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? - 2006 Subaru Legacy
  By Kalito - March 16 - 2:23 pm

  Very good car... (could be great with a few minor upgrades!). I have had some fun cars in the past (BMW etc.) but for the price the Legacy GT is a windfall. Surefooted, powerful yet an awesome daily driver, than can provide serious fun with a minor adjustment of your right foot.

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  09 Tribeca - Solid, fun car - 2009 Subaru Tribeca
  By Abbey - March 15 - 9:20 am

  Overall the car is well designed - interior and exterior. It is a good replacement for my big SUV but will still be able to get around in the snow and ice very well. Love it so far !!!

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  Even Better Than I Had Hoped For - 2010 Subaru Legacy
  By DaveM - March 14 - 8:23 pm

  I have had the car for a month now, and I have driven 1300 miles. I get 33 mpg on the interstate and 22 during my short commute to work here in town. The car handles extremely well, the interior room surprises everyone who sits in it, and it drives very quietly on the highway, although I am a little disappointed in the engine noise that is apparent at slow speeds in town.

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  Great crossover - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By Luis - March 14 - 7:26 am

  The lease of the Tribeca is one of the best secrets in the market. This vehicle gives you everything you want in a crossover. Great performance and handling, I would just make the engine a bit bigger than the 3.0, everything else is an absolute 10.

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  200,000 miles and counting! - 2003 Subaru Outback
  By ak_girl - March 13 - 7:44 pm

  I bought this car brand new in 2003. It has been problem free and reliable, I can honestly say this has been the best car I have ever owned. I would gladly buy another new 6 cylinder Subaru without a second thought.

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  I like this car,,wayyyyyy to much - 2003 Subaru Impreza
  By svopilot - March 12 - 10:00 am

  I think the bug-eyed look is cool, I took a 700 mile road trip two weeks ago and it ran like a champ. Seating is comfortable and I like the engine sound from a boxer engine.

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  the review - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By hjkhl - March 12 - 10:00 am

  i really like this car. It is all i have wanted. The turbocharger on this car just gives me all the power and torque that i need. With the all wheel drive it is awesome. This car will not spin out. I ran the quarter mile in 8.7 in the quarter mile.

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  Best Subaru Yet! - 2012 Subaru Impreza
  By jcricket - March 12 - 9:20 am

  This is my third Sooby. It is the most fun. For a car with small dimensions on the outside, it is huge on the inside. I like the ergonomics of the interior - the dash and steering column controls are easy to use; intuitive. Lots of pep, very spirited off the line. With winter tires on (see suggested improvement below) this car can go places my 4x4 pick-up can not go. Good gas mileage too. It started off getting 30 in town and after breaking in for 13,000 miles I get over 40 on highway/country driving trips. This from an AWD! Its a great car to take to the beach or to the mountains with friends. Two of my friends bought Imprezas this year.

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  Consider the Legacy GT - 2005 Subaru Legacy
  By Bruce - March 10 - 12:53 pm

  Thus far it has proved itself to me. It is great in the snow and just a fun car to drive. People have commented on the "great looking" car for months now. The mileage is better than I anticipated unless you horse around with the accelerator. It is well built and well designed and I like the way it handles. After considering several vehicles from BMW and others in the same price range I chose this excellent AWD Subaru. I had been a Saab owner since 1973.

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  Great SUV - 2016 Subaru Forester
  By Stacie - March 10 - 8:20 am

  I think this is a great smaller SUV. Plenty of room in the cargo area for various activities. I have enough room for groceries, packing up for long camping trips and even moving wood and materials for home projects. Seats and ride are extremely comfortable even with the sport tuned suspension. Great power and I love the option for S#/S/I modes. Itd be nice to have a digital speed readout like on my husbands WRX but you can read the speedometer just fine. The steering is responsive and hugs the road well around corners. I wish it had a higher tow rating but 1500lbs is enough to tow a trailer with a atv and few dirt bikes so it fits my needs. Im happy with the gas mileage. I really enjoy the upgraded infotainment system, Bluetooth connection is great and the touch screen is really responsive. I love the look of this vehicle, its aggressive looking with a very comfortable ride. I actually got my mother in law to buy one as well. I would recommend the forester to anyone looking for a smaller SUV with a good amount of power, comfortable ride and reliability and reputation of Subaru.