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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  disappointed - 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek
  By sholescurtis - March 16 - 2:34 am

  Since this is my first Subaru, I feel I may not have a good understanding of what to expect. I am quite disappointed by the car after only having it about six weeks. I am barely getting 20 mpg, far less than advertised, and one of the major reasons I purchased this car. I do find the engine extremely loud and bothersome but again, this may be characteristic of a Subaru? I feel it definitely lacks power but I was willing to sacrifice that for decent mpg, which is why I am frustrated beyond belief. I would seriously reconsider purchasing another and yet I realize that anyone I know thats owned a Subaru, loves them.

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  Safe and Fun To Drive - 2004 Subaru Forester
  By Asa Packer - March 14 - 11:46 am

  2004 2.5X has been a good, but not great car. Great fun to drive, economical and very safe, but the engine sips coolant and theres a light, intermittent engine knock. Subaru dealers cant or wont diagnose either problem. Time will tell how long our Subaru lasts.

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  Outlook not for sea kyakers - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By John Giese - March 11 - 12:16 pm

  The roof rack on the 2010 Outlook is a disaster. Long the favorite vehicle for sea kayakers you cant fit 3-4 sea kayaks on anymore. It costs a grand at Yakima Racks to get replacement and install a rack that will work. Multiple problems with factory rack and Subaru rack accessories. Hard for heater to warm feet, fan very noisy and interior controls difficult to see in the dark. Otherwise quite happy with vehicle.

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  Poor mans M3 - 2005 Subaru Impreza
  By bully4me - March 11 - 10:00 am

  Car is fantastic to drive around town. Great brakes and acceleration. Engine has lots of torque compared to Mitsu EVO that had no bottom end. 6 speed works well and engine settles down at cruise. Glad I got the 2004 as the 2005 interior and rear flares are not an upgrade. Only the console and HVAC controls are better over the 2004. So - buy the 2004 if you can find one and take the savings to add a killer stereo. Hope they figure out the code on the engine ship soon so we can reflash for more power.

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  Nice but with some quality reliability issues - 2008 Subaru Tribeca
  By jimsimp3 - March 9 - 12:14 pm

  I have owned the car for 40 months now and honestly say I WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER TRIBECA and maybe not another Subaru. LIKES: purchase price including factory incentives was $6,000 under MSRP. It has plenty of nice standard features. I like the styling (except the Chrysler-like grill). I really like the size and cargo capacity with the seats folded. DISLIKES: fuel economy, small fuel tank, cheap and non-durable plastic cargo area material, forward blind spots caused by thick posts. Last but not least ........ I have it back to the dealer too many times for issues like rough transmission shifting, replacement of brake master cylinder, headlight bulbs are frequently blown

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  Fun little car - 2007 Subaru Impreza
  By no name - March 7 - 9:23 pm

  Overall I have been very satisfied with this car. It handles great, the AWD grips the road very well, decent amount of power, and fun to drive. But of course this isnt a luxury car. The interior seems to be well assembled with no rattling and it looks cheap but it does have nice supportive seats and a sporty look. I get 22 miles per gallon in the city even though I push it a lot. Decent for an all wheel drive car.

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  Lousy trailer hitch - 2015 Subaru Forester
  By sunflowersue - March 6 - 1:12 am

  Bought a new Forester Limited in December 2014. Really like some features of the car compared to the 2003 Forester it replaced. Not crazy about the way the engine picks up speed or not. Like little things--leather seats, dimming mirror, back-up camera. Like the added room for rear seat passengers.

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  Crashed with no scratches! - 2007 Subaru Impreza
  By Mo - February 26 - 6:13 pm

  This car was great maintenance and reliability wise, I live in a mountainous region with ice, snow, and potholes. Then we crashed it going 50 mph into a stopped vehicle with no scratches on our bodies. The car was totaled. Definitely buying another Subaru!

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  Best in Snow - 2011 Subaru Legacy
  By jonster1 - February 26 - 12:25 am

  After three years of driving and three blizzards, this car has proven itself and come out a winner. Driving in snow and ice is far less scary with the AWD. You never feel like youll lose control. The car itself feels solid. A nice "ka-thunk" when you close the door. There are no squeaks, and everything works properly. I moved to a hilly neighborhood and Im at the top. My old car (BMW 528i) could not even make it up a small grade in the snow. The Subaru climbs the hill to my house like a mountain goat. Very impressive.

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  Nice but needs improvements - 2004 Subaru Forester
  By Sean D - February 24 - 12:20 pm

  Performance great, but 1st gear ratio too low; shift to 2nd is sometimes clumsy with best efforts. Clutch pedal range much too long. Outside styling is weird. Looks good in some lighting and some angles (e.g. rear), in others it looks pathetic. Wheels too small and stupid looking for top-of-the-line Forester. Suspension is too soft for performance. Seats and position are not comfortable for me. Seems the ergonomics are for shorter people. Gas mileage fair; seems to be the same whether driven hard or easy. Premium fuel is not a plus, but its a turbo. Ive driven the 07. Much improved appearance, nicer wheels, nicer interior design / features.