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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  First subaru - 2014 Subaru Forester
  By fannibal - June 12 - 3:56 am

  Ive had my car for 2 weeks and I absolutely love it! It is definitely a practical buy, so people looking for prestige/performance should look elsewhere. mpg is great, I am getting 28-30 in the first few hundred miles, even though I am mostly in 20-30mph traffic during most of my commute. I recently drove through a major snowstorm in the northeast and this thing performed wonderfully!

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  Pleasantly Surprised - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By Melissa M - June 11 - 10:16 am

  We purchased this car because we are seriously considering a move north of Florida. I had an 06 4-Runner we turned in, and although I loved that SUV, I really love this new Suby too. It sits lower than the 4-Runner did, comparable to my husbands Escape, but it handles much better, sportier than the Escape. Takes some getting used to in traffic since I am accustomed to sitting higher off the road. I really wanted the Tribeca to start (for the 3rd row seats), but the extra $10K wasnt realistic - or necessary - because I am more than satisfied with this purchase...highly recommend for a small family who wants a sporty car with plenty of room and plenty of life for an excellent price.

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  A wise choice and dun to drive! - 2003 Subaru Forester
  By DarwinTheDog - June 11 - 10:00 am

  When I decided to replace my Nissan Frontier I was a bit unsure about what type of vehicle would best suit my needs. I wanted more interior space, better gas mileage and a more comfortable ride. But I didnt want to give up having 4-wheel drive, and wanted to have some cargo room. I looked at the Ford Escape, Jeep Liberty, Toyota RAV 4, Honda CRV and eventually the Subaru Forester. The Forester is fun to drive (not like a sports car, but for a small SUV it handles very well), the fuel economy is good, it has great safety features (#1 small SUV in Insurance Institute Study), is reliable (according to Consumer Reports), and comfortable.

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  Imprezive !!! - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By Nibib - June 11 - 10:00 am

  6000 miles already this car is just solid on every situations !!! Power, handling and fun !!!

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  Best Deal for the Money - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By Slonna - June 11 - 5:16 am

  Just bought Limited Tribeca with Nav/DVD ... and more. Rides great, in my opinion the best looking SUV currently out there, very well appointed-in/out. Came from a 800 mile trip and never got tired or boring driving it.

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  GREAT FAMILY CAR! - 2008 Subaru Outback
  By doc5339 - June 11 - 4:59 am

  Overall this is an awesome car. The Outback merges safety with functionality, and driving fun. The opposed 4-cylinder (H4) has great pick-up.

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  Great car, whats up with the engine? - 1999 Subaru Forester
  By Clint - June 10 - 4:46 am

  I love my Forester. I searched far and wide ending on eBay for one with the right price and look, but the engine was a disaster just waiting to occur. I could hear some kind of rod knock but all the dealerships said it could run for another 100K. 10K later the car was at 115K and it cost $4400 to get a new engine. Now its in good shape. It still only gets 20mpg compared to 27 by rating, but all the girls love it!

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  Great choice for the snow belt - 2006 Subaru Legacy
  By Will - June 9 - 1:03 pm

  If you live in the snow belt (Im in Alaska) its hard to argue with this choice. Subarus non-turbo models offer the best fuel economy currently available with AWD - I get 21 to 23 in the city (depending on time of year) and can get 30 on the highway (real numbers calculated at the pump). It would be nice if there were an AWD deactivation feature, but that might lessen safety and reliability. The cloth seats are great (leather is terrible in cold weather & bad for the environment/inhumane). You wont win drag races in this, but its the only thing available that offers its blend of reliability, safety, AWD, a manual transmission, and good fuel economy in the same package.

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  Love it! - 2011 Subaru Outback
  By Damage450 - June 8 - 10:46 pm

  We purchased our first Subaru ever in July of 2010 and we couldnt be happier. The car rides great, is comfortable, has plenty of cargo room, and gets great fuel mileage. We are averaging 31.8 MPG over the first 1500 miles we have put on it. Now, we do drive the speed limit so I am sure that helps.

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  Great All Around Vehicle - 2003 Subaru Baja
  By C.Sutton - June 6 - 3:40 pm

  Great performance, very reliable. No work other than normal maintenance and Im at around 40,000 miles. Love the truck bed for garden supplies, small lumber purchases. Live in a rural area and no problems with snow, ice or mud on our 1/2 mile driveway. It gets in and out just as well as my husbands full size 4WD Chevy truck.