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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  A VW Convert - 2003 Subaru Impreza
  By vdubincali - May 22 - 2:00 am

  Well what to say: amazing grip, incredible launch, hard to break the tires loose. Nice styling especially for my wagon model. Completely changed my idea of Subaru as a family car. Looking forward to hitting the mountains in the AWD! Actually having space for humans and skis/snowboards, boots and garb. Easy access to storage. Nice engine design. Aggressive styling. Fogs light up the road like spots! Handling to the point of having to lay off due to fear rather than loss of traction. Nice headroom in back seats. Nice stereo for a stock system. Overall a great buy!

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  05 Forrester - 2005 Subaru Forester
  By garyd3 - May 20 - 10:00 am

  Have the car for a few weeks now and enjoy driving it. Had a 94 Legacy before, and like the workmanship that goes into the Subaru line. Car is peppy, drives like it should... not a comfy as a sedan, but not as choppy as a SUV. Consumer rating was 8.7 when I wrote this, but rating should be higher if you add up the ratings. Mistake here I think. Make sure if the offer you an extended warranty/service plan that you negociate HEAVILY or dont get it at all. Watch out for the "scare technique". Overall I am very happy with the purchase. These cars can get expensive but if this is close to the 94 Legacy I have, well worth the investment.

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  Subaru 4 cyl wagon turbo limited - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By Larry Larsen - May 20 - 10:00 am

  I have driven excellent old Cadillacs. This car rides and handles much better. It is agile, responsive, quiet, and a joy to drive.

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  Im officially a "Subie" now. - 2006 Subaru Forester
  By Ohio State Buckeye - May 19 - 7:16 pm

  We just purchased a 2006 Subaru Forester X-Premium (Champaign Opal Gold) - loaded. We absolutely love this vehicle. I had 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited (V-8) before this vehicle, which was a gas guzzler, needless to say. We love this car, fun to drive, peppy with 173-hp and 0-60 in about 8 seconds. Also, 23 city and 29 highway, not bad at all for a car with that kind of pick-up. With a lower center of gravity (boxer engine), the car handles like a sports car in the corners; you dont get the tilt in the turns as you do with other vehicles. Quality is top notch on the same line as Toyota and Honda. The resale value in very good as well. I would again purchase another Subaru.

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  Delightfully Surprised - 2014 Subaru Forester
  By dbrothers - May 18 - 2:42 pm

  Have 1,000 miles on it in three weeks and its getting as advertised gas mileage and thats with blasting the air conditioner. CVT is not loud like a lot of people complain about. I owned a Honda CRV for 4 years and the Subaru is quiter, faster and get better gas mileage. The 2014 body style is smooth and Im actually looking forward to driving it in the snow this winter.

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  I love my Forester and all of the other Subarus Ive owned. - 2001 Subaru Forester
  By jbunting82 - May 18 - 1:04 pm

  My Forester has been great since the day I bought it. Its never once ever left me stranded and gets me where I need to go every time. I dont ever have to worry about if it will let me down even with the 140,000 miles it currently has on it. I have had to replace some things here and there along the way, but thats normal on every kind of car. I see these people on here complain about Subaru and it makes me laugh. Subaru builds some of the most reliable vehicles on the road and dollar for dollar there is nothing out there that beats their overall value. Im convinced that if youve had nothing but problems with your Subaru, the real problem is probably you, not the car.

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  The best compact sport sedan ever? - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By Jeff Dulude - May 18 - 4:46 am

  The only problem I have had with this car was the check engine light came on once. Upon contacting the dealer, they were aware of the problem and remedied it overnight and provided a loaner car. I have done the rear brakes at 66,000 miles and have done regular service and oil changes. The car is fun to drive and has power to spare. The stock tires are sufficient in the snow but I feel a snow tire would perform better. I love this car.

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  Wonderful - 2003 Subaru Impreza
  By cohcoh - May 17 - 2:00 am

  This is my first stick car and its been an awesome experience. :O) Youll get a lot of looks if youre a girl driving one too! >:O)

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  Why didnt I buy one sooner? - 2003 Subaru Impreza
  By dshope007 - May 17 - 2:00 am

  This is the car to have, at least untill the STI comes out this summer. I have never had as much fun driving a car. I never want anything to happen to this car or I will be a very sad boy. If you have the loot, buy one now!!

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  Very Best All Around Vehicle - 2001 Subaru Outback
  By RickyRed - May 17 - 2:00 am

  My Outback AWD Wagon is solid, dependable, quick, economical, and luxurious. I got all of this for 25K! It outdoes Honda, VW, Toyota by far! It also gives you much more than ANY BMW or similar luxury AWD for the price.