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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  Dont buy one - 2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek
  By 923hon - March 26 - 3:32 am

  This car is crap... its so loud while driving, with the combonation of wind and road it literally sounds like you are sitting by the wing on a airplane, that i can barely hear bluetooth call even turned all the way up. have to have a/c full blast otherwise it barely blows. its guttless on freeway, good luck on on-ramps. gas mileage is worse than i was getting with my 94 pathfinder that was sent to scrapyard. there is no way in heck that ppl are getting anything close to 20 even. we get about 13mpg. it is the worst car ever. please do not buy one. its so awful and we are stuck with 380$ payments for the next 8yrs.

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  Want to love it, but cant. - 2005 Subaru Forester
  By scoobiephobe - March 25 - 12:56 pm

  Like the car, the look, the capabilities. We are very disappointed with the early head gasket leak. This weakness, as I later found out, is a common problem to this engine model. Keep in mind this car only has 9,000 miles on it. The transmission is also a weak spot. It seems to hunt constantly and will hesitate to engage. We will not be keeping this car past warranty. There are websites devoted to the problems weve had, I wished we had done a little more research before we bought. Most reviews for this car were excellent. We have had good dealer treatment so far regarding our concerns. We really like the car, too bad we cant keep it the 10 years we wanted to.

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  Fantastic! - 2003 Subaru Forester
  By bethee - March 25 - 2:00 am

  I fell in love with this vehicle the first moment I climbed in. The ride is wonderful, and it is so safe and stable to drive!

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  Man and Machine as One - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By SeaDog - March 25 - 2:00 am

  This is a fun car to drive because I feel connected. The car is almost as responsive as my own reflexes so it complies with your inputs very well. The passing power on the highway is wonderful, great speed once your moving, but I hate to flog the little engine hard enough from a red light to really see the quick acceration. I prefer to push it harder once under way. Extremely comfortable up front and the kids are fine with the back seat. The dark fabric shows lint and dust dirt more easily than other interiors Ive had.

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  True stand-out car - 2003 Subaru Impreza
  By rayman - March 25 - 2:00 am

  The WRX’s build and design are a great match for its price. The WRX steps up a few generous notches in performance and price from earlier models but is money well spent. I felt it should have had a shorter 1st gear with a transmission spanning 6 gears but it’s workable. Turbo lag is present but after 3K RPM you feel a smooth but quick rush of power. Compared to a V6 though, you’ll find the sub-3K RPM a little sleepy. But the 2-liter engine wakes up to very powerful acceleration. The car grabs the road with a pointed determination when the wheel is even slightly turned. It’s an absolute blast to feel the car respond instantaneously to your every input.

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  2.0XT Touring is a high quality jem - 2014 Subaru Forester
  By autotimer - March 24 - 11:40 pm

  I have owned this car for two months. It is really fun to drive. I drove the2.5i Limited first but when I drove the 2.0 XT I fell in love with it. I have sacrificed gas mileage but the smooth power and increased handling capabilities sold me. Then the dealer offered me a trade in price for my car I could not pass up. I had a Mazda CX5 which was a good car but my wife had problems getting in that car and its visibility was not great. The Forester solved those problems. There is a solid high quality feeling with the Forester. Each day I drive this car I feel the refinement of its build.

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  At 22 years old, my dream car - 2008 Subaru Impreza
  By Todd - March 23 - 2:46 pm

  I purchased this vehicle because of its style, consumer reports of reliability, and all-wheel drive. I got the premium package which was mostly worth it. This car is very fun to drive, it is my primary vehicle. It is more enjoyable and more agile than a police cruiser... and faster. If I could buy one and donate it to the police department for me to drive, I would. It is very reliable and the AWD kicks when I visit family in Michigan where snow is a problem for cars without it. I spent 2 weeks researching cars in the 20K-30K range and this was the best one overall. Ratings were better, looks were better, and I couldnt find any serious negative reviews.

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  Loving it - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By Brad - March 22 - 9:13 am

  I love this car; the look, the ride, the performance, everything about it. Highly recommended.

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  Great Sport Sedan for the Money - 2008 Subaru Impreza
  By Scoopie - March 22 - 5:30 am

  I recently traded in a 2001 BMW 325i for a 2008 Impreza WRX 5-door. Although I loved my BMW, I was not able to afford all the features I really wanted. After searching, I chose the Subaru for its blend of power, handling, and usability. I also look forward to only having one set of wheels/tires that will work year around so I do not have to mess with swapping winter and three-season wheels every year. I think this car was a good choise and I think it will work out well.

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  Subaru is Better Than The Ratings - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By Hg Wells - March 22 - 4:40 am

  I tend to think that Subaru owners are tougher evaluators than some others. So many Subaru owners love their cars and buy them again. This summer, I talked to a lady who is on her 7th Subaru and has said that they have (literally) saved her life. My VDC (a rarer model) has surprised me with its off-road performance. I have had more traditional 4WD vehicles before. I expected it to be good on any road, not as good as it is off-road. Higher ground clearance in the 2005s helps. The VDV (Vehicle Dynamic Control) traction control rarely kicks in, but when it does (only off-road so far), it does very well. I have always liked Subarus engineering. Like it better than my ratings.