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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  Subaru Outback Sport - 2000 Subaru Impreza
  By Buell902 - September 20 - 2:00 am

  I have a 2000 Outback Sport and its a great car. I was going to get a 2002, I drove both standard and auto. If you want a more fun car to drive, go with the 2002, it gets an added 20 horse and 20 torq. But if you like the "Power Bulge" get a 2001 or older model, the car looks great, and its awesome to see the look on peoples face getting beat by a wagon. and off road capaple out the wazoo. great suspension, great handling. handles, and grips better than my brothers Jaguar XK8, overall this is one fun car.

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  14-Month Review - 2002 Subaru Outback
  By rob999 - September 20 - 2:00 am

  Have completed 14 months / 17,000 miles in my H4/5spd Outback. Absolutely zero problems. A delightful car to drive. This is primarily my commuter car, but we occasionally press it into family service for weekend trips, especially for winter driving. I would recommend the Outback to anyone considering this type of vehicle. Glad I ditched my SUV!

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  A "poormans Porsche" 4 wheel wagon? - 2006 Subaru Legacy
  By Multisport transport - September 19 - 2:00 am

  4 years and 75,400 miles and its still a blast to drive. Very reliable except wheel bearing issues on both the front and rear passenger side wheels. Extended warranty actually paid off. (Had a costly transmission fiasco with prior Volvo all wheel Cross Country) Broke even this time. Combines practicality and style, costs less than an Honda Accord, handles better than VW Passat and offers the all wheel drive of an Audi A4 wagon which costs $15,000 more. I bought a Harley Davidson Nightrod with the savings. The long wagon roof line and additional interior space provides versatility for carrying gear for family vacations and outdoor adventures. Decent MPG range of 23 town & 30 on highway.

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  After all of these years... - 2016 Subaru Forester
  By Allen Jaggard - September 18 - 5:14 pm

  We finally bought a new Forrester. This was the time, the price was right, and the Forrester has grown up in to a beautiful, functional, and sized-right car perfect for young or old. We love it so far, my wife barely lets me drive it. She is very happy and calls it "her dream machine". The visibility is great, the ride comfortable (although the seats could use a little more cushiness), and my only problem is driving in high winds. You feel the weight and excellent traction beneath you, but the car is subject to some windage due to its height. We love the carand I am thinking of buying a 2ndso I too can drive.

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  First non-Honda car in 22 years - 2008 Subaru Outback
  By Bob757FL - September 18 - 5:06 pm

  After driving only Accords for 22 years, I wanted to try something else. Subaru came to my attention on both the NHTSA site, and the IIHS site for safety. Consumer Reports gave it high marks for reliability and user reports say 30mpg hwy. I have come to this conclusion after the 1st 1000 miles: it is as fun to drive as a Volkswagen Jetta or Passat, rated as safe or safer than any Volvo, yet has a reliability rating beating both of these. Below 60 mph it is an absolute blast to drive. I dont know why but it is. My wife keeps asking to take it for her local errands. Above 60, steering is more sensitive than a Honda and is taking some getting used to.

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  I love this Impreza - 2006 Subaru Impreza
  By John H - September 17 - 3:43 am

  I wanted a 4WD or AWD due to the location of my house. So I test drove the BMW 325xi &330xi. Both are really nice cars but way over priced. So I decided to get the Impreza and save the money for the kids college. This car handles as good as the BMW. It puts a smile on my face every time I drive it. I just want to drive it for no reason because its so much fun to drive. I put in the aftermarket real xenon headlights; now everything is much brighter at night. The stock headlights are quite bright but its still a big difference with the xenon. Now, I sneak out at night just to drive on the curvy roads in my town.

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  Excellent Economic Small SUV - 2004 Subaru Forester
  By jose1683 - September 16 - 2:00 am

  I got rid of my M-Benz S500 before coming to Minnesota. People told me Minnesota had snowy winters and that my Rear driven car wouldnt make it. asked a friend who had an AWD car. He told me to get a Subaru. This guy drove his Subaru off a Freeway ramp down a 5 story Drop. Tires exploded on impact. So I bought the XT. I can take those 35mph turns at 60mph. It only cost $18 to Fill up the gas tank compared to my M-Benz $60. Uses 5 Bottles of Oil compared to the Benz 13 Bottles. I bought the XT in January and so Far Ive put in 5,650 Miles on it. I would certainly recommend this car. I would definitely buy the new Impreza STi coming out in 2006.

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  One of the best little cars - 2000 Subaru Impreza
  By EBS39 - September 16 - 2:00 am

  I have had 4 cars, and Im only 20 years old. I love cars, my parents started me out with a Subaru Impreza L. I sold it and got a Mitsubishi 3000GT, because I wanted something sportier and faster. Well that got old quick when I noticed it was a gas hog, and only took premium gas. I sold it, and got a VW Jetta GLS, something that was easier on gas, but I went right back to the problem of having little power, and once a huge winter hit. I felt lost without my AWD. As soon as summer hit, I started looking at the Subaru Impreza 2.5 RS. They are good looking, AWD, and faster than any average car. It fit me perfect. Best all-around car anyone could find.

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  I love my WRX. - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By mjzaun - September 16 - 2:00 am

  This car is a fun car to drive. It is fast and has great handling. The gas mileage is poor, but I can deal with it. With the wagon, you not only get speed, but you also get a ton of storage space. I love this car so much, but be warned. My husband recently found out that there is a glitch in the transmission in the 2002 models that makes it go bad around 50K miles. I think the info is in Consumer Reports. Sorry for the bad news, but otherwise, for now my car is great.

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  good car - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By fat kat - September 16 - 2:00 am

  best car ive ever seen/owned better than evo