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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  Absolutely Awesome SUV! - 2005 Subaru Forester
  By TomnThurmont - April 18 - 4:26 am

  This is easiest the best vehicle Ive ever owned! Its comfortable (even for a big guy - 63", 230 lbs.), gets incredible gas mileage (I average over 27 mpg), and is really fun to drive. You get the good of a SUV (visibility, ease of entry/exit, etc.) as well as superior performance/gas mileage. What a fantastic vehicle!

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  Lots of potential - 2016 Subaru Impreza
  By zicronsoft - April 17 - 9:39 am

  First, Id like to point out that I originally had a 2015 base model Impreza that got destroyed because of someone on their phone, and thanks to the high resale value, got a 2016 with some spare change. On that note - I was hit at roughly 45MPH, and I got away with nothing more than a couple bruises and a stiff neck. I didnt have any passengers, but if I did, all of them would have survived too. If you want something safe, this is a great car. Anyway, since this car is effectively the same as the 2015 model, this review counts for both. Id also like to point out that some of the flaws with the car are easily addressable: 1. Bluetooth is highly dependent upon your device. I have experimented with multiple phones and they all had different levels of audio quality and reliability. Whats also interesting is if youre having issues with any of the cars apps, it is still possible to play media through the Bluetooth "channel", but you lose the steering wheel controls to operate the app. Different phones behave differently via USB too; iPhones have the most functionality. Some phones will charge via the USB port, some dont. 2. If you have the hatchback like I do, you can reduce noise level with a solid trunk cover. I made one out of fiberglass and cloth. It looks decent and lowered the overall noise level by about 1 or 2 dB. Im guessing the sedan model is slightly quieter, since the trunk (and the wheel well in the trunk) isnt exposed to the cabin. 3. The sound system is actually a lot better than critics claim. The problem is the cars default sound settings are dull. But, this is one of very few cars in its class that has a pretty good equalizer. With a little adjustment, you can make the sound quality go from mediocre to enjoyable. The audio still wont be amazing, but you can make it good enough. 4. The complaints about noise and performance can really be pinned down to the CVT model. The manual has very average performance and doesnt drone. On the other hand, the CVT model can keep the RPMs lower, so that model is likely quieter at speeds below 20MPH. 5. The interior and user controls may be plain, but theyre practical. You can operate them with gloves. You can operate them without taking your eyes off the road. Theyll stand through wear and tear without looking so tarnished. Would you rather have something that looks cool now but tacky a decade later, or something that looks bland but doesnt embarrass you? 6. Itd be nice if the car was slightly more powerful. But, you can tune the engine to make it a little more responsive at lower RPMs. I figure for most people, that isnt worth doing. Anyway, this is a very comfortable and practical car. Other cars in its class are hardly more fuel efficient (while lacking AWD), have less passenger and cargo space, have worse visibility, have considerably less ride comfort, and less reliability. This car isnt exciting, nor is it meant to be. Its competitive but also has a niche. I would not recommend this car for anyone who lives in hot/dry climates, but the effects of AWD are very noticeable. If you do anything off paved roads, get the Crosstrek. Theres enough info out there about what makes this car good. But, I do have a few complaints about it that you might not have heard: * The rear windshield wiper intermittent timer is way too short, and using the spray for the rear wiper will sometimes be a little drippy if you recently used it. * Shifting from 1st into 2nd is pretty difficult to do smoothly without wearing out the clutch. All other gear shifts are fine. * Reverse doesnt have synchros, so it can be a bit tough sometimes. * Some panels feel incredibly cheap. A little bit of underlying structuring wouldnt add much to the cost or weight of the car but would make these thin plastics feel more solid. * The exhaust pipe starts to rust within weeks. Pretty much everything else looks good, but I wonder how long this exhaust will last. * If you dont use the key remote, you may find the alarm system to be pretty obnoxious (it can be turned off though). The seatbelt chime is also annoyingly loud. * During the winter, the car takes longer to warm up than anything else Ive been in. It can take as much as 15 minutes until I start feeling a little bit of warmth through the vents. You could consider that a good thing in terms of efficiency and friction within the engine. * Coldness really hurts fuel economy. You might lose as much as 4 MPG (compared to summer temperatures) if the temperature is below freezing.

