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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  A nice riding car - 2002 Subaru Legacy
  By Ajene - May 13 - 10:00 am

  I have not purchase the Legacy, but I test drove. I enjoyed the suspension that was supplied on the car. The ride was very smooth and comfortable. Also, the 4 cylinder boxer engine produced enough power to push the car as if it was a V6. The only problem I had was the rear seating capacity. There was not enough room for people who want to sit in the rear seat.

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  Cool car - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By BebeDeimos - May 13 - 10:00 am

  The car is excellent. Lots of room for a tall person and good design for off road without compromizing anything for on-road use. The car has plenty of acceleration, however the A/C tends to bog down the engine a bit. I have installed an aftermarket stereo with Infinity speakers, an Infinity subwoofer and a Blaupunkt amp. My advice is to skip the stereo upgrades and install an aftermarket yourself. The basic Clarion is not very good and even the upgraded speakers suck. The optional subwoofer is not very good, but it is small (which is why it is not very good).

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  Safe and fund to drive - 2001 Subaru Forester
  By rramirez2001 - May 13 - 10:00 am

  I love my subaru. I love the way it drives and how safe I feel in it. It handles like a dream in wet weather. Its the perfect height, no climbing up or down. If i had to say anything negative, it would be that the back seat is a little shallow, not a lot of leg room. So if you have tall children or will be carting friends around a great deal, they wont be able to really kick their feet out in the back. Other than that, I think its perfect.

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  2010 2.5i Subaru Sedan - 2010 Subaru Impreza
  By Anonymous - May 12 - 2:00 am

  I purchased my Subaru Impreza about 5 months ago after trading off my Honda Pilot. I was hesitant because of the large amount of snow we get in North Dakota. However, I could not be happier with the trade. The gas mileage is much better, no problems in the first 8,000 miles, and it is fun to drive. We ended up with 12 inches of snow in 24 hours and I had no issues commuting to and from work. Probably the funnest car I have owned, and it is number 6.

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  Subie Newbie - 2011 Subaru Legacy
  By Anonymous - May 12 - 2:00 am

  Wanted to downsize from my SUV to a sedan, and test drove a CTS, G37, Accord, TL and RL. Really liked the CTS and RL, but wasnt quite ready to spend that kind of money. On a whim, I stuck my head in a Subaru dealership, and was blown away. The 3.6 Subie drove better than everything but the CTS, was fairly quiet inside (didnt have the defroster on then), and had a rockin stereo. They found a red one with black interior, and the deal was done.

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  So Far, So Good - 2010 Subaru Forester
  By Anonymous - May 12 - 2:00 am

  Ive owned this car for about 6 1/2 months now. I drove both the Tribeca and the Forester. The Tribeca drove smooth, but I felt more in control of the Forester. The gas milleage is good. I range from about 24-28mpg and do about half high highway/half city driving. The biggest complaint is that the interior is cheap. I have a small tear in my interior, the back door and side doors rattle, and parts of the dash scratch easily. Biggest Pro: We got about a foot of snow last month and I didnt have any problems. Traction control only kicked in once. I helped my husband change the oil for the first time and it went quick and smooth. Overall happy, just need to fix the rattles!

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  Be careful of hard, hard, hard seats - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By William - May 12 - 12:53 am

  After countless research on this size of vehicle, we felt Subaru was the only way to go. Love this car, Except for the extremely hard seats (leather). Test drive was short and sweet so we didnt notice how uncomfortable they were. I have severe back trouble and this has put me in a horrible flare-up, after only driving 6 miles home from the dealership. Called the following morning and told of medical situation, and could we please bring the car back as I will have to stay with a mini-van. They would buy the car back at at $7000 loss (pretty steep for 6 miles). So, we are having the seats rebuilt, if this is of no help, then the car will have to go. Please beware of seat comfort.

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  Subaru # 7 - 2005 Subaru Forester
  By ihtpsswrds - May 11 - 8:10 am

  This buggy replaces my wifes 2004 Forester that was hit TWICE while stopped in traffic. An incredibly safe vehicle. We walked away both times with very few injuries. Both times we were plowed by much larger trucks; you should see the other guy:). My wife prefers the zero hip entry height of this over my slightly lower Outback. The Turbo adds zip and a feeling of "lightness" during acceleration and the "smart" airbags front and side are a great comfort. The seat heaters and the climate control system are perfect for the local climate, where an hours drive may take you over a 40 degree temp change. If it wasnt for the outside temp display, you might not notice the difference.

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  Stealth AWD sedan - 2008 Subaru Legacy
  By Sleepy - May 10 - 6:56 am

  The Spec B is a great low profile performance sedan. The Euros cant match the performance or reliability for the money. Add snow tires (the stock Bridgestones are summer only) for winter and you have an unstoppable all season sport sedan. Having owned a Mercedes C230 and a BMW 328i, I can say the Subaru is much more fun to drive.

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  A niche car, but fits perfectly in it. - 2004 Subaru Forester
  By speedysteve - May 9 - 3:27 pm

  Ive owned my Forester XT for 6 years now, and it has been a very fun car. The only repair Ive had is the alternator. Its far faster than it looks and I love being able to floor it on the highway in 5th and it just goes. It looks good, carries a fair amount of stuff when I go camping, and is great in the snow.