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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  Overall its a great car - 2011 Subaru Outback
  By JHK - July 19 - 2:16 am

  I was looking for a smaller SUV with better gas mileage than our current Honda Pilot (which we loved), but wanted plenty of cargo space. Narrowed down to the Chevy Equinox and Subaru Outback. Both were good, but the OB had better reputation for quality. I wanted the 4 cylinder for the gas mileage, but my wife convinced me to get the 6 cylinder for better performance. Im glad I did. The 6 cylinder has a lot of zip for the freeway, is a lot quieter than the 4 cylinder and, frankly, is a lot of fun to drive (after 7 years with the Pilot). Gas mileage is good. I commute from the suburbs and average slightly over 23 mpg. Plenty of cargo space. Good lucking. Really well designed.

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  Great Car - 2005 Subaru Impreza
  By Great Car - July 18 - 9:16 am

  Excellent performance, best bang for your buck...

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  A great muli-purpose vehicle - 2003 Subaru Forester
  By kbpayh - July 17 - 2:00 am

  The Forester is my daily commuter as well as my weekend get away vehicle. After one week of driving in all conditions from long, mundane highway trips, to blizzard and unplowed roads, I came to the conclusion that I made an excellent decision when purchasing this car. If you are considering any SUV, take a Forester for a test drive!

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  Just awesome - 2005 Subaru Impreza
  By Zack - July 16 - 9:00 pm

  Upgraded from a standard WRX and its a totally different ball park. Not for the faint of heart. Fun, practical, daily driver.

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  3000 mile report card - 2011 Subaru Outback
  By george alexanian - July 16 - 11:56 am

  My realistic, not wide eyed or wishful rating, at 3000 mile overall grade is an A-. If it had more gauges, an intermittently working blue tooth, and did not require me to agree to terms to see the map every time I start to drive the car, it would have been the best car I have ever had in 45 years, and rated an A+. At an out the door price of $37,988 for the limited 3.6R, you cannot beat it. Subaru has the opportunity to be the best practical and cost effective crossover ever made with a few changes. Subaru, get with it and prosper! Before this, I never even considered a Subaru, I did not even know where it was made.

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  Superb Gas Mileage (37mph Hwy!) - 2017 Subaru Outback
  By Kalen - July 15 - 6:24 am

  We decided to sell our fully loaded 2009 Lexus RX350 with 133,000 miles and get something that still retained AWD, but had better gas mileage. Unfortunately the 26mpg hwy we were achieving in our Lexus was sub-par for us, and the increasing miles meant maintenance and mechanical woes were a close reality. After searching numerous car manufacturers (Jeep, Dodge, Chevy, Ford, Toyota, Honda, Nissan ect...) for a crossover size AWD vehicle, we were disappointed in prices and poor gas mileage. After test driving and looking over the stats, the Outback was a clear choice. We ended up with the base model Outback (2.5i) for $26,000 out the door including tax. $500 was added for the rear tonneau cover, rear bumper cover, and full set of all weather mats. Since purchasing the car, we have been pleasantly surprised by the 37mpg average we have achieved commuting to my wifes parents house which is an all highway, roughly 2 hour round trip. The car is very quite inside thanks to the extra sound deadening added for the 2017 models. The automatic transmission feels slightly more composed and enjoyable to drive vs. the transmission in our 2016 Impreza which may be due to updated software tuning for 2017. Due to the long wheelbase, the Outback feels as smooth and composed as our previous Lexus, more so in the curves. Fit and finish feels top notch, and the instrument cluster is pleasant to look at and use. The stereo system sounds better than the system in our 2016 Impreza, and the manual rear hatch door pops up with such vigor, the automatic rear hatch door opener isnt missed by my wife or I. We were surprised to find the roof rack cross bars are actually tucked into and hidden in the supplied roof rack rails, and dont need to be purchased separately. A major decision in favor of the Outback vs. the Forester was the better safety ratings, especially with having kids. The ground clearance was quite stunning as we peered under the car. Not sure how Subaru managed that!

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  Fun to Drive - 2005 Subaru Legacy
  By Oregon - July 13 - 12:10 am

  The Turbo charged GT model has impressive acceleration. Its my first time with an all wheel drive car with sport car like handling. The Momo steering wheel is pleasing to the grip especially when connected to such nimble and responsive steering. The car has no hesitation and continues the steep climb felt in the 5.7 second 0 to 60. Its just plain fun to drive. On the back roads the all wheel drive just hugs the road. The five speed auto transmission has three settings but in retrospect Im not sure that I shouldnt have gotten the manual transmission for better control of the powertrain. This car is just fun to drive.

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  Love, Love, Love!! - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By MP - July 12 - 7:56 am

  This is our first Subaru, we have test drove many SUVs and other crossovers, this was the last one we test drove. We love our Subie..drives great in the snow, does not even care what snow is!! The one thing my husband wishes it had was memory seats and the retractable side mirrors. I am super happy about the AWD and our Great Dane fits perfectly in the back. :)

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  No weaknesses - 2000 Subaru Legacy
  By alaskan loyalist - July 11 - 10:00 am

  With a 5speed and taut handling it is very fun to drive. Fuel economy is decent considering ALL FOUR WHEELS are being driven ALL THE TIME. This is what pushes Subarus to the head of the pack in Alaska, and accounts for their well-deserved ubiquity. Standard ABS (unlike Honda and Toyota), another Alaskan-friendly feature that dramatically improves stopping performance on ice. Typically unassailable Japanese reliabiliy round out the package. AWD costs $10K more from VW/Audi, plus their reliability is the pits and you have to let the tranny shift for you (on the Passat 4motion)! I think not!

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  I love my TS - 2003 Subaru Impreza
  By DJ88 - July 11 - 10:00 am

  fun to drive, great acceleration, awesome grip and break response (drove it on snow) classic Subaru feel and sound I will buy a WRX Subaru Wagon in a few years when my baby girl inherits this one