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 Subie - 2003 Subaru Impreza
  By subbiefan - March 1 - 1:26 am

  I love the way this car handles. All for under $20K. I liked the way my boyfriends WRX drives so much I got the RS so we could have one of each.

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  Zygs Baja - 2003 Subaru Baja
  By Zygmund - February 28 - 10:00 am

  The Bajas ability to be a car and truck at the same time is great. I live 5 miles the pave road and its AWD drive and great gas milkeage(27mg avg) makes it fun to drive.

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  Subaru Homerun - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By Branchman - February 28 - 10:00 am

  Still breaking engine in but already amazed by this cars potential. Hard to depress gas more than half an inch and not go over 4000 rpm. Excellent powerband in all 6 gears. Subtle yet powerful-sounding rumble from exhaust. My WRX sportwagon was an eyeopener, but this car soars to new heights!

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  2002 Positive Review - 2002 Subaru Outback
  By brookhollow - February 28 - 10:00 am

  Have enjoyed comfort, reliability, carrying capacity, overall appearance, and features included on this model. Comfort control temperature better than regular temperature controls, but a bit noisey at the start up. Have noticed not as smooth a transition through gears going uphill as a friends Honda Accord EX (also V-6). Like the Outback a lot--this is my second one!

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  The best car Ive ever owned!! - 2011 Subaru Legacy
  By thefishingone - February 27 - 2:32 pm

  I got my Legacy slightly used with only 4200 miles on it. I think this is the best car Ive ever owned!!! I couldnt be happier with my decision. The interior is beautiful with the black leather and the seats are extremely comfortable. The ride is smooth and quiet and the power is amazing. The engine shifts through gears so smooth you dont even notice unless you keep an eye on the RPMs. If you even have a hint of buying this car, please do yourself a favor and BUY IT!! This is the best mid sized car out there, believe me, I looked around.

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  Best Subaru Yet - 2012 Subaru Outback
  By Greg B. - February 27 - 12:14 am

  This is our 7th Subaru. We bought our first in 1982 and they just keep getting better. Would highly recommend these cars to anyone. Wish Subaru could hold the line on pricing though. They go up in price every year while my paycheck does not.

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  Race Car meets Soccer Mom Car - 2003 Subaru Impreza
  By FutureBecwar - February 24 - 1:13 pm

  My husband and I had a 2005 Ford Focus Wagon. We decided to purchase a new car when we found out the Focus did so poorly on impact ratings. We ended up choosing this Subaru for many reasons. First, our mechanic (good friend of ours) said they were very reliable, secondly, they were super safe, and thirdly, because it fit what we were looking for. I asked for 4 doors, child-friendly, safe, and AWD or 4WD. My husband asked for a race car. You cant find a better comprimise car than this!

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  Repeat purchase made perfect sense - 2009 Subaru Outback
  By Repeat Buyer - February 24 - 1:10 am

  We love this car. Size, ride, features, quality, performance, and price/value are all outstanding. If you live in an area or have a lifestyle that warrants AWD then a Subaru is all you need and more. ENJOY!

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  B9 IS THE WAY TO GO! - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By b9 A+ - February 24 - 12:50 am

  Vehicle is awesome inside and out. Handles awesome in bad weather, although scary on ice, but what vehicle isnt. IMO its the best deal in its class. Some say it has a face that only a mother could love. Well call me Mommy, because I think this Subaru is one of the best looking SUVs out there.

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  Love our new car! - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By HJD - February 22 - 9:13 pm

  First new car weve bought in twelve years, so it was a big decision. My husband is a car nut, and swore he was not going to buy a Subaru. But this won us both over. We love it. Very convenient, great interior design, very comfortable PLUS we are averaging 21 MPG (we live in a large city, so this is amazing to us). Test drive it and you just might buy it.