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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  Good fun, but turbo lag - 2005 Subaru Legacy
  By Wyosubie - April 7 - 11:30 pm

  This is my fifth Subaru, including a manual WRX wagon and manual WRX sedan. I have also owned two V8 Mustangs and a couple of BMWs. ONCE IT IS MOVING a turbo Subie is great fun! From a stoplight, unless you beat it, turbo lag is still a problem. My 10 year old V10 Dodge Pickup is faster for the first 50 to 100 yards. Responsive, stable AWD handling; good feedback; stock Bridgestones average in dry - poor on dirt and snow. I average 23 to 24 mpg in mixed driving using premium fuel. Manual shift mode is entertaining and steering wheel controls are convenient and provide flexibility.

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  LUV my Baja - 2005 Subaru Baja
  By steve6153 - April 7 - 10:20 pm

  I live in rural NY and needed a reliable light vehicle to get me in and out of area. My Baja has performed without a hitch since my purchase and dealer support has been great. Only issue is that dealer does not provide Saturday service. I have requested such without success. It is a good thing my Baja runs and runs and runs otherwise it might be an issue. I get frequent compliments on the look of vehicle and am often asked as to my level of satisfaction. My Baja came with the Bed Extender package so the small bed has not been a problem.

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  Sport & Luxury - 2006 Subaru Forester
  By Karen - April 7 - 10:00 am

  The Forester XT is definitely a luxury SUV to me. It is sleek, but practical. It handles very well, hugging even fast turns nicely. It makes you feel confident. Im never afraid to merge. It has plenty of power. The heated seats are great. It is quite roomy and does pretty well for gas mileage as far as SUVs go. I love the leather interior. It is easy to clean and the overall appearance to me is just classy, but at the same time it is very practical. I feel really good about my choice. I honestly think it is my favorite car Ive ever owned. No regrets here.

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  Subaru Refined - 2015 Subaru Outback
  By alivein55 - April 6 - 12:25 am

  Our 2013 Subaru Outback Limited 2.5i was a great car but the 2015 Subaru Outback Limited 2.5i is a better car in almost every category. The new 2015 model has a quieter cabin, better ride, more refined steering, slightly better fuel economy. The appointments have a modern look and feel and are well within reach. Interior material has a soft touch textures. Its a fantastic car to drive and we look forward to a long road trip.

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  Most Pleased - 2001 Subaru Outback
  By carnell - April 5 - 7:30 pm

  The two improvements that I would appreciate are; a front seat arm rest to avoid fatigue on long trips - the 10 and 2 o,clock hand positions are very tiring, and directional signal display as a flashing bar in the exterior mirrors for increased safety. Best car in my 46 years of driving.

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  Fun car to drive! - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By Jinnie - April 5 - 12:03 pm

  After owning for Ford Explorers I changed to the Subaru. What a fun experience. Sure there are minor changes I would like to see but if the position of a knob is my only complaint, look out American car makers! One problem ... the way people stare at your car! Worth a test drive.

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  Love My WRX - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By sstevess - April 5 - 10:00 am

  Ive had no problems in the first 3 months of driving. Solid body.

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  A Few Observations - 2017 WRX w/CVT - 2017 Subaru WRX
  By Bob in Tampa - April 5 - 8:54 am

  CVT: In normal driving, this CVT out performs a MT for most of us because it always upshifts and downshifts when it should (while the best drivers with MTs will usually but not always shift precisely at the right time). For a good time, a MT always wins. And while I really like this CVT, I feel like I have more control with a MT. Brutal Suspension: Ive seen at least one review saying the WRX has a brutal suspension. There must be something wrong with mine. Yes it is firm, but even my 96 year old mother likes the way the car rides. Nanny Controls: Excluding Eyesight, Ive found basic nanny controls are introverts, shy and rarely making themselves known. Eyesight is an extrovert, looking over your shoulder, beeping to get your attention, flashing warnings, even sharing steering, brakes and accelerator if you let it. Eyesight is a glimpse of more good things to come and cars that will do things we havent yet dreamed of.

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  Roof rack no good for touring kayaks! - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By Donna & Bill - April 4 - 6:23 pm

  We bought the 2010 Outback in August and planned to give our much loved 01 to our nephew. Our long trip was scheduled for early September. That gave us time to attach our Yakima system for two touring kayaks onto the new car. But after frustrating days on our own, several trips to a rack specialty shop with different choices, and a talk with a Yakima rep, we realized that Subarus new roof rack was not going to work for us. The cross bars are too close together, the rails allow no flexibility in attaching after market systems, on so on. Outdoor enthusiasts beware, this could happen to you! We put all our gear back on the 2001 and had a great trip. Our nephew had to wait for his car.

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  2006 Subaru Forester 2.5XT Limited Turbo - 2006 Subaru Forester
  By Ron - April 3 - 7:40 pm

  This is my fourth Subaru Forester. I cant seem to get enough of them. Each new model that I purchase seems to be better than the last. This has got to be the best of the bunch, particularly the acceleration, speed and overall comfort and convenience. I dont know how this one can be bettered except for having an interior dome light for the moonroof model(s)