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:

• 

  Surprising Ride - 2016 Subaru Outback
  By Patrick - January 15 - 9:29 am

  I have only owned this 2016 3.6 loaded Subaru Outback a week so I might be premature in rating. What Im impressed with is the overall ride of the vehicle. Steering, suspension, quiet cabin, are all indications that the folks at Subaru have decided to make this more than just a quirky wagon. I can get it dirty but it also cleans up well. You can feel the grab of the all wheel drive system and it instills confidence for sure. I suspect this will become even more of a mainstream choice. Hard to go wrong with this all purpose car.

• 

  Great Car for Tall Commuter in the Snow - 2010 Subaru Legacy
  By vtcommuter - January 12 - 7:23 am

  This car is perfect for a taller person who commutes in a snowy environment. This car gets good gas mileage (28mph at 75mpg on highway) considering its AWD - which I like to have in Vermont. If you dont need the AWD you can do much better (toyota camry hybrid). Also, the handling is average. But for someone with my specific needs, this car is just perfect.

• 

  2.5 Outback Basic / Auto - 2007 Subaru Outback
  By JP - January 10 - 5:10 pm

  Im always hesitant when a model says "basic", however the basic outback is far from that, with so many standard features. For the price this may be may best vehicle purchase ever. The only addition to ours is Auto transmission, floor mats, and cargo tray. The gas mileage is better than advertised, so far Im getting better than 24 mpg city. The Outback rides nice and sits firmly on the road, the interior is plenty spacious and very comfortable. We live in the Rockies and spend significant time driving in snow/wet roads, so an AWD vehicle was a must...Subaru has the best! I would buy another in a minute.

• 

  You must have - 2003 Subaru Impreza
  By steve rim - January 10 - 10:00 am

  I am a pastor and I believe this car to be Pure Fun! I still cant believe I own such a great, fast, fun, dependable car. You need to get it. It beats all other cars on the road. My congregation members cant believe their pastor drives this car. They love it.

• 

  The Best!!!! - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By acesubaru - January 10 - 10:00 am

  I have read tons of material about this car but after I got my hands on this vehicle my love is growing with every day that goes by. I am lucky and happy man! The best car ever! Fun to drive with a bit of a challenge.

• 

  New 2007 outback - 2007 Subaru Outback
  By traci - January 10 - 7:06 am

  Ive had this car for all of 24hrs and LOVE IT! Its a basic 2007 Outback wagon with manual trans. Its only got 80 miles on it for the drive home. Drive home is a curvy road with lots of hilly areas. Handles awesome and climbs the hills like theyre not there. Bought it to replace my 2000 Legacy wagon with nearly 100,000 miles on it. I highly recommend this car!

• 

  Best car weve owned - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By dbk - January 8 - 10:00 am

  First time Subaru owner and have driven about 15,000 miles since January purchase. Getting excellent 28 MPG which is about 40% freeway - 40% mountain - 20% in town. This Outback was rock solid when driving over 250 miles in a bad Calif. coastal storm last winter. Previous car would have been all over the road, especially in the mountains. We have hauled a lot of stuff in the spacious trunk. Weve owned a lot of cars but so far this is the best overall vehicle.

• 

  Excellent car! - 2011 Subaru Outback
  By VLY - January 8 - 10:00 am

  Traded 2007 Outback 2.5i for 2011 2.5i Premium with All weather/sunroof/rear view camera package and immediately saw huge improvements. Where do I start: interior room, rear seat with plenty of leg room and recliners, storages, fuel economy, better OEM tires, pivoted roof crossbars, automatic lights, standard stability/traction control, radio/speed control buttons on steering wheel, rear view camera, trip computer with separate outside temperature display, ride quality, up the hill assistance feature, central console arm rest. Excellent car!

• 

  After almost 2 yrs - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By Suby04 - January 7 - 8:26 am

  After almost 2 years and 40,000 miles, I still love it. No major issues; the fog lights burned out at 20k, and the brake light on the spoiler got water in it and burned out at 30k. Fuel economy great - its increased to 33hwy, 29 city all on regular! Other than that, routine maintenance, and still looks and feels like the day i drove it off the lot - minus the stone chips from old man winter! :(

• 

  no buyers remorse - 2016 Subaru Forester
  By RSH - January 6 - 10:08 am