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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  We call it our Subaru Rattle - 2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek
  By weflybye - September 8 - 9:40 am

  We purchased our Crosstrek new in 2013 and from the moment we brought it home we have had issues with interior rattles. The dealership first put extra foam in the A Pillars. The rattles continued. Next they put extra foam in our speakers grills. The rattles continued. These were rattles that passengers in our back seat could hear and were extremely annoying. After taking the car in several times we had a technician find a bolt in the dash area was rattling against the car frame. More padding put in place. As of today (December 2014) we still have an annoying rattle in the dash. We enjoy this car for all other purposes but we would not purchase a Crosstrek again.

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  This car isnt worth the money - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By wrx_driver2002 - September 7 - 4:53 pm

  Ive been driving this car for a couple months now and have had nothing but trouble with it. The build quality is terrible, and the car feels like it is going to fall apart any day now. Ive had it in the shop several times in the two plus months that Ive owned it. Stay away from this car!

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  Love my crosstrek - 2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek
  By Emily’ - September 7 - 9:44 am

  Love this car

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  Not quite what I expected - 1999 Subaru Forester
  By c - September 7 - 3:20 am

  Bought car new. Every year at inspection, have to have clamps for exhaust system tacked to get rid of rattling. Was told last year that rotors will need replaced shortly. Major problem - manual transmission would not stay in 5th gear on highway at 48k miles. Took to Subaru dealer, then it was stuck in 1st gear! 3 rebuilds to fix transmission; in shop for a month! Check engine light came on at 63k, turned out to be bad sensor, lucky that it was under warranty or would have cost $600. Has been a great vehicle to haul stuff when moving, camping, mountain biking. Fun to drive the manual with AWD in winter conditions.

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  What a Surprise - 2007 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By franco - September 7 - 1:06 am

  We looked and test drove just about every style of SUV. It came down to the new LR2 Land Rover or the Tribeca, the last one we test drove. Ive owned Porsche, Corvette, BMW, Acura, Toyota just to name a few. The interior and exterior of the Tribeca have excellent fit and finish. The ride is very stable and secure feeling. The standard and optional features are wonderful. We wanted an SUV that was going to be a keeper for the next 10 years and we found it. The power is satisfying and adequate for normal everday use. The style isnt ugly, its unique and exotic and it didnt take long to grow on us. We wouldnt have been happy with anything else. The new style looks like all the others.

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  Annoyed and Disappointed - 2008 Subaru Tribeca
  By Carol - September 6 - 7:20 pm

  Have had this car for almost two years now, and the warranty is about to run out. Its been in three times for warranty fixes (CD player jammed, mechanical issue front right drive train, climate control). And now -- after three visits during which the mechanics agreed there was a problem with the climate control -- I am told the system is functioning "normally." So why is it blowing cold air when I have the temp set to 72? My 3-year-old is freezing in the back seat. Enough with this car... Im going back to an Outback.

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  No competition - 2003 Subaru Impreza
  By dogbreath - September 6 - 2:00 am

  WRX sedan has no real world competition (price related). Performance numbers = $40-50k German sedans. The "feel" is exceptional. Like nothing you have ever driven, unless you have driven M3s. That is only thing that comes close in my experience. Everyone admits, the sheet metal and interior are not as sexy as the German big brothers, but you get passed that when you hit the throttle (in a hurry!). The car will do anything you can throw at it.

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  After one month... - 2003 Subaru Baja
  By Clark Savage - September 6 - 2:00 am

  Another fine vehicle from Subaru! The exterior styling is a bit "over the top" for me, but it gets plenty of looks and comments. The interior is well-designed and comfortable. A better stereo option would have been nice--guess Ill go with an aftermarket. I took it out on some Forest Service and Wildlife Refuge roads and it drove superbly! Ended the day by rescuing a stranded family of SIX on the expressway and drove them over the pass--acceleration was no problem, but it was certainly cramped.

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  Good car but it ticks! - 2008 Subaru Outback
  By Jim D - September 5 - 3:00 am

  I love Subarus and this is my 4th one. Overall Im very happy with the car. Love the huge sunroof and leather. Comfortable quiet highway ride. But, from somewhere in the rear cargo area theres a tick type of a rattle and it ruining an otherwise good car. It started one week after I drove it off the lot. Still trying to find it. Sometimes the sunroof rattles - not all the time. Usually after hitting a big bump in the road, this sets all the ticks and rattles going. Kind of frustrating for such a new car. If you own one, make sure you set the SRS on the stereo to on. It makes a huge difference in the sound quality.

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  Rear Lift gate hydraulic jacks weak - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By G.J. Pence - September 4 - 8:50 pm

  Purchased B9 in July/05 for an extra auto. Found the B9 great to drive, roomy, and very comfortable. After the past 120 days have found the rear lift gate hydraulic lifts are weakening and not performing well. Mileage is getting much better than when first purchased. Larger gas tank would be helpful to go further than just 300 miles on a tank of gas.