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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  Fun to drive; Worth the extra money! - 2000 Subaru Outback
  By jjh - September 18 - 10:00 am

  I am very glad that Ive traded in my 1997 Honda Accord for the Subaru Outback AWD Ltd sedan. The car is not only fun to drive, but also great on winter roads! I would recommend this car to anyone!! And you can bet that my next vehicle will be another Subaru.

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  I love this car! - 2005 Subaru Forester
  By Nanc - September 16 - 10:40 am

  I wanted an SUV for my sports, and a safe and reliable vehicle to transport my family and grandchildren. This car is wonderful!

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  The Subaru - 2017 Subaru Outback
  By ed sohayda - September 16 - 1:58 am

  My first Subaru wish the hatch back would have a way to open from the inside and the remote start does not work properly traded in a Ford Edge 2011 witch had a few superior features but I do think the Subaru Outback will be fine once the few bugs are taken care of

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  Best car I have ever had - 2007 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By Maddog - September 15 - 10:46 pm

  We got this car with 580000 miles on it. We have had three other subies and loved them all. Our son loves it and calls it the spaceship car (he is five years old ); we travel often and love this car. We had a chevy uplander before and it was JUNK and not four wheel drive. I highly recommend this car to anyone and know a lot of people that have them and love them.

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  Great car - 2016 Subaru Forester
  By Kay Smith - September 15 - 7:59 pm

  Test drove multiple cars in this class. Several of which were rated higher..very happy with my decision to pick Subaru.

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  Just never fell in love - 2006 Subaru Forester
  By collmm - September 15 - 7:30 pm

  I wanted another AWD wagon after trading my 4Motion Passat & purchased the Forrester. This was a logical decision but a big mistake. No mechanical problems just a boring vehicle to drive compared to the Passat. I love wagons but the Forrester exterior is simply unattractive and the paint is cheap! Cheap looking but sturdy interior finishes. My driving is pretty habitual but the gas mileage varied widely in town from 17 to 26 mpg and had to calculate that by hand-no digital "mpg" or "miles to empty" on the Forrester. Ive just traded the Forrester after only 5 months for a 2006 Volvo S60 AWD and I have no regrets.

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  Please with Forester - 2004 Subaru Forester
  By Jim - NJ - September 15 - 10:00 am

  Rides and handles very well, more like a good Sedan than other small SUVs. Over 15,000 miles so far. No problems at all. Comfortable seats. Good acceleration for most drivers. We prefered its large H4 to some competitors small 6s. AWD / trans very smooth. Plenty of Cargo Room. Back Door is _not_ impeded with spare tire as is case with most direct competitors-- a plus. Mid heigth between typical SUVs and Cars makes for easy access and good view. If you are really hung up on "command view", buy something else. Gas milage slighly better than advertised near 30 mpg on the highway. LOVE the big moon roof, view, overall performance.

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  If youve gotta have a baby-mobile.... - 2004 Subaru Forester
  By Tom Wardz - September 15 - 10:00 am

  Went looking to Subaru when we found out we were expecting. The Forester was our choice for manuverability in our tight garage. However, once I drove the XT, the turbo was non-negotiable. I had to have it. Now Im enjoying knowing that my wife is driving a very safe vehicle, and I can make most other cars on the road eat my dust. I cant wait to hear my kid say, "Faster Daddy!"

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  Beware high altitude driving - 2007 Subaru Outback
  By denver5357 - September 14 - 8:16 pm

  Bought our 2.5i wagon a month ago. Good value for the money but I have stumbled upon an existing problem which is apparently being kept quiet. We live in Colorado, and our brand new Subaru starts slowly in cold temps and barely started when we have gone into the mountains (9000+ feet of altitude). This seems to be a common problem around here, though I havent read of it anywhere. The programming parameters for the cars electronics somehow dont properly take into account the effect of altitude. Mountain owners (say the dealer) have trouble starting Outbacks all the time. Called Subaru of America and was assigned a case number. This should have been fixed years ago. New battery had no effect.

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  Sweet car! Visibility? - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By mary lou - September 14 - 2:00 am

  Just had it 3 days. Great replacement for Jeep Cherokee in gas, but I didnt realize it was a little cramped until I put the family in. Very responsive and fun to drive. BIG OL blind spots at 10 and 2 - watch out jumping onto oncoming...