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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  My First Subaru! - 2017 Subaru Forester
  By Lori T. - March 4 - 6:22 pm

  Mostly my review is positive. I have one of the higher-end trim packages of the Subaru Forester, and, it is my first SUV as well as first Subaru. Id love to see better climate control for the back seat people (they must rely on the front seat AC/heat vents to eventually reach them). There are limited amounts of cupholders, and the front two in the middle console are ok, but they are front to back with each other and the back one requires moving the armrest backward to a position where its not really much use. I suppose the mileage is good for a car this size (Ive only had it a month, and Im averaging 25 MPG). But, coming from a Prius C prior to this, and having 50-54 MPG regularly, this is a bit hard to take. (Deep breaths, it will be ok). The safety features at this point in my life are more important than MPG. I am loving the "Eyesight Technology"! I love sitting up high and feeling a larger presence on the road. Love the steering responsive headlights, and the backup camera is awesome. Its a smooth ride, and a good looking car. It did have a complicated electrical/computer problem the 2nd day that I owned it, so back it went to the dealer for three days. All seems to be well now, after a special technician was called to make an appearance to come to the computers rescue. Its only been a month, so I cannot speak to the repair cost issue, nor to the reliability of the car, which I will know as time goes on.

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  Better than a Caddy - 2002 Subaru Forester
  By Sue Shallow - March 4 - 10:00 am

  This is my first Subaru. Everyone else in my family owns one. I thought it was about time. After one winter I knew it was the best car I have ever owned. I will never buy anything else.

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  Every morning I want to drive to work.. - 2008 Subaru Impreza
  By halcyon100 - March 3 - 12:53 pm

  This car is fantastic. The clutch is a little heavy/precise, but its fun to learn the nuances. The ride, even with STi pink springs is smooth and predictable. With the springs, the stock roll is gone. Mileage is surprising - about 25mpg, and Im suburban commuter, 28 miles/day at 40mph avg. Stay out of boost, and itll give you economy. I look forward to driving this car every day. Its noticable, but not showy. Its fast, but not impractical. Its comfortable, but not plush. Heated seats are always great in cold climates - I wish these extended to the upper back more. Some light mods make this car look/sound phenomenal. Slightly lower, tint, sport grill, cat- back (SPT).

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  Japanese Car Convert - 2006 Subaru Impreza
  By Keith - March 2 - 5:10 am

  After considering the 2006 Civic, Jetta, Mazda3, and Beetle, I picked this Subaru for its absolute fun to drive qualities. I had more fun than Ive had in a long time zipping around corners in this car. The gas mileage is better than EPA posts; I get 28 and 34 mpg. The transmission is wonderful, and the car looks snazzy and feels durable and well built. I highly recommend this vehicle to anyone looking for a unique, fun to drive, affordable, and reliable economy car.

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  I love this car! - 2006 Subaru Forester
  By luckyowner - February 27 - 10:23 am

  Every day I drive it, I think to myself how lucky I am to have selected a Subaru Forester. It is perfect for the active sports lifestyle I live - a hitch for the bike rack, roof racks for the canoe, fold down to flat cargo area for sleeping when its too wet outside to sleep in the tent. All that and great handling in the snow on the way to the ski resort. I couldnt have asked for more features and at an extremely reasonable price.

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  4th Subaru - 2004 Subaru Outback
  By Booru - February 27 - 2:00 am

  I have owned 4 Subarus starting with a 84 GL Wagon. I have loved every. I looked at other SUVs and at the Outback VDC. Couldnt justify (to myself) the extra cost of the VDC vs. benefits. Liked the LL Bean from the first moment I saw it and sat in it. Agile in city, country, beach, and mountain driving. The H6 has impressive power pared with the smooth transmission makes for a terrific combination.

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  Fast and gorgeous Subaru! - 2018 Subaru Legacy
  By Andi - February 26 - 4:25 am

  I bought this car two weeks ago. I was hesitant to buy a Subaru because they are all over the roads here. I test drive the car, and the dealership treated me very well. After this, I knew that the Legacy V6, was the right car for me! I’m loving this car more every day that I drive it! I make excuses to drive this car as much as possible. Pros: -fast and instant acceleration. -quiet inside even with V6. - absolutely beautiful loaded interior with comfortable seats and pretty blue lights. -infotainment Center is easy to use and has STARLINK . -security system included. -elegant exterior -AWD included. -Subaru is a great company and very customer service orientated. Cons: -Remote start only runs for 15 minutes then shuts off. Haven’t figured out if I can change this. -CarPlay skips on occasion. Both cons are not faults with the vehicle itself, which is why it gets 5 stars.

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  True sport wagon - 2005 Subaru Legacy
  By Charlie Jenkins - February 25 - 7:50 pm

  Had the car for 5 weeks now. No problems yet. Very powerful. Fun to drive. Has a great feel to it. Only getting around 18 mpg around town, but thats because its hard not to put your foot in it and feel that turbo rush. Very quiet and smooth ride. Handles very well and has a comfortable ride. Build quality is very nice, especially on the inside.

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  could be a mistake - 2005 Subaru Legacy
  By puglover - February 25 - 10:33 am

  The transmission on my 05 sedan failed at 7,700 miles. A bushing failed causing the seal to burst and then catastrophic failure, high and low clutch burnout, etc. Im concerned now about the quality of my Subaru.

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  Best no compromise automobile - 2006 Subaru Forester
  By rootsmanuva82 - February 24 - 9:49 pm

  The Subaru Forester XT is quite possibly the best no compromise automobile you can buy. The XT combines WRX power, refined and responsive rally-bred handling and grip, smooth ride, comfort, safety and AWD versatility. Build quality is excellent and interior is very "bright" and airy with huge windows and a massive sunroof. Everything you touch is high quality. The XT builds speed with ease and goes down the highway like butter. The only con I can think of is so-so fuel economy. But with the performance you get, its expected.