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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  Awe Inspiring - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By TheJ - November 3 - 3:16 am

  This vehicle is not for the faint of heart. The power and handling characteristics are "world class" but for a middle class price. The grip of Subarus AWD, limited slip in front, limited slip in the rear and the driver or computer controled center planetery differential allow the 300 horses to do what they are designed to do. Move you at heart pounding speeds down curved or straight roads. I have owned this vehicle for two years and I love it. I have NEVER regreted my buying decision AT ALL.

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  Impressive Impreza - 2016 Subaru Impreza
  By Ken Gloor - November 2 - 6:45 pm

  Expect to get a VERY limited selection of this car with a manual transmission, if you actually want to DRIVE the car, but so far pretty much as Consumer Reports review noted - great visibility and reliability, decent handling and relatively comfortable for a small sedan.

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  17 XT Tourings a refined 14 XT Touring - 2017 Subaru Forester
  By kurtamaxxguy - November 1 - 4:15 pm

  For 17, Subarus XT Touring has better sound suppression (though road noises high on coarse roads), nicer interior (especially trim and seats), a smoother ride (less harshness and jiggles) and a few new features (blind spot detection, heated steering wheel, LED tracking headlights). Youll see a white cloud behind when accelerating hard, but the 14 XT did same with no ill effects. 17 engine and CVT have less quirks and steerings slightly quicker. Sadly, the HK sound system degraded to 3 band EQ rather than multiple bands with saveable presets (the manual incorrectly claims otherwise) and searching for FM/AM/XM stations more of a pain due to revised scanning procedures. Keyless entrys handy but may be subject to hacking. Too new to know reliability but has few rattles (a first among my Subies) and its trim fits well (14 had numerous mistakes). MPGs the same as the older 14. Tires remain Bridgstone Duelers which are only so so overall and have lousy ice traction (Get Nokian or Michelin instead!) Definitely a better trip car.

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  04 Forester beats the competition - 2004 Subaru Forester
  By chruser - November 1 - 2:00 am

  replaced my 1999 Forester with the 04 model. What a delightful surprise to see what has happen in 5 yrs. Better interior design, a little higher seating, more comfort, better handling. Plush. Loved the 99, had 75,000 miles and never a problem. Quality and value you come to expect from Suburu. Test drove toyota rav4, honda crv, hyundai sante fe and jeep liberty, and tryed the Subura LAST. None of the competitors could stand up, and I really tryed not to buy another Suburu because I wanted to see if there was something better in that class--dont waste your time--try the Suburu Forester 1st. NO NEED to go further.

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  ts wagon - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By MJG - November 1 - 2:00 am

  The TS2 wagon is sporty, responsive in handeling and acceleration, and fun to drive.

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  Pocket Rocket - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By AnthonyN. - November 1 - 2:00 am

  All I have to say about this cars performance is... WOW! While there is noticeable turbo lag once the car gets going,its a rocket. While not cheap when compared to others in its class (27K) its worth every penny for the 227 Turbocharged ponies it delivers. Build quality is high on the exterior and fair on the interior. Shifter is tight and fairly smooth, but could use less vibration. Sound system is one of the worst I have heard! 6 disc changer is a nice feature but better speakers would be more appreciated. Over all I am VERY pleased with this car and the performance to dollar ratio it delivers

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  $30,000 Porsche - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By LABARINTH - November 1 - 2:00 am

  I have had my STi for a few weeks now and it is amazing. The interior is beautiful. The chrome accents give a hint of luxury to this almost strictly performance car. It has more torque then the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution and you feel every bit of it. When you push the gas you can feel your back being pressing into the seat. Even with all this power the ride is amazingly smooth. The handling is quick and responsive. The car also doesnt have quite as much of the "teenagers Honda" look to it as the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution does. All in all this is in my opinion the best sports car ever made under $60,000.

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  Wifes Outback Sport Special Edition - 2005 Subaru Impreza
  By 5greyhounds - November 1 - 12:36 am

  The ride is very nice for such a short wheelbase, lots of room for the size (two greyhounds fit in the back with the back seat down with no problem). The stereo is very nice and the interior seems to be well made. Overall a good value for the money and a solid car. I miss a sunroof but that will be corrected next year.

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  Alternative to the masses - 2012 Subaru Legacy
  By pwsubielover - October 31 - 11:58 pm

  I got my 2012 Legacy shortly after Christmas, and couldnt ask for a better present. The sedan is smart looking and gives me lots of confidence while facing the rigors of winter roads in Wisconsin. The Subie is roomy and comfortable, without feeling pretentious. It is replacing an older model Infiniti, so I wouldnt say the Legacy is the most luxurious car I ever drove, but it is solid and well equipped. Love the heated seats and iPod port. Gas mileage has been as promised, which is a blessing based on the direction gas prices are heading.

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  Slow slow slow slow slow!!!!! - 2017 Subaru Outback
  By Kevin Lowhorn - October 31 - 2:49 pm

  This review isnt likely to dissuade anyone from buying one of these if theyve decided this is what they want. Subaru owners are some of the most loyal in the industry. The Outback offers a lot of bang for the buck, in fact, it may be one of the best values out there; however, Id never own one. The real hindrance in these vehicles is the powertrain. The Outback is seriously slow with the 4 cylinder, its painfully and laboriously slow. The fuel economy is great for a vehicle of its size that has standard AWD, but it really needs an extra 20+ hp, and a conventional automatic. If it had 20+ more hp, and 20+ more lb. ft. of torque with a conventional 8-speed auto, then it would be an incredible bargain. Sure, you can get the 6-cylinder, but then the value proposition changes due to the cost and resultant drop in fuel economy. I was given one of these as a company vehicle, and my other option was a Dodge Grand Caravan-I wish I had been given the Grand Caravan...no joke. The droning CVT and terrible acceleration made this thing a pain to drive day in and day out.