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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  Buy a WRX - best fun ever - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By aford - July 14 - 10:00 am

  Fanastic power and handling. Great reliability. Best legal fun available. If you want a sports car with the power, bulid quality and sheer fun you could buy an expensive german car but why bother the WRX matches the M3 in almost every factor for half the price.

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  Great Car To BUY!!!!!!!!!!!!! - 2003 Subaru Impreza
  By sillie008 - July 14 - 10:00 am

  If any of you out there like SPEED, PERFORMANCE and MODIFICATIONS! Should go ahead get this car, even with standard manufactures specs it will make you go WOW.......^_^ Also, there are so many aftermarket mod parts out there that will really amaze you if you want to put in a little more .........

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  Great wagon - 2002 Subaru Outback
  By vivatahoe - July 14 - 10:00 am

  Ive had an SUV, traded in for the wagon and I really am impressed. On the freeway, 70mph to 100mph is way too easy to reach in my 5 speed tranny and seems effortless. The best part is the AWD system in the snow! No more snowchains (unless its blizzard outside). Backseat can be folded down to increase trunk space and Ive able to move one bedroom worth of stuff (besides the bed and big furnitures) in one trip. Though the leather seats isnt the most comfortable thing in the long drive despite all the different seating positions adjusted. Fuel economy is pretty good for this size car.

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  Not your grandmas Subaru - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By Firefly Dad - July 13 - 3:33 am

  This is the 7th Subie to grace our driveway. We currently have a Baja, WRX, Legacy and another Outback in the driveway. My wife and 4 kids all drive Subies. The 2010 Outback/Legacy is the closest to a main stream vehicle Subaru has built. A roomy interior and much more comfortable seating is immediately noticeable. The Outback is peppy even with the 2.5 and CVT. The CVT is strange at first, but I am getting used to it. The Subaru secure driving experience is still there; its just quieter, more comfortable and efficient than earlier models. Part of Subarus charm was the quirkiness of its vehicles. Im not sure where the quirks are in this car yet. It is a blast to drive though.

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  2002 Subaru WRX Wagon - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By Peter Frohman - July 13 - 2:56 am

  Lots of fun, great handling, wonderful braking, plenty of power, wagon versatility, aggressive looks. A classic pocket rocket. Crummy gas mileage, premium gas, occasional turbo lag. Shift not as sweet as Honda/Acura, but AWD beats front-wheel drive every time. Great car for the price, but as soon as Honda makes something similar, Im buying that.

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  almost - 2003 Subaru Impreza
  By almost - July 13 - 2:00 am

  what a fun handling car, one of the best ever, just a same they dont back it up with a better box/interior and exterior looks. thought they would grow on me but they never did, even the new model falls short in the looks department tho a little better.

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  My wife is happy - 2006 Subaru Forester
  By Happy Husband - July 12 - 9:56 pm

  This is our first Subaru and my wife loves it. She says with this car, she feels like going somewhere (without being driven). You cant get more praise than that. My wife hates driving!

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  BIG CHANGE FOR ME - 2016 Subaru Forester
  By Lonnie Donaldson - July 12 - 2:28 pm

  Solid car, not a sports car, but acceleration is ok. Took a 1100 mile trip, drove in hard rain and winds for 2/3 of the distance and handled both well. Traded in a 2011 Avalon, so had to adjust to stiffer ride and a little more noise.

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  No Regrets - 2010 Subaru Forester
  By Danny Jung - July 12 - 1:23 am

  Like everyone, I test drove the others CRV, RAV4, but decided on the Forester ultimately for its AWD and safety reputation. Ive driven it for 3 months now and it definitely has been an overall positive experience. It feels great when driving in wet/snowy conditions...this alone makes it worth the purchase. Yes, there is a rattle in the back that my dealership is working on and the radio could be a bit more powerful...but other than that Im quite satisfied. I get 24 mpg mixed city/highway, which Im happy with. Hopefully Ill be one those loyal Subie fans.

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  My 3k mile trip - 2009 Subaru Outback
  By joseph sherman - July 11 - 11:30 pm

  I purchased my 2009 Outback 4/30/2009. I traded my 1999 Outback. I bought the new Outback because I got a great deal and I didnt look forward to 3k miles in the very uncomfortable 99 Outback driver seat. I have only one complaint about my new Outback. The cruise control is anemic! The cruise control in my 99, the car raced up hills regardless of incline or elevation. In this car, it acts like "the little engine who couldnt". Climb performance is affected by incline and/or elevation. On descent, it has trouble holding assigned speed. The cruise control is hit or miss in the mountains and on medium to steep inclines. Otherwise, the car is great and all Id hoped it would be... so far.