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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  Im Sold - 2016 Subaru Outback
  By Wayne Hartman - March 17 - 12:49 am

  Love the car. Love the ride. I love it more with every mile I drive.

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  Solid, no-nonsense vehicle. Good value. - 2004 Subaru Forester
  By wolfie2 - March 16 - 10:00 am

  Im six months and 13,000 miles into this subaru, and I cant say enough good things. It handles very well in all weather, the vehicle is well balanced, feels sturdy, has very natural interior controls, and good headlights. All the essentials are standard - ABS, cruise, power. If you want a no-nonsense vehicle, this is it. It does what its supposed to do, nothing more, and does it well. If youre sick of features that do nothing but cost you money down the road (VOLKSWAGEN! ARG!) then this is it.

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  I love my Impreza!!!!! - 2012 Subaru Impreza
  By ryanlongacre - March 13 - 11:59 pm

  For years Ive been driving Toyotas. When it came time for me to buy a new car though, I wanted something different. I found the different in a brand new 2012 Subaru Impreza Premium. So far, it is AMAZING!!!! Ive never been excited about a car, but this Im pinching myself going, "Hey, this really is your car....this isnt a dream." I realize that Im still in the honeymoon phase, but I do plan to update this review in time to point out any problems or issues Ive come across.

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  The Best Small SUV - 2005 Subaru Forester
  By Bob - March 13 - 9:43 pm

  This is hands down the best small SUV available on the market today. Great performance and excellent MPG for an AWD vehicle. Drove all of the competitors extensively and NONE of them comes close to the quality/features/performance and bang for the buck of the Forester. Feels extremely safe and secure on the road, yet is very fun to drive and a pleasure to ride in. I have owned many vehicles, and this is by far my favorite.

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  Couldnt make it to 100,000 miles! - 2000 Subaru Outback
  By Jenster - March 13 - 6:43 pm

  This car was great in SLC where we bought it, but as soon as we headed east in 2008 the trouble all started. 85000 miles & middle of Iowa and catalytic converter blew and needed replaced. Which we just replaced AGAIN a week ago due to check engine light. The car has 112,000 miles and has had 2 catalytic converters, knock sensor, 2 O2 sensors, and a cracked valve repaired all this to the tune of about $8000 in 18 months. Our Toyota Corolla from 1992 runs better than this car. We bought it based on the great ratings of 200000 or more miles... this wont make it! Back to a Toyota owner after this experience.

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  SuperSportWagon! - 2005 Subaru Legacy
  By tintinet - March 13 - 3:13 pm

  Awesome car; terrific bargain; tuner-ready! Needs: AWD family and fun to drive vehicle (and I AM a sports car fanatic!). Considered: Audi S4 Avant (too pricey, too unreliable); BMW 330Xi and 5 series wagons (no manual transmission, slow compared to LGT); STI (wife wouldnt ride in it; too garishly styled; bit small for ski trips with kids). LGT Limited Wagon: beautiful as is; modified (ECU tuning; uppipe, downpipe, exhaust, tires, gauges, springs) a 320 HP/360 ft/lbs torque supersports wagon! Terrific aftermarket and enthusiast community for this car. Love it all the way!

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  First Time Subaru Owner - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By John - March 12 - 12:36 pm

  Ive put on 5,000 miles in the first two months and Ive been very happy with the experience. Its comfortable and has a lot of nice commuting features; blue tooth, Sirius radio, all wheel drive, and good gas mileage (27 mpg). Its good in snow but the critical test will be how well it does on the beach this May. Good value for all the features included.

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  Bought it and Waiting... - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By BuzzCT - March 11 - 3:30 pm

  I saw the new Outback, and was lucky enough to have driven it. I immediately ordered one. It is a HUGE improvement over my 2007! The car feels much roomier, and the seats are infinitely more comfortable. I was amazed at how much power the CVT has with the 2.5 engine. And the fuel economy seems perfect for a car of its size. The 2005 change was big, but this new version is huge: I would imagine theyll be very hard to get at first, since its a great boost for the brand!

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  STI performance quality - 2005 Subaru Impreza
  By Dan - March 9 - 1:10 pm

  I love my STI. Coolest and fastest car Ive ever driven. Buying one pre-owned for me was easier on the wallet: car price-wise and insurance-wise. The MSRP for a STI brand new is about $32-33K. Pretty steep for a young bachelor such as myself. The dealer I bought off of started the car at $31k but was willing to crank it down to $29k, which was sufficient. I got a lot for the money; 300hp, dramatic acceleration, great all-wheel drive system, brilliant supercar interior. Just driving it, I forget Im in a Subaru; its a velocity dream car that can outrun a 280hp Mustang in the 1/4 mile. I feel really safe in the STi. Get a lot of looks driving down the road. The car looks mean. I love it

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  Best Car I have ever driven - 2005 Subaru Impreza
  By Subie Newbie from VA - March 6 - 11:20 pm

  I was driving a 1992 Acura Vigor which I learned on and was beginning to give me problems. It had 160K miles on it and was starting to show its age so I decided it was time for a new car. I looked at the TSX, 9-3, Mazda 3 and 6, and the A4. All great cars but in many cases I had to sacrifice something to gain something else. I drove the WRX and I was hooked. I have a dog and love to ski and mountain bike so the wagon is perfect for that. It looks great so it turns heads although its unassuming enough to hopefully not turn too many cop’s heads, and it has more go juice than anything else I drove, lots more. And with the exception of the Mazda 3 was the cheapest. WRX all the way.