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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  The car of the Century - 2005 Subaru Impreza
  By smurfy - July 2 - 12:16 pm

  This car is an amazing vehicle, although it is not as gas efficient as i would like, i would not trade it in for anything, it is the funnest car to drive, just hearing that turbo whistling is music to my ears.

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  3rd in the family - 2012 Subaru Legacy
  By mpople - July 2 - 7:49 am

  The third Subaru I have adopted, The first was a 2009 Forester, the second was a 6 cylinder Outback 2012, and now a 2012 Legacy. Yep, I guess we have become a Subaru Family

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  the worst car ever - 2016 Subaru Outback
  By James Yerks - July 2 - 4:14 am

  The worst car and the worst company support .Please look elswere and don.t buy any subaru .Our car has very bad steering and no held but alot company b-s.Kelly and megan are a company [non-permissible content removed] and won.t buy back our car that we call a skate board. Do yourself favor and don.t buy a subaru.Jim Yerks

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  My car went boom - 2006 Subaru Impreza
  By STigoesboom - July 1 - 1:20 pm

  I buy cars to race and to tune them. I have worked on Lambos to Kias. My brother owns a shop in Delaware where I do all of my work and dyno tuning. I was very surprised when then engine practically blew up with minor tuning (nothing internal and factory turbo). After talking with other people who have tried this seems to be a common occurrence. My suggestion... buy the car if you want a fairly quick car that is going to be left stock. You want to tune your car and make it special to you...buy something else.

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  What a value - 2006 Subaru Legacy
  By firstimesubyowner - July 1 - 11:40 am

  For the money this car cant be beat. On highway, Im on it a lot, 30 mpg. Comfortable ride, handles well in all types of weather. Car feels very tight and secure. Looked at many cars but I just couldnt beat the value. Paid $23,700 with everything but Nav. The sport shift is fun to use once in a while. I had an 2004 A4 as a company car but I like this car better.

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  Great for families (my intended purpose) - 2014 Subaru Outback
  By marbs34 - June 30 - 1:35 pm

  I really like this car, Ive been looking into it for the last couple of years. All of the merits fit what Ive wanted it for. Lots of room, reasonable gas mileage, car-like handling, off-pavement ability... This car gets it done, after the first couple of weeks getting adjusted to sitting up higher than what i traded in, (2013 Buick Regal GS) I took it on a road trip 400 miles each direction and was very happy with its comfort for the trip. The seats are great,supportive yet soft while not creating circulation hot spots over long periods, the driver lumbar support is actually very, very good as well.

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  Bag the Hill Holder! - 2004 Subaru Forester
  By sabregirl - June 30 - 10:00 am

  I have a manual 2.5 X bought in February. The dealer did not show me the "hill holder" feature until after I had signed all the paperwork. I didnt see any reference to it in the literature beforehand either. I HATE this feature! Other than that, the car is brilliant, and I was really excited to begin with. But everytime I have to race the engine to get it to move forward on a hill, or it sticks when I try to reverse (even not on a hill!) my enthusiasm decreases. Has anyone else had problems with this feature? I would not have bought this car if I had known it would act like this at stops. I have a complaint in to subaru now about this.

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  OUTSTANDING!!!!! - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By JoyceM - June 30 - 10:00 am

  This vehicle is absolutely the most fun to drive. Two guys that I work with (all of us are in our 40ies) told me I would love it, and I do!! It makes me smile every time I drive it. I drove the 350Z and Infinity G35 coupe before I bought my STI. The STI will smoke either vehicle.

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  This thing is a beast. - 2005 Subaru Impreza
  By jondoe - June 30 - 10:00 am

  This is the most amazing car that a true enthusiast can own given this type of price range. It is an amazing blend of value, comfortability, performance, and reliability. It never stops putting grins on my face, whether it is raining or shining. I thought about the Evolution, but given Mitsubishis poor reliability, warranty denial stories, and also stories of them spying on Evolution owners. I chose to go with Subaru due to previous positive experience with the manufacturer. I have driven everything out there from little Miatas to E46 M3s and this thing blows them all away.

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  Stylish & practical value wagon - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By nigel1000 - June 30 - 10:00 am

  Exterior - improved over the 04 model, with the silver/grey and gold/grey combinations particularly attractive. More conservative than the Mazda 6 but more interesting than the equivalent Audi & VW wagons Interior - one of the most attractive available for less than 25K, with very nice materials and workmanship, and an elegant and simple dash; std 8-way heated power seat Performance - very stable and quiet on the freeway, even at speed over poor surfaces; nice & precise cornering with very little lean or bounce; base engine power adequate, which SprotShift auto improves somewhat Saftey - outstanding, with good manoueverability, excellent visibility and