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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  So much fun for so little dough - 2006 Subaru Impreza
  By Daily_Driver - October 11 - 5:33 pm

  The STis performance rivals, no, outright destroys so-called sports cars 3-4 times its price. 0-60 well under 5 seconds, with no serious performance degradation in the wet (thanks to the AWD), this car just keeps giving and going. And it has 4 doors and a usable trunk to boot...amazing!

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  WRX Wagon - Impressed. - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By John - October 10 - 9:53 pm

  Great car...quick, agile.

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  Loyalist remains loyal - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By Tom - October 10 - 7:03 pm

  I loved my old Legacy way (97). The new 09 Forester is a perfect size for my small family. Excellent Visibily, handly, performance, brakes, suspension that dampens road bump, quite cabin with well insultated dooe frames, Versatility (family car on pavement, country car on dirt roads nice clearance. Simple yet functional ergonomics, good power on base.

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  nice car - 2002 Subaru Outback
  By grummite - October 10 - 10:00 am

  Very nice car. It performs very well in rain. Havent had a chance to try it in the snow yet. Worth looking at if you dont want a SUV but want the AWD and space. It holds more then my Jeep Cherokee Sport.

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  Great car! - 2017 Subaru Legacy
  By Alan Caldwell - October 9 - 4:50 pm

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  If The World Only Knew - 2005 Subaru Legacy
  By chrisb - October 8 - 6:53 pm

  I have spent the last 6 months researching cars much like the rest of the reviewers here. I also came to the same conclusion. Subaru has hit the nail on the head. I have heard some wishing for more horses, the same engine as the STI; well it is the same but de-tuned. I have a pocket full change that I saved buying the Legacy and it will become a rightful 300 horses like its smaller sibling. Take my advice, save your money, buy a Subaru and use the money to upgrade the ECU and some other things.

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  Two Time Buyer - 2004 Subaru Forester
  By rosesattic - October 7 - 10:00 am

  This is my second Forester. My first one had 87,000 miles and NOT one single problem in 4 years. This time I got the automatic with leather.... am very pleased with performance and overall features.

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  New legacy gt limited - 2010 Subaru Legacy
  By westie - October 7 - 8:56 am

  This is my first new Subaru. Drove and compared lots of sedans. For the money Subaru offers more features not found in similar cars, manual transmission and all wheel drive. Lots of interior space, back seat and trunk are great. New styling really grows on you. Have seen very few Legacys on the road especially GT Limiteds. Every other car is a Camry or Accord. Love the Turbo,car really goes for a 4 cyl.

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  Love my Subie! - 2010 Subaru Impreza
  By ret - October 6 - 8:43 am

  This is my first Subie after years owning German cars. I am really surprised at this little package of fun & all-wheel-drive. It is very comfortable and seems much bigger when sitting in it then I expected. I also had my eye on the Mazda 3 but was sold on the AWD.

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  MPG is better than listed - Fun drive! - 2007 Subaru Impreza
  By Lauren - October 6 - 4:23 am

  Six months and 14,000 miles into ownership, and I get happier each time I drive it. I use the Sub mainly to commute 3 hours each way into D.C. over the mountains and down the hills. Why the Suba-Rules: - The bucket seats are comfortable, great for long drives; - Very responsive steering; nimble; - Very responsive acceleration and most importantly, - I avg 27-29 MPG. The worst I got with plenty of city driving was 24 MPG. On trips where the speed limit was 55, I broke 30 MPG. Initially, the listed 22 MPG on this site and the 22-27 MPG on the manufacturers site made the decision to purchase a bit of a drawback but AWD was important. Turns out, I got a nice mix of fun and function.