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, fun car! - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By EvanG - August 13 - 10:00 am

  This car is an absolute blast to drive, without compromising utility or day to day usefulness. My WRX has been completely reliable and never had a hint of a problem. Interior is good but not weighed down with silly luxury stuff. Exterior styling is quirky at first but you will appreciate the uniqueness of it. This is a truly amazing car for the money

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  VDC - Very Dynamic Car - 2002 Subaru Outback
  By WRXSTi - August 13 - 10:00 am

  This is my 7th Subaru, and by far the best made and engineered of all of them. No rattles, squeaks, grinding, smoking as of 32000 miles. The VDC is all about the motor, VERY smooth throughout rev range, boxer H6 like a "Porcha", tranmission well matched and downshifts without hesitation. Tip- take the spring on the muffler bypass and reverse it, it allows full flow of exhaust and gives you the distinct pleasure of hearing the engine note at all throttle settings, plus increases the MPG and acceleration.

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  Sold after 9months - 2015 Subaru WRX
  By carolinaken69 - August 11 - 10:25 am

  Traded in a Mustang GT for a WRX with CVT. What a mistake. The cars electronics (radio/Bluetooth/seat heaters) are out of the early 90s. The radio has poor reception and sound quality was awful. The Bluetooth would randomly disconnect, whether using my iPhone or Android phone. The car developed a bunch of rattles. The ride was harsh and the road noise was unbearable. The front paint was flaking off. Most of the issues were well documented in service bulletins but no fixes identified. The AWD was not that good in snow. The back end would over drive and cause the back end to slide out. Traded in on another Mustang. What a mistake.

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  Most Fun for the Money - 2007 Subaru Impreza
  By Fandango - August 11 - 7:23 am

  This car reminds me of an English sports car in the sense that its a drivers car first. Performance and handling are near perfect, while creature comforts and amenities are less so. But thats OK. Ill trade overhead caddies, fancy cupholders, extra auxiliary power outlets, MP3 hookups, a premium sound system and even a little seat comfort for a thrill ride through canyon twisties any day, and thats what this little car delivers in spades, holding the road like a cat. Its about the most fun you can get in a new sport sedan for about $18,000. And yes, the 2.5 liter non-turbo engine produces plenty of smooth power and great torque for spirited driving in the old sports car tradition.

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  Fun to drive - 2005 Subaru Legacy
  By steveGORDON1 - August 10 - 4:23 pm

  Excellent ride, very fast, steering wheel shifter. Nice winter package: heated seats, heated wiper blades, heated seats 4 positions. Nice comfortable seats. Drove a Volvo S80 T6. Excellent visibility.

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  Big Disappointment - Oil Burning and Other Problems - 2012 Subaru Impreza
  By jbv1105 - August 9 - 6:58 pm

  This car, with only 26,000 miles on it, has not lived up to my expectations for build quality and reliability. The car burned oil at an alarming rate. One dealer claimed there was nothing wrong, then a second finally agreed there was an issue after the car failed an oil consumption test. They replaced the entire engine under warranty. Also I had an ignition problem, which had to be addressed due to the car not starting. Additionally, the cars battery was defective and had to be replaced. The Bluetooth on this vehicle is terrible, wont connect and has had to be replaced. There are unsettling rattles in the dashboard and excessive wind and road noise. I plan to get rid of this car.

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  A Lot Of Car For The Money! - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By broman - August 9 - 10:20 am

  Recently purchased my WRX from a friend who owned it since 25K. Car now has 91K. Previous owner only did regular service with no other issues. This is the type of vehicle that you have to know what you are buying. It doesnt do anything spectacular but does do everything well. Power is adequate, interior is decent, looks are unique, MPG is good for a performance-based car, parts/service is reasonable, and resale is pretty good if you purchase used. I bought this car mainly for MPG as my other vehicle is an F150. And for $7000 I do not think I could get more car for the money. The car had already been upgraded to 17" wheels so it looks even better. Otherwise the car is completely stock.

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  Best Car Ive Ever Owned!! - 2004 Subaru Outback
  By Big Dog - August 8 - 12:50 pm

  I traded in my 97 Dodge Ram Pickup for this car. It was a dealer demo; had 6k on it when I got it, has 17k now. Car is awesome no problems at all. The 3.0 H-6 is a great engine, it has plenty of power to do the job and gets about 23 mpg, much better than the 13 mpg in my truck. The VDC is pretty cool; it gives you great confidence while driving. I turn it off in the snow and have some fun! The interior is great, leather heated seats and climate control plus the Macintosh stereo are all excellent. I love the wood grain trim and the sunroof is nice. It has a very comfortable ride and still performs excellent when pushed hard. As good or better than my mothers BMW 323 and girlfriends Audi A-4.

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  Great Value for your Money - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By 23simply - August 8 - 4:00 am

  We were looking for an AWD or a 4WD, however, gas mileage and the NHTSA crash test rating were two big factors for us. We found this perfect and value laden family AWD that gives you the ground clearance and the traction of an SUV, the comfort of a long wheelbase car and the price of a 4 door sedan. Amazing! We love it, perfect for the family on the go, perfect for the New England Region. Oh the NHTSA rating for front and side crash test? 5/5... sweet!

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  No More Subaru!!! - 2008 Subaru Tribeca
  By No more Subaru - August 7 - 8:34 pm

  From beginning of owning the car we noticed the engine noise like from broken muffler. Then noticed the engine oil level drops when it is still a new car. Lynns Subaru dealer did not do any thing to address the problems. I was told it is normal for Tribeca. Later I have to add oil between regular oil changes. As car gets old it requires more frequent additions of oil especially after a long drive. The tail pipes got black burned oil deposits. Many times asked dealer Victory Subaru to fix the oil burning they told me nothing wrong. There were many mechanical and electrical problems that will take too much time to detail them. Following is the short list: driver side window detached from rolling mechanism, power steering failed while driving, car has to be towed, radiators hose bursts leaking coolant, car towed. Cruise control never worked due to a number of engine warning signs pop up intermittently. All these problems were told to Victory Subaru dealer and they are incapable to fix them, instead they made us to change CV Boots and Booshings well before they life time and charged us almost $ 4000. The car was made in Mexico. The problems we had are more than manufacturer poor quality control, It was from design faults. This is Our second Subaru, We simply had enough problems and irresponsible dealer services and going to sell it below market and no more Subaru for us and our friends, coworkers, neighbors, I will let anyone know about how bad the Subaru becomes. Subaru lies about its reliability.