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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  Meets expectations and reputation. - 2017 Subaru Outback
  By Cloutier - August 31 - 1:36 pm

  Shop around to locate the best deal and services.

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  Nothing To Write Home About - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By hammer6048 - August 30 - 10:00 am

  My first Subie, be aware of the shakes that can occur with this car. Do some digging before you buy. Good gas mileage for the size, which is nice. There is a negative, very poor acceleration, I have the four with a manual transmission. You will need to plan your moves in the highway, faster traffic will come up fast in the passing lane and flooring the car does nothing. Comfortable ride on the highway, good seats.

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  Fourth Subaru Forester - 2010 Subaru Forester
  By DW - August 30 - 10:00 am

  Im almost to the end of my first year with my 2010, the fourth Forester weve bought (we still have 3 of them in the family). Was driving a 2008 Premium, which gave me an insight into how Subaru shaved costs to keep pricing where it is. For 2009 and 2010, they dropped the leather wrapped steering wheel, integrated turn signal lighting in side mirrors, and premium radio with 6 Cd changer in favor of a cheap radio with one CD. Love the ride, how supple it is over bumps. The power is plenty adequate, particularly if you push it over into manumatic and stir it yourself. Like the tinted windows on Premium and Limited. Love, love, love the extra space of the new body style.

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  Second review after 3 months - 2008 Subaru Outback
  By gtskier - August 29 - 8:13 am

  Great fun to drive. Mileage is better than expected, 24 mpg in SI Drive - "S" mode driving up and down canyon 5400 to 9200 feet on weekly shopping trips and local mountain driving daily. Handles great on curves, highways, dirt. One exception: factory Bridgestone tires squirm excessively on grooved pavement. Road noise is a bit high, but crank up the great stereo with SRS-WOW, MP3 CD and jack. Cant wait to see the VDC work on snow and ice this winter.

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  Impreza 2.5RS - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By JW - August 29 - 1:26 am

  6 years, 82k miles and not a dime in it other than gas, oil and tires. Still gets over 30 mpg freeway, around town is a little low due to the AWD, upper teens/low 20s depending on how you drive. Getting 25 on the average tank. Reliable, punchy, AWD is amazing on the snow.

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  I like the car but the all weather floor mats are - 2017 Subaru Forester
  By James - August 28 - 6:05 am

  2017 Forester 2.0 XT- I purchased the all weather floor mats from the dealer but they are too small so the mud/snow gets all over my carpeting. I had to purchase the Weather tech mats to replace the dealer mats. The car does have too much road noise, and had a bad case of turbo lag. The car has satellite radio but it only shows the station number you are dialed to and not the station name (like my BMW does). Who remembers what music/news is on 200 different stations?

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  Sad Face! - 2015 Subaru Outback
  By thinkingintext - August 28 - 2:38 am

  This is my first Subaru. I traded a 2011 Jetta Wagon TDI for it. I traded because I wanted an AWD for weather situations, and mountains. I knew it would have lower gas mileage. However, I was not expecting such a vast difference in fuel mileage. I am now angry almost daily, as I watch the gas meter drop before my eyes. I clearly have made a terrible mistake. The gas consumption of this car is disgusting. I want my TDI back (sad face).

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  Great Car - 2002 Subaru Outback
  By larry - August 26 - 4:16 am

  Very happy with this car. Excellent build quality, pick up and handling. Very reliable and with snow tires, unstoppable. Winter package especially appreciated. Excellent cabin comfort and cargo capacity. This is our second Subaru and the ownership experience has been pleasant for both. Only nits are the crappy front sunroof and the climate control system is annoying. we have 60K trouble free miles so far. We opted for a new CRV this round but will keep an eye on Subaru when we sell this beast in a few years

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  Good Value - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By John R. Lanc. Pa. - August 26 - 1:20 am

  2.5x has good value. Cant find anything out there with all those features. So far I am pleased with it. No rattles but they have cut corners with hard plastics, cheap looking and feel carpet and roof line cover. Silver on dashboard reflects on outside mirrors. Stereo is very sad. Upgraded with there tweeter and subwoofer and still sounds so-so. Gas mileage not that great. Considering the price, you get a lot of room, I am 6- 3", feels comfy, all wheel drive, handles well, many safety features, room in the back. If it turns out reliable like older ones Ill be very happy.

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  love it - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By keywest305 - August 25 - 10:50 am

  This car is a pleasure to drive.The comfort is soft and plush but the build is tough and stable on bumps and turns.This vehicle did awesome in snow.I love the power of the 3.0 250 hp. The engine is smooth quiet and quick.