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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  Fun Car - 2002 Subaru Forester
  By stacecz - August 6 - 10:00 am

  I love my Subaru. The Forester has been extremely useful and reliable in tackling the Colorado winters and mountains. My husband and I also use the car to haul materials to remodel our home. Many of the design complaints (location of cupholder, no keyless, etc) have been remedied in the 2003 model.

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  The best street legal rally car - 2005 Subaru Impreza
  By Zach - August 6 - 7:33 am

  I had a 2003 WRX and everything I wanted to improve on the STi did. The power is NOW and never quits. Run some race gas mixed with 91 and hold on. Take it on a mountian road and enjoy the slight oversteer. Ive talk two different people into buying one and theyre as happy as I am.

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  2011 2.5 Limited with moonroof - 2011 Subaru Legacy
  By dlb14frost - August 5 - 6:01 pm

  Have the Subaru for a week now and have racked up over 650 miles. Expressway and back country roads were all handled quite well. Car is sure footed and the cvt is so smooth with good acceleration. So far it seems to be doing quite well in the fuel economy department as well. Havent had in snow yet (the recent blizzard) missed us.

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  Love driving this vehicle! - 2008 Subaru Outback
  By MarcusinPitt - August 2 - 11:06 pm

  A lot of friends questioned why I would purchase a wagon rather than a sports sedan such as the BMW 325xi, but I was looking for a vehicle with some utility, and this vehicle is a great alternative to an SUV/Crossover with much better gas mileage and handling. With only 1500 miles, the car is getting 23mpg (city/hwy combined). It rides 10x better than my 2006 Honda Accord and much quieter I must say. This Subaru is surprisingly elegant with a great interior layout, quiet, smooth ride, good handling all the while maintaining nice attention to luxury and durability. Despite the lack of a few accessories/options that are standard in most cars in its class, the car is a great buy!

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  First 3000 miles - not perfect but would buy again - 2017 Subaru Outback
  By Seattledriver - August 2 - 7:44 pm

  Switched to this after 10 years in an Acura MDX. Kids are older, wanted better gas mileage and the latest safety stuff. In some ways not fair to compare this with a 50K+ SUV, but mostly we are pleased. Some thoughts. First, test drive all the trim levels. We got the cloth version as a loaner while we had some accessories installed. The smaller wheels made it ride a little better, and the cloth seats were as comfortable or maybe more so. Also, the tan leather we got is already turning gray. Its not a great material. The manual says not to put any kind of seat cover on it, too. Second, the steering wheel gets REALLY cold. Ive never had a heated steering wheel but never really noticed the steering wheel being cold in cars before. The touring model has a heated steering wheel. If you live somehwhere cold, thatd be really nice to have. That model also comes with darker leather which might wear better. Second - I am in Seattle, and we have had snow and rain like crazy this winter. The Subaru is simply awesome in the elements. Nothing could be better. With the Eyesight system, we feel really, really safe in this vehicle. Our MDX had a great all-wheel drive system too but the Outback is every bit as good or maybe even better in the snow and heavy rain. Third - does it sit high enough if youre downsizing from an SUV? Yes. This vehicle sits higher than the old, car-sized Outbacks, and as high as a lot of crossover SUVs. The slightly lower height from the MDX has not bothered me. Would we buy this again? Absolutely, but maybe in either the touring or the cloth. We are also probably going to buy the new Impreza as a second car, to get the Eyesight system in both of our vehicles. Once you have that, you wont want to go without it. And if you want AWD and that suite of safety systems at a reasonable price, Subaru has no competition. Good luck in your car shopping!

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  Great Car - 2005 Subaru Legacy
  By wilber - August 2 - 1:10 pm

  I like everything about this car except for the daylight running lights and the way they are connected to the emergency brake. I have the GT with manual tranny (the weight is close to 200lb less than the limited GT) and the performance is fantastic. Gas ranges from 21 mpg for hard driving to about 30 mpg on trips.

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  A great performer - 2006 Subaru Impreza
  By Nick - August 2 - 6:16 am

  I have owned two STis in the past 3 years. They are great cars. Both of mine are highly modified and can handle immense amounts of stress. The car is a great daily driver, comfortable, good mpg, amazing handling, and much more. This is a great car if you want to go play in the mud and then go beat up on some Corvettes. The next car with as great bang for the buck as the STi is the $70,000 Corvette Z06.

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  Most Fun I Ever Had! - 2005 Subaru Baja
  By Renee - August 1 - 10:10 pm

  This is such a great vehicle. I lusted after the Brat in the 70s but never got the chance to own one. Thirty years later when it was time to buy a new car, this new version was on my list. After test driving an Infinity G35, VW Passat, and Mitsubishi, this was my last and final choice. As soon as I got behind the wheel, I was hooked! Ive had this car for 2 years now and havent regretted purchasing it once. For a fun time, dependability, and unusual looks, check this one out. People stop me all the time and ask about it; its different from everything else on the road. Go for the manual transmission... its great fun!

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  Dang good car - 2009 Subaru Legacy
  By imacarguy - August 1 - 11:02 am

  I bought this car used with 20,000 miles and it was certified pre owned. I am accustomed to powerful cars, and this car isnt. Thats ok, because there is more to a car than drag races. The power is adequate, but I think Subaru should tune the 4 pot to 200hp, then bump the 3.0 a little more. Very fun in corners, and the rain. Beware the stock Yokohama Advan tires. Crap, especially in the rain. Otherwise a great car. I like the looks of this generation more than the current, especially in sedan form.

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  Drove in snow for first time! - 2008 Subaru Legacy
  By Granby - July 31 - 9:53 am

  I just drove my Legacy that I bought in April in snow for the first time and it is unbelievable! My driveway had over a foot of snow in the driveway and I just plowed right through it! Cant put a price on that. Ive been very pleased with this car since the day I bought it, but seeing it perform in these conditions makes me LOVE this car.