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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  Great Balance - 2011 Subaru Outback
  By inflict1 - July 1 - 7:54 pm

  This vehicle is a great value. Extremely comfortable, balanced ride on the highway, and for the amount of space, extremely fuel efficient. Left my home in Louisville for Monroe, LA with less than 500 miles on odometer. Driving at 75mph with the AC on, we got 28.9 mpg for the 1,400 miles roundtrip. That came to about 50 gallons of reg. gas; compared to 69 gallons of premium used by our 08 Mazda CX7 on our last trip.

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  2014 Subaru Forester Loaded With New Features - 2014 Subaru Forester
  By mightynuke - June 30 - 2:58 pm

  We purchased our 2014 Subaru Forester, 2.5i Premium/EFF on April 30, 2013. Safety features and AWD capabilities are impressive. Our 4 Cyl Boxer engine delivers 170 HP. It has very adequate acceleration from either a fully stopped position and for speeding up rapidly for passing. Other features that we like are the great visibly, large doors that extend all the way down to sealed kick panels for easy, dirt-free entry and exit, very smooth CVT tranny, very responsive steering and handling in all driving conditions, comfortable adjustable seats, AL-alloy wheels, rear view camera, 8.7-inch ground clearance. Mileage of 32 mpg hwy w/AC has also been great for a vehicle of this size and pep.

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  excellent car - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By wrxpwr - June 30 - 2:00 am

  I ordered my WRX after driving the dealerships demo car, I wasnt even the market for a new vehicle. I love it!

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  Rich Power - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By idle0ne - June 30 - 2:00 am

  i was looking at this car thinking it would be a decent car, i had yet to test drive it and i liked the interior. When i test drove the car i was sold on it, that is by far the fastest turbo 4cyl engine i have ever seen. The price bit my wallet a bit more than i wanted them to, i tried to get the car for invoice but i couldnt get anyone to do that, the best i got was $600 over invoice or around $31k then taxes etc.. i am getting the car for a total of $32,900. I cant wait to open this car up to its full capabilities but i want to break it in properly and get used to the power so i can control the car and not let the car control me.

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  Right for me! - 2004 Subaru Outback
  By RCHANTLER` - June 30 - 2:00 am

  A great performer particularly if you live in snow country. It has many of the most wanted features of more expensive cars including seat warmers, CD player, electric seats and car locks. For a 4 cylinders it has great zip and pickup. On the downside is the awkward feature of adjusting the tilt steering column. Also the console between the two front seats is very awkward to use while driving. Too far back. The notched gearshift is not the best. Its all I need in an automobile.

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  Very reliable! - 2003 Subaru Outback
  By tdh2112 - June 30 - 2:00 am

  Ive had this car for a bit over a year with no problems. They say that AWD handling is sluggish. Not with this car, it handles great and has a pretty good turning radius. The base engine has plenty of get-up- and-go for me, and my previous car was a 3.1L V6. Gas mileage could be better, but with AWD, Im not in the least surprised.

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  Favorite car - 2008 Subaru Legacy
  By Sandi - June 30 - 12:03 am

  Just traded in a very expensive to mantain VW Passat that I loved, but this Subaru Legacy is now my favorite car so far. I just drove to Las Vegas and averaged 31-32 miles a gal at 75- 80 mph. I faced some extreme winds and the car held its own quite well. I cant wait to take it in the snow!

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  Love the acceleration! - 2016 Subaru Impreza
  By Karen Derouen - June 28 - 9:07 pm

  Overall, this car is fantastic! The air conditioner cools the entire car quickly, and thats extremely important in Austin where its hot and humid. The only recommendation I would have is to upgrade the audio package because the standard one in the Premium model is a bit slow. I have a hard time remembering how to change the sound so that most of it goes to the rear speakers and to adjust the bass and treble. Other than that, I wouldnt change anything. This is my third Subaru. The first was a 1976, and the next was a 1984. Im glad I made the switch back to Subaru. Our sales rep at Austin Subaru was excellent to work with.

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  Second Subie - 2010 Subaru Forester
  By Gryjmcgrath - June 28 - 3:50 pm

  I had a 2005 Forester and the head gasket blew last year at 167,000. Bought a cheap Jeep before X- mas and decided on another Forester this year. Rides like a go-cart and and gets great gas mileage. The awd is a necessity up North. The ability to press a button and lock em in is a great improvement. This rig is easy to park and will go most anywhere in any weather. Missed my old one...glad I got this one.

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  I love my Baja - 2005 Subaru Baja
  By Diane Garmo - June 26 - 6:56 am

  My Red Baja is the perfect vehicle for me. It has just enough cargo space as well as passenger seats. I am able to enjoy the best of car and truck features with the reliability of all wheel drive.