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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  So much better than a base WRX - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By StarBlazer - March 14 - 10:00 am

  I used to own a 2002 WRX and thought it was an awesome car. This one, however, has blown me away. It is truly an amazing vehicle.

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  Rattletrap - 2010 Subaru Forester
  By 57J - March 14 - 8:00 am

  From day one this vehicle has had a bad, bad rattle in the rear that, so far, dealer has been unable to correct. Rattles worse than a 20 year old Jeep pickup I used to own.

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  Economical, Practical & Fun Family Car - 2001 Subaru Legacy
  By dadof3 - March 14 - 5:20 am

  Our Subaru has over 30k miles and stillloving it. We were debating between thewagon or a minivan to haul our 3 kids. We also looked at the Passat wagon.The Passat rode smoother, but the price was way too high for comparable features. We are very satisfied withour choice- great price for what youget, decent gas mileage (compared to theminivan anyway), and enough room for the kids and their stuff- can fit threechild seats across the back row. Recommend a car top carrier for longertrips. Pros: Reliable, safe, fun to drive, andthe awd cant be beat for winter driving(live in WI)Cons: Interior quality could beimproved, gas mileage seems low for a vehicle its size, needs more pep.

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  Hidden Cost - Replace tires in pairs - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By Tired of run around - March 13 - 6:43 pm

  Per the Service Manager at Dallas Subaru, tires must be replaced in pairs, either the two front or the two rear, at the same time. My 2005 Outback wagon has 25,000 miles on it and pulls so hard to the right, its hard to keep it on the road. I have one off-brand tire and the dealer requires that I replace it and the other rear tire with matching major brand tires before they will even put the car on the rack to check the alignment. He says that every time one tire goes out, two must be replaced so they will have identical wear. Otherwise, warranty on the car does not apply and the car will not handle properly. I think this is an unreasonable expense and hidden cost.

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  Best car for the money - 2011 Subaru Outback
  By Mary - March 12 - 10:55 pm

  I got a lot more car for my money with this Subaru than if I had bought a Lexus for $10,000 more. I have had no problems (knock on wood) with this car. Service has been great.

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  2007 Legacy Outback 2.5 w/ 125K - 2007 Subaru Outback
  By Karl B - March 12 - 4:24 am

  Have 2007 legacy Outback purchased as used lease car. Once over 100K had timing belt (expected), head gaskets, both front axles due to ripped boots. I going to learn how to replace just the boots next time. Had Cat converter replaced. CEL stated all 4 cyl misfiring. Turned out to be EGR valve.Could have replaced it myself for half of what dealer charged. Then CEL showed 2 cyl misfiring; wires and coil. Also LR wheel bearing. Hoping this is it for a while. Like winter traction. Dont see any benefit from 17 in wheels. Get rid of that light switch on the steering column. Accidently turns on when resetting trip odometer and lites on kills battery if you dont catch it. Needs more room under wheel well for snow tires. Cannot get better than 27 mpg;ave is 23. Plastic cover under engine needs to fastened better. Mine ripped off after just 3 winters of driving.

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  DFW WINNER! OUTBACK HANDELS TEXAS LIKE A PRO - 2017 Subaru Outback
  By Lonestar Driver - March 12 - 4:03 am

  I researched this and other cars before buying my Outback 2.5i Limited in July, and its curious to me if I have the same car as the reviewers. Ive read much about the lackluster acceleration of the 4cyl engine and the quirkiness of the CV transmission. I simply dont experience the negatives described. Yes, the engine is not a rocket by any stretch but it more than gets the job done. Dallas drivers are typically heavy on the throttle and theres no lack of stop-n-go traffic, yet when I need to move the car takes the command in stride and it responds. The so-called, jerkiness of the CVT and sensitivity of the braking, is a mystery. Ive had this car on the open road and in heavy DFW traffic and the shifts are as smooth and effortless as Ive ever experienced. The reviews of this combination just dont add up to my experience. This car is quiet, very comfortable and well mannered. Interior materials are excellent. I will agree the clock placement and size need improvement. The A/C is excellent and quickly cools the interior from the Texas heat.

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  Has serious mechanical problems - 2007 Subaru Impreza
  By phil_motor - March 11 - 8:01 pm

  In my experience (Ive owned 20+ vehicles in 38 years) this Subaru has serious engine problems that the dealers and Subaru of America do not acknowledge. Expect to have your head gaskets replace (~$2000) on your own dime once the 60,000 mile warranty expires.

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  We love this car! - 2017 Subaru Outback
  By Dave - March 11 - 7:46 am

  To be fair I need to state that this Outback is my 6th Subaru. Its obvious that I like them and gravitate to them. We love Subaru AWD and dependability. Our previous car was a 2008 Legacy Ltd which we really liked and never had any trouble with it, but it was coming up on 9 years - time for something newer. We went to Quality Subaru - our nearest dealer - and were made to feel very comfortable. This time my wife wanted a higher ride height and better visibility than the Legacy. The obvious choice was the Outback. We test drove the Premium model and several Limited models. When we saw how well equipped the Limited was there was no turning back. We really liked all the safety features offered in the Limited model. The test drives of several Limiteds revealed a very quiet and very responsive car that felt absolutely solid. Driving this car gave one a feeling of confidence. So what started out as my wifes must have moon roof turned into us getting a very capable car with many cool safety and tech features. After 4 months of ownership we are still learning the full extent of all the cars features. Handling is excellent for a car with this much ground clearance. The ride quality is somewhat firm and still somewhat supple - a great balance. The transmission is a bit noisy under initial or hard acceleration. We feel the car has adequate power under acceleration and passing. Gas mileage has ranged from 22mpg around town to 31mpg on the highway. Road noise is minimal. The Harmon Kardon sound system is excellent. We also like the voice command capabilities. The information display provides way information than we could normally use, but it is nice to know it is available. We have not had opportunity to use the automatic distance control while set in cruise. We do not like the fact that you have stop the car to initially access the navigation system. We have not driven the car in much snow, but we expect it to perform well based on our past experiences. It took a while to get used to the keyless start and also how the key fob works, but now we like it. We are starting to use the back up camera more and more - it came in handy when I messed up my back and could not turn. Our passengers love the heated back seats. I love the comfort of the seats, the perforated leather will be nice in hot weather and we both like the seat position memory function. The headlights are awesome - very good visibility at night. Sometimes the cornering light is helpful too. Environment controls are easy to use and work well - even the voice commands. Another cool feature is that the oil filter is on top of the engine right near the dipstick - it will be easy changing it. I usually cant wait to drive this car - technically it is my wifes and she drives it the most. This is the first new car that we both actually love. The very few things we do not care for pale in comparison to all that we do like. Our dealer - Quality Subaru and our salesman - Mike - both treated us well. Mike was very thorough, patient, and knowledgeable.

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  Surprising Subaru - 2006 Subaru Forester
  By xtdriver - March 10 - 9:53 pm

  At my spouses behest we traded our Volvo XC 90 for the Forester XT. I wasnt initially enthused about this plan. However, after a weekend of driving this vehicle on hilly, curvy roads I became a convert. The XT is remarkably agile for a vehicle that has over 8 inches of clearance and the acceleration is stunning for a car with this much utility. Its essentially a station wagon with the heart of a rally car. How it feels on an extended road trip is the only factor that hasnt yet been put to the test. So far I am positively impressed.