu Rodeo 4x4, then again you have to consider that the Baja is an all wheel drive. Overall Ill give a 9.5.

• 

  Great car until it hit 100k miles - 2002 Subaru Outback
  By bartemaeus - November 28 - 11:00 am

  Up until the 100k mark, the car was flawless. But after that it went downhill. The transmission leaked and cost $2k to fix, the belt broke at least twice, belt pulleys had to be replaced twice, and the A/C compressor died. That was the final straw and we traded it in. I had hoped I would get a few more thousand miles out of the car. It was still a great car to drive, smooth on the highway, and never got stuck in snow.

• 

  very mod friendly - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By malelee21 - November 28 - 10:00 am

  $3000 will make stock WRX into a 300hp (230whp) beast. Turboback exhaust and engine management system will yield amazing 50-60whp gain (dyno proven). I have 300hp stage 2 WRX and it has similar trap speed as STi. I am quite happy with it and it has been rock solid. With added power, it has never failed to start up or give any problem.

• 

  2014 Forester BURNS OIL - 2014 Subaru Forester
  By doug - November 27 - 11:33 pm

  I purchased a new 2014 Subaru Forester in March of 2013. Have followed all maintenance procedures per the manual. All work done at Saint J Subaru in St. Johnsbury, Vermont. 7K service completed at dealer. at 10,000 display said oil required...1 quart added. Same thing agin at 12,600 miles. Told dealer at next service, 14,300. Said bring back in 1200 miles to check. Did that and found it burned 8 ounces. Subaru will replace rings at 10.67 ounces useage. Called Subaru and they refused to do anything even though I have bought 4 Subarus.

• 

  Dont buy one! - 2007 Subaru Forester
  By rusty - November 27 - 11:23 pm

  This Forester has been in the shop more than my garage. The Climate control took 4 return visits before it was repaired. The seat fabric frayed at the edges right away. The seat covers were replaced. The brakes started failing around 14K miles. My wife was afraid to drive the car. The dealership replaced the master brake cylinder. The seats are not comfortable at all. They are very hard. My legs go numb driving and as a passenger in this car. We bought this without a trade in and thought we were getting a car that would last. I dont think so. There are many switches on the dash and they are confusing. I will never buy a Subaru again. This is my first and last

• 

  WOW! Our first Subaru Outback - 2015 Subaru Outback
  By mikeminardi - November 27 - 1:43 pm

  We just took delivery on our very first Subaru Outback. It is our first Subaru ever. My wife has been driving Honda Odysseys for many years and wanted to down size a bit, but still have room to haul stuff. She does a not of gardening. Our initial impressions of the 2015 Subaru Outback are very good. Comfortable, quiet, great driving position and great visibility. And it has a lot of space for hauling stuff. We purchased the 2.5i Limited. We like the leather seats and the soft touch materials. It seems very solid and refined for a vehicle designed to go off road. The performance of the 4 cylinder engine is just fine and the overall build quality is outstanding.

• 

  Its a thing of beauty - 2010 Subaru Impreza
  By Jim - November 26 - 11:03 pm

  Granted only 200 miles on this 2010 2.5 hatchback (auto), but I love it. Sort of fell into the purchase, but very happy. Very nice styling, good features, performance pretty good - outstanding value overall. Put some 140,000 miles on a 2001 Audi A4 (1.8) Quattro - and I dont see the Subaru as a let down at all.