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 Drive, tight turning circle, comfortable - 2014 Subaru Forester
  By othercarnotvan - October 24 - 10:39 am

  Bought this car to downsize from a minivan. It drives like a dream -- nimble, commanding view. Got the eyesight feature and we like the adaptive cruise control and how it beeps if you stray out of lane. Power is adequate. We opted for better mileage and regular fuel. Been getting 27-33 on the freeway (depending on speed and if a/c is on) and 19-24 in city. EPA number for city isnt real. Cabin is roomy and airy. Visibility is good but rear window could be bigger. Nav system is unintuitive and wont let your passenger program it if car is moving - a drawback in my book. Up front storage is limited. Moonroof uses 6 cu/ft of cargo space but only base model doesnt have it.

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  Luxurious Forrester - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By do-da - October 24 - 8:10 am

  Wanted a Forrester for a year. Went to buy one but none on the lot. Test drove the new body style Outback. It has the same benefits as the Forrester, plus the advantage of better gas mileage and more plush interior. Cant beat the 30+ MPG on an AWD vehicle. Plus, its wide enough to seat 3 kids booster seats.

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  Excellent in snow/ice - 2008 Subaru Outback
  By Joe - October 22 - 10:20 pm

  I got this car during my second winter in the Northwest. Was driving a FWD Lexus RX 330 and a RWD Ford Explorer. Worlds different! I felt very unsteady with the Explorer, better with the Lexus. I havent had any problems at all with the Subaru with regards to traction, control in the snow, etc. It works well for what I got it for. On snow days, Ive taken it with no problems up and down hills which had given the other cars trouble.

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  Cant get much better - 2011 Subaru Outback
  By goldentrv - October 22 - 1:31 am

  I had my Outback for five months. On the 28th of February I left Chicago, the day before the snow hit, for San Diego, so I missed the big snow. With our 100 lb Golden Retriever on a 6000 mile trip, the Outback not only gave us 29 to 30 miles per gallon at high speeds, it did it comfortably, This car handled the steep mountain roads with ease. It could use more power, but at no time did I feel compromised. You do forgett that it is a four cylinder, the cvt is great.

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  Built to get you anywhere, anytime. - 2006 Subaru Impreza
  By lvnwntr - October 21 - 10:13 pm

  Leasing the car for $270/mo. Planning a trip of 2000 miles through Canada with 3 other people. Great for hauling the stuff that wont fit in my Impreza sedan. Have cargo basket for roof rack and am planning for a hitch and aluminum cargo carrier for the back.

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  Tribeca B9 - 2007 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By xspeedrj - October 21 - 9:30 pm

  Best vehicle I have ever owned. Rides smooth and the interior never fails to impress. AWD is superior and the build quality is second to none. For the price the Lexus and Acura cant touch the B9. So far two friends about to buy Pilots, even had deals together, bought B9s after test driving them at my suggestion. It certainly is worth a look for anyone in the luxury or near luxury SUV market.

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  Dependable But Boring - 2007 Subaru Forester
  By Tom - October 21 - 3:03 pm

  This is my first Subaru, coming after a Volvo 740 wagon. It was a sensible, practical, safe, and affordable option as compared to the Honda CRV and Toyota RAV4. No mechanical problems thus far with the vehicle. The front seats are very uncomfortable for long distances due to the lack of thigh and lumbar support and passenger seat does not push back far enough. The engine is simply underpowered when merging onto the highway and even more so when the car is fully loaded. The backseat leg room is poor. Plenty of cargo space. The fulltime AWD reduces the gas mileage to around 20-22 mpg in mixed driving, but the drivetrain does inspire confidence in wet conditions.

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  2008 Legacy 70000 miles later - 2008 Subaru Legacy
  By Ed - October 21 - 6:56 am

  This is my third subaru. I had two imprezas before this one and I got to say I am pretty happy with the car. I live in Florida and I rarely ever see anyone else with the car. Never had a problem with it, just changed the oil and brakes, thats it.

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  Best Bang for the Buck - 2006 Subaru Impreza
  By Mikey Mike - October 19 - 11:10 am

  I have only owned the car for 1 week as of today and I am very impressed. I am trading down from an Audi TT roadster 225hp (lease). I dont even consider it trading down, since the Subaru out performs my Audi (seriously). I purchased the car as a 2006 left over so I got a great deal on it ($21,000). If you are looking to buy a sports car with the functionality of a wagon look no further. 0-60mph in the low to mid 5 second range in for under $25k...enough said. I am so happy with this car.

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  Not Reliable - 2004 Subaru Forester
  By An - October 19 - 2:00 am

  Even before our first oil change (1200 miles) it left us sit. It would crank but would not start. Towed to dealership which proceeded to take 2 full weeks to repair it. Just got it back today. Dealer says the problem was that there was a fault in the engine wiring harness that caused a short circuit in the electrical supply to the fuel pump. Blew a 30 amp fuse that prevented the fuel pump from working. Luckily it did not happen while driving or impact could have been much worse.