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:

• 

  2nd to SEX! - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By wrxratd - April 2 - 2:00 am

  This little car is a BLAST to drive...I have driven alot of cars, and owned some top named sports cars...this car is WAY more fun to drive. Everything is exactly as it should be.

• 

  great car - 2004 Subaru Outback
  By vlb - April 2 - 2:00 am

  This is a fun and sporty vehicle. In southeast Texas it is sort of rare, so I get a lot of looks and questions. I agree that the front seats need more comfort and the tilt wheel could use some more tilt. Overall, I enjoy the reliability of Subaru and plan to keep it for years....unless the seats get considerably more comfortable...then Ill get a new one..Are you listening, Subaru?

• 

  New 2008 Impreza - 2008 Subaru Impreza
  By jchaplain - April 1 - 9:56 pm

  After researching cars for under $20,000 including the Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic I ended up buying the new 2008 Impreza which has a brand new body style this year. I read a few reviews that said this car lacks style but I feel the exact opposite. I got the silver 2.5i sedan premium package with a spoiler and it looks awesome, very stylish. Plus the biggest feature the Corolla and Civic does not have is the all wheel drive which makes the car extremely safe and fun to drive. If youre looking for a great car under $20,000 I highly recommend the 2008 Impreza, and this comes from a guy who never pictured himself in a Subaru!!

• 

  I miss my RS2.5 already - 2001 Subaru Impreza
  By jcwren - April 1 - 3:16 pm

  I bought my 2.5RS in 2001, and have never regretted it for a moment. Unfortunately, on March 23rd, with 121,823 miles on it, someone nailed it in a parking lot and did $7K of damage, so it was totaled out. I had a lot of amateur radio gear installed in it, and when I had to go to the body shop to remove it, I just about cried when I walked away from the car (yea, 49 year old guy). I had planned to drive it until the wheels fell off, and it was over-due for the 105K major service interval. Only real problem was a slow drip from the head gasket on to the exhaust, which left the garage smelling like hot oil now and again. Would I buy another? Without question (if I could only find one...)

• 

  Wagon of the Year - 2005 Subaru Legacy
  By driver - April 1 - 3:03 am

  Had Legacy GT wagon since 6/05 and love it. Im a closet gearhead but my job has me carrying a lot of trunk stock so I needed a wagon. This has it all, speed, agility, fuel mileage, space, and cool styling (for a wagon). 14,000 miles and still happy. Wished I had gotten the sunroof.

• 

  Engine Vibration - 2011 Subaru Forester
  By hharry - April 1 - 2:33 am

  Bougth my new 2011 Forester a week ago and have put about 250 miles on it. My main complain so far is the engine vibration at idle. Vibration can be felt through the driver seat when the engine is cold and then it reduces. Engine also makes noise when it is first started and then it goes away after few seconds but you can still hear a clicking noise coming from the engine like the valves are not tuned. Overall I am not very impressed with the car but willing to give it more time.

• 

  Oh My- What Fun - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By zsurfer - March 31 - 10:00 am

  Have had the car for 2 months. Cant get over the way the car performs. I came from a 92 GTI and thsi car rocks. Cant get over the rush of accelerations each time the tach hits 3K. Have to keep the turbo spooled to get the most out of the engine, but nothing beats crusiing along with the engine growkling along at the sweet spot. Oh and the AWD system is awesome. The car is amazing at spirited turns. Best bang for the buck. But if you are going to complain about the way the car looks or kack of leather and sunroof- This car is not for you.. You are just missing the point on what this car is about.

• 

  2000 Outback - 2000 Subaru Outback
  By Arunninreb - March 31 - 10:00 am

  For the most part my Subaru has been reliable and very fun to drive. Good service has been difficult to obtain, and repair parts are even harder. The car was involved in a high-speed freeway accident that could have been a life-threatening rollover in an SUV. Overall, the car came out of the accident fairly well (its been repaired and I still own it) and the occupants (my wife and child) were unharmed. Overall I have enjoyed owning this car. I highly recommend it as a family-car alternative to SUVs, due to the excellent fuel economy, handling, safety, and cargo room. I may buy another one..

• 

  All Weather Reliability - 2002 Subaru Outback
  By Denni Antonio - March 31 - 10:00 am

  I bought this wagon for my winter ski trips to Vermont from Long Island.Three trips with three people,skiis and gear for days away from home.There was just the right amount ofroom,comfort,reliable driving and good gas mileage(27mpg) I expected.Imagine that when my last car was a 1985 Jag Sovereign imported from Germany.

• 

  Its ok and thats it! - 2003 Subaru Legacy
  By R.J.M. - March 31 - 3:33 am

  I love the versatility of the car. I will say that it will get you where you want to go no matter what is true. If you can live with the lack of power, style, and mediocre gas mileage. The manual transmission is much better for passing and is more fun to drive. Gas mileage is the same if compared to any small SUV. I have 90000 miles on mine in four years of driving it and it has had a lot of work done to it some under the warranty and some by myself to save money (water pump, hug bearings, brakes and rotors twice, O2 sensors and a CAT, and just last week the viscous coupler and bearings went in the transmission). I do not beat on the car but I do drive it on the expressway 80 miles a day at 75 mph.