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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  True Drivers Car - 2009 Subaru Impreza
  By Nick - April 16 - 3:13 pm

  Ive put just over 10K miles on my WRX & I have a smile pasted on my face every time I drive it. Its extremely safe, capable, and fun-to-drive. To enhance performance I added a Cobb downpipe, a (second-hand) SPT exhaust, and a "street" ECU tune from a local Subie tuning guru. I also added slightly thicker sway bars & replaced a few suspension & chassis bushings for a tauter ride (I suggest Whiteline products - theyre top-notch). Now the car is nearing its performance potential, but it still delivers a very comfortable ride on Oklahomas junky roads. I looked at cars in the same category (turbo & 4-doors), but the AWD & hatchback sealed the deal for me.

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  Gotta love me turbo Subies - 2010 Subaru Legacy
  By Andre - April 16 - 2:56 am

  This is my third Subaru, and second Legacy. First Subie was a 2002 WRX, then a 2005 Legacy 2.5 Turbo GT. I loved my 2005 and yearned for more space and a six speed manual. I picked this car up three weeks ago and have 460 miles on it so I have not yet broken it in. The six speed has short, precise shifts. The engine is very smooth, and appears to have a bit more power than my 05. Subaru did one hell of a job adding space inside of this car. It is much bigger inside and much more comfortable. The 2.5GT Limited is a mean looking sedan, and is what the WRX strives to be. Great car, well equipped, fully loaded with NAV was 33K out the door and you CANNOT beat Subarus AWD in the winter.

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  Was a great deer hunter - 2001 Subaru Outback
  By Kirk - April 14 - 10:50 pm

  We got the outback limited with 115000 miles on it. The only items I replaced were the wires and an alternator which was very simple to replace. The one thing that drove me nuts was the seat heater buttons. I was always turning them on, bad placement. I lost the car when a deer ran in front of me. I was going 75 mph and the car stayed straight as an arrow. The car was totaled by the insurance co. My wife and I did not get even a scratch. So we bought another 2001 outback with 68k on it. I hope to get 250000 k on this one. I still have to put up with that seat heater button.

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  Great Car....Love it!!! - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By WRX - April 14 - 10:00 am

  This car is great. It has outstanding performance and reliability. Believe me...when you press on the gas you will not believe the power and performance it delivers....well worth the money!

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  Love It So Far - 2009 Subaru Outback
  By DogMomCT - April 14 - 9:20 am

  Recently purchased, 7/25/09. First Subaru and AWD vehicle. Wanted an Outback due to New England weathers and having cargo room for my 2 Labs. Really grips the road. No snow yet obviously but it does great in heavy rain. Stereo is supposedly premium: speakers seem to rattle a little if you really turn it up.

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  Jack of many trades, master of none...but thats fine by me. - 2013 Subaru Legacy
  By rickallen - April 14 - 8:00 am

  I bought this to replace my wifes aging Toyota Corolla. We wanted something with AWD that was more roomy than her old car and still got above 30mpg highway. On paper, the Subaru fit the bill perfectly. With the updates to the transmission, engine, and chassis for 2013, I was much more impressed than with the 2012 and older models as far as throttle response, steering, and overall feel of the car. It was an easy decision to get the added room and 30+ hp over the newly redesigned Impreza.

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  My first Subaru - 2008 Subaru Impreza
  By RT - April 11 - 4:36 pm

  All the reviews about paint problems are true. I bought this car 9 months ago and cant believe how fragile the paint is. Ive only got 6,000 miles on the car and it looks like theres 4 years of abrasion on the rear qtr panels. Severe chips on the hood and front of the vehicle. Hopefully Subaru officials read these reviews and do something because theyre losing customers. This was my first and believe me last Subaru. Unless you want to pay for a total repaint every 3 years stay away from this car. Other Subaru models have the same problem. Oh and do something about the ridiculously low passenger seat and whats with the holes in the front bumper?? Not all states have front license plates!

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  Jaw dropping test drive - 2009 Subaru Impreza
  By chris - April 11 - 10:23 am

  I looked at way too many new cars before finally test driving this car and instantly forgot about all other cars I was looking at. I bought it the next day. The power and AWD this car has blown me away. It handles like a dream. I have pushed this car in all the weather I can find and have NOT been disappointed. Even when driving this car as calm as I can possibly drive, I still only average around 26mpg, which in the grand scheme of things, isnt too bad for 265hp and 244ft/lb of torque from a small engine. Great car. I highly recommend anyone test drive one who has even thought about the car. Well worth your time.

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  Very Good, Could be Better - 2007 Subaru Legacy
  By jbwilliams25 - April 10 - 1:13 pm

  I find the seats uncomfortable as they push my shoulders forward. the headrest causes me to tilt my head forward unless I recline the seat. Then either my hamstrings or lower back hurt depending on how I adjust the seat. Drove with a Lancer Evolution and did well from Lake Arrowhead to San Bernardino CA (6000 to 1500 ft). Brakes faded then melted. Suffers brake overheating at 65 mph in the mountain and I have to hold it in 3rd gear as advised by the dealer to prevent brake overheating while mountain driving. Too much body roll. Great performer and very fast, beat crotch rockets on the curves. Needs aftermarket brakes and anti-sway bars to be near perfect! Also, speaker that dont blowup.

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  I am in love!!! - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By kf - April 10 - 3:26 am

  Turned in a leased Jeep Grand Cherokee, but still wanted AWD, room for 2 kids and 2 dogs. Well I got it and so much more! Added leather to the Premium model, well worth it. Seats are beyond comfortable and interior is so spacious. My 2 kids, both in carseats, are not kicking the back of the seats. The new larger body style is perfect. So fun, peppy and comfortable to drive and I cannot believe gas mileage, especially compared to previous vehicle. My car is as quiet as a whisper, I love the dash layout and can read every inch of it w/o a problem. So glad I waited for new body style, people doing "double takes".