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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  One of the best on the road! - 2005 Subaru Legacy
  By chris - November 16 - 12:46 am

  This is my third Legacy....and the best, nicest, fastest, and most fun to drive yet! It turns heads everywhere I go, and performance-wise it totally hugs the road. The turbo engine and speed/handling is excellent, and the 250hp engine is a MAJOR improvement. My wife now drives my 2002 GT Limited sedan, and she is thrilled with it as well. It puts her Accord to shame with handling, safety, performance, and styling. Ill continue to buy Subarus from here on out - theyve set the standard very high for performance and safety, yet they continue to keep the cost reasonable. GO SUBARU!

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  Great winter car for MI! - 2008 Subaru Impreza
  By Cosworth - November 15 - 1:03 pm

  We bought the car to get us through sometimes very slick and snowy Michigan. And, we love the AWD handling of this car in snow! Even when the roads are covered with 2-3" of snow, the car tracks straight and it performs like its on dry road.

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  Subarus a Best Bet - 2006 Subaru Outback
  By Eric - November 14 - 8:03 pm

  I owned a first generation 96 Outback and had a bunch of problems. This is not that car. This car rides much better and is far more upscale. I replaced our 98 Volvo and could not be happier. This provides the versatility and safety I had with a Volvo at a much better price and much sportier package. It is a rocket off the line (be sure to go with the turbo if you want performance). It also rides like a regular car but with enough clearance that we can comfortably go into the mountains and tackle 4-6" of new powder on the back roads. If you need a wagon, but dont want to give up performance, go with this vehicle.

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  STill the best sports car for the money! - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By Steve Gunn - November 13 - 4:00 pm

  I absolutely love this car. I bought it looking for a new car to travel with overseas in the military due to its size and I really wanted a sports car. Greatest feature to convince a wife to buy it, 4 doors and seats. It handles great and has all the power you need to get past slow drivers on backwoods roads or into the fast lane on the highway. Only drawback was that Subaru did not offer all-season tire options on this car as it comes standard with RE070 Summer Radials. The day after I bought my STi, it snowed over 2 feet the next few days. I got snow tires and for it and had a blast with the AWD! Everyday driver, ask any STi owner, best car for the buck.

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  i just love it. - 2005 Subaru Baja
  By robert meydrech - November 13 - 8:13 am

  Get up and go. Just perfect on the road. Every body looks at it (what is it?). I am 66 years old. and is just great for my wife and two grand kids. Is it a truck or a car? Shopping is great with this.

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  DEFINITELY WORTH IT - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By ro51092 - November 12 - 2:00 am

  If you are looking for a fast 4WD car, this is yours. I have put aftermarket parts on it (NOS, Turbochargers, large Intake Manifolds, Intercoolers etc.) This car can easily do 100 mph. easily. It is definitely worth it.

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  My 2nd Tribeca - 2009 Subaru Tribeca
  By Bob - November 10 - 6:36 pm

  After 90k on my 06, I just bought an 09. (The 06 is still in the family, and my previous Legacies have made it to the high 200ks with one at 330k - without major repair.) I felt the ride on the 06 was hard & sharp, but the 09 has smoothed that. I feel it is still firm - not soft like the review stated. The drivers seat position has always given me more room than I need (61). Although I like the outside "look", Im one of the few who felt the 06 was original and creative (Alfa-Romeo comes to mind). Now it looks like a Chrysler. As for interior space, if you need more room, buy a "box."

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  This car rocks - 2002 Subaru Legacy
  By paul D - November 10 - 10:00 am

  Listen Subaru rocks!!! I have a 95 wagon LS and i love it and im seriously considering buying another the only problem i have with them is their high price tag sure you get an awesome machine but it is a tad expensive when comparing to others like toyota matrix for example But dont get me wrong they have the best engine out of any car and their vehicals have guts

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  10,000 mile review - 2017 Subaru Outback
  By Chris - November 9 - 5:47 am

  The best all-around vehicle weve ever owned. The active cruise control and lane assist (along with a 400 mile/tank range) make long hauls a breeze. Theres so much cargo space that we decided to skip a rooftop carrier/basket, everything fits. The ride is smooth, and the sound system more than overcomes the moderate road noise at low speeds, and even the roof-rack wind noise at high speeds. The AWD handles everything from snow & ice to dirt tracks like a champ. (We swapped the OEM wheels and tires for Method rally wheels and AT tires.) In the daily commute the car is smooth and comfortable, easy to maneuver in heavy traffic, easy to park, and (thanks to the rear cross-traffic alert and camera) no problem when having to back out of parking into traffic. This replaced a Prius, so we wish the MPG was better...but the upside of a vehicle that is at home in both the city and backcountry takes a lot of the sting out of the cost at the pump.

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  I love my first brand new car - 2007 Subaru Impreza
  By Subenut87 - November 8 - 6:06 am

  Get the manual transmission to get the best performance and the most fun. I really recommend this product. This is my second Subaru, my first one was a 93 Legacy without AWD.