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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  how it is - 2005 Subaru Impreza
  By Johny Tran - August 25 - 10:00 am

  i like this vihice because its fast reliable and can get you a few more minutes of sleep! im planning t tune this car up because im participating in a rally event and hopefully ill get first but everyone at work is talking about how greata sti is and how fast they are, i also like subaru.other models i have owned in my previos years are a honda civic si, evo 4 and a integra gsr. but the sti takes the cake and im like ity the best out of all my cars.

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  Third times charm! - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By km - August 25 - 10:00 am

  Bigger, plusher, more leg room, and more slylish than previous Subarus. Re-styled (esp. the back end, which is less gaudy) and a bigger, more plush cabin. Quiet, smooth ride. 8.4” ground clearance. Base model loaded with goodies: heated front seats/ windshield/mirrors, power drivers seat, 6- speaker stereo w/CD, cruise, 4 side curtain airbags, titanium/wood trim, plush upholstery/mats, trip computer, rear spoiler, etc. Ive test driven everything recently (Toyotas, Hondas, Saturns, etc., all sizes/ shapes), did my homework, used a spreadsheet, and still each came up short. The test drive blew me away...this is NOT my fathers Buick!

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  6 Month Review - 2012 Subaru Outback
  By gebdog - August 23 - 7:23 am

  After approximately six months of owning this vehicle and 10K miles of driving I have to say I am very impressed. My wife and I tested similar vehicles before choosing the Outback. We are getting better than the advertised city and highway driving mileage. We decided to change out the factory installed tires for Michelin HydroEdge and happy we did. The new tires make an already nice ride feel more stable although with a little more road noise. We lost the passenger door speaker and once that was replaced the Harmon Kardon stereo sounds great.

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  So far So Great! - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By CaliSubaru - August 23 - 3:43 am

  My Wife and I just purchased this car, so were waiting to speak to reliability, however so far we have been very, very impressed. The 4-cylinder 2.5L engine coupled with the new CVT is both amazingly smooth and will also give you all the power youll ever need for acceleration or uphill climbing. Our test drive was very hilly and not having the roar of a downshift going up a steep grade was my favorite thing about it. The Interior is brilliant, simple, utilitarian but still nice to look at. Dont be afraid of the CVT, learn a little about it, and youll love it! Other mini-SUVs just dont compare when you look at the AWD, CVT, and ground clearance.

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  Wish US made a wagon like this. - 2016 Subaru Outback
  By Garry - August 22 - 9:21 pm

  We havent bought a new car in about 10 years, and took this purchase very seriously. We basically wanted all wheel drive in something that would get good gas mileage, and after a lot of research the 4-cylinder Outback seemed to fit the bill. Weve had it for 2 months, and already have 3500 miles on it. I have to say I love driving this car. The ride is great, great handling, the seats seem to be comfortable as we have taken 4-hour drives in it. The electronics are probably more than I would have wanted, but the options came with the power passenger seat and sunroof I did want. I use the cruise a lot, and the adaptive cruise option is neat. The only problem so far with the car is mileage. One reason I chose the 4-cylinder was EPA highway of 33 mpg. So far Im only getting about 29. Ive asked about that, and the Subaru dealer told me it would improve over time. Well see. But I would recommend the Outback to anyone.

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  This Outback Fills The Bill - 2017 Subaru Outback
  By Walter Churchill - August 22 - 2:21 am

  Living in Maine its important to have a reliable car that can handle all of the various road conditions. Although I have 3 cars (a Lexus ES, a Mitsubishi Eclipse, and the Outback), my vehicle of choice during the winter has always been the Subaru. I previously had a Subaru Baja, but after 12 years it was starting to see the effects of the Maine winters. I recently replaced it with the Outback Limited. Subaru has finally started to add the technology and creature comforts that have been around for many years in the Toyota and other Japanese cars. This car is extremely comfortable to drive. the steering is tight and predictable, the breaking is excellent, and the Navigation and I-sight systems work well. Although Ive only had the car for a few months, the more that I drive it the more that I like it. Its not as quiet and doesnt have the soft ride of my Lexus, but its still very quiet at highway speeds and the road feel is smooth. There is little or no lean going around curves. The various controls, although logically positioned, still took a little getting used to as they are somewhat different than other cars I have owned. However, after driving the car for a few months Ive gotten used to where everything is and have no issues. The car has great visibility, an incredible amount of interior space, and several features that Ive only seen on some of the more expensive luxury cars, such as heated and reclining rear passenger seats. I anticipate that this car will be trouble free, and the Subaru guarantee is bumper to bumper including "wear items" (such as windshield wipers, break pads, etc.). I would not hesitate to recommend this SUV to anyone.

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  amazing drive - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By katybaylor - August 19 - 10:00 am

  I have SOOOO much fin driving this car, and I am bored when driving with others or driving other peoples cars. When I go on vacation it is the thing I miss the most.

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  Blown away - 2005 Subaru Impreza
  By Sport driver - August 19 - 10:00 am

  Subaru has just lowered the price of the 2005 Impreza RS from last year. They also just came up with a lease price thats hard to beat. So, I leased my first car ever. With its All Wheel Drive, (AWD) 2.5 165 hp motor, I find it the most fun and safe car I have ever owned. I always knew they were great cars, but I am blown away at the handling of this new and improved 2005 RS from Subaru! Kudos to Subaru.

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  Impressed by 2017 Forrester - 2017 Subaru Forester
  By New owner - August 19 - 12:45 am

  I knew I was going to buy a Forrester. I got the eyesight package by mistake and am very glad I got it. It cost an extra $1200 and worth every bit. The insurance on the new car was a little cheaper than my six year old trade in. The car is much better than expected for the price.

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  Form meets Function - 2005 Subaru Baja
  By JustLee - August 16 - 9:20 pm

  This car/truck is just plain fun.