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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  Needs some improvement - 2008 Subaru Tribeca
  By jrod - July 5 - 8:53 am

  We have had this vehicle for approx. 26 mo. and havent had an issue with the engine and tranny. What we do have issues with is the interior coming apart,like the plastic behind the steering wheel decided it didnt want to stay clipped. As for the 7 passenger claim..mm maybe they should have called it a 51/2 passenger. an adult can fit if they sit sideways. For the drive quality my wife has beaten out many a sport car with it. Fuel economy we average 21.5-25 mpg hwy (no kidding) when we take it to the mountains for ski season otherwise the posted 16 mpg city is accurate not bad for an SUV. Considering I drive it at 80mph i cannot complain.

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  Goes Like Stink - 2005 Subaru Legacy
  By Nick-O - July 4 - 12:10 pm

  This is a nice car, safe, big and heavy, but its fast. The 2.5 turbo is probably one of the top 10 engines out there. If you step on it hard, it takes a second then hold on! Passes anything on the highway and goes anywhere you want it to. Its a subaru so it is reliable. The only issue is now it makes a loud humming noise past 35 mph. Maybe a wheel bearing. The mileage is not good...maybe 15 around town :(But hey, its a big heavy AWD car with 250 hp.

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  Great Wagon - 2000 Subaru Outback
  By RangerRon7 - July 3 - 9:16 pm

  This vehicle has been great! The AWD has proven itself in two major snowstorms that we have had here in the Midwest. Its a very quiet, comfortable cruiser with excellent handling (especially compared to any SUV). The cargo space is huge. This vehicle is NOT going to snap your head back with its performance, but acceleration is adequate in day-to-day driving situations. Im definitely glad we bought this vehicle.

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  Sweet ride for the money - 2006 Subaru Impreza
  By Jon - July 2 - 6:40 pm

  My WRX is a fun yet very practical car. Although it does not have tons of power, it is very quick getting up to 80 which makes highway driving good. It has stable and precise steering. Gas mileage isnt great, but it beats most other AWD/4WD vehicles out there. The stock tires are not a good performance tire and are pretty crappy in snow. Not a lot of storage space, but not so small it is useless (I have the sedan, the wagon would be a better choice for some). You cant beat it for the price.

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  Satisfied Subie Owner - 2010 Subaru Legacy
  By Legacy Owner - July 1 - 5:20 pm

  Purchased for $600 under invoice. Have just over 1.5K miles. Not quite as quick as previous car - 2002 Maxima SE 6spd, but more comfortable- great cruiser. Very comfortable, steering and road feel tremendous. HK sound system more than adequate.

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  Very Happy - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By merlwein - June 30 - 8:20 pm

  Once owning it I finally opened it up and this car is great. Has great take off with a nice highway feel. The automatic sport transmission is really fun when you want to feel the pull. Handles very nice around turns with great precision. I have the heated seats and windshield which I cant wait to use this winter.

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  Sensible Mini-Ute - 2002 Subaru Forester
  By RangerRon7 - June 28 - 9:50 pm

  Although we only have had our Foreseter S+ just 6 months, it is great fun to drive and is a sensible, practical alternative to the typical SUV. The safety ratings coupled with AWD give us a greater comfort level than other vehicles we looked at in this class. We also look forward to Subarus historically high reliability.

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  AWD 4-dr Sport Wagon - 2001 Subaru Impreza
  By Kiyoshi Kim - June 28 - 10:00 am

  My first time purchasing Subaru and used vehicle. The decision was based on Clark Howard recommendation, who favors used car over new. Was originally thinking about WRX. Nice-looking exterior and sturdy machine to operate during rainy weather though it has not been tested in inclement condition due to persistently sunny days in Oregon!?

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  Very nice vehicle - 2003 Subaru Forester
  By EWG - June 28 - 10:00 am

  Test drove and priced several other comparable models, but none matched the Forester for features and overall performance. I drive mostly highway and it has lots of pep for a 4 cyl. Anyone in the market for a small SUV/crossover should test drive the Forester.

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  No Audi, but the price is right - 2003 Subaru Outback
  By wepperson - June 28 - 10:00 am

  This is a very good car, but hardly "Lexus-like". For one thing, the comparable Lexus is the ES300, which is awful for torque oversteer. But the ride comfort and quietness of the Outback dont approach the Lexus, nor my old A4 Quattro. And the handling has always been disappointing--yeah, I know its a "sport utility sedan" and not set up for sport touring sedan handling like the A4, but I wish it was.