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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  Best Value in AWD - 2006 Subaru Impreza
  By SteveF - September 20 - 8:56 am

  I love my Subie. I drove trucks for years, this was my first Subaru, its so much nicer to drive and gets much better MPG. I get 23-25 city, and 27- 28 highway. It has a great compromise between power and economy. I can tow and launch my jetskis at the beach at Pismo, then haul up snow covered roads to ski on a powder day. No problems in 42,000 miles at all. I do more with my little Impreza that most people will ever do with their gas guzzling, boring and hard to drive SUVs. It makes me want to drive fast and race or jump it. Its rally car roots really show through.

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  Nicest Ride Suburu for $ - 2011 Subaru Outback
  By Eric SUNDQUIST - September 19 - 10:29 pm

  Dont look anymore. Find a one owner .We have every option available. Just now writing review. 49,000. Perfect. Just follow owners manual. Very quick 2.5 I 6 speed with flippers. Sweet Harmon Carmen 9 speakers. Overall awsome and fun economic

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  Very nice SUV - 2009 Subaru Tribeca
  By bob jones - September 19 - 8:36 pm

  After driving several SUVs, my wife and I narrowed it down to the MDX, Lexus 350, and the Tribeca. We chose the Tribeca Limited. The Tribeca was a good combination of sport and comfort with a reasonable price tag.

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  A Good Review. - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By M.P. - September 19 - 6:50 am

  This is my first Subaru, we like it, is roomy, has good handling and stability. The ride is good. It had the same rattling noises everyone is complaining about. The door noise is caused by a plastic cover behind the doors panel; just take the door panel out and put some insulating material and thats fixed. Once in a while I do get some rattling in the dash area and in the cargo area. Having some A/C issues with the a/c clutch engaging and disengaging at blower speed 1. Also, the A/C Clutch is very noisy. Trying to get this fixed with the dealer. Overall is a good family vehicle.

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  my 2006 STi "qwksti" - 2006 Subaru Impreza
  By qwksti - September 18 - 5:00 pm

  This is a great sports car, and for the money you cant do much better. Looks are great, and I love the new ‘06 front end. And with the ‘06 improved DCCD is tied in with the steering. Better suspension, lower than the ‘05, smaller front scoop, smaller rear wing (1/2 inch I think) a second rear wing added, liquid filled engine mounts, new ground effects body styling, rear diffuser, standard 6 CD in dash CD player, 6 speakers with amp and sub, intercooler sprayer, 17 wheels, 2.5L 300hp @ 6k rpm, 300 torque @ 4k rpm, adjustable HID head lights, keyless entry. This is an amazing sports car. Very fast, the AWD is amazing, this car is well built, sturdy, solid, tight, lots of fun.

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  Great Car - 2005 Subaru Forester
  By Louis C. - September 18 - 5:36 am

  Ive had three Subarus and this has to be the best overall package. Not that Ive had any problems with the others, but the Forester has its advantages. Ground clearance being one of the strong points along with handling. You feel really safe and in control. Good brakes, good power and very reliable. This car is underrated.

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  Horrible MPG - 2003 Subaru Forester
  By jjttss - September 18 - 2:00 am

  This is a great go-getter around town. If you want more (off-road ability, sports car handling, etc) look elsewhere. The design is a definite step up from prior years. Seats are stiff, but comfortable, though they could use more thigh support in the front. BUT TERRIBLE MILEAGE! Using Premium gas, this car gets well under 20mpg (15 on some tanks!) city and mixed driving. Im kind of disgusted.

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  Disappointed - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By Looking Elsewhere - September 18 - 2:00 am

  Is anyone else having problems with the crappy CD player in this thing? And Ive even gottn it replaced under warranty and it still skips or wont even play my CDs. Besides that, the Check Engine light keeps coming on even though Ive been reassured that "nothing is wrong".

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  This car rocks - 1998 Subaru Forester
  By kinkar - September 18 - 2:00 am

  Our "old" faithful!

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  2013 STI Limited - 2013 Subaru Impreza WRX
  By aggarcia - September 16 - 11:55 am

  Most hard core performance buyers are not looking at Edmunds, but I did not like several things they said in their review. In the performance category, not much besides a supercar offers as much performance for the dollar than the STI. The AWD, SI Drive, and adjustable differentials, and 6 speed transmission are world class. The interior uses cheaper materials, but this is based in the Impreza platform. You buy a STI for the performance not to impress any one. Right now Subaru has a 4 month waiting period to get a STI or WRX, so someone must be wanting them. I enjoy everyday I hop into my STI and get to make going places and experience. The factroy NAV/SAt system sounds pretty good to me.