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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  Love It - 2003 Subaru Legacy
  By LuvIt - January 16 - 2:00 am

  Ive been driving this car for a year, and I love it. This is my first stick in 10 years and I now remember why I like them. Nice shifting, great handling car. Very comfortable for 9 hour drives. My first (and ongoing) impression is how smooth the car is. My biggest complaints are the peformance of the standard tires in the snow (goes straight great, sporting in the turns) and the lack of get up and go when the a/c is on. The flat four is a great engine; sounds funky and is the only truly smooth 4 out there.

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  Fun to drive and good sporty design.... - 2003 Subaru Impreza
  By smith168 - January 16 - 2:00 am

  I had never thought about getting a WRX, but after test driving my friends I couldnt resist. I didnt know I would love this car so much until I own it. This car has got a decent amount of horsepowers, great performance, sporty interior and exterior design, 6 CD changer and it comes with so many other standard manufacture options that so many new cars out there call optional.

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  Not your moms wagon. - 2003 Subaru Impreza
  By Navy Tech - January 16 - 2:00 am

  From the first look at this car you know its not the typical grocery getter. The Unique styling and loud but tasteful blue makes this car very attactive. And after sitting the High bolster sport style seats you know for sure this aint you mommas wagon. Loads of fun to drive, yet still useful for loading you friends and snowboards in. Little pricy butr well worth the extra money. You get more than what you paid for.

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  Waited too Long - 2001 Subaru Legacy
  By Outback Wagon LTD - January 15 - 7:23 pm

  My Outback is the first ever Japanese car Ive ever owned. Unbelievable quality and style. I always said that if you buy a minivan that your life is over. My son was the one who researched the car and he wound up buying a mini van. I bought the Outback. I cant wait till next year to get the Turbo.

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  Best Kept Secret of All Time - 2009 Subaru Legacy
  By SubaruFan - January 15 - 4:36 pm

  We leased this car based on our positive experience with our 2008 Impreza Outback Sport. This 2009 Legacy Special Edition is an unbelievable value considering the TOP SAFETY ratings. This car has TOP IIHS safety ratings which is important to me for my college age daughter. THIS car handles and accelerates very well. It is EXTREMELY QUIET even at highway speeds. The four speed transmission is MORE than ADEQUATE regardless of what others have written. Highway gas mileage is above 30 mpg with City mileage ranging from 25-26 mpg. AWD, SAFETY, RELIABILITY (see Consumer Reports), Comfort, and STYLE make this car a TRUE winner in my opinion.

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  My 1st sub - 2016 Subaru Forester
  By Arjmand Chatha - January 14 - 11:50 pm

  Its my first Subaru and its my first brand new car. So far I have driven 1200 miles and its a joy to drive. I am loving this car as I get a better understanding of its various functions. I have not tested it yet in snow or other rough terrain so I cant speak of it. I hope my relationship with my Subaru will go on like this in coming years to come. But overall its a nice car to drive.

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  Forester - Love or Hate It? - 2016 Subaru Forester
  By Joe Mama - January 14 - 8:54 pm

  I believe youre either a Subaru person or youre not. If you appreciate their engineering bias (over styling), great safety reputation and arent concerned with the hottest gimmics (like LED light accents), you could be a Subaru person... . This is our 6th Subaru product, and weve driven nearly every one of them over 150,000 mi., on average. The one that didnt make it to the prime of life ended up the basis for a commercial (Outback totaled when it left highway). Despite being Subaru loyalists, have to admit there are a few warts to mention. Details that Subaru could do better - get rid of ugly wheels, nicer color choices (like a nice dark blue), fix high oil consumption and reduce engine noise (esp when starting from cold) are personal gripes.

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  Bought used in 2011 - my 6th Subaru - 2002 Subaru Forester
  By sstevek - January 13 - 9:30 pm

  Had a 2002 Outback automatic - a great car but wanted to go back to a manual transmission. Really enjoy driving this Forester - somehow it rides better than the Outback with a shorter wheelbase. Excellent visibility, easy to get in and out of. Geared lower than my 98 Outback which turned around 3200 rpm @ 65mph, the Forester is around 2750. Engine has enough torque to handle moderate hills in 5th gear. Never feels under powered. A lot of room for its size - cargo capacity very close to an 02 Grand Cherokee. Feels like a sports car with high seating. Bought it at 98k, have about 104k now. Not a concern since I have a company vehicle.

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  Ill drive. - 2015 Subaru Forester
  By mtski - January 13 - 3:47 am

  I did a lot of research before purchasing a new car and liked the performance, safety, and value the Forester offered. My prior car was a 1997 Jeep Cherokee (6 cylinder) that I loved. In terms of modern amenities, any new car would be a change, but I worried about missing the power and off-road ability of the Jeep. The Forester is great on ice, slush, snow, blowing snow, etc. It feels stable and peppy. Although I can tell it is working hard when going uphill, it doesnt feel sluggish. I wasnt sure how much Id use the X-Mode and Hill Descent Control, but they were handy when we got 14 inches of snow over a layer of ice. Its comfortable and I enjoy driving it.

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  Sure thing - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By Bill - January 11 - 1:06 pm

  I have been buying Subarus for years and find this one the cream of the crop. Handing is a bit soft, but the comfort, the small turning radius, the "interesting" styling, and the power to spare all combine to make it a first rate buy, even at a top Subaru price.