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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  All purpose vehicle - 2012 Subaru Outback
  By ken90004 - July 5 - 5:15 am

  Owned for two year, have 36k miles. I had no complaints about the car at all. Good gas mileage. I towed trailers and a camper with it with no issues. It is great in the snow and bad weather. Best AWD system out there in this price range. And Subaru is dedicated to their customers. Top notch service all around. I spent a year of research before making my buying decision, and now as an owner, I will own nothing else but a Subaru.

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  Best AWD Sedan Available for the Money - 2008 Subaru Legacy
  By subaruconvert - July 4 - 4:50 am

  The spec.B is worth the premium over the 5 spd GT; much better handling, better tranny / shifter, better wheels / tires, nicer interior. An "adult muscle car" that will also excel in bad weather. Mileage is right at the EPA of 17 for city cycle after 500 miles of mostly urban commute, and Im not always easy on the throttle. Performance could be called "stealth": quiet and comfortable until you hamnmer it! After comparing to the G35X, A4 3.2L, Passat 4Motion and Mazdaspeed 6, this car is the clear winner to me with great build quality, performance, balance of ride and handling and the ability to get a 6M tranny vs. an auto.

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  4x4 - 2001 Subaru Legacy
  By seanjhon - July 4 - 2:00 am

  subaru is the best car i have driven and i will recomend it to anyone.

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  Wow... and WOW! - 2003 Subaru Impreza
  By ZumaJay - July 4 - 2:00 am

  What more can be said about spending less than 26K out the door w/ a WRX fully optioned-out? Thanks to MIKE A. @ SM Subaru for letting me push him around! Anyhow, I LOVE this thing!! The car just wants to go fast... it wants to corner hard... it wants to make the driver happy.

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  Post 1,000 mile impression - 2005 Subaru Impreza
  By just Mike - July 2 - 10:00 am

  4 cylinders and a turbo... It is absolutely incredible what Subaru has accomplished with this car. "Slotcar" type handling and tons of power. Acceleration, lane changes, passing, and stopping are effortless; you just "think it"... and it happens. Most fun I’ve had in a car in a long time. I almost get a "predatory twinge" while driving this car.

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  Still kind of amazed. - 2007 Subaru Legacy
  By Dan - July 1 - 9:46 pm

  I was looking for a reliable, safe, affordable ($20k or under) car big enough to for 2 car seats (though this is not our primary family car) that didnt look & feel like every other car on the road. I drove the Civic & Rabbit, then the Outback Sport. The last was a little cramped, so the dealer suggested the Legacy. Its bigger, more powerful, with much nicer styling, and in a completely different class than the others. Looks great, and IIHS Gold crash test ratings. I got the 07 with the sport trim (fog lights and spoiler).

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  2010 Outback - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By herndon1 - July 1 - 1:16 pm

  Wow! Subaru is getting it right. Great mileage, 23 city, over 30 highway and huge gas tank 18.5 gal. equals a 450 mile range. High quality interior--seats in both front and rear incredibly comfortable. Roof rack is ingenious and will be copied quickly by all other brands. CVT takes getting used too, but it does succeed in keeping engine revolutions very low and thats how SOA is getting the great MPG. Navigation system with Ipod, bluetooth and satellite radio works great--as good as Ford Sync. Great navigation screen--as good as Acura, Cadillac and Lexus. Very quiet interior--a new breakthrough for SOA. SOA sales are up 34% for the last twelve months. This car will sell very well!

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  Baja - 2005 Subaru Baja
  By Bob - June 30 - 1:56 pm

  I recently purchased the Subaru Baja Sport for my commute to work. Although its only been about one month since I bought the Baja it has proven to be a good choice. I am getting 28mpg. Its fun to drive and though its no sports car it handles and accelerates good enough for me.

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  Im impressed - 2008 Subaru Tribeca
  By Suzy B. - June 29 - 10:53 pm

  Just drove the new 08 Tribeca. While cleaning my house and finding the Subaru magazine, I looked through it and found out about all the new changes of the 08 Tribeca. I own a 06 tribeca and have always been disapointed with the engine and transmission. So, went to town and drove the 08 and found the difference to be very very noticable within the first few seconds of driving it. I went back the next day and purchased the new 2008 Tribeca. I love all the great changes. Thanks Subaru!!

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  Not bad for the money - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By rlim6 - June 29 - 2:00 am

  Very nice sport sedan for the money...best in practicality and performance...for the money. With 40,000 miles on the car now...only had problems with driver side power widow (fixed) under warranty. Car still feels new and solid. Paid list for the car...no regrets... I still love driving it and feel good after driving it.