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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  A decent vehicle - 2001 Subaru Outback
  By hai - October 16 - 10:00 am

  We have driven our OB for 45k miles now. My wife drives it to work in the High Sierras during bad weather conditons. We did have warped front disc brakes when we bought it. It took three different dealers before they corrected the problem. Otherwise, no problems to speak of. Oh yes, I tightened the intake carburator manifold housing with a hose clamp and improved the gas mileage by 4 mpg! It is a 4 cylinder. Yes, it is slow on pickup. But we werent looking for a racer. Just a safe, reliable, economical, all-weather vehicle. The only mechanical complaint I have to date is that the auto trans shift lever binds when shifting from park into gear.

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  1st Subaru - 2011 Subaru Outback
  By A.J. - October 14 - 10:00 am

  Purchased Subaru for my wife. Just moved to Vermont so her corolla wouldnt make the winters there. I drive an Audi. After taking the outback for a 3rd test drive. We could not see spending the additional money for the Audi Q5. The Subaru is truly priced well from the get go, and is an excellent value. The steering is not numb and my wife feels it is "FUN" to drive. Now i know why it seems to be the Vermont state car. A.J.E.

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  Subarus are great cars - 2002 Subaru Outback
  By Steven - October 13 - 6:10 pm

  This is our first subaru with VDC. It is fantastic. The car is wonderful with the only complaint being the power band really kicks in at 4000 rpm and above, which is a bit high. Under this it is marginal for a six cylinder. It is nice to own a car that does not look like everything else on the road.

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  Great Car EXCEPT for - 2015 Subaru Outback
  By bal1013 - October 10 - 8:43 am

  Have 1300 miles on our Outback and we love the room in the front seats, seat could be bit longer on our theighs. City Gas mileage is less than advertised about 18.5, highway around 31 Clock could be bigger but biggest flaw is failure of the doors to lock when car is placed in drive and unlock when in park. This is a safety issue and if I had known or realized this when I was looking at the car I would never have bought it.

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  l love the WRX - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By BMX881@aol.com - October 10 - 2:00 am

  This car is one of the most fun sedans on the market today. I love the subaru

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  Quick study - 2000 Subaru Outback
  By magicjeanne - October 9 - 10:00 am

  Handles and drives well, hugs road, not powerful, unless time to gain momentum on open hwy. What smells like its burning after driving up hills? After heated seat has been on? Transmission? I have an automatic. Why no rear window wiper? Why no storage pockets behind front seats?

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  Good car, but... - 2002 Subaru Outback
  By Jim F - October 8 - 2:30 pm

  Had this car 5 years & like it. Really like the way it hugs the road & handles curves with low center of gravity due to "pancake engine". 4 cyl engine a little lacking in "get up & go." Love the AWD; Ive driven in snow and sand, NEVER put on chains. Interior comfort just OK; still find myself wanting better place to put my elbows while driving. No one wants to ride in middle of back seat. No major mechanical repairs in 5 years, but have had minor oil seepage for last couple years - not enough to drop oil level, but enough to produce burning oil smell from engine & cant find source. CHECK ENGINE & AT OIL TEMP lights keep coming on though no malfunction & no one can figure out why. Annoying.

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  Performance for the rest of us - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By Michael - October 7 - 11:30 am

  The STi is by far the most performance value for your dollar. At roughly $100/horsepower, you will be challenged to find something else that competes (with the exception of the Mitsubishi EVO). This car is by far the most fun to drive of any turbocharged car Ive owned. Running out of corners in 2nd gear with the All Wheel Drive will put a huge grin on your face every single time you do it. There are other performance cars out there such as the Nissan 350Z that are close. But the STi offers a standard cart-your-friends around 4-door (I carry both my kids car seats in mine) that you dont get with most sports cars. Bottom line is this car is a blast to drive, and is affordable.

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  A better SAAB...? - 2007 Subaru Impreza
  By Doug - October 7 - 10:16 am

  3rd Impreza, 5th Subaru. A sports sedan with SUBSTANCE. Subaru AWD has pulled us through winter whiteouts (even with the performance Bridgestone RE-92 tires) when 4wd pickups and SUVs were all over the place. Solid construction--some of that vault-like feel of the Europeans, without the disappointments. Love the Alfa-esque styling; my "hog-nose" the last of the good-looking Imprezas before Subaru began taking their styling cues from the Koreans. More than adequate power & handling for my needs from base 2.5i. Instrument layout, gauge lighting superb. Quirky enough to start a cult-following, yet reliable to keep those of us on a budget coming back for more. A better SAAB? Just MAYBE...

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  Subaru safe but - 2008 Subaru Outback
  By nukalas - October 5 - 2:36 pm

  It is an excellent vehicle in snow and in wet conditions. seats are a bit hard to get used to in the begining but you get used to them. MPG is below average and below what is advertised, for city driving I get 14-15 MPG with careful driving. Overall a good buy if you live in a snowbound area.