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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  great scooby - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By comet - February 5 - 10:00 am

  it handles well, not like any other. could not ask for another car like to to compete with it. GO SCOOBY

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  good suv alternative - 2003 Subaru Outback
  By adhong - February 5 - 10:00 am

  handles great thanks to awd...does everything you would need an suv for with more comfort. ive had mine for about 4 months, and ive been really happy with it so far. service and sales have been great.

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  2500mi on my 2017 Touring - 2017 Subaru Forester
  By Laura K. - February 5 - 12:57 am

  Ive driven the wheels off this car in the last month, 2 semi-long road trips for family events. I thought about keeping it parked but its such a nice drive on the highway, I couldnt imagine leaving it in the driveway. This is my first SUV or crossover, Im coming from a 2011 Mazda 3 5-speed, so I was a bit nervous about the transition to CVT. The shifting is taking time to get used to, but she will get up and go when I need it. The RPMs are usually low when I look, ~2k cruising but up to 6k if pushing it extra hard. The take-off is lacking but I knew that when I weighed the cost of ownership for the turbo; that said, shell do what you need her to do. The noise is very low this year and its noticeably so. I listen to audio books which can sometimes be difficult when doing 70mph. The interior is relaxing overall. The visibility makes me less nervous about driving such a big thing and the controls are easy. The navigation is absolutely fantastic and the bluetooth has worked flawlessly. The headlights that turn with the steering wheel are AMAZING for country driving and has helped me see deer in the road. The automatic cruise control and break assist is equally as fantastic. I can honestly say that the break assist may have saved me from rear ending someone already! Within the first week! The car behind me pulled to the side it happened so very quickly! The ONLY con I have really is the automatic headlights. These things make no sense and basically do whatever the heck they want. If you have automatic headlights turned on, you cant override and turn on the brights without holding the stick back. Seriously, WTH!? When Im coming down by suburban street late at night, I like to watch for my neighbors cats and such but cant turn the brights on without either turning the headlights to manual or holding the stick.

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  Baja truck/car - 2005 Subaru Baja
  By chuckc - February 4 - 11:36 pm

  I have about 13,000 on mine in 7 months and love it. I have the only one in my area, and I get compliments on its looks all the time. No problems with it yet, other than what sounds like minor belt rub, unlike my Mitsubishi Spyder which was a real piece of junk mechanically. My only complaint is what others have said, that the bed top is difficult to lift; needs a handle or something. Otherwise I really like it so far!

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  Met my Expectations! - 2013 Subaru Outback
  By ohiotraveler - February 4 - 7:10 am

  My wife has a 2010 Legacy and has 84,000 miles on it and she can get over 30 MPG, easily. I have 4500 miles on my 2013 Outback and I easily get 29 MPG, sometimes over 30. As far as the mileage concerns I feel it is the way a person drives. The car is not meant for spirited driving. If you want that, buy something else. It drives tight and very predictable, although the gas pedal is a little touchy when accelerating from a stop. The ride quality is very good, a little firm but I wanted that over a soft ride. I did buy the limited for the Harmon/Karmon radio because the base radio really sucks as far as sound quality. Im 63" and the little added height to the Outback makes it easy to exit.

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  It was good - 2016 Subaru Outback
  By Esther Johnson - February 3 - 5:34 am

  This car the best car I ever had. Am 67 years old and I feel safe at all time.The safety features are the best.

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  The Definition of "Bang for the Buck" - 2005 Subaru Impreza
  By RoadRunner Meep Meep - February 1 - 5:03 pm

  Leased an 05 WRX in November, and have 6K miles on it. I looked at lots of different cars in the segment, RSX-S(Acura heritage and interior, 6-speed, but stubby exterior, no AWD) Lancer (terrible standard features, and just plain ugly) Mazda 6 (slow, no AWD) and SRT-4 (dude, ita a NEON!), and there was no comparison with the amazing WRX. Explosive acceleration, killer styling, awesome winter handling, and the most fun you can have under $30K. This was the only car that had it all, and is the most fun car I have ever driven. Do yourself a favor, and test drive this car, It will benchmark all the other cars youre looking at. Now, if only they had a better transmission for this rocket..

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  Very Happy XT!!!!! - 2010 Subaru Forester
  By korgtx - February 1 - 4:56 pm

  Purchased end of July. Just reached 2,200 miles and first trip. My MPG numbers were as advertised. Great handling around town or on trip, have not been off road yet! Moon roof is huge, built very solid, no creeks or rattles yet! Great styling, right size for me, also very good turning circle for tight driveways and such. On test drive Turbo brought an instant smile to my face (first Turbo Ive driven), plenty of power and solid handling on rough back roads. Im very pleased with my purchase.

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  Reliable Vehicle - 2003 Subaru Legacy
  By ChetVA - February 1 - 8:03 am

  Very handy vehicle for getting around in snow and icy conditions; fairly comfortable on long trips, though not overly roomy inside, especially in the back seat. Gas mileage is ok, but would prefer it to be more fuel efficient; never had a breakdown, and no mechanical problems whatsoever; have had some trouble with replacement wiper blades staying put; also have a lot of wind noise while driving with the windows up; seems like a bad seal in the driver side window; all in all a fantastic vehicle and super to get around in bad weather

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  Its been really good to me - 2003 Subaru Outback
  By Velella - February 1 - 1:10 am

  I am at 167,000 miles with synthetic oil and it is still clear and engine is going strong. Average 22 MPG in Los Angeles with mixed freeway and street and some offroad. Only failure was an air conditioning hose. Michelin Hydroedge replacements went 105,000 miles. The interior shows little wear and leather seats are still in great shape. Put on new tires and intend to keep it going until it dies... and then I might rebuild the motor and keep on.