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:

• 

  Great LITTLE SUV - 1998 Subaru Forester
  By RoadRunner47 - February 10 - 2:00 am

  AWD is great. A fun/utilitarian car for my 56" wife. Extra weight helps on long trips. Im glad I bought the upgraded "S" model versus "L". Leather interior is nice but small. Cupholders awkward. Yokohama tires were subpar--a lot of noise and picked up several nails. Electrical connector for air conditioner came apart several times. Speakers sound tinny. Good gas mileage, but would prefer V6 for more power and weight.

• 

  Surprised and pleased - 2005 Subaru Baja
  By DIANE HENIFIN - February 9 - 4:23 pm

  I have driven an eight cylinder power Mustangand dualie. Put off buying a four cylinder as figured it would not offer any thrill when you needed power to pass. Was totally shocked at how much the turbo pushes it right out in front of the others. The comfort is amazing. Only one drawback is the premium fuel to fill. This is little to sacrifice to enjoy driving again. I love my Baja turbo in garnet red. It certainly gets the looks.

• 

  Great car for the money - 2008 Subaru Impreza
  By Mich Dave - February 9 - 8:13 am

  Ive had my Outback for 34000 miles and Im very, very happy with the purchase. Better than expected mpgs-- 25/30 and better performance than I thought Id get from the 170 hp. This is my first Subaru, but certainly not my last. If at all possible go with the 5 speed--better performance and much better mpgs than the 4 speed auto. All Ive done so far is change the oil. The only downside would be the paint and the radio. They should be able to do much better in the radio despite the low price of the car. Im glad I went Subi instead of the Mazda 3--especially when there is snow on the ground.

• 

  It replaced my BMW - 2008 Subaru Tribeca
  By D CRUZ - February 7 - 7:40 am

  I have had BMWs for well over 20 yrs. In looking for a new all wheel drive car after moving to Colorado, the only thing that came close to the feel and performance of both my BMWs was this vehicle. In the snow it will out perform anything out there. Soild on the road, great perfomance for a 6 and good fuel mileage. Planning to trade in my second BMW in the fall for a Subaru sedan

• 

  2016 XT Touring - 2016 Subaru Forester
  By NewXTOwner - February 7 - 4:12 am

  Nice buying experience. The XT turbo engine offers plenty of power to carry 5 in the car and go up long steep roads. Interior road noise and wagon like ride however are below my expectations compared to an Audi SUV I also own. The cvt shifts quietly and smoothly. Visibility is great in this car. The anti-collision aide and lane departure aide alarms are toooooo quiet even when adjusted to the loudest setting. Audis alarm chimes loud like an elevator plus the dashboard blinks bright red which is what an alert should be like. The Foresters interior has a lot of cheap plastic buttons and panels, which surprised me because this XT is their most pricy model. At least let the consumer feel like hes getting his moneys worth in the high trim model. The rear seat recline doesnt even have a handle or button, it is just a nylon pull strap! I think the lower trim XT model at $26k msrp would be your best choice, unfortunately Navi is not even an option on that trim level.

• 

  AWD is Overrated. - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By Alex - February 7 - 3:56 am

  Really liked it at first, but after two years, Im happy to be getting rid of it. I bought it for the cargo space and AWD. Lots of space, very nice driving position, and comfortable front seats. However, it absolutely stinks in the snow (so much for AWD - had to buy snow tires anyway), the back seat is cramped for a car this big, it is SO underpowered, and it eats gas. Also, some interior elements are really shoddy and scratch easily (what is with the cargo cover?), and very large bumper overhang makes it almost impossible to parallel park. Lastly, after 30k miles, distinctive burning rubber smell started coming through the heat vents. Dealer could never figure out what was wrong.

• 

  Love, its what makes my Subaru a Subaru... - 2016 Subaru Forester
  By Tim Spees - February 5 - 9:52 pm

  Do your homework; both Consumers Reports annual car review edition and Car and Driver research was helpful. Also, test drive the competitions products as well; for us, the Subaru Forester beat all the others when it came to visibility, ease of getting in and out, value, amenities and dealership relations...

• 

  Value - 2010 Subaru Impreza
  By Chesco - February 5 - 6:13 pm

  This car is an excellent buy for the money. Overall value is excellent. Body design is main stream. All wheel drive system is unsurpassed. Drive train is adequate. Interior seating looks cheap, but it is very comfortable. Drivers side seat has a barber chair style manual crank up & down function that works beautifully. The radio is extremely sub-par, but the rest of this car is a class leader. If you compare features & cost, this is an unbeatable value.

• 

  Only Forester for me - 1998 Subaru Forester
  By Mav - February 5 - 10:00 am

  This is the best car I have ever driven. Excellent built quality, only major problem was with the rear wheel bearing. Routine maintenance is the only thing this car needs. I will always have a Subaru Forester in my driveway. I love driving this car!!

• 

  WRX Lite - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By New2Subaru - February 5 - 10:00 am

  Very impressed with the power of this car. The 4 cylinder makes the most of the 165 horses. I never feel at a loss for power. Passing on the freeway is effortless. Also very impressive is the handling and overall tight driving feel of the car. It has a fat leather wrapped steering wheel thats very responsive, supportive seats that hold you in place while zipping through tight corners. And the growl of the engine is purrfect. Negative impressions: The cockpit is a bit tight. I have to be conscious of banging my rear into the center pillar getting into the car. The manual shifter is a bit stiff at times. Hoping it will break in with time.