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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  Sleeper - 2004 Subaru Forester
  By fun2drive - December 7 - 4:10 pm

  Most people think of this vehicle as a soccer moms grocery getter. If youre looking to impress people at first sight, then this is not the car for you. This car is very practical. Plenty of room for almost everything including 4 adults. Great visibility and very maneuverable in town due to its small turning radius. Excellent comfort. Cabin layout and seats are perfect. Car is very stable, especially for something so high off the ground. 5speed has relatively short throws and the entire shifting process is very smooth. MPG: worst-18 best-26 city-20 hwy-25 mixed-23 Car is geared low for acceleration. At 70mph youre at 3K rpm. Could use a 6-speed for hwy gas mileage

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  Great Experience - 2011 Subaru Impreza
  By tpbco - December 6 - 12:47 pm

  Purchasing my second Subaru has been a great experience. I wanted a car that I could be confident in winter weather. The entire staff at Roberts Subaru in Downingtown PA were outstanding and went out of their way to make sure that I was completely satisfied. The salesman even went to another dealership out of state to get me the car I wanted. I would recommend both Roberts and Subaru to anyone who wants service and reliability.

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  Big Improvement over My Honda! - 2008 Subaru Legacy
  By 1stSubaru - December 6 - 1:50 am

  I love this car! I looked at many cars over several weeks and decided that the Subaru Legacy was the best value for performance, safety, and comfort. The car is quiet, smooth, and so elegant inside. I have so much fun driving the car. It has the handling of a European sedan and the reliability of a Japanese car. I recently drove the car during heavy rain and flooding - it maintained its stability like a tank. Im very happy with my decision. If you are considering an Accord or Camry, dont make a decision until you try the Legacy. Youll be shocked by the difference!

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  Fun, solid car - 2017 Subaru Impreza
  By JMW - December 4 - 6:02 am

  My wife and I were both civic owners for 13+ years each. She got a Crosstrek a few years back, which has been really good to us so far. So when my civic started overstaying its welcome I decided to include subaru in my search. Also test drove a honda civic and toyota corolla. While the Subaru doest exactly have the most potent acceleration- slowest of this group - it is the most fun to drive, in my opinion. The sport trim has a differently-tuned suspension and a tighter steering ratio. Combine these features with the all wheel drive and what you get is a car that you just want to drive. Subaru also got their act together with the interior. The visibility on the subaru is great (corolla is good too). However, the civics rear visibility was lacking because of the cars aggressively sloped rear end. Plus, the subaru just feels way more solidly built than the corolla or civic.

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  Fantastic Car! Buy it if you can! - 2008 Subaru Forester
  By luvmycar7 - December 2 - 12:55 pm

  This is a fabulous car! I have owned my 2008 Subaru Forester for about 2 and a half years now. It has been without a single problem the entire time. One of the things I love most about my Subaru is its versatility. It gets good gas mileage, but I have also used it for hauling huge items of furniture, kayaks, pontoon rafts, 5 people, all the luggage of a long trip for me and my entire family, and building supplies for my house. It is such as safe car as well. My wife was rear ended while in our in our 1998 Subaru Forester by a Ford F250 going fast when she was at a stop. The car completely absorbed the impact and saved her life. After that, we had to get another Subaru Forester.

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  Great All Around Vehicle! - 2006 Subaru Baja
  By Bill - December 1 - 8:36 pm

  Just purchased one of the remaining 2006 leather turbo models. I had to travel out of state to get it but it was well worth the trip. It accelerates and handles great. I traded in a 2004 VW Touareg V8 and do not regret my decision whatsoever. It is much funner to drive than the Touareg and is just as comfortable in my opinion. The only complaint with the Baja is its sub standard stereo and the fact that no navigation system or satellite radio is offered. I have already replaced the entire system and have installed an in dash navigation/stereo.

