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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  Wow - 2008 Subaru Legacy
  By Ron - October 23 - 11:40 am

  I test drove the 08 Saab Aero, Volvo C70, Accord, WRX and a few others and the Legacy blew them away in every way. Performance, handling, style and pricing. Ive had it for about a month and recently had the cold air intake, heat shield and Cat-back system installed. With this system, this little engine actually sounds like a real muscle car. It is a true sleeper that Ive surprised many a driver with already!! I feel like I stold the car getting it for 30k. Well worth the investment.

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  Agile, fun-to-drive, and a great value! - 2009 Subaru Impreza
  By my1stSubaru - October 22 - 9:16 pm

  Extremely fun to drive with amazing handling and the surprisingly spirited engine makes me smile. I feel safe, its reliable and think its worth it to trade some gas mileage for superior road holding, especially in hazardous driving conditions (snow and rain). Simple, but spacious interior and tremendous trunk capacity. It makes it easy to become a Subaru enthusiast!

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  My Tribeca -- a good choice! - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By P. Clarke - October 22 - 4:00 pm

  Love it! Whether zipping around town or settling down for a road trip it is fun to drive. It has great response to the gas pedal and the steering wheel. Have been on a trip from Cincinnati to Lawton OK and another to Savannah GA and enjoyed the Tribeca on the road as much as in the city.

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  Wont get burned again. - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By outback - October 22 - 1:43 am

  Bought an Outback summer of 2005. Came highly recommended by everyone I talked to. I have no idea why. Had to realign at 5000 mi and I hit nothing. OEM tires shot at 20000 miles. Replaced with cheap Cooper tires, ride and handling better than OEM Bridgestones. Seats are very uncomfortable and back seat is way too small. Gas mileage is good (26 to 28 very careful hwy, no A/C) but if you add a roof carrier and bike rack, drops to 23 to 24 mpg. Car is underpowered. Also, the Outback is not an SUV or truck. Not durable.

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  Ode to an AWD Alfa Romeo.... - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By PapaHawk - October 21 - 4:10 am

  Capable, confident, and charismatic! The Subaru B9 Tribeca is the complete 7-passenger AWD package. With its Italian styling, Japanese engineering, and 100% Subaru core, this vehicle is destined to enjoy a long ride along the American road, and one of these beauties will always be parked in my garage! This is an amazing vehicle. It is a pleasure to own and a joy to drive. It has my unqualified support as the best automotive value in the SUV world.

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  Great Vehicle - 2006 Subaru Forester
  By jxlewis - October 20 - 1:16 pm

  Pros: Handling and traction in rain & snow. Cons: Noisy fuel pump. Drives and handles well. AWD provides great handling in the rain and snow. Ride is a little too hard over rough roads and RR tracks. Seats are firm and comfortable. Front seat space is adequate if youre not overweight, height no problem at 63". Rear seat leg space is inadequate. Console and controls are placed well and easy to adjust while driving.

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  Great little grocery getter - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By tbs_man - October 20 - 10:00 am

  Perfect car for commuting and even some longer drives. Used mostly in the winter, as I commute via motorcycle in the warmer months. Subie is great in the snow, naturally, though I did add 4 snows to help power through the nasty winter last season. Fresh snow up to 18" didnt stop her; the spoiler would plow the snow into my garage if we had a nasty storm during the day. If you can get past the interior plastics and the poor exterior paint quality when youre driving, and you dont give a hoot what your snooty neighbors think, the WRX is an excellent tool for real driving.

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  Well worth the money, Just buy it! - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By Xman810 - October 20 - 10:00 am

  Got my STI on 7/9. All i can say is, this car is fun as hell to drive in. If i could, I would sleep in it. If anyone is thinking about the STI, stop, dont think, just go out and buy it. Its worth the price its selling for. Very minimal turbo lag. I have had nothing but compliments from people who see me in this car, and this is even coming from people who dont like imports.

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  It saddens me. - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By Cagar aStoirm - October 20 - 10:00 am

  After having my WRX for two years I turned it in for the STi. The dealership, of course, did not allow a test drive and they also kicked it up a bit above MSRP. The problem which occured was with the seats. After driving it home my back ached. I figured I would fiddle with the seat more. After two weeks my back was not better the seats just didnt fit me correctly, hence I was forced to sell my STi recently.

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  Subie #2 - 2001 Subaru Outback
  By flacke - October 20 - 10:00 am

  This is my second Subaru. I like it but I too find the 5 speed to shift a little rough. The clutch is graby and reverse is hard to find a lot. It also has to low of a final drive gear. At 80mph my 93 runs at 3100rpms the 01 runs 3800rpms at 80mph. This makes the engine a little more torquey but doesnt help the trany/clutch problems, MPG and engine noise level. Dont get me wrong I love the car I just have to be very smooth when shifting. The AWD system feel great in snow and mud. It corners well and is smooth feeling on the highway. The Limited is Great Highway road tripper, around towner and backroad shuttle vehicle.