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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  My Second Forester - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By cruadin - March 6 - 12:53 pm

  I traded in my 03 Forester (which I loved) for an 09 and Im very happy I did. The 09 has a quieter highway ride and much improved interior room, both front and back. It has a slightly higher stance which makes it easier to get in and out of as well as improved visibility in traffic. It has a sportier looking dashboard -- I like the blue gauges. Clutch and transmission have a much smoother feel, and the Incline Start Assist is a big improvement over the old hill-holder function. The double wish bone rear suspension gives slightly better handling and a much smoother ride in most road conditions.

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  2006 Subaru Outback not a hardy 4WD - 2006 Subaru Outback
  By aurora - March 5 - 7:03 pm

  Three big disappointments: 1. it is promoted as a 4 WD with high clearance. So you would think you could take it on a mountain road. Although it has high clearance there is no "low gear" so it doesnt have the umpf to make it up a steep hill (I do not mean extreme steep just a somewhat steep hill -- like to a trailhead). 2. I have owned this car for 3 years and I have had to replace two rear wheel bearings. A mechanic told me that when Subaru redesigned the Outback the rear wheel bearings werent of the quality as the previous design. 3. We had absolutely no steering control on a powder snowy road last winter & crashed 5mph. Ive never experienced anything like that in previous cars.

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  Good and Bad - 2016 Subaru Legacy
  By SCamp - March 5 - 6:48 pm

  Like many, theres many things I like about my Legacy. Conservative styling and a car that I can actually see out of are benefits. Road and wind noise are disappointing. Ride can be harsh. At 22000 miles I ended the time with the OEM Goodyear tires and greatly improved the ride. Navigation lags, often telling me to turn too late. Rattles, squeaks, and pops everywhere in the interior deemed as "normal". I would accept in a 1986 Plymouth Horizon, but not here. Decent handling, good braking, adequate acceleration. Overall pleased with fuel economy. I would feel much better about my purchase had Subaru sweat the details. Dealer support has been fine.

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  Drop in mileage after recall - 2011 Subaru Outback
  By Johnson Burdge - March 5 - 2:00 am

  Love my 2011 Outback Limited. Size, handling, CVT, and comfort are great. Loved the gas mileage until there was a recall for updating the software for the pollution control system. Letter said it would not affect mileage. That was not the case. I had a significant drop in highway, city, and combined driving mpg. I have just gotten excuses from customer service. This is my sixth Subaru and I have been an advocate for years, but his situation is disappointing. Has anyone else had this problem?

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  Great Car - But easy fixes overlooked - 2011 Subaru Outback
  By Craig - March 5 - 2:00 am

  Bought my first Subaru after trading in my 01 GTI 1.8T. Still getting use to sitting up high, but happy to be in a car with AWD and some very nice features like Bluetooth and the rear view camera. While I miss the sporty VW, the Outback handles much better than a Grand Cherokee. Paddle shifters great for snowy conditions. Upgraded to the HK stereo but the $400 media hub can not access IPOD play lists and requires you to scroll through artists in alpha. order. The exterior/interior look great but wish there wasnt such a gap between the body and the wheels. The while good interior Subaru over looked some very easy upgrades, like automatic locks and four one-touch window buttons.

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  Great allround vehicle - 2004 Subaru Forester
  By sneaux - March 5 - 12:40 am

  Bought this in October of 2008. Pretty fun to drive. Handles great on the road. Plenty of cargo space. Works great with rack on top. Leather feels good. Solid car inside with no squeaks despite all the compartments. Ive heard some people complain about the back seat. I dont think its that bad considering its a car. Have yet to really test the all wheel drive at my lake house. Cant wait.

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  My Subie #6 - 2016 Subaru Outback
  By Brian Robb - March 4 - 10:59 am

  Get the Eyesight system. Very intuitive and a great safety addition

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  Second of Many Subarus! - 2004 Subaru Outback
  By Teenbiker - March 3 - 10:56 pm

  This is an absolutely amazing car. Bought it this November and it far surpasses the 97 Outback Limited that it replaced. The 97 was a 2.5H4, so the upgrade to the H6 LLBean is unreal. Such a smooth engine, lots of power, and the transmission is light years better. The interior is beautiful: wood, leather, 2 sunroofs! The gas mileage hasnt been too bad either. Since the car has only been with us in winter cold temperatures and with winter-blend gas, Id say 19mpg is pretty good. The 97 got 17mpg in cold temperatures, so Im very pleased. We put in regular gas with no difference in the drivability of the car. This car is AMAZING in snow too! This is no doubt my second of many Subarus!

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  It Does the Job. - 2005 Subaru Legacy
  By Pacman 2004 - March 3 - 11:46 am

  Car itself has been flawless. The rotors warped at 20,000 miles but dealer replaced them under warranty.

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  After One Year - 2011 Subaru Forester
  By downsouth1 - March 3 - 10:17 am

  I have owned my 2011 Subaru Forester Limited for one year now. Here are the facts: Fun to drive Good gas mileage (getting around 22 in town and 28 on highway if not loaded down). My wife has the 2011 outback and gets even better mileage but it has the CVT transmission instead of the Foresters 4 speed transmission. Waiting for Subaur to change the transmission in the Forester. Rating: Consumer Reports (which I trust) rates the vehicle very high and is one of the reasons I purchased the Forester. The other influencing factor was the AWD. Ride: I found the ride to be good and I am satisfied with it. Quality: The interiors materials and the exteriors metal not so good.