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:

• 

  Outback 3.6R Limited - 2016 Subaru Outback
  By Juan Gomez - November 3 - 4:27 am

  This is my second Outback. First one is 17 years old , 170k miles and counting. Plenty of technical reviews out there so I will keep it to personal view. Ourback 3.6R is everything I wanted. It gives me that awesome feeling that I know I am in a Subi. The engine is definitely not sport tunned, but coming from 4 cylinder it feels strong. CVT feels ok. Not a huge fan of it, but also, does not bother me at all. It just goes about doing its job. As for the interior, This car feels more expensive that it was. I sat in many cars before deciding to buy another outback. Jeep GC felt big, yet cramped inside. Plus that V8 engine paired to that awful transmission felt like a caged gorilla fighting you at ever move. 4Runner, too bouncy. Audi Allroad, too small. No regular sized adult can fin in the back of those. Volvo wagon, was nice. Felt more upscale than the Subi, but surprisingly, the Outback feels better built. Heavy thump of the doors etc. I didnt expect that. At the end, the Outback reminds me of a farm donkey. Definitely not as sporty as thoroughbred A6 Avant, nor a robust as clydesdale Land Cruiser, but I know it will take me thru hell and high water, it is virtually indestructible, it will be cheap to maintain; and all of this while properly fitting 5 adults and boat loads of gear inside. There is a reason the Subaru Cult exist. These things just work. The ONLY negative I can give it is in regards to the driver side front seat. It is a tad too stiff for long rides for my taste. But then again, that is compared to the Honda Odyssey which we all know is more of a couch on wheels. This Outback is great. I look forward to many years of ownership.

• 

  Subaru Legacy 3.6R Limited - 2011 Subaru Legacy
  By Rodger - November 2 - 10:50 pm

  This is our 3rd Subaru. The interior is rich in quality. I have test driven Lexus, BMW, Infiniti, Audi, and I keep coming back to the Legacy. Awesome performance, comfort, and handling. The cabin is much quieter than my wifes 09 Legacy Limited due to the new window design. I also liked the fact that they made the folding side mirrors for the 2011. Ive gotten good comments on the satin white exterior color of the vehicle. High quality paint. Highly suggest people to test drive this vehicle prior to purchasing other sedans in the market.

• 

  Our second XT , just as good as the first! - 2015 Subaru Forester
  By subewannabe - November 2 - 5:26 pm

  Weve had this car for 8 weeks, bought to replace our 2004 XT. Its astounding how far technology and design has improved. The car is so much more comfortable than the 2004 , especially for 4 passengers. The Forester greenhouse has been preserved, which makes it one of the easiest cars to drive. The Eyesight system , with adaptive cruise control, object detection and automatic speed reduction works extremely well and very smoothly. The ride is a bit hard, not unexpected in a AWD small SUV with lots of ground clearance and sport rims and tires. The touchscreen MMI is simply awful...I cant believe Subaru fell short on this while doing so well on everything else.

• 

  Subaru owner for life - 2004 Subaru Forester
  By Jim & Di - October 31 - 10:00 am

  Looking to get a new truck til my nephew showed up with a Forester, we read the review in Comsummer Report and took one for a ride. That was it. We couldnt find anything we didnt like. I was set on a 5 spd. but the auto with the 4 cyl was so quick and steady I was sold. Hard part was which color to get. There is plenty of room in the back to haul things and it doesnt seem to balk at a load of a few hundred pounds like some 4 cyl will. Great height for getting into and good head space and leg room in the back seat. Seats have good support. Handled great in heavy rain w/ flooded road. Love my car!!!

• 

  Real Car for the Real World - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By drovemall - October 31 - 10:00 am

  We purchased our 2004 Subaru Impreza Outback Sport Wagon after comparing many other cars using the following criteria in order:Price, safety,reliability,asthetics,handling and practicality.We found this car to beat all contenders easily and it handles superbly. Firm enough to take a hard turn with confidence and soft enough to soak up the small stuff. The non-turbo has 168 hp and is plenty for the weight of the car and not enough to get me into turbotrouble+low insurance! It gets great mileage for an AWD and runs smooth as silk. Built 100% in Japan. Runs like its on tracks and gives me TOTAL confidence after having to make 2 life saving evasive manuvers.

• 

  Longtime Outback Owner - 2011 Subaru Outback
  By BBurgDave - October 31 - 3:20 am

  We purchased this Outback to replace our 2000 Outback (75K miles) which we really liked and are giving to our son who is off to college. Prior to that, we owned two Legacy wagons, so we are a Subaru family. Compared to the 2000 Outback, this one is a bit less "sleek" and stylish (this one looks a bit more like an SUV and less like a wagon)and the rear cargo space is 3 inches shorter from the back of the rear seats to the tailgate. The space for passengers, on the other hand, seems better over all. The gas mileage seems about the same, the ride is a bit smoother, but the handling is a bit less "nimble". So far, we like it!

• 

  So far lovin it - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By Ann Marie - October 26 - 3:23 pm

  This is my first SUV purchase. After driving my husbands Ford Explorer around I knew I had to finally get rid of my old 99 Honda Accord. The Subaru Tribeca looks very modern and that is one of the reasons why I really like it. Inside the dash is amazing - simply beautiful. It is quite easy to drive and park (and I am not the best parallel parker). I love the solid feeling the Tribeca gives me. I feel very safe driving it.

• 

  Awesome Car - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By phoenyx2k - October 26 - 10:00 am

  Extremely fun to drive car, excellent throttle response, OMG Cornering, needs a better premium sound system though... too much treble w/o enough bass.

• 

  Was the right choice - 2008 Subaru Outback
  By Cessna Driver - October 26 - 7:13 am

  Was replacing 2000 Explorer with 141K miles, and tired of the poor gas mileage. Looked at every crossover and small truck SUV available, and found the Outback to be the best combination of sensible size/mileage and cargo capacity. We ski and have a place in Durango, CO so we needed AWD. Very satisfied with the Outback - fit and finish are excellent, ride is superb, decent handling, 170 HP flat four is definitely adequate for us, mileage has consistently been 25 MPG. Interior is nice looking and functional - not the weird and techno-ugly stuff weve seen in other vehicles. Great drivers seat (the 2000 Explorer had the worst!), sound system is excellent.

• 

  Best Of The Bunch - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By Subienewbie - October 26 - 1:10 am

  This is my first Subaru. I did my homework before making up my mind and choosing the Tribeca. My decision to buy a Tribeca may not seem surprising until you realize that the last 4 cars I have owned were a 1999 Jaguar XK8, a 2000 BMW 540si, a 2001 BMW M5 and a 2002 Infiniti Q45. I mention this so you understand that I know what quality automobiles are. I am not saying that a Tribeca is the equal of those cars but in comparing it to the likes of BMW X5, Lexus 330, Volvo, MDX etc, there are none that come close to the Tribeca and all cost thousands of dollars more.