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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  Best of Every World - 2000 Subaru Legacy
  By Sandbox711 - November 14 - 10:00 am

  I still smile every time I look at this car and drive it. I have had it for almost 2 years. Looks GREAT - Very sporty without going overboard. Not the fastest car around, but definitly does the job with style. Handles like a sports car. Very solid car (heavier and stronger than the previous legacy models (switched styles in 2000). I was rear ended by a 2002 Honda Accord going 30 mph while I was at a stop light...PAINT damage. Thats it folks. New bumper and paint. Police took pictures because nobody would believe them if they told them. Buy this car, you wont be sorry. I still get stopped on the street and asked what kind of car I am driving.

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  Pure Joy - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By infinity5235 - November 14 - 10:00 am

  Keeping it under 4000 rpms for the first 1000 miles was a royal pain as the engine just wants to be driven in the 5 to 7 thousand range. Not that low rpms led to low torque, just the opposite. But once that first 1000 miles was over, it was pure joy to drive. The brakes are superb and the drivers seat range perfect for my 5 11" 158 lb frame. The instrument panel has to be seen to be appreciated unlike any other on the market

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  My 3rd Subaru, with more to come! - 2003 Subaru Outback
  By urabus - November 14 - 10:00 am

  Im more into function, than form. This car is the best Ive owned. AWD is great ALL the time, not just in snow. Safety rating is comparable to Volvo, for thousands less. My wife drives our 96 O/B with 130k...still as good as it was when we bought it 6 years ago. I cant imagine driving anything else.

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  WRX four years on - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By super_haggis - November 13 - 1:00 pm

  Reviewed this car back when it was 6 months old. Thought Id add a long term review. Mechanically reliable. Suspension, steering and engine all as good as the day I bought it. Interior proved to be weak. Developed a rattle in the hatchback 1 year on that the dealer never was able to fix. Rear seat covers had to be replaced under warranty after 2 years due to fraying. Various interior dash rattles have appeared over the years. Basically all due to poor quality interior materials. Fender guards cracked after 3 years and were replaced under warranty. 4 years and the clear coat started to peel from the hood scoop. Given the long term interior wear and rattles. Not sure if I would buy another.

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  Some reasons NOT to buy this car. - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By calibuyer - November 13 - 1:16 am

  After test-driving this car twice and much research, we bought this vehicle off the showroom floor in DEC of 05. After our first weekend it was in the shop after a problem with all the warning light signals. The service dept asked why we had not made an appointment! The problem was not fixed and had to be taken to the dealer 3 more times. It was then we were told our TRIBECA had a FAULTY TRANSMISSION. It stayed in the shop for over 2 weeks plus the previous days in the shop. The TRIBECA has been in the shop now more days then we have been able to drive it. This is the worst NEW car experience we have ever had. Subaru please fix this. We cant recommend buying this car.

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  wrx - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By ezatnova - November 12 - 6:53 am

  Best bang for the buck out there.

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  fun fun fun fun fun - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By davieboynj - November 11 - 2:26 am

  Granted my last car was a dog, but Im extremely happy with my rex so far. Contrary to popular opinion, I find the low RPM power to be quite acceptable (it supposedly is about 80% peak torque at 2000 RPM). I read one review here that said that the rex has understeer problems. THere is no wy the reviewer has actually driven this car! If anything, this car has oversteer. If I want it to, I can get the tihng to pivot! True, the looks are contriversial, but theyve grown on me and now i really like it. Go ahead and call her an ugly girl, but shes got personality...

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  Great all around car! - 2015 Subaru Outback
  By retirednavy1 - November 10 - 2:03 pm

  We have a little over 4000 miles on our "15" Outback. The gas mileage is impressive. We drive mostly city with short drives on the Interstate. We average just over 30 MPG. The ride is smooth and everything works as advertised. We have owned many cars in our 43 years of marriage and the is 2015 Outback is THE BEST car we have ever had! We save the BEST for last!

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  A well made SUV that deserves attention - 2008 Subaru Tribeca
  By Handsome36 - November 10 - 11:50 am

  After much debate on Tribeca’s 3rd row comfort, I bought the 2008 Tribeca. It is smooth, wonderfully stable and deserves to be compared with lux utes. It costs $7-8k less than the Acura and 10k less than Volvo and BMW but more reliable than either. Very nice touches with ambient lighting, puddle lights (optional), etc. It has very smooth engine and its dynamic stability control really works (unlike the one I had in my minivan), most effective AWD system of many out these and absorbs bumps very well. Very little road noise too.

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  Forester - 4cyl 4 Speed?? - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By ceejaymac - November 10 - 6:03 am

  Can a 4 cylinder (none turbo) 4 speed automatic do the job? Yes it can. 4 adults and luggage cruising at 120 km/hr without any effort. For the price the Forester is the best value in a 4 wheel drive SUV. For the reviewer who complained about lack of cup holders - there are 8 cup holders, how many drinks do you need?