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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  MY 06 SUBARU - 2006 Subaru Forester
  By roger evans - June 7 - 6:00 am

  Car has exceptional quality and handling; the only problem is I am a big man and getting in and out is a little problem at times. If you could make an auto seat that would drop back when getting out and return you to where you were comfortable when getting back in would be exceptional design. Otherwise my Subaru is an great auto.

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  Totally Different Forester - 2004 Subaru Forester
  By I am not Crunchy - June 5 - 2:00 am

  We liked our 2001 Forester for its utility and reliability but thats all it was, utilitarian and reliable. The 2004 XT is a totally different car. Beyond trimming the 0-60 time nearly in half compared to our 2001, the car feels much more solid and confident in all driving conditions. And the size of the moonroof is just plain cool.

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  Good visibility - 2016 Subaru Forester
  By Andy lam - June 3 - 9:20 pm

  With the tall window glass and front door triangle glass the visibility is unlimited. No more blind spot compare with other competitor feel safer when driving down the road

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  Love my new Outback! - 2016 Subaru Outback
  By Chuck C. - June 2 - 11:22 am

  You can get the specs on this car anywhere, so theres no need to belabor them: from a capability versus cost (both upfront price and long-term costs like gas, maintenance, and depreciation), you cant go wrong with this car! Really, its closest competitor is its sibling, the Subaru Forrester. We seriously considered the Toyota RAV4 hybrid which is the gas mileage king of the AWD vehicles in this basic size class. The RAV4 hybrid was fun to drive but its gas mileage advantage over the Outback was only 5 MPG (EPA combined) while it was much more cramped than the Outback in both the back seat area and the passenger front seat. This tradeoff ultimately led us to choose the Outback which actual cornered better than the RAV4 hybrid and was almost as quiet.

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  My outback - 2016 Subaru Outback
  By Barb Dunaway - May 31 - 5:05 pm

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  Underrated Car - 2018 Subaru Legacy
  By Aldo - May 31 - 4:07 pm

  I think the knock others give any Legacy with the 2.5 engine needs to be challenged. I have found that I have plenty of power and cant understand why there are those reviews that call for more. It simply makes no sense. I have all the get up and go Id ever want. The car is comfortable, quiet, and loaded with technology. The EyeSight system works flawlessly in every way and the interior is nicely appointed, giving the impression of a much higher priced luxury car. In fact, within the last couple of months, we rented a so-called "luxury" car while on a trip to the west coast. Our Subaru is a far better car in every way. I love the steering responsive LED headlights, and I love their auto dimming/brightening capability as well. The Harmon-Kardon sound system makes listening to media a total joy. The only knock is not having an extra inch to take the front seat back. Im a big guy (64) and could use just a tad extra, but still, compared to competitors cars, I can get in and out with much greater ease. The ride is quiet, braking is solid, yet not abrupt, and the AWD gives it superior handling characteristics.

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  2010 WRX 5-Door Satin White - 2010 Subaru Impreza
  By rudy - May 31 - 5:06 am

  Prior to purchasing this car I test drove the new GTI, Speed-3, and the Mini Clubman S. However one drive int he Subaru WRX and the decision was easy. The Subie impressed me right away with its combination of incredible power and AWD grip. The interior is well done too. The sport seats are perfect and the cockpit looks awesome with the glowing red gauges and white needles that sweep upon start up. The engine revs very smooth and transmits little to no vibration at idle. The steering communicates good feedback with the road and offers a very tight turn radius. In the back the 19 cubic feet of cargo area allow for this car to be both a utility vehicle and a weekend toy.

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  Hard to Beat - 2008 Subaru Tribeca
  By C. J. DeSantis - May 31 - 12:23 am

  I backed into the Subaru Tribeca because the Acura Dealers were not willing to negotiate on the RDX. That caused me to research more and I found the Tribeca with a six cylinder engine instead of a turbocharged 4 cylinder and I never looked back. Ive now had the car 3 months and I am very happy the Acura dealers were shortsighted. The Tribeca is the most fun to drive of any car I have ever owned and Ive owned quite a few. It corners and holds the road like a sports car. The "toys" radio, gps, sound sys are excellent. The backup camera is great, especially at night. Mileage is average, in the 18 to 20 range. The one shortcoming is the gas tank. It should have greater capacity.

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  Basic Black Elegance,The Velvet Brick - 2016 Subaru Legacy
  By Joyce heasley - May 30 - 11:49 pm

  Beauty, brawn, and user friendly ! Quality transportation that performs as advertised ! high safety rating ,plus awd to help me through the slick and nasty weather.

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  What a fun ride - 2005 Subaru Impreza
  By Richard D Black - May 29 - 5:56 am

  When I finally decided to buy my first new car, I knew there was only one choice; a Subaru. I was debating an Outback 2.5i, but didnt want that high of a payment each month, so I went with the reliable Impreza Wagon. I cannot complain. This thing rides like a top. It was a great improvement over my last car and I play to drive this for hundreds of thousands of miles, as most Subarus will run forever. I really wish that the factory accessories didnt cost so much.