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 car. - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By Daily driver - April 29 - 10:20 am

  We bought our Forester Turbo at a little over $26k USD. The inside is amazingly spacious, enough legroom for 4 decently sized adults. Turbo hits hard from like 2500RPM-5000RPM, which is more than necessary for normal driving. Yeah, it could use a 5th gear because the high RPMs feel dead, but its really not necessary. It goes fast enough. Tiptronic is nice. Your mileage will top out at about actually 27mpg for 100% highway driving, no AC and windows open at a constant speed of 60MPH (2100RPM). The XT WILL embarrass any other 4- cylinder car (with the exception of the really high end ones) and it will most certainly keep up with the 6s and 8s. Adequate trunk space. 5 star crash rating.

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  My First Subaru - 2008 Subaru Impreza
  By Todd - April 29 - 7:43 am

  I purchased a Subaru Impreza WRX 5pd about six months ago. I must say it has been one of the most fun cars I have ever driven. Acceleration is good with the exception of a little turbo lag and the handling is great. The AWD take a bit getting use to being that you need to use a little more clutch than a FWD or RWD vehicle. I can wait to see how it does in the snow this winter. This is my first Subaru, but certainly not the last.

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  Great so far - 2009 Subaru Impreza
  By Teddy - April 28 - 12:40 am

  I purchased the car with my work discount, plus end of the year 0.0% financing, so it turned out to be a great deal. I wasnt sure that I was going to like the car at first, because I switched over from a SUV. But I realized quick that I made a good decision. Comparing to my old truck, mpg is not bad, mainly city driving I get almost 25 average. Being 62 the car is pretty comfortable with the help of the adjusting seat. I definitely recommend the 5spd instead of the automatic, which is kinda sluggish.

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  1st time Subie owner - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By LuvMySubie - April 25 - 8:30 pm

  I bought one of the first 2009 Foresters off the boat. This is my 1st time owning a Subaru. So far (2 weeks, 500 miles) I love the car! Good looks (topaz gold), adequate power (5 speed manual shifts tight & smooth), quiet in the cabin, and great MPG (28+). The moonroof is huge. The build quality (espcly for a new model) is flawless. The IPOD i/f is great. And having AWD with the VDC feature is great in snow. Safety features are lengthy & very impressive. Price was competitive. And resale should be great down the road. My only complaints so far are that the HVAC blower is a little noisier than it should be, and the [variable assist] steering feels a bit too light when driving slow.

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  2008 LGT 5M Dark Grey Metallic - 2008 Subaru Legacy
  By Matt - April 25 - 11:46 am

  Purchased an 08 LGT 5m about a month ago. So far the car has been great. I give it good mpg ratings as my current truck gets about 11 mpg. I was really surprised to get ~26.8 mpg on a 360 mile trip on country roads driving somewhat spirited, this was before the motor has even broken in. I really like the solid quiet interior. The perforated leather seats are great and supportive. Clutch feel is solid thus far and is very easy to drive.

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  Wolf in sheeps clothing - 2005 Subaru Forester
  By JSBuck - April 23 - 2:40 pm

  After sampling other small SUVs, I was "sold" on the XT two minutes into the test drive. This vehicle is near ideal (for me): high performance (blazing acceleration, great handling), safety, exceptional build, roomy, well thought out interior, comfortable, good sound system and marvelous technology. Gas mileage is fair to middling: 20 in the city and 24 on the open road. Still ... a small price to pay for exceptional performance. After seven months, I still look forward every day to driving this machine. It is that much fun to drive! How many people can say that?

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  2015 basic Forester - 2015 Subaru Forester
  By nbg71 - April 23 - 11:37 am

  I was told that the Forester was better for shorter people because of the high seat position, thats nonsense, Im 65 and the extra headroom is fantastic, I have no leg room problems, I think this car is better for tall people. On the highway the car fells like its begging you to go faster, at 80mph you hit the accelerator and it booms forward, very solid at high speed. To leave my house I have to go up a horrific steep hill and with 10" of snow on it this winter the car in the L gear it went up as if the snow didnt exist, I watched other suvs struggle to do it, Hondas and Nissans. The car can be noisy and it can be a little rocky but this is minor.

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  We dont need no stinkin turbo! - 2006 Subaru Outback
  By Lynne - April 22 - 7:56 am

  My first Subaru was a 2000 Limited Wagon. Had no trouble at all with it, except the automatic transmission never seemed to downshift when I thought it should. Now have the 2006 Outback wagon, and love the redesign both inside and out. Have 5 speed manual transmission in this car and love it. If you know how to drive a manual transmission, get it in this car as you can do way better than the 0 - 60 on the automatic transmission. This car is lots of fun to drive, and hugs the road even though it sits rather high up. I feel very safe in it in all weather. I get approx 27 mpg combined in this car with normal driving, but it can really move with the 5 speed manual if you need it to.

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  My New Subaru Forestor Premium - 2014 Subaru Forester
  By deweyhowe - April 21 - 2:13 pm

  Overall, I am very happy with my new vehicle. However, I am disturbed at the gas mileage I am getting on the highway. When I drive on a two lane road (where I live there are limited expressways) I get 35 mpg over longer distances when driving 60 mph. However, when I do get on an expressway and drive 75 mph my gas mileage drops to 25 mpg. On longer trips this is disturbing since most of my driving tends to be longer trips in terms of overall miles I drive.

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  The Subaru Forester Has It Right! - 2006 Subaru Forester
  By Ken W. - April 21 - 3:56 am

  This car rides and feels like a quality vehicle at least double its price. Very comfortable in most every respect.