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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  New Forester- Very nice re-design - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By Runnin - July 1 - 7:13 pm

  Compared to the old design, this is much larger, more quiet, smoother, substantially more comfortable, higher up. More mainstream look. More SUV then jacked-up wagon now.

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  5,000 Mile Update - 2014 Subaru Forester
  By fandango - July 1 - 2:27 pm

  Now that Ive had my Forester long enough to be well acquainted, I thought I would leave an update. So far Im impressed with the overall performance, ride, quality and features. Im averaging just over 30mpg in 80/20 highway driving and I am quite impressed by the performance of the CVT transmission -- and I was always a manual transmission driver before this. Its no sports car (like my old Impreza), but it is generally comfortable, smooth-riding, relatively quiet and it handles pretty well for the SUV that it is. Its an excellent family-sized vehicle and a great value.

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  2001 Forester - 2001 Subaru Forester
  By P J Tramdack - July 1 - 12:43 am

  The car just went over 160,000. So far the head gaskets have had to be replaced (this was the subject of a recall) and the front axle was replaced. The check engine light has been on since 60,000. Apparently this means nothing. The Forester is excellent on the icy roads of NW Pennsylvania. It feels very well made. Overall the car has been very good and I will probably buy another one. I think I got my moneys worth.

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  My First Subaru - 2009 Subaru Outback
  By KentuckyRanger - June 30 - 10:50 pm

  I was disabled back in 06 and I need a car I know is going to last. After months of research the choice was obvious, I just wanted to wait till the 09s were out because they come standard with VDC which was well worth the wait after driving it. If you have any common sense youll find it almost impossible to throw this car out of control. Theres a store in the neighborhood that just sprayed their lot with sealant, very slick when wet. It rained yesterday morning so off I went. Around and around, I couldnt get this thing to spin out! Finally I just went in circles until the car went beyond what the tires could handle and I slid sideways. 20 Stars!!

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  Will know more in 5 years - 2016 Subaru Forester
  By Alfred Letellier - June 30 - 5:55 pm

  Weve owned the car for less than a month, so we cant rate any reliability categories, but it is comfortable with nice features and an almost reasonable price compared to other new vehicles in its class... of course, theyre all overpriced. Sure would like to see a warranty that matches the claims of reliability, like a 5 year 60,000 mile bumper to bumper.

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  Fabulous value for the money - 2009 Subaru Legacy
  By Len 2.5SE - June 30 - 7:20 am

  Great lease deal due to fantastic residual values. Features and equipment at a level far in excess of price point of 23K. Interior quality at least comparable to cars $10K more expensive. Handling, ride and comfort above average. Quietness is ok but nothing special. Overall Im extremely happy with the car.

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  Oz Subaru experience - 2006 Subaru Forester
  By Martin Berry - June 29 - 10:16 pm

  The Forester is great, traveling nicely on a recent trip to Cairns [about 3000 miles]. Gear shift is easy to use, the 2.5 petrol engine has plenty of grunt and the reinforced suspension is much stiffer than the old version. I like the versatility, storing lots of stuff in the back, carrying canoes on the top, driving long distances listening to CDs or the stereo etc. It is nearly as good as my wifes Outback, so that is saying something!

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  Dont buy this car with automatic transmission - 2011 Subaru Forester
  By vladikt - June 29 - 4:08 pm

  I am extremely disappointed with the ride quality. Ive owed my 2011 Forester for 5 months now and I could never get use to the disgusting clunky transmission. It is unbelievable how in 2011 Subaru still cant supply a nice smooth transmission. Before this Forester I owned Impreza with manual 5 speed and I could shift smoother than Forester with Automatic. Its a joke, it down shifts when it doesnt have to and upshifts when it shouldnt. Like right before the full stop, all of the sudden it upshifts and it feels like it skids. Completely retarded! I was all hyped up when I test drove the car and everything felt perfect.

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  Nice Rig......BUT!!! Update - 2011 Subaru Outback
  By Elliott Steele - June 29 - 3:51 am

  I bought a 2011 Outback 3.6R with 24K miles on the tout of Consumer Reports, and the fact my nephew has been driving a used 2006 for years while going to college. The only negative feedback I found was from a friend who owned a Legacy. She loved the vehicle, however it developed the problem of everything stopping periodically for no apparent reason and Subaru could never resolve the problem. I should have leaned more to her experience for my choice! At about 42K miles, periodically, my Outback wouldnt shift out of 2nd gear when in auto mode requiring me to go to manual mode to shift out of 2nd. This problem progressively got worse to the point I took it to the dealer. That was nearly three months ago, April 19, 2016. Luckily, the problem repeated when the technician took it for a test!! Supposedly the transmission has been replaced THREE times, the last a brand new one after two factory rebuilds. Most or all control modules have also supposedly been replaced. Even the factory engineer was called out, and the problem even stumped him. The last I heard over a week ago, the main computer was to be cleared and reprogrammed. To date 7/17/16, I havent heard from the service manager, so I am assuming that didnt work either. I have to say the dealership has treated me well by providing a new Legacy loaner. The only other negative points are the moon roof is too noisy when open, with or without the deflector and it pulls to the right after installing new tires which I was told by dealer is a design by Subaru, even though it didnt do so prior to new tires and the Legacy Im driving doesnt pull either??? Otherwise, as a hiker, gold panner, and hunter, I think the Outback is a nice rig, but even if it is fixed, can I trust it??? Well, after nearly 7 months and $10K (on extended warranty so dealer ate it), the problem ended up being that Discount Tire installed 235/65R/17 on left side and 235/60R/17 on right side! This was supposedly found by one of the engineers asking if tire size had checked. When I bought the car, the rotors were required to be turned (something I forgot to mention on original review) which the dealer (Subaru of Las Vegas, NV) did at no cost to me. When I got the Outback back after shifting problem, it again had pulsations when applying the brakes. This time the dealer (Hohl Subaru in Carson City, NV) charged me $182.00 to inspect and troubleshoot, and of course the rotors needed to be replaced. I had Discount Tire replace all four tires (after them trying to change only one side & me having to make a scene) immediately on getting Outback returned. Then, after getting quote from brake shop to fix the front rotors, I took the Outback to the local Toyota dealer and traded it in on a Tacoma quad cab TRD Off Road. What a great rig! The Outbacks off roading capabilities are limited.

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  My final selection - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By gusser - June 29 - 1:13 am

  I was very impressed with the performance and ride of this vehicle. It took a few hours to get the feel of the steering (small wheel, which is comfortable) and the transmission (cvt) rather than the upgraded radio i had the dealer install a hands free phone system, a auto dimming mirror, mud flaps and rear bumper protector. I had a Pontiac Aztek which i was very fond of and was hesitant about the move to the Subaru. But, i immediately felt comfortable with everything about this vehicle. My first tank provided 30.5 mpg, which is great. the seats are a little smaller than the Pontiac, but comfortable for me, my wife does not like the passenger seat. Thats it. Very nice car.