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:

• 

  Hate my Car - 2006 Subaru Outback
  By Sue - September 13 - 10:20 pm

  I was hoping my Outback would be a reliable, safe car for me and my kids to drive. This car has been a nightmare. The inside door panels had to be replaced because if you used the arm rest the fabric came up, the front seat handle broke off, the mud flap in the back was missing screws, the air conditioner made horrible sounds and had to be replaced, went through a "minor" puddle and had to have the car towed, abs and brake light comes on and to top it off the car died and oil began to come out of it. Roadside assistance wont come, unless I pay for the tow and have it towed to my house and then towed again in the morning to Subaru. Im so glad I bought this car -- NOT. What a LEMON!

• 

  WRX STi - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By RallyProCar - August 24 - 10:00 am

  My WRX STi is very fun to drive and the all wheel drive sticks you to the road. I was a little disappointed with the interior design. 300hp is of course rated at flywheel and not at wheels. Dyno revealed 12% drop to 264hp, which is still impressive, but a 6 cylinder would have done better for reliability and would be much smoother. The old M3s put out 192hp from a non-turbo 4 cylinder and that engine was not worth the pretty penny, but they were more fuel efficient. Dont do this to a 4 cylinder. Start with a 6 cylinder! Weight distribution could use tweaking and why is this a 6-speed? Thats what you get for hiking up the hp. Engine cant handle the power!

• 

  BAD CAR - 2002 Subaru Outback
  By MARKUS - August 16 - 10:00 am

  Bad clutch shudder, steering vibration, mushy brakes

• 

  A great car, ruined by Subaru - 2008 Subaru Impreza
  By bensti - August 13 - 11:20 pm

  This was my first Subaru. I bought it as a CPO with 19k miles on it. About 1300mi after buying it, the MAF sensor failed, then at 3k miles, the engine spun a rod bearing and failed, got a new engine which was broken in properly and then failed from another cracked piston 5kmi later. Oh, and did I mention that it sat in the shop waiting for Subaru to get off their asses and fix it for over a month each time. On top of that, the transmission has begun to have issues, like it wont go into 1st gear without a horrible grind, the dealer says it is "Not a major problem"! Headlights failed, rear diff failed, clutch failed due to bad work from the dealer, and the car is still broken Buy an Evo

• 

  Wish I had my outback sport - 2001 Subaru Forester
  By Nathan - August 12 - 10:56 pm

  My first Subaru was a 98 impreza outback sport. I loved that car, except the seats. I bought the 01 forester s after my wife hydroplaned and totaled her car. I have put close to 60k miles on the car since I bought it used. In that time I have had to replace the front right wheel bearing and hub, right rear wheel bearing, left rear wheel bearing x 2, both servo boots, knock sensor, catalytic converter, and head gasket seals. The left rear wheel bearing had to be replaced the second time because the dealer apparently used a chisel to remove the bearing and scored the spindle causing it to ware prematurely. On both occasions SOA did reimburse me. I do all sch. maint. & still have prob.

• 

  Not impressed - 2002 Subaru Outback
  By AUDI - August 2 - 10:00 am

  We bought it for the AWD for VT winters & mud season. Performs well in the elements but not an enjoyable ride otherwise. The clutch is difficult and the interior seating is small & narrow. Have had to replace the breaks several times. Check engine light comes on frequently. Repairs have gotten expensive - one of the worst cars Ive owned. I miss my Honda!!

• 

  Quality problems - 2008 Subaru Forester
  By asdf - July 10 - 5:33 pm

  I have now had the XT newer version for a little over two years. At 9k miles the engine seized up! I had poor customer service until I called Subarus US headquarters and tried to talk to president to complain about the quality of their cars. In the end; Subaru fixed the car. I have had LED puddle lights short out each winter (one time I actually witnessed smoke!) Now, I need to take back to dealer again with separate electrical problems. I would be satisfied with this car if I didnt have to take to dealer so much. The XT engine is nice, and the cargo space is just right for a small family. The fake color plastic bits by door window switches scratch very easily.

• 

  2010 driving Outback - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By ij39mf - June 25 - 2:26 pm

  I bought 2.5 outback. The car lost its charm. Its not fun to drive, it feels underpowered, hard to park, heating system still needs improvement. My Subaru used to be a poor mans BMW. Now its an old man wagon. Im not going to buy any more Outbacks.

• 

  Subaru not what they used to be - 2005 Subaru Forester
  By mark33 - June 19 - 10:00 am

  I thought that Subaru made good cars until I bought one! I have had nothing but problems with my Forester and even more problems with the company(Subaru) In my opinion I would buy a Honda or Toyota

• 

  Going back to Toyota - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By debafish - May 31 - 9:31 am

  Ive had nothing but problems with my Subaru Outback since we bought it. We burn through breaks, head lights and the car smells of burnt rubber after minimal driving. When the ABS light came on I took it to the dealer and they couldnt diagnose it (they failed to mention I need to leave the car running with the light on to diagnose..so they said). Now that is has 104K miles they tell me its the ball bearing, covered until 100K by warranty. Then the turbo went out, $1600 later its still smoking when I drive. Today they tell me the head gasket is shot and it has two leaks. This car is a money pit. I04K miles and a lot of issues, Im going back to Toyota.