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:

• 

  Underpowered car, slow, ok design - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By bob_b - December 7 - 8:50 am

  I have purchased the car and have put 2000 miles on it so far. My initial thoughts: This is underpowered and a slow car. I am not expecting 0-60 in 3 sec but 11 seconds is too slow especially when merging on the highway. I wish all exterior colors would come with dark interior but no, only few (not my type). Also some rattling noise is coming out of the dashboard, not a big thing but can be annoying. The factory roof rack is very flimsy, bad design. On the positive side. The car is roomy on the inside. Seats are very comfortable. All the interior features are functional and placed correctly. Not sure if I had to do all over again if I would buy the same car. Look at other options as well.

• 

  Disappointed - 2008 Subaru Outback
  By Outback - November 24 - 2:00 am

  I loved my 2002 Outback! My second Subaru is at the opposite end of that scale. This 2008 is like a tunafish can in comparison. Very uncomfortable. Seat does not go that far back and is uncomfortable for a 58" driver. Ride is rough, Gas mileage is only 22-23 mpg, (expected more.)Tires are small. Overall, very disappointed and will never buy another Subaru. How could a car change for the worse, so quickly? Cant wait to get rid of it!!!

• 

  Subaru Stalls - 2003 Subaru Outback
  By John Sauer - November 23 - 9:30 pm

  Almost from the day I took my Subaru home I have had problems. The car has poor and erratic idle, loses power while driving and stalls. Subaru (several dealerships) has attempted repairs, replacing MANY parts, over the three years I have had this car. Each time the problems resurface. Low idle, power loss, stalling at stops. I am past my 36,000 warranty and Subaru has committed to honor the warranty for existing problems, but that is little consolation as I have to continue living with a $32,000 car that I do not trust. On more than one occasion I was almost stranded on long trips with wife and baby.

• 

  Horrible transmission - 2010 Subaru Forester
  By cupcakebaker4 - November 19 - 4:54 am

  It seems that any time I change speeds suddenly, my car revs up and feels like its stalling. The first time it happened, I was on a major highway and went to pass in the left lane when suddenly the car revved really high (as if I threw it into neutral and stepped on the gas pedal) and wasnt moving! I saw a car coming up on me in my rear view mirror and thought, "thats it, Im a goner!" Just today on my way to Subaru for the seat belt recall, as I pulled out onto the highway, the car revved to 5 and it felt like the gas pedal was stuck. When I slow down to make a turn at a corner, the car jerks when I put my foot back on the gas. 3x back to the dealer; they say thats how this trans works!

• 

  Is it really a performance car? - 2017 Subaru WRX
  By AirLokita - November 8 - 9:07 pm

  So I always wanted a WRX and decided to buy one to replace a BMW 135i. I have to say, a little disappointed. Everything everyone has written is mostly true regarding outward visibility, ergo, handling -- all excellent. Very confidence inspiring in the twisties. But theres a big problem: its slow. Its just a slow car. Would be quite surprised if this dynod at the advertised 270hp. Not Prius slow, or stay out of the left lane slow, but its really not quick. The aforementioned BMW - and Id guess any x35/40 series of BMW, would eat this for breakfast/lunch/dinner on almost any given road. The salesperson insisted I keep it under 4K RPM on the test drive, and I just sort of assumed there was a more active part of the powerband above 4K. Nope. I like the car though. Its companionable, and I trust it (unlike the BMW). Not a bad value. Shoulda bought the STI.

• 

  CVT Noise? - 2017 Subaru Outback
  By derekonweb@yahoo.com - October 28 - 6:23 am

  High humming noise when running at low speed. Dealers technician checked and said this was due to CVT transmission and its normal. I used to own a car also with CVT but much quiet. MPG was about 15% lower that Subaru stated.

• 

  17 Legacy Drives great, terrible interior tech - 2017 Subaru Legacy
  By Martin - October 10 - 3:19 am

  Overall I like how the car drives but Im disappointed in the technology. I got the base model legacy, it has no Nav, no sat radio, the seat needs to be adjusted manually, only the driver window is auto up/down, and the climate control is a joke. Its a knob to turn on the heat or AC. It will not display an interior temp or allow you to set one. Just heat on or off. The USB port is in a terrible location, up under the radio and the door to this compartment wont close right if a phone cable gets in the way... which it always will. The phone button will allow you to make calls but wont let you hear a ring... so the person just starts talking from silence. Interior cloth seats are also terrible as this should be some sort of polyester or something that might prevent staining. Subaru Starlink is a complete joke and is a useless app/phone integration. I thought Ford MyTouch was bad.... Overall the 2014 Ford Fusion had much better tech but drove like a boat. In fact my 2002 Infiniti G20 at least had interior climate control.

• 

  Initial impressions - 2010 Subaru Legacy
  By marvinlee - October 8 - 9:13 pm

  This is an initial review at 104 miles of use. The car rides well, dealer prep was poor--the compass-mirror was not set to this region and tires were badly over-inflated. The dealer also failed to prevent this factory ordered car from being unnecessarily driven by dealership employees. Perhaps that is why it now has a slight piston slap in one cylinder. The manual explicitly states not to exceed 4000 RPM before 1000 miles. The H-K music system is excellent. The steering wheel tilt-telescope control is awkwardly positioned. Body gaps are larger than the car being replaced. The white paint appearance is excellent.

• 

  Great car, but... - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By St.Paul - September 19 - 4:46 pm

  The 2009 Forester is a re-design. Bought Topaz Gold (hides the dirt) and love the huge moonroof. No one told me that the premium package had been seriously downgraded since the previous model year. So, do your research on this car, things have changed. Drives nice, steering is a little light at low speeds, basic cloth seats are cheap w/no lumbar support, tons of road noise with this model, could use a little more power, moonroof not tinted, reclining rear seats are a joke. Go top of the line and get turbo and power leather - youll be happy.

• 

  RattleTrap II in Eugene, OR - 2010 Subaru Forester
  By Not so Happy in OR - September 17 - 6:13 pm

  After all of the excitement we are very disappointed with this vehicle. Rattle/buzz from day 3. Moonroof rattle, both front doors buzz, cargo door rattle. Then to top it off, not just a drift but a continental shift to the right when one releases the steering wheel. We took video to document, Left lane of freeway to right lane without really wanting to change lanes. To say the least we are frustrated with this car. I drive for a living so I know all about rattles and buzzes, never suspected a brand new car . My 1988 BMW with 297K drives better and no rattles. The car has been in the shop 3 times since we got it 12/26/2009. Thank god it is a lease!