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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  New Subaru Tribeca owner - 2008 Subaru Tribeca
  By Brenda - January 17 - 5:16 am

  I recently purchased the Tribeca. I previously owned a Mercedes SUV and a Toyota Highlander. I love the interior and features but I dont care for the ride. It is very bumpy and I am sensitive to motion. The Toyota gave a much much better ride and I am sorry I didnt buy it out of the lease. I was swayed by the features I didnt have in the Highlander like heated seats, memory seats, outside temp reading, etc. The insurance is a fortune-my bad for not checking. They say it is because it costs so much to fix and the excise tax is very high which I didnt factor in. Factor in all your costs before making this purchase!

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  3 months - I try to ignore the rattles - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By energizerbunny - January 11 - 5:30 pm

  Okay, I bought this vehicle since I loved my husbands Subaru outback, but wanted a small SUV for my company car. My previous car was a VW Passat. First, the cloth seats have very poor support for long drives (shouldve opted for leather). Will be adding a lumbar support unit from a local detail shop. Tried to get the door rattles fixed from the dealership. They were not able to help and made them worse by trying. Am trying to love the car but kind of wished I had opted for the Subaru Outback or another VW Passat. If you do purchase this vehicle, go for one of the higher end packages (> 2.5XP) since you may get better interior quality. Gas mpg isnt bag... averaging about 25 mpg.

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  Disappointed with my first Subaru - 2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek
  By ndw - December 22 - 4:45 pm

  Ive actually had an entirely different experience with my Crosstrek Hybrid, other than I can agree with another users problems with the navigation. There are so many rattles, all over the car. The worst is with the plastic covering the speedometer and tachometer displays. People who ride in my car say things like, "Doesnt that noise drive you crazy?" Mine was delivered in November, so I wonder if its early off the manufacturing line and those problems have been worked out. Subaru has been most unhelpful in resolving my issues - this will be my last Subaru.

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  Engineering Problem - 2011 Subaru Legacy
  By Phillip - December 21 - 10:00 am

  After reading multiple consumer reviews complaining about drifting and steering wheel vibration in the 2010 Subaru, I waited for the 2011 model. I asked the dealer about it and they said the new model corrected the problem. I drove it about 15 miles as a test and it seemed fine, but above sixty miles per hour on the way home the steering wheel started to shake visibly. Subaru appears to have the same engineering problem with the 2011 model. The steering dynamics are also really bad. I will upgrade with Continental tires in a few days and have someone else check the front end. If that doesnt fix it, I will become a major critic of this car company. Very disappointed.

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  2010 Subaru Outback 2.5i base model stinks - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By jayvee - December 19 - 7:20 pm

  Subaru has made some very good improvements from 2009 model for the Outback. I am really happy with most of the car functionality. I am extremely disappointed that the drivers seat is jerky and moves forward by ~ 1cm almost every time I apply brakes. When I contacted the dealership about it, they said it is a Subaru problem and does not have any fix. They tested this in all other cars they have with manual seats and experienced this problem. I do not understand how such a reputed company like Subaru that makes airplane engines cannot figure out making properly working driver seats? I have seen 15 year old cars that have manual seats that work correctly. Other than that its good.

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  Wont buy this again - 2006 Subaru Forester
  By julie - November 22 - 9:20 pm

  I went from a Toyota 4 runner to Subaru LL Bean. I am highly disappointed. The leather seats are very cold in the winter until they warm up. Because of the heater design, my legs are too hot in summer and too cold in winter. The air just doesnt circulate down there. It comes out at chest level only. Passengers in the back seat freeze. The exterior paint job is very bad. It scratches incredibly easy. The windshield takes forever to thaw. It handles well in small amounts of snow but not in anything over 6 inches.

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  the rattlemobile - 2010 Subaru Forester
  By canuck - November 21 - 2:10 pm

  the good - looks decent, good rear storage, lots of room for kids in back seat, decent towing capacity the bad - noisy engine, uncomfortable seats front, poor drink holders, well hidden heated seat controllers, stupid blue light over rear mirror, small controls for stereo and cruise. the ugly - the stereo is poor, but above all .... it RATTLES ! various cheap plastic components rattle under all conditions, the ceiling, the doors, the dash, the windows, the trunk, front heat deflector.

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  Cute car, stupid, cheap cutbacks - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By sbirnbaum100 - October 20 - 6:06 pm

  Weve owned a 1996 Subaru Impreza Outback (manual) - awesome. A used 1996 Subaru Legacy - good (manual) started collapsing at 151K), now the 2004 Subaru Impreza TS Wagon automatic. Im not impressed. It eats gas (23 mpg average). Its expensive to maintain. We couldnt buy it with side body guards. It doesnt have a key for the trunk. If the electric goes, we have no trunk. Theres been a ticking (in different gears) with the car since we bought it. The Subie dealer said its a known issue with the pistons and is not considered a problem. Is that really true? If its not a problem, why did they "fix it" in the 2007 model.

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  Head Gasket Leaking Problem - 2003 Subaru Outback
  By Scott R. - October 20 - 6:46 am

  Bought the car for my wife. Was happy with the car until my dealer confirmed an external coolant leak from both heads at 53,000 miles. I knew of the problem in earlier years, but was told that the problem was fixed in the 2003 model year. I maintained the car over and above Subaru recommendations/requirement. I changed the anti-freeze and used their special conditioner at 25,000 and 50,000 miles. Subaru offered me a 50/50 split for replacing the gaskets. I was considering buying a new Outback next year, but when they have no confidence in their own vehicle (i.e. stand behind such a known design flaw), they dont deserve my loyalty. Recommend only for short term ownership.

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  SUBARU TRIBECA LET DOWN BY SUBARU - 2012 Subaru Tribeca
  By laurenceray - October 10 - 6:45 am

  My 4th Subaru and first Tribeca. I live in Australia and vehicle specs different to USA and Europe. Issues are, no fold back mirrors, not reversing sensors, no digital speed, no auto on/off headlights, no rear fog light/s, steering wheel not adjustiable for in and out, unable to program Sat Nav to show vehicle speed roadway speed and set over speed warning or other warnings. Also only able to install whereis GPS software which cost AU$295 for a one year map. Subaru and Kenwood refused to re-program or show me how to re-program unit. No alarm system and not pre-wired as advertised and then went back on deal to pay for alarm if I paid for fitting. Subaru lied and no after sales support.