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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  Too much buck, not enough bang - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By gurumichaelOG - May 27 - 10:00 am

  Owned mine for a year and it was a piece of crap. It had problems with everything from the suspension (5 times), ECU, exhaust, windows, interior falling apart, fan rattling. Got to a point where I was dealing with the regional representative on every visit. No mods, just a junk build. Major turbo lag and significant lack of low end power. Terrible experience. Some owners get mad when reading this, but I too drooled over the release of the WRX. If the quality isnt there, it just doesnt cut it. Run away from this purchase and shop for something else. Lost tremendous amount on it after only a year.

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  STI is an Evo-eater!! - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By Sti Girl - May 27 - 10:00 am

  After test driving the EVO-8 and finding myself very dissapointed, I began in search of a better car. What I found was a car far superior than the Mitsu. And once I found myself at the top of a dealer list for delivery of the STI, I waited impatiently for my beast to arrive. Since I picked up my car in mid May, Ive had a permanent grin on my face from ear to ear! The car is everything that I ever hoped it would be. Nobody wants to even try to challenge me.

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  Our first Subaru and were loving it! - 2003 Subaru Outback
  By schlaflette - May 27 - 10:00 am

  Were very happy with our purchase so far! One of the selling points was the all wheel drive and it works wonders in our rainy climate. We also liked the look of the vehicle better with the optional spoiler which we did purchase.

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  Our 5th Subaru - 2005 Subaru Baja
  By john - May 26 - 3:43 am

  Subaru has to be building the best cars in North America. We have now owned a 92 SVX, two Outbacks, and now we have two Bajas. We were very impressed with our 05 Baja Sport, and when the 99 Outback came up for major maintenance, we traded for another 05 Baja Turbo. Wow, fast, fast, fast... gets up and moves like our 6-cyl. SVX did. Our Bajas are comfortable, affordable to drive, and never fail us. It is a shame to see Subaru making marketing errors. The Tribecca/B9 frankly is an over-priced, underperforming gas-hog that few will buy, (we test drove one) and Outbacks lack versatility. Baja was never marketed well, and no one knew they existed until they were discontinued, glad we got em.

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  Best Kept Secret in Affordable AWD Sedan - 2006 Subaru Legacy
  By Steve - May 25 - 5:20 pm

  After four Audis, I wasnt in the game for another overpriced, high maintenance, and problematic German sedan. I also wasnt in the market for the terrible handling and riding Accord or Camry. I was pleasantly surprised when I test drove the Legacy; very good power, excellent ride, and great build quality. After a few weeks, it has exceeded all expectations Ive had; it rides great; with a very good balance of ride quality to handling, has strong pulling power, looks great, and is very comfortable. Also, the dealer is great, no "high end car" attitude. If youre considering a Camry, Accord, Passat, A3, or A4 - do yourself a favor and test drive a Legacy - youll be glad you did.

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  Test drive multiple times.... - 2017 Subaru WRX
  By Luther Williams - May 24 - 8:00 am

  Great car if performance is main foucus. Plenty of low end torque for everyday driving. Drivability in everyday traffic is poor. Car really wants to be driven hard, when driven slow shifting is cumbersome. 1st gear has a rev hang that cause rough shift to 2nd. Sucks as an everyday driver, CVT maybe a better choice....

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  The Perfect Sports Car - For the Price - 2016 Subaru BRZ
  By Ken - May 24 - 3:17 am

  Keeping in mind that you can get the BRZ for less than $30,000 it is, in my opinion, the best sports car of the modern era. The driving position, steering feel, and ability for an amateur driver to push the BRZ to the limit is the reason that it makes every driver smile. The point of the BRZ (or the FR-S, or GT 86 since they are all essentially the same car) is to make a grown-up feel like a child again. The car makes me giggle, and flatters my abilities to the point where I never feel unsafe. I was in a unique situation where I was able to purchase one of the 500 Hyper Blue BRZs and as long as I never wreck it, I expect it to be a future classic. So whenever I get the chance, I take it for a blast through the hills, or if I can leave a little early, I take the long way to work and arrive with a smile plastered across my face. In a world where most of us drive grayscale people carrying boxes, the BRZ feels extra special. Its a reminder of how much fun driving can be, and without putting in too much money, it has the comforts, look and finish of a far more expensive car. The interior has Hyper Blue stitching to match the paint, and with black accents, the BRZ feels just right. The controls are where you expect them to be, and the large, centrally mounted tachometer runs happily up above 7000rpm before a light flashes at you to shift up before you ping it off the limiter. As driving experiences go, it is hard to get more smiles per gallon for my money. UPDATE: after 6000 miles the BRZ has become an extension of me and I am happy to say I still love it.

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  Junkorama - 2009 Subaru Outback
  By unhappy - May 23 - 8:23 pm

  Purchased the car in November 2008, in Colorado. Violent bucking forced us to a dealer in New Mexico who told us that we could only use one brand of gasoline. Returned to the Colorado dealer who told us New Mexico dealer didnt know what it was doing, kept the car for awhile and replaced a camshaft sensor; assured us car was OK. It wasnt, so took it to yet another dealer, who replaced the turbocharger and some other parts; assured us car was OK. Observed gas mileage appears poor. Well see if further observations confirm poor mileage. If they do, were on the way to the court house! If not, we may sell it anyway. Word to the wise-- think twice before buying a Subaru.

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  Best I have ever owned! - 2016 Subaru WRX
  By Jonathan Guzman - May 23 - 7:49 pm

  Great control, great ride, and great style. This is the best car I have ever owned and it just keeps getting better every time I drive it. The limited edition has sooo many features that I wonder how it feel without them. The performance is so great I honestly dont know the difference between the STI and the Limited edition. Either way this is a great car and if you havent test driven it yet, you need to. O and before I forget, I am a family man and this car has plenty of space for two baby car seats, which means if youre single youll have plenty of space for those party weekends.

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  My Crosstrek - 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek
  By Patrick J. Reilly - May 22 - 7:21 am

  Mostly "5 Star" satisfaction as far as owner of this vehicle. Only complaints have to do with interior comfort, road noise & ride. If you can set these aside everything else is a joy. I have 57,000 thousand miles so far and the car still looks great like the day I bought it. The road noise was somewhat corrected when I put new passenger tires on and got rid of those awful all terrain tires. Ride improved somewhat too. On average I get 26-28 mpg city and 32-34 hwy. Have gotten up to 41 mpg at steady 55 pace!😀 Great car! Unfortunitily sold car 7 months ago for a Lexus RX350 Loved the Car though! Needed more room