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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  Subaru forester 2002 - 2003 Subaru Forester
  By sardana - September 30 - 10:00 am

  Fun to drive. excellent handlability and reliability.

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  Try NOT to buy one after you drive one!! - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By Keith Coley - September 30 - 10:00 am

  This is one of the fastest cars on the road and yet you get the room of a wagon and the comfort of all wheel drive. This was one of the worst winters in CT and I made it to work on time every day and got home safely. Now that the snow is gone, I can really put the turbo to work! It is sooo fast. I dare you to drive this car and NOT buy it.

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  Youd be surprised... - 2000 Subaru Legacy
  By vtdriver - September 30 - 10:00 am

  how many trips I had to make to the service department. Issues during the warranty period were numerous. 2 that linger are chatter when engaging the clutch in cold weather, and softness of the brake pedal, which improves if you come of the brake and then get back on it again. The dealer claims that these flaws do not exist. Legacy does a nice job cruising through the Vermont winter. Mileage isnt bad for all wheel drive. Were reliability better, I would gladly recommend it. Unlike my old Loyale, this is no longer a car that can rack up hundreds of thousands of miles without racking up a big maintenance bill.

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  2009 Legacy is Great - 2009 Subaru Legacy
  By RB26301 - September 29 - 5:40 pm

  I just got my Legacy last week and its great! It handles extremely well in the snow and even did better then my Jeep Cherokee. The car is sleek, classy and comfortable to drive.

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  Buyers Remorse! - 2016 Subaru Outback
  By Sue - September 28 - 1:03 pm

  Ive had my Outback about a month & have buyers remorse! Im 54" & the seats are very uncomfortable, and my passengers have complained about this as well. Its acceleration is noisy, but the car is pretty quiet once a steady speed is reached. The Outback only gets 21 mpg in the city & 23 mpg on the highway, which is very disappointing! The automatic trunk release on the clicker is convenient. The exterior mirror has an small indicator, which lights up when someone is in the cars blind spot. It would be nice if a button or turn signal would also show the blind spot area on the interior camera. It doesnt come with a key fob & push button start which would really be convenient, so I suggest Subaru engineers add those in future models. Im strongly considering selling my brand new car. Im so disappointed with the Subaru Outback! I should have spent my $32,000 on a Honda CRV or the Chrysler 300!

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  Mine - 2016 Subaru Legacy
  By Judy Edwards - September 28 - 9:05 am

  The car I had before and it had things I liked and didnt get in this one. I had a Mercury Milan, I miss my silence in the car (no noise, or wind sounds) I miss my self locking vehicle that would lock itself upon acceleration. I miss the sound of the trunk/doors closing (very solid sound). This Subaru has a lot of new things as my son said I will need as I age. Thank you son. Getting to learn them hasnt been easy. There are still things I havent figured out yet. My daughter and I went to a Funeral last night and tried the map app on the car and it tried to work, we had to get out the book and start over, easy to operate, no. The feature of the garage door openers on the rear view mirror, great idea. I wouldnt have been able to use it at all if it wasnt for the fact that my opener broke the day I was buying the car and had to replace it. I had it set and works great. I went to set the other side and not so great, what Ive found out through friends, you have to have a newer garage opener for it the work. So I have one that works and one that doesnt. I have yet to get my oil changed and heard from friends how expensive it is, So Im bracing for that surprise. I have a flip cell phone and it wouldnt transfer to the car, but if you add each contact to the car works fine. Ive noticed it is too detracting all the electronics on the dash. Need to be watching the road, so Im ignoring a lot in the car while I drive.

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  <$30K sport sedan of choice - 2005 Subaru Legacy
  By MichaelS - September 27 - 5:06 pm

  Looking for an AWD sport sedan in the $25-30K range? Look no further. With better acceleration than a WRX and all the amenities of any other $25-30K sedan, this car is a sleeper and is the "adult" WRX.

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  Be SPEC-tacular - 2006 Subaru Legacy
  By Max - September 27 - 1:36 am

  I recently shopped for a Subaru Legacy GT, when the dealer offered an outstanding buy on his only spec.B. The combination of improved handling dynamics, navigation system and other features turned it into an irresistible buy. Any enthusiast who has driven the turbo GT Legacy knows that the 250 HP rating offered by Subaru is WAY low. Zero-to-60 in 5.3 (which this car does) means something more on the order of 275+ flywheel HP. Great performance, handling and all wheel drive make this a terrific buy!

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  Great Car - but stumped the expert - 2005 Subaru Legacy
  By Jeff Lampe - September 26 - 7:33 am

  I have had the Subaru GT Ltd for about 9 months. I absolutely love this car, it fits me like a glove and drives like no other car I have ever had. It is classic, conservative, but with an attitude that I can turn on with a little pressure on the gas. I blow the doors off the hot little Hondas and German cars. The handling is tight and I love cruising around in it. However, things came crashing down after taking it thru a car wash. The ECU, bulkhead wire harness, integrated unit have been replaced and who knows what else is needed, certainly not the dealers or the Subaru expert knows why it will not start, or not run for more than 30 min. It has been in the shop for the past 9 weeks.

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  How could you not love it? - 2006 Subaru Legacy
  By NY Subaru - September 26 - 6:23 am

  This is by far the best car I have owned. Had it 6 months and have 11K miles on it. Great look, feel, style. Get 31 MPG at 80 MPH on highway. Average about 28 MPG combined highway/city. About 450 miles off one tank. Excellent and fun to drive in good weather and snow. Great features, easy to drive, easy to use controls. a lot of power for a small car, zips in and out of traffic. Why buy the turbo and pay more and spend more on gas when this is almost the same. Good pick up and excellent braking. I would suggest this car to anyone looking for a car priced under $25K, that wants reliability, and a great car.