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 to Us - 2000 Subaru Outback
  By 759397 - November 7 - 10:00 am

  We bought this car three months ago in May 2003 with 28K miles. Obviously I have only driven it for three months but 5K miles have been put on. I like the design of the car, the interior space and winter performance were the selling points for me. The seats are comfy, the manual shifts nice. The clutch is alright, not great and has some shake, but no big deal. Brakes are a little mushy compared to what I am used to. Stereo is nice for a stock unit and the headlights and foglights are killer for seeing through the darkest roads. I dont have any wind noise and I have the full rack on top.

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  First Impressions - 2016 Subaru Outback
  By awm - November 6 - 9:47 am

  WOW...Amazing! We just purchased the 2016 Outback Limited with EyeSight. Its basically fully loaded. This is our 3rd Subaru. We started with a 2012 Impreza (which we traded in) and then a 2013 Crosstrek. As Im ready to retire, I was looking for a new vehicle that included the latest safety features. As I learned about the EyeSight system, I was intrigued. Simply put, its totally amazing. Everything seems to work as advertised. The display when one engages the adaptive cruise control shows the vehicle icon and the vehicle in front of it. The lanes will blink if one is crossing lanes without using the turn signal. The lane assist is amazing. When engaged, it gently but firmly steers the vehicle back in its lane, but is inactive if you mean to cross lanes and use the turn signals. The display even shows when the vehicle is braking. The vehicle will brake on its own when EyeSight is engaged and you keep your foot off the brake pedal. Were still learning how all of the safety features work. The 12 Harman-Kardon speakers are great, and the Infotainment system looks impressive, but I have to learn all of its features. The Outback feels very luxurious inside. We like our Venetian Red Pearl exterior. The alloy wheels are sharp-looking. The car has a solid feel to it and the ride is smooth, but not too smooth so that you lose the feel for the road. The Outback definitely has better acceleration than either the Impreza or the Crosstrek. Its amazing that the stated fuel economy is exactly the same for the 2016 Outback and 2013 Crosstrek. The side mirrors do indicate when there is a vehicle in the blind spot. All in all, a very impressive technological tour de force. But, it is still an Outback, with lots of "for people on-the-go" features and great interior human and storage space. Over the years I have observed that many people who retire buy a new Cadillac or Lexus (or similar). The Outback is meant for active people of all ages, including those that are retiring. Cant wait to use it in the snow. In short, the Outback is the "lets go and enjoy the outdoors" vehicle that we all expect, and much more in terms of quality, features, performance, and safety. Great job Subaru!
  
  Additional Review After 6 months of ownership-
  
  Our overall impression is still very positive. The EyeSight system is amazing, and appears to be working very well. I especially like the alarms that tell you if something is coming your way when backing up. This works well even for children walking along the curb to a school bus stop. Very useful feature. Having seen some specific negative comments from others, I can address them from our experience- - Wind noise. Yes, there is some, when driving on the Interstate. However, its very similar to all of our other vehicles, so its really not an issue. - The heater works very well and quickly, including the seat warmers. - The leather seats are of high quality. Very attractive. - Yes, the clock is not in the best spot. You have to teach yourself where to look. - Now that its wintertime in the East Coast, we did notice that the 2.5i engine is a bit noisy during a cold start. But the noise dissipates as the engine warms up. - We do have a small dog, and we put her crate in the back on occasion. The crate fits easily, thanks to the generous space. In short, were looking forward to warmer weather to take the Outback out for longer drives.

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  Not Your Fathers Impreza - 2012 Subaru Impreza
  By lowkey - November 6 - 1:15 am

  I gave my 2009 Impreza Outback Sport to my college daughter as a replacement. I thought I would go out and replace it with a new one and get the same performance and ride. Wrong. This car travels from the foothills to Denver in winter snow conditions. I dont even recognize it as a reliable snow performer Subaru is noted for. I have 3,700 miles on the Premium Sport and heres my experience. (1) The traction loss fault light flickers frequently in snow and unstable when crossing over 3 or 4 inch snow build up. It gets my heart pumping. (2) Bad manners in cross winds. After 800 miles I was exhausted. (3) The 2.0, CVT, struggles climbing grades at 8,000 ft. I have to put it in 3rd manual mode.

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  Excellent Car! - 2004 Subaru Forester
  By Charles - November 5 - 9:10 am

  This car is a 10 all round. It may seem strange that I gave all 10s but this is purely in consideration of the type of car it is. For performance for example, some may say that it is slow, especially for 165 hp. However, in any conditions with poor traction, it is absolutely essential for good performance (ie not sliding off the road) that power delivery isnt snappy and immediate. Handling is surprisingly good for the type of car it is and this must in part be due to the low center of gravity of the boxer engine.

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  A 3 Year Review of the Outback XT - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By 3year-review - November 5 - 5:00 am

  I have put about 42,000 miles on my black on black Outback XT that I leased brand new. This is a great wagon for hauling your junk around. I only had one trip to the dealer for any warranty issues, and that issue was a minor wiring fix. The turbocharged engine has plenty of power on tap. Amazingly, the OEM tires (Potenza) still have decent tread remaining. I average 22 MPG with 75% highway miles and a heavy foot. Drives great in the snow although it does have a tendency to fishtail. I would surely buy one again.

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  14 XT possibly the best Forester ever. - 2014 Subaru Forester
  By kurtamaxxxguy - November 4 - 9:01 pm

  The 14 Forester project leader vowed to improve last gen Forester in every way. He and his team have largely succeeded, for the 14 XT manages to ride, handle, accelerate, brake, and use fuel far better than the capable 09 XT it replaces. More like Lexus or euro car, the new XT outdoes most euros on interior packaging efficiency. Reliabilitys unknown as of yet but 14 build quality seems good with far fewer rattles and jiggles than in the older XT.

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  Great car...they think of everything!! - 2011 Subaru Outback
  By 1happycamper - November 4 - 12:06 pm

  This is my second Subaru. I had a 2009 Subaru forrester but found it to be kind of an ambling vehicle (not very responsive or sporty). After40k miles, I traded in my Forrester for a 2011 Outback. The Outback is very sporty and is fun to drive...very peppy. Very reasonably priced for the features provided. Ive been getting 30 mpg and love the vehicle. This is the perfect vehicle for an active individual. It hauls my road bikes on the hitch rack, the kayak on the roof, and my therapy dog to the nursing home. Then it cleans up nicely to haul five people comfortably to dinner and a concert. Truly a great deal!!

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  Love this Car! - 2005 Subaru Impreza
  By Jo - November 4 - 2:43 am

  This car has been wonderful for me! Since the date of purchase I have not had any mechanical or other problems at all. I love driving it around, the car always gets a few looks. This car is not WRX but it still has a lot of punch to it, its very fun to drive. The only downside is that the mileage is not the greatest, however keep in mind that you are getting excellent AWD performance at all times. On a 60 litre tank of gas, i average about 600km per tank.

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  Great car - 2008 Subaru Tribeca
  By AM - November 3 - 8:18 pm

  The car is great performance/reliability/safety wise. Only complaint: airbag recall that took too long to get fixed.

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  Controls - 2017 Subaru Forester
  By Gary Caron - November 3 - 2:16 pm

  Everything within easy reach from drivers seat, very logically designed, intuitive,