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:

• 

  Watch out for neck pain! - 2010 Subaru Impreza
  By GDG - July 17 - 11:46 am

  I just purchased anew 2010 Subaru Impreza Outback and was really excited - first new car in over a decade. I had a Subaru in the 90s and loved it. My new car looks great but the drivers seat and headrest are horrible, the headrest extends forward too far causing neck strain, pain and nausea for me if I drive more than 30 minutes at a stretch. Cant find a solution to this, may need to return this car.

• 

  Perforated Rust on a 2+ year old Subi - 2007 Subaru Forester
  By Karen - July 7 - 11:50 am

  After doing careful research on the internet and speaking to some Subi owners I decided to buy my first Subi. Everything was going well until I found perforated rust on the rear hatch door and on all the door bolts and in other places under the hood. While Subaru replaced the door and changed all the bolts, I no longer feel that this vehicles body had integrity. What about the rust that may exist in the door panels? Will the rust rear its ugly head after the 5 year warranty? This rust problem existed on cars 20 yrs ago, not today. This uncertainty has led me to trade in my Subi for a different car make altogether. I can no longer trust a Subaru, which is too bad.

• 

  Decent Second Car - 2002 Subaru Forester
  By jtentromon@aol.com - June 25 - 8:21 pm

  The 2002 forester we have was bought used with 6000 miles on it. It was always our second run around car and served that purpose very well. It was always serviced on time but the engine developed an oil leak at 60,000 miles. Very expensive to repair ($5000). Really not worth getting repaired at this point we are going to trade it in. Gas mileage was about 18 miles per gallon.

• 

  WHAT A MONEY PIT!! TOO BAD :( - 2003 Subaru Outback
  By mom0f3 - June 19 - 6:03 am

  Beautiful car, roomy enough for transporting my children. Paint job is still brilliant and the car looks newer than it is. I really considered buying a newer outback, however at 70,000 miles, one thing has broken after another. First the wiper hose, then the wiper motor, head gaskets replaced, water pump and now the transmission is shot. I have put 3K into the car in the past 6 months. Thank goodness the transmission is still under warranty. I just wonder what is next to go. Too bad because I really liked driving my outback.

• 

  Not happy - 2014 Subaru Forester
  By dhc4 - June 18 - 6:39 am

  Have owned this Subaru (my first) for just three months and am baffled by all the wonderful reviews. The gas mileage is nowhere near what was advertised. Its ride is rough and bumpy on anything other than totally smooth roads. The car has so many interior rattles and clunking noises that its impossible to enjoy a quiet drive through the countryside. Today, with typical cold winter temps, my drivers side door didnt open easily, the windshield wipers were still totally frozen after the defroster was running for a full 20 minutes and none of the power windows would open, even after another 20 minutes of driving with the heat at full blast. Am I supposed to wait until April for them to open?

• 

  Three years in a CrossTrek - 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek
  By Maxwell Subatarian - June 17 - 8:19 pm

  I leased mine in winter of 2013 and recently turned it in rather than buying it. The CrossTrek is an OK car with good attributes and flaws. On snow it is ok, but not great. With the OEM tires, it was terrible here in northern Michigan. I added a set of Bridgestone Blizzaks which significantly improved traction. But the car is lightweight with makes it prone to sliding around even with awd and winter tires. I did appreciate the cars interior. The firm seats are great and help up over three years and 34,000 miles. There is a surprising amount of room in the passenger compartment, but not too much in the back with the rear seat up. The engine was always very loud on acceleration and got very noisy after about 30k miles - sounded like ball bearings in a coffee can. This is one issue. Subaru needs to put a far more powerful engine in this car. The little 2.0liter, 150HP engine is way under-powered for this car. Mechanically, only a few minor problems the dealer took care of. Big issue was concerns over safety. I nailed a 150 pound deer head-on at 45 miles per hour and the damage to the car was immense ($13,500 bill). The entire front end of the car (bumper, fenders, hood, roof, windshield, lights, numerous engine components due to the battery rupturing) needed to be replaced. It folded up like tinfoil. After that I never felt safe in the car. The sloping front end of the car threw the deer into the windshield in on the front of the roof denting it. Regardless of how many airbags it has one cannot beat the laws of physics. I dreaded the possibility of hitting a truck or large car. Thats why it gone. Would not buy another one. If you want a Subaru, go with the bigger ones.

• 

  Replace The Tires! - 2001 Subaru Forester
  By herrfish1 - June 16 - 10:00 am

  The Forester is a pretty good little SUV, but could stand some improvements. The front cupholder position is terrible, as others have said. The original Bridgestone Duelers lasted less than 24,000 miles. I replaced them with Yokohoma Avid Touring tires from Tirerack.com and found a great deal of improvement in ride and handling! And apparently, all Subaru service dealers are trained the same way. Nothing is ever wrong with these vehicles that isnt "normal for that model!" When my lease is up, Ill be looking at the Honda CR-V and Toyota Rav4 as a replacement.

• 

  My Purchase Was a Mistake - 2000 Subaru Legacy
  By MarkYiu - June 9 - 2:00 am

  For the price I paid for this vehicle, I feel that I taken a loss.

• 

  Buy cheap, get cheap - 2001 Subaru Legacy
  By cafe_guzzi - June 3 - 2:00 am

  First, the pros: Can be fun to drive! Wind it out 3rd, and youre still within the national speed limit. On wet roads, driving hard, you can feel all four wheels working-- great! Now, the cons: Electric-- Aweful; build quality-- more squeaks and rattles after 41K than my F250 Diesel had after 100K miles; Door panels have fallen off, switches break; and I dont know how the headlights pass DOT. Ill run this one into the ground, and doubt Ill get another... not even a WRX.

• 

  Goes Fast, Grinds Faster - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By Baoh - June 3 - 2:00 am

  This car has great power, handling, and seats. Its great to drive, but 4th gear synchros went out at about 23,500 miles, were replaced under warranty, and now, 2000 miles later, the 1st and 4th gear synchros are both out and the car is in the shop right now under warranty. It makes no sense that the new ones wouldnt last as long as the original ones. They arent replacing the tranny, just repairing.