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  Great vehicle, finally grown up - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By downeast3 - April 17 - 12:30 am

  Seems every time Subaru revamps a car there is quit a lot of controversy. I formerly drove a 1997 OB with 5 speed. I loved it but had to give it up due to poor ergonomincs. Im 63" and used to get a lot of right hip pain when I drove for more than 2-3 hrs. I had a lot of 16 hr plus cross country trips in that car and it used to just wear me out. I had to swear off Subaru untill the 2010 came out. Love the fit and feel. Very comortable, more economical with the 6 speed. Not a dog but not as sporty either. For real travelling, there is no substitute for comfort! Nice to be able to get to Sugarloaf after the 2 1/2 hr drive feeling fresh and ready to ski! Very relieable so far!

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  03 Baja 2.5 non turbo - 2006 Subaru Baja
  By wot27 - April 14 - 12:31 am

  Being my 2nd Subaru, I am glad this one isnt the SVX. I LOVE this one, its great in the bends, a little on slow side w/out turbo but keeping rpms up compensates fine for "in the city" driving if you feel the need. I have slight leak at 60k miles on my heads. As it seems to be known issue, I am displeased SOA has not done something to correct issue with the customers. as long as I get too 100k ill do head gaskets, water pump and belt @ same time. till then just keeping the oil changed.

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  Most versatile daily driver yet! - 2003 Subaru Baja
  By yellowblaze - April 13 - 9:46 am

  From off road trails to long road trips to trips to the home improvement store, our Baja has proven itself to be the best bang for the buck out there. In less than 12 months its gone from 2,800 miles at purchase to over 22,000 miles currently. Its brought home siding, landscaping, parts for another car. It took a Mustang hood from NY to FL in March - it fit right into the bed. It did great on that trip as far as gas mileage, comfort and driveability. Its gone down countless "seasonal use highways" - which range from dirt roads to little more than two ruts in the dirt - and handled them with ease (although more ground clearance would be nice). All around, this is the best truck out there!

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  A Thin Line between Love and Hate - 2002 Subaru Outback
  By liz - April 12 - 11:36 am

  I knew I wanted my Subaru OUtback Sedan for a while. I was in love with it when I got her. Had to replace brakes and rotors, expensive but routine. Everything was great until 95k mi, had oil leaking everywhere. Subaru did cam seals, valve seals, timing belt (it was leaking on it too) and some other stuff for $650. A month later engine light came on - catalytic conv. Got a 2nd opinion on the cat. conv. and they found a leak in the head gasket. Im sick to my stomach I love this car...never a problem in bad weather...I dont want to get rid of it but after the reviews idk. I may not be able to afford all the up keep. I would buy a new outback if they came out with a new sedan...without the problems

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  19 months in and so in love - 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek
  By shaina0707 - April 11 - 12:23 pm

  I reviewed my car at 3 months, and at 19 months and 20,000 miles later, I can confidently say that this is the best car Ive ever owned (I was loyal to Toyota in the past). Ive seen lots of complaints on gas mileage and I just dont understand - I drive quite a bit of city and then some highway to work and I average 27.5 in winter and 29.5 in summer. My mom drives all short city trips and is closer to 25.5 (EPA estimate is 23 city, so that makes perfect sense). Ive been out in several Cleveland snowstorms and the handling was so amazing and I felt so safe. My husband loves it so much that in bad weather he will not take out his 4WD Trailblazer but instead uses my car. I LOVE THIS CAR!!!!

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  Great vehicle!! - 2006 Subaru Forester
  By DRE in KS - April 9 - 7:56 pm

  This is my 4th Subaru, but first Forester. XT model is loaded with lots of nice options that make it near a luxury car feel. Comfortable and stylish and it will blow the little sports cars and luxury SUVs off the line (not that I would do such a thing).

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  Nothing but a great ride - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By Roy McGrew - April 9 - 4:10 pm

  Our Tribeca just turned over 12,000 happy miles. Its truly a great car. Over the last 2,000 miles we have averaged 20.4 mpg. The state-of-the-art aluminum boxer engine is powerful and very smooth. It makes good horsepower, but being only 3.0 L, the torque is rather low for hauling a 4100-lb auto. This means it downshifts quite a bit under load. But hey, if you are on a road where it hunts, or you dont like where it shifts, you can hush up and shift it yourself. The "Sport shift mode" works great. Ride, handling, and braking are very good. We have the two-seat model and there is loads of room in the second seat. Styling is also a plus - it doesnt have the truck look.

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  Super commuter car! - 2005 Subaru Impreza
  By Rob - April 8 - 8:23 pm

  We compared this 2005 Impreza RS2.5 to the Civic SE and couldnt believe the difference. MUCH better handling, power, and performance. This is my commuter car and it is perfect for just that. Quiet interior, superb handling; a lot of fun to drive. Build quality is solid with a great looking interior. How can this car and the Civic be in the same price category?