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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  The Best Subaru Built for a Family - 2004 Subaru Forester
  By afrog - May 9 - 2:00 am

  This car is fantastic, balancing fund driving with an exceptionally functional layout. Go with the Turbo four, its worlds better than the base engine.

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  oh yeah! - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By hassboy17 - May 9 - 2:00 am

  awesome in every aspect. you dont even need music to be playing and you still have a kickass time!!!

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  AMAZINGi - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By sxsxsxsx - May 9 - 2:00 am

  its an amazzing car with great handling a great ride and great speed. I love driving it the best car ive ever owned.

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  Safe and Savings - 2008 Subaru Legacy
  By ShopCar - May 8 - 3:30 am

  Excellent Car. Handles well, well built, better gas miles than expected for an AWD 25 in traffic. Looks Sharp! Best car for the money. Other cars you pay so much more for AWD, moonroof, leather,auto dimming mirror, fog light and on board computer.

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  2002 Subaru Forester - 2001 Subaru Forester
  By S. Benmeir - May 7 - 10:00 am

  2002 Forester. It would not start the day after purchase, but dealer could find nothing wrong. Few days later oxygen sensor went bad, and it had to be serviced again. The dealer (Morehart, Durango, CO) returned it to me with a large dent which I did not notice immediately, so what could I do. The gas mileage was bad at first (about 20), but have recently gotten over 30 mpg on the highway. The tires stink. I blew a tire by running into a rock on a dirt road at 3 mph. I was told that if there was more than 4/32" difference in the tread between tires, it would void the warranty on the car. Finally, its UGLY with a capital U.

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  2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca Ltd. - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By Tribeca B9 - May 6 - 8:43 pm

  With only 6,000 miles on my 2006, I just had to take the car in for a complete/total re-paint! Looked almost like someone had thrown acid ALL over it. I have the champagne pearl opal. Thankfully after 2 months of negotiation, SofA has agreed to pay for a California re-paint. But as I planned to keep this car like I had my old MBZ wagon (200,000+ miles), I fear for the integrity and longevity of a re-paint. Otherwise, have liked it very much. Seems very powerful though a bit too thirsty after the diesel benz!

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  dissapointed - 2013 Subaru Outback
  By antlerking - May 6 - 8:03 am

  Choice of interiors, almost white or almost black. Two hardest colors to keep clean. My friend reached 16k and started using oil,{ring job]. Ive just reached 16k and used a qt. of oil in the last 800 miles. that will be a ring job also. Dash gauges that are of some real use. A voltmeter and temp. gauge to tell me about potential problems. What I do have is a gauge with a plus or minus to tell me about my fuel usage. It goes to minus when I go up hill and plus when I go down hill. This helps me in no way. The trans./engine combo is very noisy on acceleration. Stop talking and forget the radio, you cant hear anything. Its also a dog on acceleration, all noise and no go.

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  Great but... - 2016 Subaru Outback
  By captjrh - May 6 - 5:22 am

  Car was an afterthought, but a great afterthought. Was going with an Escape until the test drive. Only 2 things that I dont care for are: 1 both side mirrors are small and dont tilt out enough, and doors dont lock automatically while driving. Other than that, Im hoping the New Car MPG gets better and wish they had a front license plate holder bthat doesnt require you to screw holes into the bumper cover.

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  Satisfied Multiple Forester Owner - 2005 Subaru Forester
  By Norman Griffin - May 5 - 6:20 am

  The Subaru Forester is one of the best Vehicles that I have ever owned. We bought our first Forester in Sept 1997 a new 98 model. In October we went to Maine to visit friends, We had a very comfortable trip from PA. It snowed 8" and the Forester was a pleasure to drive in snow. I drive 65 miles each way to work and since 1997 our Forester got me there every day. That Forester now has 195,000 miles on it and when we decided we needed new car for my 130 mile commute there was no thinking about it - off we went to our Subaru dealer and drove home with a new 2.5XS. The original Forester is the L version and now it takes my wife on her daily commute of 5 miles. It feels good in the snow she says.

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  1st Subaru - 2016 Subaru Forester
  By Mark Schmidt - May 4 - 1:13 pm

  Have seen the adds and after a test drive leased the vehicle. First time leasing will find out if this was a good choice in 36 months. Vehicle has crash avoidance system. I love it. With cruise control activated vehicle will automatically slow when you approach the vehicle on front of you and maintain a safe distance until the vehicle moves and then will accelerate to pre-set speed. No more tapping the brake and re-engaging. Vehicle handles well and has a great sound system. Controls and features are very intuitive.