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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  Not all I was lead to believe - 2001 Subaru Forester
  By Tim from MA - October 5 - 10:00 am

  The right size, but some serious flaws. Emergency braking is poor due to very spongy brakes - not unique to my car, I test drove another one after a near accident and found it to be the same. Engine frequently runs rough/stalls on cool/cold (20~50F) damp mornings, but dealer can not find problem. Mileage runs from 25MPG pure hiway to 18 around town, even with light foot. Clutch has bad "judder" that comes and goes. Rear seat space is very tight.

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  First and last Subaru for me - 2004 Subaru Outback
  By MarcusCaudill - October 3 - 9:46 pm

  I bought this car because of the reputation for reliability. Wrong. Alternator failed at 60k miles. Multiple battery replacements. Brakes way too soon. Engine bearing failure at 90k miles. This car was driven on the highway, and was maintained better than required by Subaru. Be wise and drive something else.

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  buyers remorse - 2012 Subaru Impreza
  By aross3 - September 11 - 11:37 pm

  I have major buyers remorse from this purchase. My husband convinced me that this was my dream car and it surely is NOT!!! The seats in this car are so uncomfortable, I have constant lower backpain from driving this vehicle. I would not recommend this car to a friend or even an enemy. There is no lumbar support even offered in the Impreza. This would probably be a better suited car for a high school kid that has absolutely no back issues is in perfect shape and does not care about comfort in a vehicle.

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  Good as a first, but may not last - 1999 Subaru Forester
  By Thor Heller - September 4 - 5:58 pm

  This was my first car, so I have some love for the black Subaru that I affectionately nicknamed, "Sleipnir". Objectively, that love should not exist. My father got it new, in April of 1999, and shortly got engine problems. 62000 miles. First Engine Replacement. 230000 Miles, second Engine Replacement. Air Conditioning, Clock, and Mirror Motors do not work, and havent since 2010, 2008, and 2007 respectively. 21 MPG was advertised, but I ended up between 14.1 and 18.3 MPG, keeping the RPMS below 2000 at just about all times. The CD player only takes ever fourth CD, no real pattern to it. At 234500, the front axle broke entirely on its own, leaving me to limp home at 5 mph. Car needed a plethora of repairs from the moment we got it, until the moment we gave it away. Some of it was age, other bits were poor design/workmanship on the part of Subaru.

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  Excessive oil consumption, computer fail, cold start noise - 2011 Subaru Forester
  By edholden - August 13 - 4:44 am

  Purchased new 2011 Forrester prem 2.5. Currently have less than 22k miles. Have had excessive oil consumption from day one. It wasnt until after many complaints, that the dealer started an oil consumption test. No issue failing that. Car would consume 3-4.5 quarts on a thousand mile trip, over and over again. Subaru put a new short block in it after it failed the test, and also had a software malfunction whole taking the test. Now the engine knocks on every cold start. SOA Rep acknowledges the excessive noise, but claims there is no fix. The dealer already supposedly replaced the tentioner on the timing chain. Filed suit against SOA for failing to comply per warrant.

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  Manual Sedan - 2004 Subaru Legacy
  By mjc440 - August 4 - 2:00 am

  This Legacy has a great ride, almost perfect steering, and is practically unstoppable in the snow. The negatives are inferior interior materials (compared to Honda and Toyata) and an engine with not a lot of power (although it performs well for a four cylinder). My biggest complaint is that the 5 speed manual is geared too low for normal highway driving. The engine screams at 3,000 RPMS at 70 MPH (and everyone blows past you). It really needs another gear. Also the manual transmission is sometimes hard to put into first gear. Shifting feels like youre shifting through gravel. Cloth seats are also uncomfortable.

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  Dont believe the hype - 1999 Subaru Forester
  By nemo nullus - August 4 - 2:00 am

  After relying on ratings such as Consumer Reports, I stretched my budget to buy my Forester S. What a mistake! Between 20,000 and 60,000 miles, Ive had to replace the brakes, a head gasket leak, and now the manual transmission--all out of warranty. Gas mileage has been quite poor--less than 20 highway. This is undoubtedly the one of the most overrated cars on the market. The design concept is great, but with such poor reliability, what difference does that make? Dont waste your money and time.

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  DON"T BY A SUBARU - 2000 Subaru Legacy
  By SUBARU HATER - July 31 - 10:00 am

  This car handles amazingly in all types of weather. The AWD is amazing and the styling is unbelievable. Nobody can believe this car is a Subaru. BUT!! The reliability is horrible. I have gone through 2 head gaskets, numerous repairs, and now at 107,000 miles i need a new transmission. After paying $10,000 for maintnence since day one, we have kept the car running but something always goes wrong. DON"T BUY A LEGACY!

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  Bad in snow - 2010 Subaru Legacy
  By royboy - July 25 - 2:33 pm

  I am extremely disappointed with the incredibly cheap, flimsy plastic bumpers/fenders/fairings on my brand new Legacy. I live in Idaho where we have ice and snow on the ground all winter. My neighborhood remains icy and there are piles of snow at most of the corners. We have no through streets, lots of twists and turns. I always drive slowly in winter because of that. Yesterday I slid a little taking a left turn and the right front bumper hit a snowpile left by the city. I thought it was nothing to worry about but OMG the damage it did to that flimsy bumper was just way out of proportion to the impact. The Potenzas are awful on ice, and AWD/stability control did nothing to prevent the slide

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  Dont be a fool, like I was - 2011 Subaru Forester
  By vladikt - July 23 - 1:18 pm

  It took me about 30 days to realize how uncomfortable my Forester is. I guess I was still hyped up to have a brand new car. First of all, it is not a cheap car by any means. Limited Edition is about 26k. I love the exterior and interior looks, the reliability is great as well, BUT the car is automatic transmission is EXTREMELY jerky and the suspension leaves A LOT to be desired. It literary feels as if you are riding a carriage from 18th century. It is really sad that such a beautiful car inside and out has such poor driving characteristics. The most unfortunate thing is that Subaru RUINED Forester 2014, it looks hideous, just as ugly as Impreza. HIDEOUS, how could then destroy such beautifu