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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  blown engine and transmission - 2009 Subaru Outback
  By johnny - November 27 - 1:26 pm

  this is my second subaru. My last one was a 95 legacy wagon, 215,000 miles. Never even had to replace the clutch, it was as tight as it was the day I got it. 09 outback 8 months, 16000 miles, blown engine and trans. I am sure this is a rare event. I do love the car, just an extreme pain and a hassle.

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  Great wagon/SUV combination - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By rschleicher - November 25 - 4:56 am

  Ive only had my new Outback for a few weeks (600 miles), but it has been great. I was looking for something with a good AWD capability for driving up to Lake Tahoe in the winter, and one that would be pretty capable off-road, while having fairly car-like driving attributes, and better gas mileage than the full-size SUV I was replacing. The Outback scores on all aspects. Instead of being a compromise crossover that doesnt excel at anything, it is a vehicle that is truly a pleasure to drive in any environment. It satisfies my engineers need for utility and practicality, while still being very entertaining to drive. The 3.6 H6 engine is very smooth and strong, with decent mileage.

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  B9 Review - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By RMB - November 22 - 10:56 pm

  Car drives really well. The AWD is really stable and the car handles excellent for an SUV. Car is comfortable, but still communicates a lot of info to the driver. Navigation is very well implemented and the stereo is top quality.

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  Our 3rd Subaru - LOVE LOVE LOVE! - 2017 Subaru Outback
  By Scott B. - November 22 - 2:09 am

  This is our 3rd Subie. We have had two WRXs (still have one now, the other was destroyed by a bad driver that ran over our car). I have a free company vehicle that is just a year old with free gas and I choose to drive my Outback EVERY chance I get. I just love everything about it. The vision outward is phenomenal, the interior layout has everything placed just where it should be. Today I drove in the snow for the first time with it and I have never felt so safe in my truck or another vehicle. Its hard to put into words just how great this car is. Subaru is a great company and builds a fantastic car. For the money one spends on a Subaru, you get the quality engineering and craftsmanship that Other company would charge nearly twice as much for. One test drive and youll see why this is a wonderful vehicle.

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  Suburu take notes - 2004 Subaru Outback
  By chazz1936 - November 22 - 2:00 am

  A great alternative to the Suv"s. We have the car for one year, and our experince has been pleasureable without indicent of any kind

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  Fast and Furious - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By Jonthemon - November 20 - 10:00 am

  This car is for people who know what driving is all about. This is one of the fastest cars in country and with the AWD it makes it even better. The car looks great, and when you hook it up with all kinds of accessories it looks even greater. Of course this isnt a car for people who drive wimpy automatic "sports" cars. If you have around thirty grand, and love fast and good looking cars, the WRX is for you.

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  great car - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By lagwagon - November 20 - 10:00 am

  GREAT CAR GO BUY ONE

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  SUPER CAR - 2002 Subaru Outback
  By SCARWAF - November 20 - 10:00 am

  CAN GO ANYWHERE IN ANY WEATHER ANY TIME WITH CONFORT AND CONFIDENCE

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  Love this car! - 2004 Subaru Forester
  By happyferret - November 19 - 10:40 pm

  We bought our first Subaru three years ago and loved it. When we needed a second car we knew we didnt need the size of another Outback so we checked out the Forester. Its great to drive and fantastic in the snow. My aunt bought a Forester in 2000 and an additional one a few months ago. Our family is committed to the bu.

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  Finally bought the Outback - 2009 Subaru Outback
  By Dog629 - November 18 - 11:50 am

  Very pleased with my purchase, and happy I opted to go for the extras on the SE model. I find the engine to be quite capable and powerful for both city and highway driving. The car feels well grounded and handles well. Nicely designed inside and out, it returns quite a bang for the buck in regards to all the features, in my opinion.