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:

• 

  Cold Feet - 2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek
  By Carol Pastushok - January 12 - 5:12 am

  I bought my 2014 subaru a little over a year ago. This past winter I really noticed how poorly the heat works. My feet and legs get so cold Im tempted to put in a heating blanket. The service dept said..."Cant do anything...the heating system is weak" Also very noisy at highway speeds...cant listen easily to my audio books. Finally, some of these problems might be tolerable if the MPG was better than 23 using 87 octane. The service person said the computer says 26 MPG ??and its winter.

• 

  I cant wait until I trade it in - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By denisa - January 10 - 9:43 am

  As a former Legacy owner, I planned on a Forester, but bought an Outback because the seats were far more comfortable. I regret my decision daily. The projector beam headlights are horrible - they create a dark "curtain" that dips up and down and cuts visibility. They also blind other drivers and I am constantly being flashed. There is steady wind noise on the drivers side. The tires are terrible - slid off the road in slush my first storm out. Shifts between gears too much. The rear window is high, angled and small and makes parking and backing up difficult. The back-up lights are not bright. No keyed trunk release! The seatbelt bell is a nuisance. So-so on fuel. I hate this car.

• 

  GT Limited review - 2006 Subaru Legacy
  By Candy Cunningham - January 10 - 7:13 am

  Overall, a great car for those who prefer high-performance than those who prefer vault-like quality. My GT cant compare to quality of Camry/Accord, but those are family cars, not drivers cars. This thing is fast, has AWD, and comes with every imaginable bell and whistle. People compare it to other $30K sedans, but, with incentives, you can get one for $26K, making it a bargain compared to BMW 325xi, Volvo S40 and Audi A4. Only cars that can keep up are BMW M3, Volvo S60R, and Audi S4 - all close to $50K. Ive had a few things go wrong, but warranty covered them.

• 

  A fun, fast car - 2005 Subaru Legacy
  By SilverBulletJoe - January 9 - 10:03 pm

  I shopped Acura TL & TSX, as well as BMW 325xi, and got the Subaru! More power than any of them, handles 95% as well as the BMW, and is a lot of fun to drive. Also, Subaru will deal a bit, while the other ones wouldnt (and the 05 TSXs werent even available at all). Mileage isnt the greatest, but not surprising with all of the power this vehicle has. Very smooth, quiet.

• 

  Oil consumption problem - 2012 Subaru Impreza
  By gailbk - January 8 - 7:56 am

  I am experiencing a significant problem with my Subaru Impreza 2012 with excessive use of oil and the oil light going on. I understand from the service people that this is caused by "blowback" past the cylinders, causing excessive oil use, inconvenience to owners, and an inflated cost of ownership (synthetic oil is $8/qt.) Subaru insists this is normal but when I traded in my Lexus at 257,000 miles with never an additional drop of oil between oil changes, I certainly didnt expect to trade it in for an oil guzzler like the Subaru Impreza. Subaru will do nothing and insists this is normal - - at least for them! Any ideas how to pressure Subaru? It was fixed for the 2014 model.

• 

  It Rocks! - 2007 Subaru Outback
  By Jim - January 7 - 4:53 pm

  This is my third Outback and this is a quantum leap over my 2001. Smooth, strong acceleration, great sport shift, good mileage, 20-22 mpg in town. Beautiful interior and paint. Love the firm but compliant suspension. New sunroof is big and now opens all the way. Looked at Lexus, Acura, Infiniti. Subaru beat them in all categories above, and about $8,000 dollars less. Do not exceed 4000 rpm for the first 1000 miles and use the accelerator sparingly and you will not be disappointed. After that, let her rip. I also own a pristine 2001 BMW 530 w/SP. Would rather drive the Subaru. The best value on the market.

• 

  Great AWD, some annoying weaknesses - 2012 Subaru Impreza
  By hughk4 - January 7 - 1:44 pm

  Bought this because I needed AWD, but didnt want a truck or an SUV. When conditions make AWD necessary, I love this car. Other times I like it a lot, but there are several things that keep me from loving it. See my suggested improvements for these comments. If you need AWD, this car has very few competitors in its price range. Of the 4 cars I own, when weather is bad, everyone wants to drive the Impreza.

• 

  Time Will Tell - 2008 Subaru Outback
  By Walter - January 6 - 3:40 am

  I had a 2004 Toyota Tacoma 4x4 crew cab. I no longer need the truck to go into the woods. Several friends have Subarus. They always talk highly of them. I traded my truck in and got this vehicle. At first I wasnt pleased. It is a vehicle that takes time to get used to. I just went to NYC with my vehicle. I got 33 mpg, 27 mpg in the city. If you obey the speed limits you will get very good mileage. If you need to "punch it" when driving, it is very slow to respond. The back seat isnt made for adults. I do like the dash board display. If you need to replace 1 tire, then you need to replace all 4 of them because of the symmetrical awd. Thats something they dont tell you when you buy the car.

• 

  WRB - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By Michael Apatoff - January 6 - 2:00 am

  Love the car, is a blast to drive, performance is awesome, styling is great, plenty of aftermarket parts available

• 

  Wanna another one - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By Lunnzz - January 6 - 2:00 am

  I have owned the since 3 July 03 and have been enjoying the car ever since I got rid of one Subaru to get this one and am glad at the time it was the only one on the lot and I was leary about buying a demo but I had to have it. Although it does not get the best gas mileage it makes up for that in the fun to drive department. It has lots of power and my wife also enjoys driving it. The fact that it does not come with a radio or floor mats.But who wants to listen to a radio when you can listen to the boxer engine singing as you drive it on a twisty road.