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:

• 

  I waited 60k miles before I wrote this review - 2011 Subaru Outback
  By gartho - April 5 - 8:02 am

  We bought it new...its had 2 recalls on it since new I believe. I replaced the front rotor and pads at 57k only because the rotors warped. The car is great...the factory tires stink...I swapped to Hankook and like them. I cant say anything bad about our subie...well yes the handling sucked when it was new and I put the rear sway bar on and now its great!. Soft ride...ok fuel numbers... I will not sell it as long as this keeps up. It can climb a Mtn in the snow...hard to believe...

• 

  Love it but . . . - 2016 Subaru Legacy
  By David W - April 3 - 11:23 pm

  We drove everything in the segment, everything. This is my daily driver. What I like: - All wheel drive - Technology is intuitive and easy to learn - Spacious, well designed interior - Smooth power delivery from the V6 - Huge trunk What Im neutral on: - Handling - It handles more than well enough for 95% of daily driving, but it does roll and feels a bit ponderous if you try to have some fun. What I dont like: - The fact that Eyesight does not work when I cant see (sun glare, rain, snow). Isnt that exactly when you want a safety system? - The brand advertises being dog friendly, but they dont offer any dog friendly accessories (rear seat cover, rear foot well cover) - Wind noise on the highway is a problem. When using the hands-free phone people have difficulty hearing me.

• 

  clutch problems - 2000 Subaru Outback
  By triesch - April 3 - 10:00 am

  good car, but constant problems with the clutch, which has been replaced several times. It was finally working good, when it just failed on me in very, very hot weather. Dealer tells me they have a fix for it. Well see... Also, lots of rattles

• 

  Good mileage - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By rppups - March 30 - 5:26 am

  If youre looking for an all-around utility car this may be it. Handles great in the snow/ice, rides smooth, lots of storage, good looking, and I average almost 28 mpg with 30,000 miles on the engine. The only thing I find lacking is power, but thats the trade off for the good mileage.

• 

  03 manual wagon - 2003 Subaru Outback
  By PLARVO - March 27 - 10:00 am

  A fun car, with better than quoted fuel economy ( 23-24 mpg generally) very comfortable drive.

• 

  Great Value - 2008 Subaru Legacy
  By Skewed - March 27 - 10:00 am

  Looked for a slightly-used Legacy GT, but theyre quite rare too, so I researched the 3.0R and bought an almost-new one. Know from personal experience that the 3.0 H6 engine can go 130k miles with no more than routine maintenance. Having owned a 2002 WRX as well as a few Saabs, I can say that the 3.0R feels more like a Saab than the WRX. The WRX felt nimble and light, while the Saabs felt more solid and locked-in while cornering. For the mature driver, theres more sport than luxury but young hotshots will find its reflexes a bit slow. Great for someone who likes both Saabs and Subarus. Not much plush but a lot of function. Learning to use all the controls is worthwhile.

• 

  A Great Car - 2006 Subaru Legacy
  By Jim V - March 27 - 3:30 am

  I bought this car as a replacement to my 1999 Audi A4. While this car does not drive quite as nice as the A4, the way it drives still "feels" very German. And if this Legacys reliability remains as solid as reported for all Legacys by Edmunds and other sites - I will continue to be very happy with this vehicle. It gives you almost all the best of higher end German cars with the reliability of a Subaru. It is so fun to drive. My only complaint is the quality of the leather interior. It just seems like the seats are starting to wear already. They dont have the same quality finish as the A4s seats. Other than that, I am a very happy Legacy GT owner.

• 

  I love my Crosstrek, but it needs more power - 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek
  By noah_early - March 24 - 5:53 am

  I work in DC, but we own a cabin in Lexington, VA and live in Northern VA. It handles gravel roads as well as the interstate and gets very close to the EPA ratings. If you are disappointed with yours try comparing your odometer with mile markers or GPS. Mine reads almost 2% slow, which means we are actually getting .6 MPG better than the car calculates. The ground clearance is perfect, our 80+ pound lab mix can get in and out of it without the struggle he has with our Jeeps and it has not bottomed out on several rutted, gravel roads. Also check visibility before buying. The high belt line and low roof make rear visibility poor for shorter drivers.

• 

  Brilliant but frustrating. - 2006 Subaru Forester
  By Joe - March 23 - 5:13 pm

  If you perform all dealer suggested service, will run you over $200/month. Engine is a marvel, but burns oil. Brakes feel soft, but perform well. Bought "program" car with 10k miles, should have had inspection.

• 

  positive on balance - 1998 Subaru Forester
  By astjarne - March 23 - 10:10 am

  If you are looking for a car that will safely take you anywhere and back without breaking your back or the bank, this car will deliver without surprises. In fact, after 4 years of Canadian east-coast driving conditions, we have never been stuck in snow, ice, mud, or sand. The only negative aspects recorded to date are: an uncomfortable back seat, limited warranty relative to other brands, and overpriced parts.