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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  Homerun with new 2010 Outback - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By Terry - February 18 - 8:50 pm

  Now looks more like a SUV- taller stance- larger interior and the new CVT is silky smooth! Very impressed with how the interior looks- seats are more comf. and visibility is improved.

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  LOVE it! - 2006 Subaru Impreza
  By alex - February 18 - 6:56 am

  I just bought this car and I LOVE it. It drives so smooth, the seats are comfortable and the build is great. Its the perfect balance of sports car and comfy sedan. Im so excited to drive it. I got the Limited and the leather is very nice. Love the heated seats. ;)

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  Very fast - 2003 Subaru Impreza
  By vifly - February 15 - 10:00 am

  The WRX is amazing. I considered the Altima and Jetta, but neither is as fast, fun, or safe (awd) to drive as my WRX. Also, the attention you get is pretty cool. WRX drivers always wave, as do other drivers. . . .its kind of like Bugmania except the car isnt feminine.

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  WoW!! Im blown Away and Love my Choice! - 2010 Subaru Legacy
  By DeanO - February 12 - 10:53 pm

  I would consider myself a person that likes the finer things in life. That said, Ive owned Acuras, BMWs, and Several Lexus Models in the past. I traded my 06 Lexus RX330 in on a new Subaru Legacy, and I am completely THRILLED with my purchase. I test drove Accord, Altimas, Passat, and there is absolutely no comparison on build quality, the fun factor of paddle and manual shifting, and the AWD really grabs the road. In the rain, you never feel like you are close to losing control. I drive long trips, and the car is soooo comfortable, and has all the features I was looking for and more than I was accustomed to. With regular gas, 34 MPG on the highway, Im in LOVE with my car!

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  Perfect Car - 2005 Subaru Impreza
  By Trav - February 12 - 6:13 pm

  Ive had this car for 5 months now and have nothing but great things to say. It preforms like a champ. The wagon gives extra head room in the back seat and plenty of room to carry stuff in the back. Its the perfect car for anyone in a snowy environment or someone who just wants performance thatll make you smile ear to ear.

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  Just back from a 4100 mile trip - 2011 Subaru Outback
  By Calvin Wilvert - February 11 - 5:10 pm

  Two days after we bought our 2011 Outback, we left on a five-week, 4100 mile camping trip in the Northwest. Even with a lot of mountain driving and with frequent use of the air- conditioner, gas consumption for the trip averaged slightly over 30 miles per gallon. At all times, the car handled well, was comfortable, and felt safe. I did not experience any steering vibration that a few reviewers have noted. Indeed, I liked communicative feel imparted by the steering. Driving this fine vehicle was a pleasure, and I felt less tired after hours behind the wheel than I have with any other car I have owned. More pep on steep hills would have been fun, but the power is adequate.

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  If This Was Baseball Subaru Would Be An AllStar - 2017 Subaru Outback
  By Happy Basset - February 11 - 5:22 am

  This is my Third Subaru. My first was a base model 2011 2.5 Pzev Outback, my second was a 2014 fully loaded 2.5 Limited Outback. This one is by far my favorite! I have done quite a bit of test driving before I bought my first Outback, but given we wanted the 3.6 this time I did some more. It came down to the 3.6 or the Highlander and the Subaru won out. I LOVED my previous two Outbacks but to be honest I wanted the technology and the comfort so we moved up. Moving to the 3.6 was also for the towing capability (small utility trailer type) but it was mountain driving so the 4 cylinders gave it a champion effort but just didnt do very well. My 3.6 makes it in STYLE AND SPEED. Handles very well with or without the trailer. The safety features are super, the eye sight I cant live without now and I love the lane change feature. Im still learning all the other technology on the car but I can live with that. The stereo is awesome, especially with my Ipod and Sirus XM. It is comfortable and beautiful. Ill be honest the 4 cylinder Outbacks I had were a bit noisy due to the CVT but the 3.6 purrs like a kitten. It is a VERY solid car. My gas mileage did suffer a bit but the extras on the car and the fact that we can make it up the canyon in under an hour with the fully loaded utility trailer makes it worth it. My Basset Hound can easily get up and down from my Subaru, and loves the cargo area in the back when we travel. We do have a hard time with the Navigation. It isnt all that intuitive or easy to put in addresses and when I try to use my phone the Bluetooth feature in the car wont let it come through. (The tech guy at Subaru says he can help me with that so Im going to go back there and have him walk me through it. Subaru backs their products. You cant do any better than a Subaru and this one hits it out of the park every turn at bat.

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  7 years and counting.... - 2009 Subaru Outback
  By satisfied owner - February 10 - 8:42 pm

  Bought this car at end of model year at a good price with the exact features, trim, and color that I wanted. I have never fallen out of love with this car -- the looks, the handling, the 6 cyl engine, the comfort and seating position, the harmon-kardon sound system, the overall performance, reliability, and integrity. Semi-luxurious car-like transport that can also be your truck when you need to haul lots of stuff in back. Well, regarding reliability, although I only have 36,000 miles on it, the front CV boots failed and the CV joints were worn and needed replacing recently. Seems too early to have a problem like that, but I guess driving the gnarly and pot-holed big city streets can do that to a front end. Glad I never do any real off roading! No other problems with it so far. I thoroughly enjoy this vehicle.

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  LL Bean, H-6 is major improvement over 4 - 2003 Subaru Outback
  By Goodaay - February 10 - 10:00 am

  6 cyl. is SMOOTH, POWERFUL. Big improvement over the 4 cyl. Good ride, handling. Comfortable leather seats, great stereo, quiet interior, versitle hauler. Dual moonroofs are nice addition.

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  4.5 month review - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By Linas - February 10 - 8:50 am

  The 2.5 L engine is plenty for highway acceleration and high altitude driving. I like the interior design and look. All the controls on the dashboard and steering wheel are comfortable and intuitive. The AC is sufficiently powerful. The music system is ok with the circle surround and speed adaptable volume features. The driver and passenger space is plenty. There is good front, side, and rear visibility. I like the cubby below the cargo floor. Initially I found the drive to be floaty and strongly affected by crosswinds and passing semi-trucks at highways speeds. So I replaced the rear sway bar with a thicker 19 mm STI bar and the ride improved considerably. I definitely recommend the car!