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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  Some good & Lotsa bad - 2006 Subaru Legacy
  By ohassen - May 16 - 6:08 pm

  Bought my Legacy w/85k mi on it less than a year ago. If youre looking to buy one, this is what you need to know: The GOOD: AWD offers great stability and makes the car fun to drive, good in snow but wont help you brake better in snow. THE BAD: The AWD system is delicate, no more than 2/32" difference in tire tread depth. Which means if you have 1 bad tire, youll need to get 4 new tires as I have already done. Ive had recurring Alignment issues as did others. Ive had Tire Air leaking issues, as did others. Engine hesitation/misfire seems to be normal even when bought new. Gas mileage is not impressive. Used to get 25-27. Now I get 20-24 since the misfire issue got worse. Never again!!

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  forester feedback - 2005 Subaru Forester
  By margo - May 15 - 1:33 pm

  My 2003 s forester has consistently handled all road conditions at high speed as well as bumper to bumper trafic.

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  Really like this vehicle - 2008 Subaru Legacy
  By RobR - May 15 - 1:16 pm

  Ive owned Audis, BMWs, VWs, and I looked at them all again before buying Subaru. Its got push-you-back-in-the-seat power, stealthy looks, and features that costs lots more $$$ on the other brands. I couldnt be happier with it. Very high Fun To Drive factor and is always ready to do more. Handles great in the snow as well. When Im nice to it, I get 31 MPG hwy, when Im not, 20 - 22. Its a nice surprise and everyone asks me what kind of car it is when they see it on the road. Big difference between standard legacy and legacy GT. Its worth the difference in price.

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  Disappointing - 2005 Subaru Legacy
  By mike - May 15 - 6:16 am

  This is our 2nd Subaru. Our first Subaru was a tank, we loved it, 100K+ and never had a problem. Unfortunately that was not the case with this car. 30k+ should yield better build quality and better service. Dash rattles and the dealer and Subaru will do nothing. The radio has been replaced twice and still does not work correctly. The homelink mirror failed. The gauge illumination changes by itself. Cruise control fails regularly and the dealership(s) cant find anything. This car could be so much better but now that it is has 39000 miles on it and is out of warranty we are getting rid of it. I dont thing we will ever buy anothe Subaru.

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  First Subaru and love it - 2010 Subaru Forester
  By Love it - May 15 - 1:40 am

  As a former Honda and Toyota owner, I read the information in Consumer report about the Forester. Along with that review, Edmunds, and the fact one of my sons owns one, I bought our first one. This car rides so much better than our Honda CR-V. This probably will not be our last Subaru.

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  love my Crosstrex - 2018 Subaru Crosstrek
  By LD - May 14 - 8:39 am

  Research your vehicle before purchasing it.

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  The Danks! - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By Fedgar420 - May 14 - 2:00 am

  The car is a joy to drive. The handling is incomparable to anything else in its class, or even on the road (especially for the dollar). When driving it hard, though, the gas mileage isnt much to jump up-and-down about. Other than that, its a great car for the MONEY!

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  Seat changes - 2000 Subaru Legacy
  By gmlin - May 14 - 2:00 am

  Overall excellent car!!!! But driver seat low and unable to sit upright with legs down. Caused back problems. There isnt enough room to put pillow without hitting the steering wheel.

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  Great vehicle more than just a car - 2016 Subaru Outback
  By Adam Williams - May 14 - 12:45 am

  Had to buy mine to order. Dealer says they sell before they hit the lot. Three weeks before it got to my garage. Worth the wait.

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  Just picked it up....so far so good - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By Jon - May 13 - 11:13 am

  Just traded in my 2007 on a 2009. My wife wanted automatic and I wanted her Civic for commuting, so quick pro quo was we keep a subie in the family if I get the new Forester, fair enough for me the subie can be our family roadster. Decided to lease, because I think diesel, hybrid and other technologies are going to be preferred in a year or two. Im really impressed by the new design, big step forward. If I believe the gas mileage meter its definitely better than the 2007, even before breaking it in. Ill test it in the moutains soon!