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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  2010 Forester - 2010 Subaru Forester
  By chris313 - January 12 - 1:34 am

  We purchased our 2010 Forester in Febuarary 2010 when our daughter was born. We mainly purchased it for safety and reliability. The vehicle was fun to drive and handled well. We were disappointed that the a/c compressor went out and even after being replaced continued to make a grinding noise and would quit blowing cold off and on. Dealership never was able to fix it. Also found that the seats were uncomfortable and fit and finish were lacking. We traded it off on a toyota, which we have owned several of and never had service problems with. Would not reccomend the forester.

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  Problem after problem - 2002 Subaru Legacy
  By kbauman - January 1 - 12:50 pm

  In the 5 1/2 years since we bought our 2002 legacy weve had to replace the oil pan (60k miles), head gasket (85k miles), and catalytic converters (88k miles). Our maintanence costs on this car are running at a rate of around $4000/yr, which is more than the payment of a new car. Its either a lemon, or Subaru just doesnt build them like they used too.

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  Update on the wind noise - 2015 Subaru Outback
  By elantra6 - December 29 - 6:20 am

  I talked to Subaru of America and the dealership- they both admit that MOST 2015 Outbacks and Legacy have loud wind noise coming from the front windows. They HOPE to have a solution soon??? They suggest putting masking tape on the seal??? So you buy a $30,000 + car and than go tape it with masking tape... nice! I feel sorry I bought this 2015 Outback. Better alternatives: Toyota Venza AWD , Nisan Rogue, Honda CRV, Toyota RAV 4 , Acura RDX even Hyundai Santa FE.

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  A car thats Bought with Good Intentions - 2008 Subaru Impreza
  By Trutsayer - December 25 - 10:36 pm

  I had a 2004 and had to replace it after I was hit and just not thinking got another hoping it was better as it changed---it didnt, it was NOT better. It gets just pathetic gas mileage to the point where I chatted with other owners that were sure that something was wrong as the mileage was so bad! Then the fantasy.ITs a car that you buy based on the fantasy that you will be 4 wheeling all over the place and plowing through 4 ft snow drifts and lake sized puddles. Reality= trip to grocery / gas station . Not much "fun to drive . Its not quick and peppy as the 4wd has its drawbacks . Then at high speeds when passing it would lunge in 3rd to 4th and make aloud CLUCK* sound both years. let-down

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  Update - 2003 Subaru Legacy
  By ajluptak - December 21 - 2:16 am

  This is an update to an earlier posting. After 32k miles, the Subie feels much older. Mileage, at 17 mpg city, is still awful for a 4 cylinder, 165hp car. Once again, my wife is primary driver and she is not hard on the car. Car responds very sluggishly to throttle input, almost dangerously so. This car has had all required service done to date. I have taken the car to three Subaru dealers, all of them say the car runs normally. Maybe we got a bad car or one with some issues, but it has soured me toward Subarus. Once again, if you can find a 5 speed manual car, buy it over the automatic.

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  Things They Missed - 2001 Subaru Forester
  By gram - December 19 - 10:00 am

  I have owned this vehicle for over an year, here are my comments and thoughts about it. 1. The Visor is too small, very inconvenient when driving with the sun on the driver side. 2. The cargo cabin window (passenger side) should have had the defroster too (would help in seeing blind spot better). 3. Jiffy Lube can do the same service at 15,000 miles for $50, subaru dealer (John Elway Subaru) charges $250.00 for an an oil change. 4. Seats are very hard. Lumbar support is useless. 5. Temperature guage cannot display temperatures below 0 degrees (shows the number with out the minus). 6. Temperature guage does not show inside temperature (no options available).

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  A disappointment. - 2014 Subaru Forester
  By phil_from_cal - December 17 - 1:30 pm

  All-weather package is the only feature of touring trim I found worthwhile. Navigation and infotainment systems are half-disabled when the car is moving. The CVT responds well in sport and sport# modes, but its horrible in the "intelligent". So while the gas mileage is close to specs if I drive in the "intelligent" mode only, those numbers have little relevance in real life. Actual fuel efficiency is a lot worse - I get around 20 mpg on the average. Steering feels a bit artificial. The ride is quiet at constant speed, but gets very noisy with even modest acceleration. The cabin is reasonably comfortable except for an awkwardly positioned arm rest that I keep bumping into with my right elbow

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  Good car.. poor warrantee service from Subaru - 2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek
  By Evelyn - December 14 - 5:37 am

  Fun ride. After 2 years this car handles well in winter. Too small for 2 kids. Fits as much luggage as a midsize car. Subaru service departments fight hard to avoid covering anything that is covered under the extended Subaru Care warrantee. I am getting rid of it soon while mileage is low for that reason alone.

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  Expected Better Quality From Subaru - 2006 Subaru Forester
  By 1st Subaru for Me - December 13 - 6:23 am

  Based on everything I read about this vehicle, I expected a quality, problem- free vehicle. Driving it is enjoyable, but Im finding out that the quality of some of the parts and pieces is cheap. The seat upholstery is kind of thin. The clear plastic on the engine gauges cover squeaks. A piece of rubber under the hood is loose in one spot, etc. One of my windshield washer sprayers stopped working. I have only about 1050 miles on the car so far. I never expected all these annoying things with a Subaru.

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  Nice, but many cheap aspects - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By Oatmeatstout - December 7 - 9:10 am

  Have had car for 1 month now and overall its a reasonable vehicle. The 2.5l engine seems fine for most uses and the handling is good for a vehicle this size. Interior has many inferior aspects that really detract from enjoying this car. I expect these will be improved in subsequent model years... I wish I had waited. Base stereo system is terrible, and Im not an audiophile. Eyeglass holder is hard plastic and anything placed inside rattles which is annoying.