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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  you gotta drive one of these - 2004 Subaru Baja
  By Vash - July 31 - 10:00 am

  Most amazing vehicle Ive ever driven

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  So Much Fun - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By erikald - July 31 - 10:00 am

  This is a great car if you like to be an active driver, which I do. It has power to spare and is very responsive. The challenge is to avoid speeding tickets. No regrets.

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  Excellent - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By gregcase - July 31 - 10:00 am

  It has been an excellent vehicle. The car is very good in the dry and snow, and phenomenal in the wet. It feels very solid, and I have had no problems during the 57000 miles I have put on it. It is very fun to drive, gets decent fuel mileage, has plenty of interior space, and is a very parctical car. When you wear out the OE tires, I strongly recommend some high performance tires like Bridgestone Potenza 750s or S-03s. They make a great dry and wet car even better.

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  Raw, fun, sometimes exhausting - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By abam - July 31 - 10:00 am

  I love this car for its speed, grip, and handling, but I find it somewhat trenous to drive in traffic. That has nothing to do with the manual transmission, by the way, which shifts like a dream. My civic/integra hybrid is a manual and is more relaxing, despite its high performance clutch. I think its the heavily caffeinated motor. Now on a wide open road, its a different story. Its reasonably quiet but still louder than a normal WRX.

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  Great Value - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By Aaron - July 30 - 7:13 pm

  I have been driving the redesigned Outback for nearly two weeks. I have gotten approximately 23-25 mpg in the city and around 31 mpg on the highway. Power is not great but I can handle a little less power for the great gas mileage. This car has a huge amount of room for a family of four and looks good too. The comfortable seats are an added benefit. This is definitely a great value with AWD on top!

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  First time Subaru owner - 2009 Subaru Impreza
  By Shirneen - July 30 - 1:36 am

  Wanted AW drive but didnt want to break the bank (again). Got the 5 speed and it is so much fun to drive. Really hugs the road in turns and is fabulous in the Maine Snowy winters!! Added XM, Subwoofer so the stereo is fine. Gas mileage is 30-33 in mixed driving. Traded in an 04 Murano AWD and the Impreza is much better in the snow.

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  2011 Outback First Impressions - 2011 Subaru Outback
  By hamuller - July 29 - 7:46 pm

  After my 2000 Forester my outback seems huge. It is a giant step forward in comfort. The CVT tranny is extremely smooth. As I have only had the car for two days I cant comment on the fuel economy yet. If it is as advertised I will be happy. I agree with the Edmunds test drive that the steering is a little "numb" compared to the Forester but overall Im extremely satisfied so far. My wife loves the smooth, comfortable ride. I will write a follow up after Ive had it a while.

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  Forester Review - 2002 Subaru Forester
  By Jon - July 28 - 12:10 am

  The Forester is an excellent vehicle. Handles like a dream and is the best value for the money. Its also the safest vehicle of its kind on the market. I love it

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  best deal I have had - 2004 Subaru Baja
  By Macster - July 25 - 10:00 am

  Very comvertable ride. good pickup on inclines. good gas milage, I averaged 25.6 MPG over a one year period. I drive an average of 100 miles aday 7 days a week. I have had it for 16 months (480 days) I have 47,762 miles on it now. This was the first subaru I have owned , certianly not the last. There are two drawbacks that I have found 1)is that there is wind noise once you get up over 65 MPH. I have had the dealer deal with it on several visits, every time they fix it every time it comes back. 2) it is hard to see when you backing up.

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  A great SUV alternative - 2009 Subaru Outback
  By DrPete - July 24 - 9:03 am

  I was looking for a car big enough to carry our whole family (me, wife, baby, and 2 dogs), and being a physician I needed something that would get me to work under any conditions. This car fits the bill beautifully. Fit and finish are amazing for this price point, ride quality is smooth and comfortable, and reliability so far has been great. The built-in nav system is quite detailed, and my only wish would be for a live traffic option. This is easily the most sure-footed car Ive ever driven in the snow, and isnt top- heavy like most SUVs. My only real gripes are the lack of power from the 2.5i and limited back seat room when using a rear-facing car seat.