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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  Love My Toy Baja - 2005 Subaru Baja
  By Victor - May 15 - 8:26 pm

  Bought my Baja to replace a 98 Isuzu Pickup. This is the best trar, (truck/car - thats what my wife calls it), that I ever owned. Power everything standard. I drive about 1,000 miles a week and feel save and secure. Great on the highway and fun in town. A real head turner. Live in FL and with the bad rains, have no problem. No pull when hitting puddles. Drives true and straight. Will recommend any Subaru to anyone. Cant beat AWD.

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  Safe. Utility. Bold. AWD. Reliable. Ubuy - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By Blur125 - May 15 - 3:10 am

  Subarus are awesome vehicles. And while this is the entry level vehicle, its got the heart and soul of a Subaru! This has a rally inspired boxer 2.5l engine that gets 22-26 mpg (actual, depending on how nice you are to er). Thats with AWD!! You cant beat having AWD if you like to shred mountains, ride trails, surf breaks, or relax while camping. While this particular model doesnt have a nice trim package nor nice interior, it has the basics youd need while driving. And a manual is the way to go if you drive highway a lot. Wagons are a bonus for more storage space. I used it to travel back and forth between college with my entire room loaded in it. Nice fold down seats.

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  Awesome Car! - 2006 Subaru Impreza
  By dave - May 12 - 10:50 pm

  I bought this car a month ago, and I love it even more now that when I bought it. It hauls and handles like a champ. It is just as sure footed in the rain too. The stock stereo and speakers are pretty wimpy, but other than that, this car is unbelievable!

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  So far so good - 2007 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By asr - May 11 - 5:16 pm

  We bought it about 3 weeks ago, it has been great so far. I was a little worried about the sluggish pick up, but it really has not been a big deal. The car runs great, all the extras are awesome. I really love the puddle lights. Its my wifes car and its the type of car that makes me feel good that she is safe.

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  Great SUV - 2005 Subaru Forester
  By jason vanderpool - May 11 - 4:00 pm

  We have been looking for a long time for a new car/suv, we have looked at EVERYTHING out there that is the size of the Forester. It came down to the Forester and the RAV4. First,i have to say i am a die hard Toyota fan, I belive the best cars on the road. However the Forester fit more for what we needed. So far the Forester seem to be good, the transmission seems to shift hard and there is a whine out on the freeway but the dealer has said that it is the AWD. Not sure if I belive that, I will do more checking for mysefl. There is one rattle in the dash that IS going to get fixed, Ii hate rattles! All in all I think it will be a good car.

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  First Subaru - 2017 Subaru Forester
  By Satisfied Customer - May 11 - 2:56 am

  After much research I determined that the 2017 Forester was going to be the SUV for me. And I havent been disappointed...granted Ive only had it 2 and half days. The stories, reviews and forum posts were more than enough to help me make my choice. This is not only my first Subaru but is also my first new vehicle. I have to say that the package I picked (2.0XT Touring in Sepia Bronze Metallic w/Saddle Brown leather interior) is stunning!...inside and out. The LED headlights are beautifully done. It is gorgeous! You WILL get noticed. It took about 30 minutes for the guy at the dealership to show me all the features. Acceleration is fantastic for an SUV...and I havent even been able to test out the turbo yet. First impressions with how it handles on the open road and curvy hills were I live were impressive...for an SUV. I read reviews on earlier models about comfort issues in the front seats. I feel that they are more than adequate in the comfort department on the 2017...remember, this not a sports car. The leather really helps with the comfort factor, IMO. One of my favorite features is the visual display you receive with the large, over-sized sun roof coupled with the large windows. Interior controls dont include anything fancy, but again are more than adequate and reasonable. The 7" touch-screen display seems easy to use and is user friendly. I have not had any problems with Bluetooth with the few calls Ive made so far. I could go on with this review but the bottom line is Im very please with my purchase. And I dont mind the looks I get when driving down the highway either.

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  2004 XT - 600 miles so far - 2004 Subaru Forester
  By duckdog_mi - May 11 - 2:00 am

  Weve put 600 miles on our new XT in just over a week; we cant stop driving it, even in the most recent blizzard. We looked at several makes and models before choosing the XT to replace our current 97 Outback but none could compete with safety, styling, cargo room (dogs/kids), comfort, price and, of course, power. No regrets.

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  Family mans WRX - 2004 Subaru Forester
  By BBeckRN - May 11 - 2:00 am

  The Forester XT was really my second choice; I thought I wanted the WRX. Having a family, the Forester made more sense, more room, better seating and the ride wasn’t so rough. After driving both, I quickly changed my mind. It has been an absolute joy to drive. The acceleration is better than expected, it handles pretty well and the AWD provides such good stability I havent lost traction once this winter, despite numerous attempts. A perfect blend of roomy station wagon/family car and fun to drive performance car.

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  Fun and Practical - 2003 Subaru Baja
  By DanInSanDiego - May 11 - 2:00 am

  Lots of fun, great for hauling my wet stuff, and good gas mileage. AWD is great for snow and mud, and the baja is an excellent daily driver. Lots of compliments from random people when they see it.

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  I love this car!!! - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By Its finally mine! - May 11 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car because of its performance combined with its versatility. I work closely with several different doctors and have had the opportunity to drive many of their cars ranging from King Ranch F-350s and H2s to Z06 Vettes and BMW Z3s. This STI will easily keep pace with my friends Vette, plus I have a back seat and a trunk and average 25 mpg. This is the first turbo-powered car I have owned, but the power deliver seems very smooth to me. It is very easy to putt around town in, but even easier to fly on the interstate with.