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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  Exactly what I was looking for - 2012 Subaru Impreza
  By mountaintundra - December 29 - 1:31 pm

  I havent been this excited about a car since I had a Citroen CX GTi (in England) in 1982! And the amazing part is that its a fairly basic car that I love. It has leg room and head room that you expect from a bigger car, comfy seats, decent handling, AWD, and awesome gas mileage (35 average in the summer). Its not perfect, but it does everything I want it to do, including starting at -27F without a block heater and going through snow without drama. Very impressive. This is our 4th Subaru. We drove the competition and there is nothing available that I would rather have.

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  8 Years... I still love this car! - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By MOMO1 - December 28 - 6:16 am

  I bought this car brand new 8 years ago and aside from a CPU problem (covered by factory warranty) Ive had no problems. With 92,000 Ive replaced the brakes just once on the front and back. It is a drivers car and is all about performance and drivability. Definitely the most bang for the buck possibly of any car made to date.

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  2016 Outback MD - 2016 Subaru Outback
  By David Serway - December 24 - 7:32 pm

  Larger Engine is a plus!!

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  Value/Sensible/Utility/Perfect - 2009 Subaru Outback
  By Jason - December 24 - 10:16 am

  Our 9 year old Jeep Cherokee was involved in a collision that totaled the vehicle. We originally intended to replace it with another similar SUV but decided to give the Outback 2.5i SE a try thanks to $4 gas. The Outback has been fantastic ever since, good power, acceptable gas mileage, nice handling, good utility, beautiful interior, just an overall solid package with the SE trim (very much worth it over base). This is a lot of car for the money, totally recommended.

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  Great Value - Wondeful Handling - 2015 Subaru Outback
  By jillgirl - December 23 - 12:27 am

  We LOVE our new 2015 Subrau Limited Outback ..... This car is very well thought out and the handling and comfort are the best money can buy in this price range or any as far as the handling on snowy roads goes the best in any price range .... You get use to driving certain roads in different cars / trucks / suv and this car handles and takes those turns like no other and weve had several jeeps, cr-v, 4x4 trucks, pickups and a couple front wheel drive grocery getters .... The Outback out corners all of them and the grip on icy roads is unbelievable, finally I feel wife is safe driving ..... Color us SOLD!

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  We Love this Car - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By Pilgrim - December 22 - 1:03 pm

  This is our 1st Subbie and were hooked. Heated seats, mirrors and wipers. This is a car designed for folks who live in the Great White North! Comfortable ride coupled to the security of AWD is a winning combination. The versatility of a wagon is a plus as well. Would not hesitate to recomend a test drive on a foot of freshly fallen snow!!

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  Fun to drive - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By Hobbes - December 22 - 10:00 am

  Like all Subarus, the STi pushes power through all four wheels. But it offers the singular advantage of what the marketing mavens call a "driver controlled center differential." In automatic mode, sensors seamlessly divide the power among the wheels according to road surface, throttle opening, rate of acceleration and cornering force.

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  Unbelievable car - 2005 Subaru Legacy
  By Steve - December 21 - 11:23 am

  As an American muscle car owner, I was hesitant to purchase a foreign car. This car is absolutely unbelievable. The 2.5l Turbo has enough power to get down the road in style and still haul the kids and/or clients in comfort. My other car, a Chevrolet Corvette, doesnt mind sharing the garage with this little turbocharged piece of heaven.

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  My choice but not my wifes! - 2017 Subaru Outback
  By Raymond Fentress - December 18 - 9:58 am

  Great vehicle but my wife wants a larger upscale sedan! Still searching for the one that pleases her! She drives no more than 2,000 per year, and I drive 20,000 to 25,000 a year. She even has the nerve of picking the colors. See what 51 years of marriage can do for you!

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  So far so good - 2007 Subaru Outback
  By DUG7714 - December 14 - 9:43 pm

  Traded my Grand Cherokee for this. Much better driver, obviously. Power is similar but handling is a world better. 20 MPG on the first tank - about equal city, highway driving in the DC area. Expect that to improve a bit. Takes a while for turbo to kick in, but I had been driving in Intelligent mode a lot. After a weekend trip into the western PA mountains, my mileage seems to be improving. The seats were comfortable and the ride was great - hwy and city. I usually stop at least once on the 3 hour ride, but didnt feel the need to. Switched to Sport mode for most driving and have been enjoying the Sportshift manual. Also shopped BMW 328xi, Audi,Volvo,Saab. BMW came close, but too much $$.