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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  Great Car that Exceeded my Expectations - 2006 Subaru Legacy
  By Noel - August 25 - 9:33 am

  I bought my 2006 Subaru Legacy GT to replace my Audi A4. I was tired of constantly repairing that car at great expense. Now that my car has 16K miles on it, I can report that I have had absolutely no problems with it (aside from a dead battery from my leaving the interior lights on for 4 days). After driving a German car for many years before this I can report that Subaru feels like a German car inside. Great interior. The suspension is nicely sprung and valved but the car does lean in turns more than I like. The engine is truly incredible. The car is faster than my 1980 Porsche 911 track car, which is not bad for a daily driver that included comfort. I would recommend this car!

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  First Subaru - 2017 Subaru Outback
  By JOSEPH RISPOLI - August 24 - 7:07 pm

  Happy wife happy life😁

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  DINOSAUR! T-WRX!!! - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By virtualscouser - August 24 - 10:00 am

  When I traded in my 2000 VW GTI VR6 I knew I was giving up alot of comforts. V6, leather, climate control, etc... Do I miss em? NOT ONE BIT! V6? I have more horsepower and better milage with my 2.0 and with the automatic Im just as good performance wise as the VR6/5M. Leather? I live in South Florida! Black Leather? Am I crazy? I spent more time peeling my skin off the seats than enjoying them! Climate control? I drive with the windows down most of the time anyway!

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  The best value under $25,000. - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By yourpros - August 24 - 10:00 am

  I drive this car 4 hours a day to the office. I have had nothing but fun times since I dumped my Pathfinder for this rocket. I highly suggest this car to anyone that enjoys blowing off the doors of Mustangs and Porsche Boxters S.

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  Not enough time for valid reliability - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By NewSubie - August 22 - 6:50 am

  Wife and I were thinking 2010 Forester, but 2010 Outback, though more expensive, is a much more solid and quiet rig. Compared to 09 Outback, significant improvements in front passenger and rear passenger leg room (major factor for us). CVT tranny also a major plus due to significant fuel economy boost (with 40 miles on engine, we average 27.2 mpg on 15 mile drive home with some stop/go city driving and mostly highway driving). I always wonder about new design quirks with model year re-designs, but the car addressed our key objectives of legroom and fuel efficiency. Forester had a few squeaks in interior during test drive. This outback was rock solid over bumpy roads and railroad tracks.

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  Bad mileage! - 2005 Subaru Forester
  By Elizabeth - August 22 - 6:46 am

  I have had this car only two months and the mileage is very bad. It is lucky if it gets the 22 mph and it plummets from there if the air conditioner is used. Also, it hesitates on take off, leaving me waiting for VERY clear intersections before accelerating. Im told it might be better when it is more broken in. Too late. I wish I had gotten another Honda.

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  Great car for family - 2016 Subaru Outback
  By Alan Litz - August 22 - 5:22 am

  If you live in the mountains, the 3.6 would certainly be the better choice but anywhere else, the 2.5 is going to be perfectly adequate and everything else about the car is darn near, perfect.

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  2001 OutBack - 2001 Subaru Outback
  By Mike - August 20 - 4:36 pm

  Really have nothing to complain about except the fact I had to replace the catalytic converter at 90,000 which was expensive! I have had many vehicles with many more miles and NEVER had to replace a converter. just be warned if you buy one youre in for a expensive replacement part as this seems to be common.

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  Great Car - 2016 Subaru Legacy
  By tom woinski - August 20 - 6:32 am

  Excellent lights and visibility

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  2008 STI with NAV - 2008 Subaru Impreza
  By cdv478 - August 20 - 4:46 am

  This car has been decent overall. It is a lot of fun to drive and is useful for hauling smaller items. It has been very reliable with the exception of the NAV system. SOA has replaced it 4 times, and the 4th unit is defective, and has been since Feb 2009. The reason it hasnt been fixed properly is that Subaru will only install used "remanufactured" nav units, not new ones, even though I am the original owner and had nav problems less than a week after taking delivery. The car is fun to drive and I am happy with it. Subaru of America service is terrible. As of 11/26/09, my car has 9800 miles and STILL has a defective nav unit.