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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  Perfect Car! - 2003 Subaru Forester
  By chillyoh - December 17 - 10:00 am

  My Subaru Forester is the perfect car for my needs. We live in a rural area with winding, hilly hard top roads. I drive over an hour one way to work in all kinds of weather. My Forester handles like a dream, provides excellent visibility and really hugs the curves. My last car was a Jeep Grand Cherokee and I much prefer the Forester--I feel like I am driving a really nice car, but have all the benefits of the Jeep and feel safer.

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  The 04 WRX is tight - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By MonkeyMan - December 17 - 10:00 am

  I just bought my new 2004 last week and all I can say is, WOW. It may be the smoothest, most fun to drive car Ive ever driven. I actually had given up on the 03 WRX cause I didnt care for the front design of the car with the bug-eye looking headlights and all. Then I saw the 04 at a big dealer show in my area a couple weeks ago and I didnt even realize it was a WRX. Subaru did a hell of a job on redesigning the body to make it more pleasing to the eye. Of course rear passanger space and cargo room are limited, which is why I got the sports wagon but thats fine with me since Ill only be in the drivers seat.

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  Quality - 2002 Subaru Outback
  By Area51 - December 17 - 10:00 am

  1st 6 cylinder Subaru Ive owned. Justifies the higher price absolutely! By far the best and safest Subaru Ive owned. A"Can Do" sedan in the SUV world. You own the pavement in comfort in this car.

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  Incredible "Bang" for the buck - 2009 Subaru Impreza
  By Joe - December 16 - 7:56 pm

  This is my second Subie, also have an 08 OBS. This gets about as good mpg as the 173 hp auto in the OBS. Ive gotten as high as 29.4 on the road and generally get over 27 even with occasional passing bursts. Town seems to be in the 23 range. Very happy about this. Ive owned most everything performance wise, Vettes (2), BMW, Porsche, Audis (3), Mercedes (4), Lexus. This is my 63rd car and it is a real winner for a fraction of what Ive paid for some other iron. No it doesnt have Porsche precision or BMW steering, or the finesse of an Audi, but it gets the job done on par with any of them and its loads of fun Im sold on Subaru. Car and Driver article sold me on the WRX over the STI.

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  Love it - 2003 Subaru Outback
  By Bean Owner - December 15 - 4:56 am

  Wonderful vehicle, great clearance, handling, braking, etc. Sound system with a sub is great, no need to purchase high end replacement speakers. Heats up fast in the cold weather. AWD cant be beat. Gas mileage is more like 20-22 mpg. No way you can get 26 mpg like stated by Subaru. All around a great buy worth every cent. Youd pay 10k more for anything comparable. Love it

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  Great Car! - 2010 Subaru Forester
  By Gail - December 12 - 10:53 pm

  Havent had for very long but really like it. Easy to handle, perfect size, and very practical. Plenty of room.

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  People are missing out on a great car! - 2006 Subaru Legacy
  By Kelly, Louisiana - December 12 - 6:30 pm

  After 3 weeks with this car, it seems to grow on me with every day. There should be many more of these on the road - youre missing out, people. The ride is firm, yet comfortable with confident feel. The features are plentiful for the price - especially considering all-wheel-drive and top safety ratings with rear side-air bags all included. This non-turbo version does seem to lack power at times; so I compensate by using the manual auto-stick feature and shift at high rpms when quicker acceleration is needed. But the great highway gas mileage is a fair trade-off for the mediocre power. With the cruise set at 70mph, the trip computer averaged 34mpg, and around 32mpg at 80mph. I highly recommend.

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  Love my new Legacy - 2016 Subaru Legacy
  By Corey - December 12 - 4:45 pm

  So many good things, Im just going to share the challenges. Two blown fuses already (charging ports). Entertainment system glitchy at times with Bluetooth or if hard-wired in. Sound system bit the strongest (I should have upgraded this).

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  Every Camper Needs One - 2003 Subaru Forester
  By KC in WA - December 12 - 10:00 am

  Bought it at invoice May 27th and been lovin it ever since. We took it camping to Yellowstone with 4 adults (~2900 mi)and it performed well off and on-road (30 mpg average with a cargo box!). The engine seemed a tad winded on very steep grades. Handles great even in tight curves and with a fully loaded cargo box! We took it places where no regular wagon would ever dream of going. The only thing it didnt do was make hot chocolate for us while we watched a wolf pack at 6 am!!

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  Goodbye Passat - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By Seattle - December 12 - 10:00 am

  I traded in my 1999 Passat V6. Was rather tired of the Bosch electrical drama all the time. I am only down 25hp from the 190 V6 in the Passat and it tracks far better (AWD) and handles about the same! Exterior wind noise is minimal and interior sound deadening is wonderful....like the Passat. The safety I feel is there as well. Just to know the engine will submarine under me in an accident and there are imbeded roll bars in the door coupled with good crash test has me hooked. The boxer engine reminds me of my BMW motorbike........smooth and durable ( I hope).