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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  Love it...but changes needed - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By JARDKER - October 29 - 2:00 am

  Subaru has made a wonderful car but no one is 100% the first year. I expect small changes in the future to make this beast into THE CAR.

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  Wake up America - 2005 Subaru Legacy
  By Suzan - October 27 - 2:50 am

  This car is the best car on the market for the money. It outshines cars that are twice the price in performance, fuel economy, safety, payload, ergonomics, and four wheel drive control on icey and gravel roads. Wake up America - SUVs have nothing on a good old Subaru Wagon!

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  surprised fan - 2014 Subaru Outback
  By zimboy - October 23 - 9:17 am

  always liked the idea of an adventure vehicle like the Outback something fun and versatile. i had no idea how captivating it would be. perfect ride height, super-stable all wheel drive (almost invincible in the snow), adequate power, great space and rugged looks. my wife and i fight to drive it and may have to get another as second family car. we are outdoor fans and love the rook rails and easy level load bay and space.

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  Fun Car - 2006 Subaru Forester
  By Rick - October 23 - 6:43 am

  My 2006 Forester is a 2.5X with the premium package. It is a fun car to drive; I like everything about it. The car drives like a sports car with good visibility and ground clearance to go on rough sandy roads. I replaced a 2001 Subaru Outback LL Bean. The Outback was a great car but never this enjoyable to drive.

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  2003 Forester-A Great Improvement - 2003 Subaru Forester
  By herrfish1 - October 22 - 10:00 am

  Last month, I traded in my 2001 Forester L for the 2003 Forester XS Premium Package with Leather. I must say that the new model is a great improvement over the older one. It looks better, rides better, and has a vastly improved interior design (especially the re-located cupholders and the 6-disc in-dash CD/casette stereo).

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  Amazing, but how to define it.... - 2003 Subaru Outback
  By eldera - October 22 - 10:00 am

  This is a great car, it defies clasification by that name though. i love it. and my oh my can it claw into a road.

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  Great performer, for the price - 2006 Subaru Impreza
  By Sypher - October 21 - 2:13 am

  Ignore all the reviews for the car and look at it like this. You can get these for 23K out the door if youre good. Its got the STI 2.5 liter in it. Ebay TurboBack exhaust $500, STi Intercooler $300, Cobb Accessport (ECU) $650, STI Turbo Ebay ($400), you now have 280 horsepower to the wheels and will smoke stock STIs and EVOs and get the same gas mileage, for oh, say less then two grand, bringing the total price to $25 grand and you have STI speed ...WOW. $25K is still lower then sticker on a base WRX ... Nuff said, this car has more potential then the older WRXs and any other car out there in the same price bracket, period. :)

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  Excellent Vehicle - 2007 Subaru Outback
  By BuffFan - October 20 - 9:56 am

  Purchased a 2007 LL Bean H6 Outback earlier this month, couldnt be happier. Build quality is excellent. More than enough power with H6 and auto transmission. Have used both heater and A/C in temp extremes, it works especially well. Large 2-stage sunroof lets in lots of light. Handling is very snug and car is controllable at its limits. Very pleased with the car overall.

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  Awesome! - 2004 Subaru Forester
  By Jalina J - October 19 - 10:00 am

  I just bought my Turbo Forester XT and I am in love with it! I looked at an XS, but as fate would have it, the dealer had a XT. I gave it a shot and was in love from the moment I put my foot on the accelerator. I love the extra ooomph it has and it comes in handy driving on the DC Beltway. It is just the right size for me and has everything I was looking for in a small SUV. The multitude of standard features was another plus and it felt good not having to load up the vehicle with extras that should come with a car/SUV. I look forward to snow!

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  2nd Subaru - 2010 Subaru Impreza
  By 2nd Subaru - October 18 - 3:43 pm

  This is my 2nd Subaru after owning a 2007 Outback for 13 years. Ive been in some really cool places like the hot springs in Strawberry Park near Steamboat, CO in January. I’ve driven to the top of mountains in snow so deep you could hardly walk in it. If you want a reliable car that sticks to the ground, Subaru is a good choice. Their all wheel drive system seems to be a cut above the competition and they are reasonably priced considering the reliability. I hated to see my old Outback go but no car last forever.