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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  Bought 2 Bahas one Red and one Yellow - 2003 Subaru Baja
  By MikeandIan - January 31 - 10:00 am

  Brought home the Bahas (2 ), each one had a problem a bad shimmy when you applied the brakes , had to have the rotors cut to stop it . Not a major problem but one that I should have not had to deal with. The power is lacking , something we did not think of when we test drove the car because we did not want to redline it new .needs more power .We still love the cars . we own six Subarus along withthe 2003BahaRed,2003Baha Yellow .As you can see we are a Subaru family .But Love our Bahas, but the Baha could use more power .

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  Very Roomy Sedan - 2011 Subaru Legacy
  By fisheagle - January 31 - 7:45 am

  From start i filed a complaint at the dealership about the car poor road handling.The car bounced on the road the suspension felt harsh.Dealership argued "there is nothing wrong with the car"A letter to SOA head office did not produce any results.I took it upon myself to replace the shock absorbers at nearly 20k miles there were clear signs of wear on tear on the struts.Much to my surprise the struts was the same company that supplied the OEM front and rear struts!The handling increased marginally.The rear end still bounces.The idle drops to below 500 rpm when coming to stop.Uneven idling.Going down hill cruise control does not work. Dealer nothing wrong with car.My last Subaru!

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  New to Subie - 2017 Subaru Outback
  By wayne johnson - January 30 - 7:40 pm

  I have driven primarily Hondas & Toyota over the years, so far the Subaru has surpassed both. At this point in my life the Outback meets/exceeds my requirements. Comfort, reliabilty, utilitarian & economical

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  Some Good and Bad - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By Jason Meissner - January 30 - 4:30 am

  This is my first Subaru; some of the main reasons for my purchase were the size, versatility, and AWD system. It offers a very rugged look with a solid, safe ride, great sound system and auto climate control. I never thought I would find myself behind the wheel of a wagon, however the style inside and out makes your think twice. So far it has been dependable, but Subarus customer service has been least favorite on my list thus far. This car is very solid in winter weather, the best I have ever driven. Gas mileage has been horrific, ~23 mpg on mostly open road. I have read other reviews here, and Subaru boasts of increased gas mileage...this is definitely not my experience.

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  AWD at its best - 2012 Subaru Impreza
  By nev1998 - January 30 - 12:27 am

  Drove all the 2wd competitors and even a 35k A3 Quattro and hands Dow the Impreza was top in all things. Yes the A3 had slightly better pickup but this car just handled so much better. This thing is on rails. For anybody looking for a small hatchback this cant be beat and is well worth a look.

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  old paint - 2001 Subaru Forester
  By THOMAS FULTON - January 29 - 6:15 am

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  cant get enough - 2009 Subaru Impreza
  By Subie Lover - January 28 - 8:50 am

  My last car was a Subaru Legacy and it made me fall in love with Subaru. Comparing the 09 Impreza to other cars in its class (Ford Focus, Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic, Mazda 3, etc) there really isnt any competition at all. The symmetrical AWD, power, smoothness of the ride... none of the others even come close to an Impreza. And the Impreza was much less expensive too! It was a no-brainer and I couldnt be happier with the car.

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  Another New Subaru Fan! - 2018 Subaru Legacy
  By Chuck - January 28 - 6:17 am

  Just about 400 miles on my new 2018 Legacy and I love it! So far, so good. Everything seems great. Im expecting this to continue. Our Legacy is a very nice looking sedan; twilight blue is the color we selected with a gray cloth interior. The sound system is fabulous! We love the clear quality of the sound whether it be radio, CD, or Sirius XM. Im very satisfied with my purchase.

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  Need more time to evaluate.too early - 2016 Subaru Impreza
  By Linda coyner - January 26 - 10:39 pm

  Transmission questionable

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  Do not buy this car - 2012 Subaru Forester
  By starfool - January 26 - 7:57 pm

  I bought my 2012 Forester about a year and a half ago. It started to have starting issues about 3 months ago. It wont start right away, sometimes it takes a few tries holding the key for about 10 seconds. I took it to North End Subaru and they tried a few things that didn’t work, and then told me it is normal. I then took it to Prime Subaru. They couldnt find anything wrong but gave me a few tips to try. They didnt work, I called back, they also told me that the problem is normal. It does always start eventually, but it just doesn’t seem normal to me. I have read reviews of people who have had similar problems for both the 2012 & 2013 models.