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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  AQs LL Bean Outback Wagon - 2003 Subaru Outback
  By A Quan - September 16 - 2:00 am

  Ive owned my LLBean Outback Wagon for almost a year. I recently drove round trip from San Francisco to San Diego and was extremely pleased with the way the car handled and performed. It is a comfortable and safe car to drive on long trips, great visibility, good gas mileage, great on steep hills and curves, and very forgiving around sharp turns. Im very pleased with the car.

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  Great! - 2010 Subaru Forester
  By frogamigo - September 16 - 1:23 am

  I LOVE my new Forester! Fun, good looking, practical, and safe!

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  Great Car - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By Alaire - September 15 - 5:53 pm

  I love driving this car! This is the second Subaru for my family. The AWD is great for winter driving and the heated seats are a true joy when it is cold out. No matter what I would buy this car again. No question about that!

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  A Keeper! - 2010 Subaru Forester
  By Patrick - September 15 - 2:33 pm

  Wife and I live on the Navajo Indian Reservation where most traveling is considered long distance. Thirty percent of driving on the Reservation is off road. Sand, mud, and snow is not a problem for my basic 2010 Forester and road driving is a pleasure. I use my Silverado truck for *fair weather* driving. Forester does it all for my Wife and I. We intend to be conservative with it and keep it for years. Thank you Subaru.

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  Fun car to drive, - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By Tom K - September 14 - 10:50 am

  I researched heavily against more expensive models: BMW X5, MDX and RX330. The Tribeca beat them all for less and my first 1000 miles have been fun. The car is more comfortable than my 1999 Mercedes ML430 and handles better. The Tribeca also has more horsepower than the X5 and top safety ratings from safercar.gov. In its first weather test for me it flew up an ice covered hill that other cars were stuck on.

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  Cant Beat It - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By Jander - September 14 - 10:00 am

  One word FAST!!!!! Thats all that explains it. Smoothest car, try going 110mph, turn the radio off and listen. What do u hear? In this car pretty much nothing but the sound of the turbo, like an airplane. Watch out Cobras ur in danger........

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  Researched midsize sedans for a couple months... - 2013 Subaru Legacy
  By dbpdx - September 14 - 5:31 am

  ...and the Legacy came out on top for my family and me. I drive about 40 miles round-trip for work each day and have a two month old son. My wife and I traded in an older SUV and wanted a midsize sedan that would comfortably hold a rear-facing car seat while also achieving high MPG on the highway. High safety scores were also very important to us, and the Legacy delivered on all fronts. I drove several competing sedans but settled on the Legacy because of its spacious cabin and AWD. Ive had the car for a couple weeks and love driving it. I was very close to buying a 2012 Fusion but didnt quite feel right. The Camry didnt feel right, either. Both cars pale in comparison to the Legacy.

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  Awesome Crossover SUV - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By Dev Dawg 4 Life - September 13 - 5:56 am

  Have been driving SUV for almost 10 years and hit the jack-pot when I bought my Tribeca. Drives like a car with a SUV feel. Took weekend trip to Lake George, NY with 3 adults and 2 kids without a problem. Third row turned into a play area for kids and a extended bed for my 4 year old. I am 64 and and have plenty of leg/head room. Bought car for my wife. Like Subaru so much the following week a bought a Legacy GT Turbo wagon. Love both cars.

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  New to Subaru - 2010 Subaru Forester
  By Mermac55 - September 12 - 7:53 am

  Ive had two Accords and wanted something different. Amazed to find it at the Subaru store. The Forester was like at first sight, love at first drive. It is roomy, comfortable, smooth driving and has the best of all features- clean looks, hidden spare, panoramic viewing. The moon roof is heaven- crack the back windows to exit turbulence and you get lots of air without wind buffeting or road noise! I would never order an auto dimming rearview mirror, however when all the headlights behind me muted to a soft green I simply went Aaaah! True, the interior is basic rather than elegant, however the content is more than enough to make a lover of simple pleasures happy. Cant wait to heat up my seat!

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  Best Fuel Economic AWD on the Market - 2008 Subaru Impreza
  By Stephen - September 12 - 12:43 am

  I searched for the most fuel economic (freeway), AWD (for frequent dirt-roading/all weather) on the market with good interior loading capacity. This car blew the SX4 Crossover AWD (which I test drove) out of the water, especially in loading capacity, and was ~$10k cheaper than the Ford Escape Hybrid (which was great to drive but had about the same fuel economy as the Impreza 180hp). Ive already driven through fields with my Outback Sport in wet weather and it plowed through it like a champion - I cant wait for snow to come this season! This car has already been superior on road trips. Ive noticed the gear ratio used makes for a slight lack of power switching from 4th to 5th. @ ~50-55 mph