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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  2003 WRX Wagon - 2003 Subaru Impreza
  By Kevin11 - June 3 - 2:00 am

  This car is the best overall vehicle for most people. Forget about gas guzzling SUVs, this all wheel drive WRX kicks their a$$ in every way. One mont all and NO regrets...

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  WOW! - 2003 Subaru Baja
  By BryceBaja - June 3 - 2:00 am

  Wow! I love it. Performance is great. Moonroof is so much fun. Leather seats!!!! I am skier, dirt biker, and member of arm-wrestler. I drove Baja arcoss the mountain all the time. I have been looking for a new SUV for a year till Baja appeared on commerical break that caught my attention. Baja is match my personaly.

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  What I like About Subarus - 2003 Subaru Outback
  By vladkoval - June 3 - 2:00 am

  I like this car because it is fun to drive. It is not that big and it has all wheel drive system.

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  Love it. Highly recommended - 2017 Subaru Impreza
  By Agnes of Allentown - June 1 - 10:17 pm

  Good solid build just like other Subaru. Relatively, coming from Buick Verano, Subaru Impreza lacks acceleration and the comfy ride, but Impreza makes up on the economical MileaguePlus, good handling (almost-zero turn) and AWD capability.

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  Love it! - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By Ion - June 1 - 8:00 pm

  This has been my daily driver since new. I change the oil with Mobil 1 and the car behaves like new, even with 54,000 miles. I still have the same brakes and just changed the tires. I drive 55 miles/day and many of those miles are on twisty roads with tight corners (Sunset Blvd. in L.A.). The car corners and accelerates beautifully. I highly recommend it as an economical (average 25.5 mpg) fun car to drive.

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  Great Value - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By jon - May 31 - 7:56 am

  This is my 8th Subaru and we have had it almost one week now. I made a trip and got 34.2 mpg and around town I am getting 27.9 mpg so that is quite good for a new engine with about 300 miles on it. I have had a little road noise from the back tires but the car seems to be performing well. This car is a lot bigger than the previous models and the fit and finish is good. The CVT transmission is great and is very smooth and I find the 2.5 engine fine for most driving conditions. The seats are comfortable and there is plenty of leg room for the front and rear passengers. The Stereo and media hub I ordered work well together and sounds great. The bluetooth phone works good.

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  OUTBACK - 2003 Subaru Outback
  By DDXER - May 29 - 9:00 am

  After two years, no problems. It is the best "snow" car I have ever driven. Tracks solid in all weather conditions. Window and mirros defoggers make driving in bad weather a breeze.

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  Great Vehicle No Compromises - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By Tad Bratten - May 26 - 8:40 pm

  We finally purchased the Tribeca a week ago and took it on about a 700 mile road trip through freeway (fast and nearly stopped heavy traffic), city (LA), desert and mountains and the vehicle performed superbly. Great looking and still rare here in So. California so the vehicle got lots of looks. The seats are great and we are coming from a Volvo. Interior is top quality and the dash and switchgear are perfect. Nav is brilliant. The car drives like a smaller vehicle than it is and responds very well to inputs for acceleration, turning and braking -- everything feels tight and capable. Quiet. You feel safe up a bit higher but will out handle any SUV out there. Avg 21 mpg so far -- just fine.

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  Used GT Legacy rides like new - 2005 Subaru Legacy
  By Felix - May 26 - 4:43 am

  My van got about 26 mpg and i fueled up every two weeks to top off a 20 gal tank. This car has seems to be getting better mileage. I agree with the others comments about the great ride and design so I will not repeat them. I just wish I bought this car instead of my Venture Van or Honda Accord. Sold my van becuase the engine gasket started leaking oil at about 50k mi. This car has more miles on it and the engine is clean.

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  AMAZING CAR & GREAT BANG FOR BUCK! - 2017 Subaru Forester
  By Abi - May 24 - 2:47 pm

  Ive owned the 2017 Forester XT for about one month now. Here are come quick Pros and Cons: Pros: I get drove several cars before deciding on this vehicle. Basically, you cant touch a car with a similar size, performance, value, resale value, engine, comfort, with any car in the price of 35K. The only other car I as excited about was the Mercedes GLC (Which was 60K out the door). The gas mileage is roughly 23mpg. Car handles well. It doesnt sit as low to the ground as my 2014 WRX, but I feel good around sharp turns and I have confidence in the car and its suspension (although I would have liked to the suspension to be 15-20% tighter). I like the infotainment system. The screen is big and its easy to use. I didnt go with the Touring model instead I chose the premium and added a few things. The price point of the Touring for me wasnt worth it. I enjoy how high the car sits, I like it has plenty of room in the back seat and especailly for my German Shepherd in the Trunk area. Overall, super happy with my purchase. CONS: Subaru could have done a slightly better job with the CVT. Its nice to drive when in sport mode but in economy mode the engine/transmission gear change lags big time. My biggest pet peeve though are the corn seats. I feel they could have been more ergonomic and better fitting. Im not a big guy, 58 and 160 lbs. But i feel the seat could do a better job keeping my in place instead of moving side to side around sharp turns. Other people I ride with say its comfortable, so maybe Im being picky. I really hope this review helps and Gluck hunting!