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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  Addicted to Outbacks. - 2017 Subaru Outback
  By PC - May 15 - 9:50 am

  Cant believe I just traded my 2011 for a 2017 - but all the new safety stuff got to me (see Suburu EyeSight system - it is better than anything else I researched). Am tired of backing into things. Drove some other stuff to do due diligence. Nothing even comes close. Drives like a real car almost but tons of space. My repair bills in 5 years consisted of oil changes, one set of new wipers, 2 screws in a loose heat shield. New brake pads too I think - but with just 42K miles never needed tires. AWD essential in New England. Never getting stuck in snow is a priority (never have). Cant imagine a better vehicle. Oh - forgot to mention that auto lift and closing gate thing in the back! Got tremendous value from the dealer on my 2011. 9/2017. No complaints. Same review as in 2016. Havent backed into anything!

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  Amazing family car - 2011 Subaru Outback
  By johnyoo - May 15 - 9:22 am

  Starting a new family, I had to give up my compact and this was the best choice for us. Great power, spacious interior (key for car seats), cargo room, AWD, and reasonable fuel economy. Primarily looked at a Murano which was more luxurious, but a bit smaller cargo-wise and you need to run it on premium so went with the Subaru. After about 3k miles Im glad we did. Its extremely comfortable on the roads and was a lifesaver in the recent snowstorms. It doesnt handle as well as the cars Im used to, but I didnt expect super crisp handling going into a larger vehicle. I wish some of the tech was more up to date, but its good enough for our needs and should serve us well.

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  Should have bought one sooner - 2017 Subaru Outback
  By Mark Greene - May 14 - 12:28 pm

  We have owned our new Outback about 3 weeks now, and with over 2,000 miles on it already, are extremely pleased with it. We have averaged 30+ mpg over two 400-mile round trips. This car is quieter, rides better, and gets much better mileage than my 2012 Veracruz, and the traded in Mercedes convertible. I love the adaptive cruise control, it can control your speed/spacing distance down to 30mph if you need it to. The eyesight system is something all cars should have! The fit and finish are impressive, controls are pretty well placed overall, and operating the various systems is pretty intuitive. There is quite a learning curve to get all the various system options set the way you want, but once you do, life is good. The CVT is just a touch whiny if you hit the throttle hard from a stop, but the rest of the time, it feels like a standard 6-speed automatic transmission should. It is easy to get in and out of, the seats were comfortable for our one 5-hour drive, and visibility is very good. The roof rails are folded into the side rails until you need them, which makes the car quieter. The storage is equal to our Veracruz, with a smaller overall body, a higher road clearance, and a much lower roof rack access, which is a bonus for us. The sound system is one area my wife is disappointed with, but she is comparing it to her Mercedes sound system. As the title says, should have bought an Outback sooner.

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  Love my new (used) Subaru! - 2013 Subaru Legacy
  By chicken farmer - May 14 - 6:21 am

  This is my third Subaru in the last 30 years (two of them used). When I was looking at this car I also test-drove 3 used Subaru Legacies. The others were a year newer with fewer miles but the rides were poor. The pickup on this car is fine. I love the CVT. I am so happy with the paddle-shifting! It is wonderful for complete control in snow, and uphill and downhill! I have only had the car for 3 months (Oct-Jan).. The things I dont like are: Takes a long time to warm up. I dont like the trunk-closer "handle" hole - its not sturdy and cant close the trunk - you have to push down on the dirty trunk cover after all. I am very short, and the headrest on the drivers seat was almost a deal-breaker for me, but Ive gotten used to having NO real neck support as my head goes into the big hole before the very high headrest pushes forward (who likes to have THAT?). Lots of cars have that now. Also the paint seems to be a joke. I noticed immediately that I should keep my keys away when going to the door, or Ill add to the many scratches! The trunk is ENORMOUS and I cant believe it can hold more than my old wagons trunk. This car has nice amenities! I love the winter package. Everyone else is scraping their cars and I sit in there and wait for it to do itself! But I wish it had fog lights! They told me those would be $500 to add. But this ones trim level is MUCH nicer than the cars with fog lights (lower models). Both of the other cars I test drove had better brakes. I love that the hood goes up by itself when you unlatch it; no stick to have to push up high to hold a HEAVY hood up (Getting harder for a short, older woman)! Also I think its silly that the inside light goes on SLOWLY when you open the door! But I am mostly totally delighted with my "new" car!

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  Subaru Bang for the Buck - 2017 Subaru Legacy
  By rich sasso - May 14 - 2:16 am

  What you should know is it is a great all wheel drive car for the money. When you close a door on a Legacy you would think you were in a Mercedes. Very comfortable and roomy. Power is non-existent so if you are an aggressive driver it isnt the car for you. If power isnt a factor then its acceleration is ok to mediocre. Dash, air control and radio controls etc. are convoluted. But it does have a nice screen in the dash. Warranty is lousy but reliability ratings are high. Compared to our prior Sonata the warranty is poor. Looking at the big picture the car is a steal for the price.

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  Energy Drain - 2008 Subaru Tribeca
  By Overland Park, KS - May 13 - 10:43 pm

  I love everything about this car - except two issues that Ive had. I have a "phantom" energy drain that leaves me stranded due to a dead battery. Its random, unpredictable and frustrating. I also have had to have the power steering fixed twice - they actually needed to put a new pump (?), regardless, at such low mileage Im surprised.

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  Best bang for the buck! - 2008 Subaru Outback
  By Chris S. - May 13 - 7:53 am

  Best all around value and functionality from any manufacturer! Its like taking a sedan, SUV, and sports car and fusing them together. Gets 30 MPG on the highway after switching to Mobil 1 5w-30 synthetic.

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  Total Failure of a Car - 2010 Subaru Impreza
  By Dan Barry - May 13 - 6:38 am

  The clutch on my 2.5i Subaru went out at 40k miles, the center armrest cracked, the side arm rests caved in, the trunk rattles and it burns oil like mad. Now the car is turning itself off intermittently while running, probably from a failed fuel pump. We are selling this car and getting a better vehicle. This has been the worst vehicle weve ever owned.

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  The best part is it was Free :D - 1998 Subaru Forester
  By forester98 - May 12 - 4:44 pm

  I got this car back in October from my cousin who was getting a new car and didnt want to trade his Subie in. GO HIM! lol It is by far the best vehicle Ive ever owned. Reliability is amazing, the car has 136k miles on it, and i drove 400 miles to Ohio through the rain soaked mountains of West Virginia with no problems. Enough said. For reference in the rest of this, the Subie I own is a 2.5L 5 speed manual.

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  Its my dream car - 2013 Subaru Impreza WRX
  By Jason LaMar - May 12 - 12:29 pm

  For years all I wanted was a WRX. When I finally got mine it didnt disappoint. Stock the car is amazing, but if you start upgrading, theres nothing better. My 18 month old loves the car, when he sees it, he goes, vroom vroom.