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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  2005 Outback rocks....! - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By dsulliv6 - August 8 - 2:03 pm

  I was amazed at how smooth and refined this vehicle is. I have the option of picking many kinds of vehicles (this is a company lease car for my use), and I was not disappointed in the Subaru. I got the 05MY Outback VDC with the 3.0L H6/5sp auto transmission. This car has one of the best rides in any vehicle Ive been in (including Mercedes, Audis, BMWs, Lexi, etc.), and handles really well on twisty roads also. The H6 engine is super-smooth, and is a good match for the car, although a little low on torque. The interior is super- comfortable and quiet. The trim is also top-notch. I cant get over how nice this car is...highly underrated.

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  New Subie - 2010 Subaru Forester
  By oxnardsubie - August 8 - 1:50 am

  This is our fourth Subaru. 02 WRX, 08 Outback, 09 STI, and 2010 Forester. If you know Subaru you know the beauty of Maximum Value, Reliability, and Safety! Did I mention a blast to drive as well. This car has the same dash as my STI and drives like an AWD car with slick SUV looks. Subaru did a great job with the new style! This car is driven primarily by my wife and she loves it! (So do I!) Id rather have her in a forester than any other compact SUV or crossover. Go with the best get a Subie!

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  3rd Outback Sport - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By Ron W - August 7 - 8:00 pm

  This is my 3rd consecutive Outback Sport. The 2002 is so much improved over my 1997 and 1999 models. Its added more power, CD, map lights, fog lamps, better speaker sound, v/s intermittent wipers front & rear, daytime running lights, alloy wheels, cruise control, and many other small but significant improvements. The automatic transmission shifts very smoothly. Fun to drive car!

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  Nothing I dont like about it - 2014 Subaru Forester
  By conbrio - August 7 - 6:52 am

  Over this ast few years Ive owned an Audi A4, a Prius, a Mini Cooper S, a VW GTI, and a Chevy Cruze Eco. All were good cars but each had characteristics I didnt care for right from day 1. Not the case with my new Forester. I havent found a single thing I dont like about this car (well okay, I didnt like the wheel rims so I replaced them with some I do like - but thats it). This 2.5i is the bottom of the line Forester, but it has everything I would ever want in a car, including cruise control, which, on other cars I looked at was available only on the upscale models. Oh, by the way, this color, this eggshell metallic white, was a thousand dollar option on my 2000 Audi.

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  Honda Ridgeline Trade-In - 2010 Subaru Forester
  By rundp - August 6 - 1:33 pm

  I traded in my 2006 Honda Ridgeline. It was great to bump my gas mileage from 17 with Ridgeline to 21 in town with the Forester. But the Forester is made for some light off road use which is why we went with the Forester over another Outback.

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  Great little car - 2014 Subaru Forester
  By john_in_tc - August 6 - 4:52 am

  We have owned our Forester for a little over three months and put on about 3,500 miles. I thought I would try and give some insights that might not be apparent on a one hour test drive.

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  Not like previous Subarus - 2003 Subaru Legacy
  By Russ - August 5 - 11:50 pm

  This model was a lemon from the start. First two days discovered there was almost no transmission fluid in the transmission. Dealer blamed us but rescinded when I wrote to Subaru Regional Manager. 70K miles car overheated due to blown gaskets, $3,000+ replacement of heads. Now at 125,000 it is being towed away as a donor as either the rod bearings or main bearings are starting to go. Two previous Subarus (1990s models) are still on the road after we gave them away at 225,000 miles years ago. This is the last Subaru we will buy.

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  Side mirorrs - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By viewpoint - August 5 - 6:35 pm

  We have 2 Impreza and a 2009 Forester. The side mirrors are set to high. they block 90% of the side vision when you entering another side road,you cant see nothing. Are there that can give me an idea if there is any other mirrors that I can on it instead the original ones. Also stero sound very poor at the back, front seats uncomftable. Thank you.

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  Update... - 2009 Subaru Outback
  By ywilson - August 5 - 5:56 am

  This is an update on my Soobie. Man I have to say that this is one great car. I have no complaints after 5400+ miles. No problems, great ride and the gas mileage is going up just like everyone said it would. My best to date was 33.7 MPG. I change my own oil and will do my others as well when the time comes. It is easy to work on this car if you are slightly mechanically inclined. Everything is reachable. This is going to be my 10 years car! Sorry Subaru but I am keeping this one for a long time. It is obvious it will last!!

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  Not My LEXUS, but we still like it! - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By J. P. Bacsick - August 5 - 4:52 am

  Expect to be looking for "RUST RESISTANT" brake rotors to replace factory installed. Factory specs for allignment not the best for breezy days on open road. Oh, and the water intrusion! Jammed driver door window, "premium sound system" really sucks. Constantly having to clamp loose heat shields from rattling. Going back to Toyota products.