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:

• 

  Awesome Drive - 2000 Subaru Legacy
  By condo9 - August 30 - 10:00 am

  I LOVE THIS CAR. I have put over 80,000 miles on my Outback in 2 years. I bought it because I backpack, bike, and haul my dogs around..Plus, I wanted a car that was going to last me more than 200,000 miles. Ive been to CO, TN, MO, and IN, in rain, snow, ice, and am completely satisfied with this cars ability to handle it all.

• 

  2000 Outback Wagon Limited - 2000 Subaru Outback
  By Spikef - August 30 - 10:00 am

  Great all around car. Practical as heck. Needs more power desperatly, a turbo would do nicely. Surprisingly luxurious.

• 

  Get new Outback - 2016 Subaru Outback
  By s. Dunlopp - August 30 - 5:11 am

  Careful of the dealer insurance add ons when you sit down with the finance guy. They can add up quickly.

• 

  Outstanding - 2004 Subaru Baja
  By BMoon73 - August 29 - 11:23 am

  Before buying this vehicle, I was buying a new vehicle every year. Ive finally found a vehicle that meets all of my needs, and is durable and reliable!

• 

  NEGATIVE COMFORT - 2006 Subaru Forester
  By phomerda - August 28 - 6:56 pm

  This is my first experience driving a 2005 Subaru Forester X SUV which I had no choice as it is a company owned vehicle. Subaru should seriously consider recalling the seats for the Forester X. Its unfortunate that this SUV does not support 4 adults and a childs seat in the interior cabin compartment. The comfort level for both driver and passengers is terrible. I am experiencing terrible back and sciatic nerve discomfort because the seats are very very firm. I would highly recommend that any potential customer consider the seating comfort. If your seating is uncomfortable how can you truly rate an automobile fairly?.

• 

  love my Baja - 2005 Subaru Baja
  By baja - August 28 - 4:33 am

  Recently drove 4,200 miles in a week and enjoyed every one of them.

• 

  Subaru Outback Sport 5sp - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By RGF - August 27 - 10:00 am

  This is the 2nd Impreza Outback Sport Wagon we have owned,the 1st one was a 2002 that had 32000m when traded. The only problem on this car was a recalled clutch assembly and a new flywheel. This was handled without any delay. Our car was repaired and returned in the same day. The 2004 is very tight and handles any condition surface with ease. Subarus engine location and the excellent gearing make for quick acceleration and a smooth ride. The only complaint I have is the shifter that comes stock is too loose and can be a nuisance when trying to down shift. The good news is there is an optional short shifter.

• 

  Too much of a compromise. - 2005 Subaru Forester
  By kdburns - August 27 - 9:00 am

  Rattles, rattles everywhere, so lets go trade it in. This car rattles so much I almost drove it straight to a dealership to trade-in on several occasions. Overall, the Forester is too much of a compromise, it does a lot of stuff okay, but nothing very well. The XT accelerates fast, but doesnt corner to match. The all wheel drive does well on slick roads, but the cheap plastic skid plate will tear off on the first snow berm it finds. 7 inches of clearance is nerve-racking on rocky roads; I was constantly asking myself, "is that rock over 7 inches?" I averaged 25 mpg from a manual XT over 60000 miles. I saw several tanks over 30 mpg, but several tanks well under 20 mpg in city traffic.

• 

  B9 bmine - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By marta - August 26 - 2:46 pm

  Im tickled by the reaction my B9 receives when I drive by. It truly is unusual without being "weird". It is a luxury ride and makes me smile each time I look at it or drive it.

• 

  love it - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By c - August 25 - 1:16 am

  I downsized from a Pathfinder that I loved to the 2005 2.5i limited. Very comfortable, agile and just superb in bad weather. Driving in rain is like driving on dry pavement. In 18" of snow it did well except when the drifts exceeded the front hood. All I had to do was back up and try again and it blasted right through.