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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  2002 Suabru WRX Wagon - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By refuse2growup - July 31 - 10:00 am

  This is the most fun you can have with a station wagon, or sport wagon as Subaru calls it. Plenty of room for four adults with the wagon portion providing ample room for storage. The front seats offer excellent lateral support but can be a little firm for long drives. This is the first car that I have owned more than a year and I still love it as much as the day I bought it.

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  1998 FORESTER S - 1998 Subaru Forester
  By suejane - July 31 - 2:00 am

  many small problems from clocks going out, gas gauge not working properly, temperature gauge not working and unable to locate problem, numerous oil leaks. will be purchasing new car; definitely not a FOrester!

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  wrong-side gas filler - 2002 Subaru Outback
  By architr - July 31 - 2:00 am

  I waited one hour while the dealer lined-up the front end and its been out of line ever since even after I paid to have it re-aligned at 5k. Never accept a car as NEW with 280 km on it , it will probably always be out of alignment if some lead-foot who delivered it found a nice deep pot-hole for the rich SOB buying it. After 17000k there is a major rattle in the rear-end, the front suspension squeaks and the wire guard on one fog light is long gone.

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  2017 WRX Limited - 2017 Subaru WRX
  By mariusz gajdka - July 30 - 6:47 pm

  It is my first Japanese car ever and I love it. One comment though. If you are not fammiliar with manual transmission this car is not for you. Clutch is unforgiven buy it if you are confident in your abilities. For sure you will start smiling from the first day you owe your WRX

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  RT REAR WHEEL BEARING 6TH AND COUNTING - 2001 Subaru Forester
  By RIchard Kane - July 29 - 2:40 pm

  First right rear bearing went bad 2,000 miles after I purchased the car two years old used. Since then, it has been replaced four more times and now needs another one replaced. Worst part is that the bad wheel bearing causes that tire to wear much more quickly. With AWD all four tires must match. Thats a lot of tires. $$$

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  Awesome Car! - 2005 Subaru Impreza
  By Thomas - July 27 - 6:13 pm

  Great car! I had an 02 WRX before picking up the STi. What a difference. Everything about the car is amazing. A must have!

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  The next big thing available today - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By Artemus - July 27 - 5:03 pm

  Sports Wagons are the thinking mans or womens SUV as they are roomy, environmentally friendly and much more fuel efficient. The new Subaru Outback is tomorrows car, today; at an affordable price point , with lots of comfort, value, high quality fit & finish. The ride is smooth over bumps and New York being the pothole capital of the world, the Outback makes driving a relaxing and less jarring event. The fuel economy is decent, not the 30mpg we want,still the v6 engine is quiet and powerful. The car has surprisingly fast pickup conquers steep hills with a full trunk with ease, fits in any environment, from long islands gold coast, to uptown Manhattan, without causing undue attention.

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  Fun Forester - 2014 Subaru Forester
  By galaxysun - July 27 - 10:19 am

  Three weeks ago I bought a 2.5i Premium PZEV 4dr SUV AWD with 4cyl CVT. So far I have driven this SUV for about 1100 miles and I am very happy with it. Love the comfort of the ride. I like the way it handles the road, pickup, braking and wet weather. Turning radius is great and road handling was excellent in highway. The view from drivers seat is great. So far my mileage is hovering around 25mpg highway and 21mpg in city. I expect it to give 27mpg combined and 32mpg highway as stated by Subaru once I put on more miles. I live in Chicago area and expect it to handle very well in snow. I will write another review after driving my Forester in winter.

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  Value buy! What do you compare the WRX against? - 2018 Subaru WRX
  By Dominic - July 26 - 11:08 am

  All the comparisons are against 2 wheel drive cars, and many are front wheel drive. If you want all wheel drive, great handling, and good engine performance..look around. You are now comparing against Audi, BMW, and a couple of domestic models, and they will be much more money to get the same feature set. Better quality interior materials? yes. But for a great driving experience this is a great car, and an even better one for the price!

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  Has Been Great - Time to Move On - 2001 Subaru Outback
  By Sitruk - July 25 - 8:16 pm

  Yes, this car has been wonderful to drive, however I have struggled with the maintenance end of the car/owner relationship. Since my purchase in March, 2003, I have averaged 9 cents/mi in maint costs since this car came into the word - highlighted by a head gasket replacement in 2005 ($2200) (might as well also do the timing belt at the same time!) Also, I am now after increased fuel economy based on my daily commute, thus feel it is time to part ways.