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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  Worthy Audi successor - 2005 Subaru Forester
  By Phil C - November 3 - 10:06 am

  "El Coche Frijol" (The Beanmobile!) replaced our Audi A4q V6 and in 3 months has won our hearts! With its comfortable interior, creature comforts, HUGE sunroof, excellent handling and good gas mileage (the Audi was terrible!) it is hard to beat. We wanted a comfortable, well appointed and nimble AWD car without a premium price tag and it delivers in spades. The combination of the White/Platinum exterior and light tan/beige leather looks very sharp and makes it a good "hot climate" vehicle. Important as we live in Texas!

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  swell subaru for the dough - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By snowflame - November 3 - 10:00 am

  one of the most impressive handling cars for its price,about 30000 and awd to boot.Owned lots of sport sedans but this wagon really takes the cake.I get more impressed every day and lots of opportunity to put this machine through the moves with my 85 mile commute on back country Connecticut roads.The 250 hp boxer is a marvel and the response is even and seamless,it even has shifters on the mo-mo wheel for hands on driving.I have never had a Subaru before and was I in the dark about this value car!!!!move over Audi and save the dough for a nice cruise when you need away time.Fit and finish are nice and creature comforts abound.Its a must drive auto.........

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  Outstanding Vehicle - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By Bill - November 2 - 5:33 pm

  Weve had our Outback for about 2 months and it has 3300 miles. It handles well, the 4 cylinder boxer engine is quiet and performs excellently in the city. It was capable on our road trip to Washington D.C. and got 33.8 mpg (vehicle computer said 33.2 but my hand calculations were 33.8 mpg). City driving is an outstanding 28 mpg, no need to spend $8K to 10K extra on a fancy hybrid. We looked at 10 cars while making our decision and found the Subaru the leader. Interior and exterior fit and finish are outstanding, the heated leather seats are very comfortable, even on our long trip. The 10-way driver power seat has an excellent lumbar feature. Road and wind noise are at a minimum.

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  First Subie and Immediately Happy With It - 2011 Subaru Forester
  By golfnpackers - November 2 - 4:40 pm

  Ive ridden in the Ford Escape - no. Test drove the Nissan Rogue - awful interior. Test drove the Honda CRV - pretty nice. Test drove a Subaru Forester - bingo! As soon as we got in, we were immediately impressed with the solid feel of this vehicle. Roominess was amazing, especially for my 61" husband is a big guy and has huge shoulders. He is completely happy with the spaciousness, leg room (which is 2" more than the CRV), and head room. It drives smoothly, corners well and has tight steering and turning radius. Had a Honda Civic, so kind of used to a quality drive, and the Forester doesnt disappoint. Also liked the Honda Civic, but we were attracted to the AWD in the Forester.

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  A good vehicle for active people - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By J.Sgambelluri - November 2 - 4:03 pm

  One immediate benefit is that one steps in, not down into or up into this car. For handicapped or elderly this is immensely helpful. Nice cab proportion and good cargo area layout accommodates everything from the family dog to a kayak if so desired. It is a surefooted vehicle with adequate power even in Southern California freeway traffic. Very quick steering reaction, good control.

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  Fun and Reliable - 2003 Subaru Forester
  By pmacg - November 2 - 12:10 am

  This vehicle drives surprisingly well and can climb very well too! The gas mileage is very good because of the 4 cylinder engine. It is peppy but slows down with cargo as expected. The roof racks are standard and accept most carriers.

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  Great except for comfort - 2016 Subaru Forester
  By Sue Baru - November 1 - 10:29 pm

  I just traded in a 2012 Subaru Forester for a 2016. I always said that the Forester was a perfect car and I never wanted to have another car. I may have to amend my review after driving the 2016. It drives great, but the drivers seat is really uncomfortable. The seatbelt buckle comes up really high and is made of very hard plastic. It jabs you in the hip the whole time you are driving. I have had my car for over a month now and it bothers me as soon as I get in the car and the whole time I am driving. I have tried stuffing wash cloths in between the seat and the seatbelt to push it away and wrapping a washcloth around the buckle with rubber bands to soften it, but nothing works very well. The ride is great, but whats the point if the seat is so uncomfortable? There are a couple of other minor things wrong with it. First is the placement of the gas pedal. The sides of the center console do not go straight down, they flare down the side, encroaching on the space for your foot to reach the gas pedal. This is OK for a women wearing a dress shoe, but if you are wearing a shoe with a wide base, like a tennis show, you have to turn your foot sideways to reach the gas pedal because it is somewhat behind the console. Its not very ergonomically correct. The last complaint I have is about the satellite radio. The display was terrible on the 2012 and the 2016 is much improved, but it could be a lot better. I dont know why Subaru is so resistant to developing a decent satellite radio for their cars. The display is still limited. And since it has XM equipment, if you "upgrade" to having access to the Sirius channels, every time, you turn on the radio, it jumps back to the "preview" channel, which is super annoying. I ride with people who own Fords and their radio has a robust display and seamless interchange between the Sirius and CM channels. The drive of the Forester is still great, but I dont know if I will continue to get them after my experience with the 2016.

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  Reliable - 2003 Subaru Outback
  By Sorin - October 31 - 11:46 pm

  I bought it brand new and now I have 140.000 on it. Drives like the first day. Have not had ANY engine/transmission problems. Wasted money on extended warranty. Did oil change myself, fuel filter only changed a couple a times, transmission fluid drained twice, Serp belt went at 100K. Changed spark plugs (major pain, buried deep) at 100K, looked like new. VERY reliable in all kinds of weather. Cons: wind noise (only if you want to drive above 80, and then I guess its a good thing, it keeps you alert). Not enough leg room. Those who think a 6 cylinder will accelerate faster forget about it, it doesnt, because its heavier. It is friendly, though, once you get to know it.

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  Gas Hog & Dangerous - 2015 Subaru Forester
  By deetee3 - October 31 - 5:22 am

  I just bought this car. After driving Subarus for 25 years I thought this would be the car to have. Wrong. This car is a total gas hog. The transmission has a real safety issue. The automatic transmission does not slow the car down... it kicks out of gear instead. My old Subaru stayed in gear when I backed off the throttle and slowed the car down on ice. This new Forester requires breaking to slow the car. The last thing you want to do on ice is hit the breaks!

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  Great Car/Value - 2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek
  By ronv171 - October 30 - 8:14 am

  Great vehicle, roomy, plenty of power on highway, rides nice, CVT trans is good. Fun to drive. Great value and features. Not a lot of road noise. Cargo room is great. I have had 3 weeks and so far avg 26-28 mpg. Very happy so far. My wife bought one also.