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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  Too expensive to maintain - 2001 Subaru Outback
  By familydad - November 15 - 6:16 am

  This car handles well, is fun to drive, and I feel it is safe to drive with the family aboard. But after three, yes THREE radiator replacements, 2 head gaskets and several costly sensor replacements, Im ready to be rid of this car. It has a computer "sensor" for seemingly everything, and Ive had to replace them all more than once, and of course, these sensors are never in easy-to-reach places in the engine compartment, so every time, Ive been totally reamed in the wallet. I just had the catalytic converter replaced as well, and like the other repairs for this car, it was very expensive. Seriously, I owned a Toyota for 10 years, and spent less than 1/4 the cost of repairs to it.

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  Hit and Miss - 2003 Subaru Impreza
  By Diesel513 - November 15 - 5:06 am

  Its a nice car. Stock out of the box it has more perfomance than most. AWD is a definite plus especially if you have changing seasons. From what I have learned from my friends older Imprezas, most of them arent holding up for much longer than 80k miles. But some of my friends dont take care of their cars like they should. The car is shorter than most sedans, but thats what gives it the mobility that it has. I feel bad for the people in the back seat; there isnt a lot of room, but I never have to be back there! A few weird things: Gears are straight cut (shifting isnt as smooth as most); I get a weird hum at 60MPH (Subaru doesnt know what it is); and coolant -- you go through it like crazy, due to turbos.

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  I wish it were different - 2000 Subaru Legacy
  By frowning - November 15 - 2:00 am

  I purchased this car with great anticipation. This car is extremely fun to drive, looks great, and is solid on the road. Everything was great until I hit 60,000. Just after the warranty expiration, I blew a head gasket. I thought it was odd for this to happen on such a new car, but forged ahead. Then, not even a year later, I lost the number 4 cylinder. I have 80,000 miles on the car and have two major engine repairs. I have spent $1000s in good faith maintenance over the years and fear the worst going forward. I really enjoyed the car, but, sadly, I will probably never buy another Subaru and cannot consciencely recommend this car to anyone.

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  Solid at speed - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By Jarno - November 15 - 2:00 am

  Have an 04 WRX auto. Very fast and rock solid at speed. Replaced oem tires with Firestone SZ50 - big improvement in handling and looks. Seats look good and hold you in, but not that comfortable for long trips. Some minor problems including annoying dash rattle.Overall build quality could be better. Premium stereo still sounds tinny.

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  Blind Spots - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By jd4real - November 14 - 1:00 am

  Design flaw that needs reviewing is blind spots. Bigger mirrors may help however there is a definite blind spot in the rear window area. Nice ride, great features but safety concerns.

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  Happy with my 2015 XT - 2015 Subaru Forester
  By wnydriver - November 13 - 9:59 pm

  1 month in, 2600 miles so far no regrets with my 2015 Subaru Forester XT Premium. My overall fuel economy since purchase says 26.8 mpg. Ive had full tank reports of as high as 33. I mostly run mid-grade (89) and throw in a tank of premium every third fill up or so. In short you can get really good mileage if you drive conservatively. It does drop off pretty fast if you like to get into the turbo frequently. But even on tanks where Ive "played" more, I still was in the 24+ mpg overall. I love the turbo power when I need it. Car is very comfortable for a CUV. Visibility is the best of an CUV in my opinion.

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  2010 SUV of the Year? Not really... - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By Chebosto - November 12 - 2:00 am

  I needed a larger car due to family expansion and was drawn to the Outback due to the MotorTrend SUV of year award. Since owing the car since June, I believe that award to be false advertising. Our 2.5 Ltd does have good mpg & excellent interior design and ergonomics however there are too many minor issues to be truly satisfied with the car. The 2.5 H4 with the CVT transmission is weak and clunks when getting out of D or P; steering wheel vibrations @ 70-80 mph is hand numbing during long trips; Non-folding side mirrors annoying when parking; rear end sways in side winds; AC does not stay cold when idling; roof cross bars inadequate for most rack systems; the stereo sounds terrible. Sigh.

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  Good Value for AWD - 2011 Subaru Forester
  By Chris - November 12 - 2:00 am

  WeÂ’ve had a 2011 Forester 2.5X for about a month and are very pleased. The only fault weÂ’ve found is that there is more road noise than weÂ’re used to. Ride is smooth and feels solid. It has plenty of power while getting slightly better than 30 mpg on the highway. The 5 speed manual shifts smoothly, although it feels like it could use a sixth gear. The rear seats fold flat, giving tons of cargo space with built-in hooks galore. Love the audio jack in the center console for the iPod, although the console itself is too far back. Under the hood, all fluids you need to be concerned with are clearly marked and the oil filter is right up front on the topside. CanÂ’t wait to try it in the snow!

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  I really like it, but... - 2008 Subaru Impreza
  By Unearthed - November 11 - 2:33 pm

  This car does a lot of things really really well, but a couple of things keep me from giving it a 10 across the board. First and foremost, with 450 miles on it we have already developed a squeak/rattle from the dashboard. Weve also had the radiator light come on for a minute when the car was only on for about 2 minutes. Other than that I love the way the car looks and it is very comfortable to drive. Its not quick, but it has enough power and it handles decently. The automatic trans seems a bit clunky, but Im used to a manual so perhaps its just me adjusting. For 21k I dont think there are too many cars out there that offer the features the Impreza does and also have 4WD/AWD.

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  This car rips! - 2006 Subaru Legacy
  By Denny - November 6 - 11:33 pm

  Subaru nailed it. 250 horses and it goes around a corner like it was glued to the road. I have yet to get the rear end to break loose around a tight corner, even at full throttle. Fast, but a very quite and smooth ride. One problem ... the seats are VERY uncomfortable. One hour on the road and youll wish you were back in your cushy SUV. And its a little small for a big guy. The interior is beautiful. The finish is excellent and the shift paddles on the steering wheel are nice when traveling down steep mountain roads after a day skiing in the powder. Good choice on the wheels and tires too. The look of the car is pure stylin! Or as my kids often comment, "Dad, that car is money!