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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  Love this car! - 2009 Subaru Legacy
  By legacylover - September 19 - 7:00 pm

  My new Legacy 2.5i SE is our 6th Subaru and arguably the best. The car is the smoothest riding and shifting car Ive ever owned. At the end of a long day there is nothing like my commute home in it (1/2 hour, city and country driving) to make me forget my day. Better still the fuel mileage is way better than I was expecting (about 29 MPG mixed driving conditions). The seats are really comfortable and the stereo is pretty awesome too. Even though the interior is a little smaller than comparable models, it fits around you giving you a nice blend of sport and luxury. Now I cant wait for wintertime driving and its AWD / traction control. Our other Subaru is 14 years old and we still love it.

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  M3 and C AMG Destroyer - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By Analic - September 19 - 10:00 am

  This is a dream come true for all boys older enough to own a licsence. Power, speed, accelleration and oh baby looks that could take a thousand breaths away. This is an experience that can not be described in any words. So get down to a dealer and testdrive a wrx sti and experience life like never before

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  More fun than expected - 2009 Subaru Outback
  By tulsa tom - September 19 - 9:46 am

  This thing handles like a sports car, rides very nice and has quiet interior. I get 26-27 avg mpg using 87 reg. Theres plenty of room to haul camping and fishing gear.

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  My 2000 S - 2000 Subaru Forester
  By declansdad - September 18 - 3:43 pm

  Great vehicle for small/new families.

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  What a great vehicle! - 2008 Subaru Legacy
  By Irish Mist - September 17 - 7:56 pm

  This vehicle has been outstanding in every way so far. Stylish, responsive, quiet, safe and the balanced design makes it a pleasure to drive. This is our first import and our first 4 cylinder so we researched quite a few vehicles. Once we settled on Subaru, we looked hard at the 2.5 GT turbo. That said, we have no regrets about the decision to go with the standard 2.5i. Plenty of power.

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  Beyond My Expectations - 2008 Subaru Impreza
  By stacie - September 17 - 3:20 pm

  I just moved to the mountains this past February and knew that I wouldnt be able to survive safely if I didnt have an AWD. After talking to a lot of the locals, I started seriously looking at Subarus. My new little 2008 5-door Impreza is awesome! I love the way it handles, how comfortable it is, how sporty it looks and I have already gotten a chance to see how it handles in the snow... great! It is by far the best car purchase I have ever made.

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  The good stuff - 2003 Subaru Impreza
  By Slick55 - September 17 - 10:00 am

  If youve ever driven go-karts in those tourist amusement parks, you know that you dont need neck-snapping acceleration to have fun on 4 wheels. This Subaru is like that. Sure, the WRX has greater acceleration (at a greater price), but this is a GREAT bargain. 35 MPH highway exit ramps become 55 MPH ramps. This car goes exactly where you point it under superb control. Make sure you get the 5-speed manual, and youll love driving this car.

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  I love it! - 2005 Subaru Forester
  By agesau - September 17 - 9:43 am

  We just bought a Subaru Forester XT and love to drive it! It turns on a dime, easy to park, and drives like a dream. Weve only had the car about a month but so far we are extremely pleased with our purchase.

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  Best Car Ive had - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By magwajo - September 15 - 11:26 pm

  I bought my 2002 WRX brand new and, at 126K, its still going strong until recently. I had to get the radiator replaced ($600) and new brakes a few months ago, but I figured I was coming due with something. Hopefully, nothing in the near future. Fun to drive car. I had blacker leather and heated seats put in as I hated the tight weave they had so it was impossible to get the dog hair out! Car handles great in the snow. A great practical car.

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  The Subaru experience - 2005 Subaru Forester
  By Forrester XS 2.5 - September 15 - 9:03 pm

  This was/is the car of my dreams. The price was right, and it drives like my dreams. No trouble in over a year, has all the bells and whistles and they all work with out a problem. I could wish for better in city mileage, but would not give this car up. I would buy it again.