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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  So far so good - 2000 Subaru Outback
  By mark york,pa - July 18 - 10:00 am

  Bought car new in 2000. Have 203k miles Passed down to college daughter. We had an infrequent problem with intermittent stalling and CEL. This had been occurring since new but could not solve the issue. Codes indicated MAP Sensor and replaced with used one for $50. Did NOT solve problem. Did an ECM reprogram for $90 at dealership and fixed problem! We do regular maint and car has been great. Great value, pretty good gas mileage but most importantly safe and reliable. Desirable combination. Would recommend you find a well kept one and go buy it!

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  HAD TO TRADE - 2016 Subaru Impreza
  By STEPHEN BREYETTE - July 18 - 3:07 am

  Had to trade my 2012 Impreza Limited with CVT as it already had 3 CVT transmissions installed in under 56,000 miles. I hope this 2016 Limited with CVT has a better reliability record.

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  A complete Ride? - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By dsmyers - July 17 - 2:50 am

  This ride met all criteria when we purchased. At least we thought so. It was advertised and listed on the sticker to get 18 city 23 MPG highway. The highest we have seen is 16.9 MPG. Bums me out that I didnt verify this before we purchased. We have to set aside some extra $$ in budget for gas. Also, we cant be the only ones. There is something very different with the low beams. It displays a broken line in front of you. The Subaru factory said thats the way it is. Subaru dealer said we were not first the TB9 owners to make this claim. It is a flaw I tell you. Subaru (everyday is a winding road). A dark winding road can be dangerous one. During the day it is a very sturdy, safe ride.

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  Wanted to feel the love... - 2017 Subaru Outback
  By Laura - July 16 - 11:30 am

  It took me over a year to get into this car...the mpgs and stability on the road were what put me over the top. I was sooooooo excited to get this outback, I mean super excited to take it camping and have a reliable and fuel efficient car to drive in town... I was so excited that 3 of my friends went out and bought Subarus, too (2 got foresters and 1 an Outback, too). This all being said, I am not 100% convinced that my experience is that of most Outback consumers, however I do now know Im not alone. It seems that the quality control of the outback is not consistent. Im speaking primarily when it comes to mpgs. Ive done everything I can to push this car to achieve greater in city mpgs to no avail..Ive done every trick in the book(and in the web) and still my in city mpgs hover between 17-18.5mpg. Now maybe on the 6cyl. I could get on board but I bought the 4cyl. with the expressed excitement that it could achieve much greater than that based on fuelly (and other wwws) as well as repeated assurance from the folks at Subaru dealerships("easily get 20-23mpg in your neighborhood") and other Outback owners in my neighborhood. The worst of it though had been the run around by the service departments and Subaru Corporate telling me off the record that its horrible mileage but that its considered within the secret specs by Subaru Corporate(that they wont share with me) so they wont be allowed to check the vehicle further...theyll make appointments to appease me but they will simply check for computer updates and call it a day with a car wash thrown in. To be sure its not a case of driver error, I can assure you I got much better mileage on a loaner Forester and another Outback and my highway mileage is great (28-32mpg) but once it hits a city street it tanks within minutes. My car just didnt get put together right but no one is willing to look inside of it, even though the shop manager confirmed the mpg himself by driving it for 2 days. Anyway, I wont be buying or leasing another Outback for fear Ill get another dud with no recourse because the company doesnt stand behind their mpg claims or their vehicles. Luckily, my other friends got great vehicles it seems, Ill just have to ride this lease out and see what pops up on the market in the next 2 years.

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  Its fun when it works... - 2001 Subaru Forester
  By C Barrett - July 15 - 2:10 am

  I have just received word from my mechanic that my $25k Forrester (admittedly with 140k miles) will not pass inspection due to the stupid engine light being on again. It has been on almost constantly since I purchased the auto on 4/1/00. I have replaced the O2 sensor 3 times in the last 18 months, have had to replace the axle when the tire fell off (the lug nuts just sheared) in dangerous conditions on the West Side Hwy in NYC, and I will probably buy something else very soon. The car was great when it was new, and even up until last year before things started to go wrong. I am hoping that Subaru will stand behind its product, but it hasnt so far. If they do, I will amend this review and let you know.

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  Not a good buy - 2017 Subaru Outback
  By Jack bo - July 14 - 7:20 am

  If your used to nice cars this is a horrific buy. Because the quality is not good at all you can tell everything is really cheep.

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  We like it so far! - 2008 Subaru Outback
  By Radar1 - July 14 - 7:03 am

  We needed a safer car for long distance touring with lots of cargo space, capable of towing our pop-up camper. The Outback fills the bill, and after 1100 miles we are impressed with the ride quality, handling, and gas mileage. On our first trip we averaged 28.2 MPG, which is just as good as our smaller 2.3 litre Ford Focus, but we had much more luggage space and comfort.

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  Great Sleeper - 2005 Subaru Forester
  By Corkfish - July 14 - 5:40 am

  With 10,000 miles on the clock, Ive had no problems. The car was just what I was looking for because I wanted something that was fun to drive and offered serious (not just spirited) performance, but in a plain jane package. Im 45 and conservative so I did not want a sports car, muscle car or anything else that would attract a lot of attention. There isnt anything out there that offers so much versatility and performance for the money. AWD, 0 to 60 in less than 6 seconds, and you can carry a big TV in it. No, you wont be blowing the doors off of Mustangs or 350Zs, but its pretty amazing that they wont blow your doors off either.

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  Former VW - BMW Owner - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By bigchief - July 14 - 3:46 am

  Made my decision to purchase after getting my BMW out of winter storage, became exhausted from the pounding of those run flat tires, just terrible. The ride is smooth, vehicle is sure footed, I now enjoy a relaxed commute. Purchased the 2.5 with manual transmission, just could not become convinced on the CVT. About 1,000 miles into it and has been enjoyable thus far.

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  Forester Rocks - 2003 Subaru Forester
  By Sam098731 - July 14 - 2:00 am

  Brilliant car to drive. Perfect response to braking, steering and accelerating. Brilliant handling and road surety. A bit slugish in the 30- 50Mph range is only complaint.