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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  Love These Cars - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By dozer54321 - October 15 - 7:36 am

  Ive liked Subarus (all of them) since I worked at a Subaru dealership. I bought mine after I left the dealership because none of my other vehicles could meet the performance. They handle better than any other car Ive been in, and although the ATi and Evo are faster, for the price and ease of the mods it is a good deal. Reliability is that of a Toyota and the performance of a sports car.

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  Ive got a new Subaru - 2016 Subaru Forester
  By chuck ferant - October 15 - 4:18 am

  I like everything about this car except that the drivers power seat does not have enough adjustments.

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  2000 Subaru GT Sedan 5spd Manual - 2000 Subaru Legacy
  By WD Baseley - October 14 - 10:00 am

  Dummies put UGLY advertising plate on car despite SPECIFIC instructions not to! Otherwise nice, good service. GT worth extra $ to me because of sunroof, rear LSD, power extras, upgraded sound sys. Extra bonus is better accel. due to lower final drive ratio. Gas mileage is fine (22 to 28) and car is very relaxed cruising at speed. Confidence-inspiring handling, fun to toss around in the twisties, safe as a house, good pep but could stand another 20-30 hp. Orig. equip. tires so-so, better rubber makes big difference. Also winter tires if you see snow; they turned my car from "gets me home in any conditions" to "whoo-hoo its snowing lets play!"

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  solid, but needs to be improved - 2001 Subaru Forester
  By dave in nyc - October 14 - 10:00 am

  Owned it for 4 years now and its generally well designed and engineered and a solid car for the price. However, if Subaru wants to remain competitive with its main competitors, it needs to pay attention to some interior details below and offer the little "extras" that give custormers satisfaction. And its absolutely necessary Subaru offer a 7 passenger "sport wagon" or I will certainly be trading in for a (Acura) MDX or equivalent in 2-3 years.

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  My new SUV - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By John Hammock - October 14 - 10:00 am

  Coming out of our SUV we looked at, and drove several cars. I passed on my chance forthe Infiniti G35x so my wife could have her wagon, so far we not been disapointed. And, the 2005 Outback seems to turn more heads than I would have thought possible.

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  Sure-footed, but incredibly unreliable - 2006 Subaru Outback
  By kbourdeau - October 13 - 9:12 am

  My 06 2.5i Ltd. (118,000 mi.) blew its head gaskets for the second time in less than 3 yrs. today. Replaced all 4 sets of wheel bearings at least once, broken front axle, wiring harness on back hatch, door handle, console cover broke off completely years ago, rear defrost never did work properly, etc. Never had a car in the shop as much as this one. Loved the traction - absolutely hated the total lack of quality in this vehicle. Not feeling the love... If you insist on a Subaru, but a model from 08 or newer - they are supposedly much more reliable.

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  Perfect If Youre Looking For An AWD Sedan - 2013 Subaru Legacy
  By Bridget - October 13 - 5:11 am

  I just purchased a 2013 Legacy with only 14k miles. I previously owned a 2008 Ford Escape. I wanted a car with better gas mileage that also had AWD. I was originally looking at Crosstreks, however, they are hard to come by pre-owned and the Legacy was a great deal. This is a great car if AWD is a must for you and you dont want to spend a lot of money. I wouldnt recommend the Legacy if you are looking for a real sporty/peppy ride. I dont find it boring but the CVT took me a while to get used to. It feels a little sluggish at times and is awkward in stop and go traffic. Its also pretty noisy. The steering is solid/heavy and you feel glued to the ground. The visibility/mobility is better than any other car I have owned. I can switch lanes very easily on congested highways. Its also super comfortable and roomy. Overall, I like the Legacy as it has everything that is important to me. It has AWD, good gas mileage and was under $20K. I also like it because its different. I didnt want to drive what everyone else out there has. I can see why Legacy has such a loyal following. Its a unique driving experience and that can be good or bad depending on what youre looking for. I made out pretty good and will probably look at Subarus again.

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  Great Value - 2014 Subaru Impreza
  By billprange - October 13 - 12:54 am

  Ive owned my 2014 Impreza Limited for 6 months and 7K miles. I bought it fully loaded with 900 miles on it (repossessed) from the dealer for $22,500. Its a fun, tight drive with remarkable fuel efficiency. I get 45 mpg at 55 mph, 40 at 65, and 36 at 70 with fwy driving. Overall 36 fwy, 32 mixed and 28 city. Efficiency drops noticeably when using the paddle shifters on country roads! Absolutely no problems so far, just lots of fun.

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  Perfect For Me - 2010 Subaru Forester
  By PApassenger - October 12 - 5:43 pm

  I drove an Audi A6 so I was used to lots of amenities. I used edmunds.com to narrow my search to 5 medium SUVs. The trend in body styles seems to be lots of body in the back with a small window...looks good from the outside but feels claustrophobic inside and isnt helpful when youre trying to back up or merge onto a highway. That put the Rogue and Tucson lower on my list. I test drove the CR-V - nice. I left the RAV 4 till last - I expected to drive it home. But when I drove the Forester, I was impressed at how comfortable and spacious it was. The RAV 4 interior looks cheap by comparison. I bought the Subaru and drove it 2000 miles so far, including a trip to Canada. I still love it.

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  A real Subaru - 2007 Subaru Impreza
  By Dave - October 9 - 8:26 am

  Nice car, no problems so far (7k miles/8 months). Fun to drive, more than adequate power from the 2.5 non-turbo, 5 speed manual has a nice feel. Competent for light off road use, get the skid plates. Fuel economy has been about 24 MPG, which isnt great, but it is acceptable.