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  just got the plates - 2017 Subaru Forester
  By ROBERT GRAFF - December 1 - 8:33 pm

  safety equipment is great. only been 1 month. i like it so far

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  Solid all around and stylish - 2010 Subaru Legacy
  By combtace - November 29 - 11:03 pm

  After doing a lot of research, I settled on the 2010 Legacy 2.5i. The car is very solid on the road and very comfortable inside. The seat is very cozy and adjustable in so many ways. After a month I am still finding my perfect setting for it. My GF cant wait to take a long road trip in it bec pass area is so comf. The styling is very sleek and modern. I really think Subaru thought ahead on this one, despite what some reviewers have said about the inside cabin. It has a nice combination of tans, stainless look and black. Utility: both seats fold down in back and I was able to put a 6" long laundry table right in with no problem. I have 700 miles on it and 26 mpg on avg. Cant wait til winter!

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  Best Outback yet - 2008 Subaru Outback
  By Andrew - November 28 - 8:36 am

  My third Outback and by far the best. Wanted a fun mid-life car, needed a practical car for the fam and the mountains. Subaru hits the mark with the XT turbo! Far more fun to drive than my H6 2002 LL Bean! It drives very tight and solid, very smooth and quiet, turbo kicks in nicely and pulls you along beautifully. I love wagons and the XT is the best combination of any brand/model. Steering wheel feels good in my large hands. Still trying to find the best seat position for my tall self. Skip the nav and add your own portable, upgradeable Garmin or other. Looked at SUVs (Tribeca, Highlander, RAV4, CR-V, RDX) and prefer XT. Great car for my wants and needs!

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  Sports Sedan, Factory Tuner! Muscle Car!!! - 2016 Subaru WRX
  By Harley Schmidlap, MD - November 27 - 8:50 am

  My car-> WRX 2016 Limited w/ 6-speed manual. Great Car; Im a limited gear head. Great handling (quick steering needs careful monitoring at first). Ride is not limousine soft or floaty it is firm but can be rough over roads under construction. I drive as if Im riding a bicycle-steering around deep pot holes; approach sudden road level changes at an angle; I slow when Im not sure of road surfaces directly ahead. Manual transmission required I relearn; clutch engages suddenly about 2/3 of the way up. Must practice to shift smoothly, both up and down(especially from 3rd to second; I double clutch when I shift from 3rd to 2nd; much smoother. Easy to steer sharply, much like with a go-kart. Keep eyes on road at all times. This was my first sports sedan, factory tuner, or muscle car. In High School, class mates had Dodge Charger; et cetera. In college, friends and acquaintances had Plymouth Road Runners, Camaro Z-28, Porsche Speedsters, and so on. After college I passed on first year Datsun 240Z(luckily, they were rust buckets. Other cars I owned were Subaru Legacys with automatics. Last on was totaled. I couldnt close deal for a Legacy Spec B, so bought 2007 Sonata with manumatic. It shifted from 5th->4th when speed below ~33 mph, had soft ride and indeterminate steering; only got 30 or so mpg on highway using cruise control set between 60-65 mph.Mileage in winter around town 19(-) mpg. My WRX doesnt lug until Tachometer is below approximately 1200 rpm; I can drive up gentle hills at 30 mph in 4th. Mileage is remarkable-overall mixed 28.4; up to 25 mpg around town-I downshift to slow for lights or stopped vehicles & stop signs. On rare highway driving near Boston, with cruise control in 6th gear at 70-75 mph Ive obtained 34+ mpg (NOTE-I only drive this fast to keep up with traffic AND when faster cars (rabbits or police baits have passed me. Driving directions/map not the easiest nor most helpful for me, but then each other direction aids are also->Verizon Navigator&Google directions on my smart phone; Map Quest, and On-line Google Maps and more. I havent yet tried iPod, but telephone blue tooth is good. Google maps. Wind noise could be much less with improved windshield, side window, aerodynamic designs; road noise in my car due to Summer Tires and performance exhaust. Overall I rate my car 4.5/5 and highly recommend it for value AND safety: See IIHS.org crash results