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:

• 

  Subaru 2016 - 2016 Subaru Legacy
  By robert norman - April 25 - 4:23 am

• 

  I Love my Legacy GT!!! - 2005 Subaru Legacy
  By Percy - April 25 - 3:43 am

  Hmm, where should I start on such a wonderfully built all around car? This car is super fast, hugs corners like a cat on carpet, but best of all it has 4 doors and my whole family comfortably fits in the car with no problem. For the past 3 months while driving this car Ive been amazed at how hard the turbo engine pulls you to the back of the seat and how many heads turn my way wondering what the heck just blew them off the light. Im having a blast with my GT!!!

• 

  2008 WRX Wagon 5 spd - 2008 Subaru Impreza
  By Jay - April 25 - 1:00 am

  I love this car!! I am a sales rep and drive it a lot, and extremely hard. I actually got 38.5 MPG at 60 mph on the freeway during break in. But after break in I began to drive it like I stole it and still avg 22.5 mpg with 50/50 miles around town and highway, and hitting 6000 rpm all the time. The 09 has stiffer springs and 40 more BHP. I think with the 09, theres no reason to buy an STI unless you want to go to jail. The best bang for the buck out there!

• 

  my best vehicle yet - 2011 Subaru Outback
  By go playOutside - April 23 - 11:56 am

  Ive had mine for 3 years now, bought it when it was 2 years old. I havent had any issues. I can load it up and go on vacation and get 32 mpg on the hwy. Love my navigation, very helpful. I have helped a friend move and they couldnt believe how much I can fit in the car. Plus I never slip or slide when I leave work during a storm, as I watch others who cant make it up the hills. love this car

• 

  Get You One - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By Tonster - April 22 - 8:46 pm

  This vehicle is by far my favorite Subaru owned to date. Just got thru this three day blizzard in Nebraska. This pony went everywhere at all times. In Omaha, Lincoln, Bellevue and all points in between. What all wheel drive is about.

• 

  2007 Ltd Outback Wagon - 2007 Subaru Outback
  By Jon - April 22 - 2:03 am

  I ordered this car with extra features installed at the port and picked it up with 4 miles on it last week on October 12th. This is my sixth Subaru and it is the best in interior finish and outside finish of the past Subarus I have owned. So far I find it to drive very smoothly and the road noise has diminished from the past Subarus I have owned. If it is like the past five Subarus I have owned I will be very satisfied with it as I have never had any problems with any of them. I find the fit, finish and mechanical portions of the car very good. I do find the rear leg room lacking when the front seats are pushed all the way back but I hear they are going to lengthen the Outback in 2009.

• 

  Very nice car, but a bit cramped interior - 2007 Subaru Outback
  By VLY - April 20 - 7:13 pm

  Bought it a month ago. Very nice car. Drives very well, 175 hp four is more than adequate. Got about 22 MPG on mixed driving. Rear seats are tight – I am 6’1” and do not have enough leg room. Front seats are too narrow – my 97 Camry’s seats are 2” wider. Right front seat is too low. Id also like more storage areas; with two cups in front cup holders and glasses in the dash compartment I do not have a place for my cell phone. If front belt is unbuckled tones do not shut up – that is the most annoying feature in this car! I have to buckle up moving the car on driveway or a parking lot. Overall – great vehicle, very reliable per CR, looks & runs great, 4 wheel drive is a plus.

• 

  My third Subaru - 2005 Subaru Legacy
  By Monica - April 17 - 3:43 pm

  Bought the car 11 days ago. This is my third Subaru and the fastest and most fun to drive yet (had an 83 GL wagon + a 91 Legacy LSi sedan). Great styling inside and out. I dont want too much flashiness on a Subaru. Cant wait for the break-in period to end so I can drive faster! It will take some time to get used to the required high octane gas and lower gas mileage than my other Subies.

• 

  THE ULTIMATE RACING MACHINE ! - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By RAYMONDW007 - April 17 - 10:00 am

  This STi owns all BMWs, Audis, AMGs, Lexus, Acuras, Infinity, Mustangs, Corvettes, Lancers, Honda Type-Rs, plus any other "so-called" performance cars on the road. Any existing and future owners of such STis are the luckiest people on the Earth. Once get behind the wheel, forget about going home!

• 

  The perfect family wagon - 2003 Subaru Outback
  By alinki - April 17 - 10:00 am

  I love this car. It has everthing you need.