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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  Love my Subaru Wagon - 2000 Subaru Impreza
  By Lisa Green - June 23 - 9:50 pm

  I love my Subaru Impreza Outback Wagon. Its such a reliable little car and is always ready to haul gear for my band, carry mulch for the garden, or go on vacation. My costs for repair in the last five years have been minimal, with the exception of replacing one oxygen sensor (to meet NY state inspection) and replacing the timing belt (standard after 60,000 miles).

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  Great for grownups too - 2003 Subaru Baja
  By EyeDoc - June 23 - 10:00 am

  Traded in my Wrangler to get better security and utility while keeping the ability to get up the mountain to work in winter. It carries 4 large bales of hay for the horse. The "switchback" opening (covered by a cargo net) gives our dogs plenty of air while letting them ride inside. Plus, with just over 10,000 miles I get 30mpg. No problems and no regrets.

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  Did NOT let me down! - 2012 Subaru Impreza
  By tbuchanan - June 22 - 7:01 am

  I owned a 1999 Subaru Impreza and loved everything about it until it died. I just (less than a week ago) leased a 2012 Subaru Impreza Hatchback, the 5-speed. Being a lover of the stick shift I was pleasantly surprised. My last stick shift could barely make it up a specific hill in 3rd gear and let me tell you this impreza cruized on up in 5th gear - at 6mph none the less! Some claim the interior is less than perfect, but come on when has Subaru been on the leading edge of sync technology or anything like that. If you are driving a subaru it is becuase of the AWD and reliability. So far I love it, but then it has only been 3 days. I will post an update in a few weeks/months!

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  Zippy, Fun, Safe Car - 2008 Subaru Forester
  By SK - June 21 - 11:50 pm

  This is my first Subaru and I love this little SUV. It has good pickup and it feels roomy inside. Its also easy to park. I was happy with all the safety features and feel secure on the highway in traffic. I cant wait to try it in the snow. I like the cup holders in the doors and the interior is comfortable. I have only had it a month so Im hoping its reliable. And where I live there isnt very many of them so its kinda special.

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  Love this Vehicle - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By Lisa Mullen - June 21 - 12:33 pm

  I purchased my Tribeca three weeks ago after driving a Suburban for the past 8 years and I love it! It is very comfortable and easy to get in and out of. It has plenty of power for the mountain roads. I especially love the DVD Player for our kids. The trip to our cabin this past weekend was the quietest trip we have ever had. Since purchasing my Tribeca I have had four people stop me and ask what it was and just the other day found a doctor peaking into the windows while I had it parked in the parking lot. He liked it so much I ended up opening the doors to let him take a look at it.

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  WRX Finally!! - 2009 Subaru Impreza
  By Eclem - June 21 - 8:10 am

  Ive owned 4 Imprezas so, sure; I drink da Kool-Aid. I had my own mfgrs. rep. business for 17 years and Impzas were THE answer for lots of winter driving all over New England. The performance / price quotient was perfect. Am now retired and driving less than 10k / yr - so I finally got the "slightly" impractical / monster fun WRX 5-door Premium. AWD has saved my bacon for many years so I had to stay with it - and Subaru reliability has been so solid - had to stay there too. Yep, the audio quality is lacking but I dont really need much juice to listen to my redneck talk shows. FM reception IS very good - we live in the country so it must be. Did spring for Winter 205s on 16x7 Alloys.

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  Love the Tribeca - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By Ali - June 20 - 11:40 pm

  I have had my Tribeca for almost a month and LOVE the car. I traded out of a Lexus RX330 and have not compromised at all. I have every available option you would need and the car drives like a dream. It is heavier than the Lexus but that is due to AWD that is standard on Subarus. I would definitely recommend this car!

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  Cant go wrong with the STi - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By RodSTi - June 20 - 6:10 am

  This car is an excellent choice if you are a driving enthusiast who wants a daily driver. The engine pulls good at any RPM, almost feels like theres no turbo lag in day-to-day driving. The car is practical even with its design intent. Four doors and easy to drive make it a great daily driver. The gas mileage may be poor regardless of how you drive, but you will be hard pressed to drive this car like a normal person. The car begs you to push it as hard as you can. The suspension is tight but you can live with it. I have raced that car in autocrosses and the handling is fun, you can achieve oversteer with the right tire pressure. The brakes are also out of this world.

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  Excellent vehicle! - 2003 Subaru Forester
  By Mrs.Bean - June 18 - 10:00 am

  I very recently purchased a 2003 Forester 2.5x after months of researching & test driving. Not only was it a pleasure dealing with the sales staff, they were extremely fair. The car/truck/wagon is perfect. Im a new mom, and we love to camp and hike. The Forester is a perfect for going to the grocery store as well as going for a day trip to the mountains. I must admit- its feels "cooler" than a station wagon, while not being a gas guzzling SUV. Its been a pleasure to drive!

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  First Brand New Car - 2012 Subaru Impreza
  By darkblash - June 15 - 6:41 pm

  Buying a Brand New car is never an excellent value. However, Subaru is not only well know for their exceptional reliability, saftey, and customer loyalty, they are also one of the top brands listed for resale value. When comparing the 2012 impreza on paper to its closest competitors it is not definitively going to jump off the page as the best choice in the segment. That is dependent on what your needs are; if you live in the snow belt, and are interested in upgrading or trading the car 5-10 years down the road, the impreza is a great choice. Many complain about the MPG not reaching 36mpg hwy.