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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  Why buy anything else really? - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By chipsahui2 - July 28 - 10:00 am

  Just bought an silver wagon and cannot be happier. Before I took the plunge, I was skeptical about the gas mileage as many people complained and gas prices are not pretty these days (My commute is 70+ miles a day). 1800 miles and 3 weeks after delivery date. I dont know why anybody complained about the gas. This thing is amazing with gas. I am very close to meeting the EPA estimates. My first full tank got 24mpg (already content). My last was high 26s (360 on 13.4 gallons). For you lead footers, shift before 3. I still think its enough power to move around. Overall, this is one amazing car. I cant wait until the snow comes. Oh yeah, its fast too.

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  Gearing - 2009 Subaru Outback
  By lucacima - July 27 - 11:33 pm

  I had Subarus in the past and loved them. I just bought a new 2009 30R automatic, a left over from Subaru Dubai Dealer. I love it but I am disappointed by the gearbox. I reckon 4th gear is too long and distant from 3rd. It means that when you need some acceleration and youre in 5th, the system will shift down to 3rd, since 4th and 5th are very close to each other. The result is a jump from 2000 rpm to somewhere around 5000, which is not necessary. I would have it geared with 3rd, 4th and 5th in a more balanced way. I think the [non-permissible content removed] engineers thought this model as a 4 gears plus 5th, as a resting gear. Result is better economy but quite annoying and tiring to go always from 5th to 3rd...

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  Another check engine light - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By gvanmoor - July 27 - 5:50 pm

  I also have the check engine light problem with the cruise control light blinking (and the cruise control itself non-functioning). The dealer knows about it but so far hasnt come up with a solution yet. Mileage is excellent; between 25 and 27 mpg overall in mixed driving with Interstate speeds close to80 mph. Gas mileage gets a lot worse from 70 to 80mph; probably the price one pays for the high clearance. The engine gets a little bit noisy at speeds over75 mph. With the 5-speed manual, power is adequate, but nothing special. I can imagine this to be worse with the automatic.

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  Outback Notorious Transmission Issues - 2011 Subaru Outback
  By Shane - July 27 - 11:31 am

  CVT transmissions have well documented problems. If its out of warranty, installation of a re manufactured CVT transmission is $10K!

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  Ultimate sleeper - 2007 Subaru Legacy
  By Philip - July 27 - 12:00 am

  This car may not be as flashy as some other sport sedans, but it is definitely a wolf underneath the discreet exterior. Powerful and handles incredibly. Interior is also very upscale compared to other cars in the same class/price-range.

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  Great car for the price - 2008 Subaru Legacy
  By saad786 - July 26 - 8:10 am

  This car has everthing you want and the quality of material they used is worth its price. Handling is really smooth, gas mileage is not that bad but its not that great, that what you would expect from AWD car anyway. Over all I love this car because of the shape and features that it offers for the price.

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  Solid choice for versatile vehicle - 2016 Subaru Outback
  By Ray S - July 25 - 12:54 am

  Positives - great value, simple and logic gauges / controls, great audio system, EyeSIght safety system is top-notch, great gas mileage, easy access in and out Negatives - navigation system not as good at my 6 year-old portable Garmin, Starlink system is worthless, do not like the volume button on steering wheel (not as good as Hondas thumb wheel)

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  Overall good car but issues with tires, oil light - 2012 Subaru Impreza
  By thebeann - July 24 - 9:45 am

  I bought a 2012 Subaru Impreza sport (wagon) new. Loved the cargo room (I have 2 60-lb dogs) and nice, smooth ride. Gas mileage is decent, I travel VA to MI every month and it helps. However, right from the get-go I had issues with one of the Yokahama tires. TPS kept coming on and pressure was definitely going down. Dealer said "tire issue, cant help" while tire place said "dealer issue." Finally had to replace all 4 at 10,000 miles. The other issue is oil level light coming on (started at around 30,000 miles). Known issue with this make/model on excessive oil issue (google it, there is a lawsuit). Overall I am 75% satisfied but the other 25% make for disappointment.

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  Very nice car - 2006 Subaru Outback
  By Tscheid52 - July 22 - 11:06 pm

  My GMC Jimmy was coming off lease and I was forced to look for something else. I wanted four wheel drive to deal with the winter weather conditions of the Northeast. However, I was getting tired of paying for the poor gas economy of a mid size SUV. The Outback fit the bill perfectly. This is a very nice vehicle. It is well made inside and out. It drives very much like the 1984 Toyota Supra I owned for ten years. The 6 cylinder boxer is very smooth and powerful. Plenty of passing power, very stable and nimble in the turns. It is very easy to build up speed without noticing it. Good braking. All this and 4 wheel too. Buy it!

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  I cant stop driving it - 2003 Subaru Impreza
  By Dijitaled - July 22 - 10:00 am

  This car is such a fun car to zip around in. The performance and style is incredible for only being a four cylander. The car can rip around corners and the seats wont let you move an inch. I will never think about another car as long as the wrx is around.