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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  Forester 2016 - 2016 Subaru Forester
  By Erin Lockwood - April 15 - 7:11 am

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  Funnest Car Ive ever driven - 2009 Subaru Impreza
  By TLB - April 15 - 3:43 am

  I knew this car would be fun to drive, but I didnt know that I would think it would be the funnest car I think Ive ever even been in. Im a automotive buff. I love to drive cars. Ive driven many cars but this might just take the cake. I will admit, there are better looking cars that handle and perform as good as this but... the cost about 10000 more. Not bad for its price. I can easily imagine keeping this car around for a min. of 7 years. Very pleased with the car. Comfort is nice. I sometimes drive 250 plus miles at a time and never think once that my legs or back is getting sore. Mpg average on ten tanks 22.4. Car has unbelievable grip and handling.

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  Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited - 2017 Subaru Outback
  By Robert - April 14 - 1:51 pm

  I traded in my 2014 Cadillac XTS Platinum for this car. I went to Subaru to test out a WRX but realized it was a kids car and maybe not the best choice with three teenage boys in the house! The "cheap" WRX was the same cost of the Outback Limited 2.5i and it didnt even come with the premium options such as Eye Sight et. al.. Decided to go with the Outback Limited with the 2.5i boxer engine (didnt see that another $3000 for the larger engine was really worth any kind of extra oomph in the car). After coming from a car with 410hp to a car with 175hp is quite a big difference and I am still not used to it (and grumble about it a lot). My aim was to save money and with the Limited and I got what I wanted. My insurance is the cheapest it has been in many, many years and I no longer have to buy premium fuel. Even though I only have 3/4 left the tank maximum mileage seems to stay at 230 mile to empty. So far, and Ive had the car a week now, in city driving I have achieved about 18.5 gallons to the mile and it keeps creeping up. Aside from the really anemic acceleration and CVT transmission - which I really detest but they are here to stay with new fuel mandates and will be on all cars soon. I really love this car and it was the right choice and feature-wise it had just about everything my Cadillac did. On that note, the missing features are as follows: no remote engine start, even as an option (just a weird dealer option which I declined), the door locks cannot be programed - meaning once you are in and in-gear doors stay unlocked until someone physically locks them - very odd for such a feature rich vehicle. Same applies when leaving the vehicle and odd for a car that has keyless entry because most cars can be set to lock once you are out of key range which is why the term is keyless - you dont have to have it in hand. Other weird thing is you cant turn on all the interior lights unless you open a door - only map lights are available and I have not found a way to open the rear hatch unassisted (most cars with an auto-hatch have an on/off button). Regardless of this vehicles design flaws, I still find it a great value and am glad I went with it.

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  Great Car. Run Forrest Run. - 2003 Subaru Forester
  By run_forrest_run - April 11 - 10:00 am

  I enjoy the AWD excellent handling. Premium package has all the amenities; leather, heated seats, heated mirrors and wipers, fog lights, mudguards, 6 CD stereo (spring for the speaker upgrade), climate control, and a huge sunroof. I added the deflector and took off my roof rails to cut down on noise. 4-cylinder engine is zippy - has great highway acceleration - more get-up and go than the 6 cylinder Buick I traded. Handling and parking are a dream. Now I know why so many Subaru owners buy again. Before you buy check-out their website partners. They have discount deals when you support their trading partners.

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  best yet - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By ShockWave - April 11 - 10:00 am

  I find it much more comfortable than my previous car (Ford Mustang). Its faster, safer, and gets better gas mileage. The boy racer wing is a bit much. I love the interior and seats. All the controls are within easy reach. The transmission is solid. The gears are very, very short. The engine is incredibly powerful. This is the greatest car I have ever owned by leaps and bounds.

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  excellent all around car - 2000 Subaru Outback
  By Joe Q. Smith - April 11 - 10:00 am

  the Outback is an excellent all around car, with average gas mileage at 23 mpg, and up to 29 on the highway.

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  Glad I waited for this vehicle! - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By Very Happy! - April 11 - 4:10 am

  I am very pleased with this vehicle. I went from a Jeep to the Subaru and couldnt be happier. The utility of this vehicle is incredible and its most important function. The vehicle rides, drives, operates great. I have averaged no less than 28 mpg in mixed driving (50/50). I would recommend anyone needing something more than a car, but less than a giant SUV take a look! The turbo would have been nice, but out of my $ range, and sacrificing efficiency may not have been worth the performance - I can buy a motorcycle for those days. That said the non-turbo does great!

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  As Advertised! - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By JoshinMN - April 10 - 10:03 am

  Exactly as advertised. Its powerful, its fun to drive. This car isnt meant to be a luxury car, so yeah, the rides harsh. But if you want luxury, buy some slow Cadillac. And the rides not all that bad, really. Theres a few quirks and things that Ive noticed, but the only unscheduled maintenance has been minor. I cannot begin to tell you how happy I am that I bought this car. If you have the money and want a fast, fun, car, THIS IS IT! You would not get me to trade this in for a Porsche, Vette, or M3 at any price. Maybe an E55 or M5, but that would be about it. And those are $50K more.

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  YOU WANT THIS CAR! - 2005 Subaru Impreza
  By kennyinmanhattan - April 9 - 11:56 am

  I have had my Impreza wagon for almost a year now. No issues less a little window screech now and again. I live in Vermont now, and the AWD is superb in the snow (drove to Boston in a blizzard and it was wicked fun!), and solid feeling on wet roads in driving rain as well. I will only be getting a new one when there is a moonroof option and leather seating. It would be nice to have cold weather packages in dealer stock, like wiper warmers, and wheel well warmers to counter snow build up in the front especially. Despite my desire for perfection ... a true winner. My sister has an 04 automatic, and having driven both extensively, I recommend the manual for more power.

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  Best Vehicle I ever had - 2002 Subaru Forester
  By Michael - April 9 - 10:10 am

  I bought it from the dealer in 2002, haven’t been back to that dealership for any work. I just put gas in it, change the oil and air filters. Gets awesome gas mileage, awesome performance, great at towing, does just fine at off-road and I feel safe in it when racing along with traffic. I towed 6,500 lbs of trailer from NH to TN (1300 miles) with no problems getting up hills or accelerating down the Interstate. Vehicle has been the best one Ive ever had. Previous vehicles were 2000 Toyota Camry, 1998 Kia Sportage, and 1986 Volkswagen Jetta. None were close as good as this vehicle has been to me.