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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  so far so good - 2003 Subaru Outback
  By dad/35 - October 20 - 10:00 am

  My Subaru Outback has so far been a great wagon. I have put 15000 miles on it in 9 months with no problems. The first winter I had it I tried to get it stuck in the snow I couldnot do it. granted it is not a monster mudder so I did not go crazy. However I do have a very steep drive way and we had a lot of ice last winter. One time a stopped half way up the hill and could not start from the stop. But that was to be expected.

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  2.5 Curse - 1998 Subaru Forester
  By JAS - October 20 - 2:36 am

  Bought this car used with 96k miles on it and had high expectations. Knew other Subaru owners that swear by them. I should have read some reviews before buying as apparently this particular engine, which also rears its ugly head in other Subaru models in and around this year, has some major issues. It all started with a bad radiator cap and then led to blown head gasket and who knows what else. Im dumping it because it isnt worth what its going to cost to repair. This was my first and last Subaru.

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  Love this Car! - 2002 Subaru Forester
  By avezan - October 19 - 9:30 pm

  I love this car. I bought it new in 2002. Traded a micro Toyota for it because I was pregnant with my first child. I didnt want a mommy-mobile, but knew I would need more room. This car exceeded my expectations! Super fun to drive. Amazing handling in snow and rain. I live on a mountain and drive up a steep dirt road to get to my house. If it hadnt been for this car, I would not have made it in the winter. I am sadly selling it now to move to an even bigger car. I have 2 toddler car seats in the back, and the kids feet are right up against the back of the front seats. Also, what seemed like a lot of cargo space before I had kids has been shrinking with each passing year.

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  Best car I have ever owned. - 2016 Subaru Forester
  By 007WA - October 19 - 5:01 pm

  The Subaru Forester lives up to everything I have read and heard about them. Certainly a step above other SUVs in this class. The quality is better and comes with more options that would cost hundreds or more on the competitors vehicles. A great SUV for a great value.

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  Great in the snow - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By LMay326 - October 19 - 7:56 am

  Great in the snow.

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  If only.... - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By schmootz - October 18 - 12:50 pm

  they had made it a bit more comfy. The interior looks and feels cheap. The cupholders stink! (one lets cups fly out around curves).

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  Outstanding!!!!!!!!!!!! - 2003 Subaru Forester
  By jtecho - October 18 - 3:31 am

  i personally love the car, i am a auto enthusiast and this car is just great. it has a very sturdy look and build quality. mine is 10 years old and has over 120k miles. i have replace the converter once and took it in for annual check ups and maintenance. one major problem is the the head gaskets and the oil. other wise the car is outstanding. the AWD is one of the best in the business and does its job really well.

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  Didnt know I liked Subaru until I drove - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By JTAlabama - October 16 - 9:53 am

  My wife and I own a Honda Pilot and we love it. When it was time to replace our Grand Prix with a small SUV we narrowed our list to CR-V, RAV4, and Forester. We wanted something with good MPG but a nice ride and good quality/reliability. We went to Subaru and found the Forester not worth while, but they suggested the Outback. It was GREAT! We dont like wagons, but this is a true SUV. It drove much better and quieter than the RAV4 and CR-V and with better fuel economy! Weve had it a month now and it is so much fun to drive. Excellent space and combined mpg is ~30 mpg! Overall, this is great so far. Hopefully the reliability remains good.

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  Big Improvement - 2012 Subaru Impreza
  By bng77 - October 14 - 9:13 pm

  This car is light years ahead of the previous generation Impreza. It looks better, has a much nicer interior, has more room for both passengers and cargo, and handles much better. The 2nd generation CVT is much smoother and more efficient than the old 4 speed automatic transmission it replaces. I just drove it about 60 miles in a snow storm, and even with the lower resistance tires Subaru has switched to, it handled great. I have been averaging 31 MPG in mixed driving which is right where the EPA says it should be. I was able to coax 35 MPG out of my last tank of gas by driving the car more like you would a Prius i.e., easing up on the gas pedal while cruising letting the CVT do its thing.

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  2008 Subaru Legacy SE auto - 2008 Subaru Legacy
  By Jim - October 14 - 6:40 am

  I leased this car back in Dec. 2008, I got the silver one. In So Cal it is rare to see one in a week. Even Subaru owners here dont know what it is, they think it is a BMW. I love the look of the car the solid drive and very quiet, I can actually listen to the radio at number 4. I am 62 and I fit with with headroom to spare this is the first car that I can have a moon roof. When you push this car in the corners you can feel how well it handles. The trunk is a good size.