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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  Street Legal Rally Car - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By hotprop - November 21 - 2:40 am

  Itll lope along in 6th at 50 mph. HIDs (height adjustable), DCCD, 6-speed tranny, I/C spray, adj. Tach (shift points), and 300 smoothly delivered horsepower. Idles nicely at 500 rpm, lopes along at 2000 rpm. Get it over 4000 rpm and that boxer just growls so nice it gives you goose bumps. The tires are excellent and give good performance, wet or dry, but do let them warm-up. Very responsive handling. Oh, did I mention the BRAKES. Seats four, large trunk, large glove box makes it a car you could live with day to day. You cant buy another car like this for any amount of money. Its a fantastic performance car!

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  Follow up from May, 2003 - 2003 Subaru Forester
  By tstodola - November 20 - 2:00 am

  I have had my 03 Forester for 7 months and 17,000 miles and am more pleased with it now then when I purchased it! It gets 24-25 mpg with varied driving. My wife has not wrested it away from me, but I think she would swap her Solara for the Forester if I offered. With all the crash test data on the car, and my experiences to date, The premium for Subaru is really worth it!

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  First car I loved long after buying it - 2008 Subaru Impreza
  By Dave - November 18 - 12:13 am

  Wanted AWD and comfort without a 3 series price. Found it in the Impreza. 130 mph without the turbo. 65 mph = 34.5 mpg. 80 mph = 27 mpg. Feels pinned to the road in the rain. Snow is manageable with the stock tires; rather have some snow tires. Premium sound system is ok. Audiophiles wont live with it for long. Durable interior. Im hoping for 200,000 miles and I think Ill get it.

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  Good Time! - 2005 Subaru Impreza
  By Jonathan Haynes - November 15 - 9:50 pm

  The car has been great. My only negative is the OEM tires. The tires have not held up as well as I would have hoped for. I can only go on them for another 5000 miles before I will have to purchase new ones. Besides that the car is a great time. It will toss you back in your seat under hard acceleration and stops on a dime. Overall the car is amazing!

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  2005 Legacy GT - 2005 Subaru Legacy
  By JessterCPA - November 15 - 1:16 am

  Better suited for regular life than a WRX or STi. Performance & comfort all in one.

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  Subaru Outback, 2.5i Manual - 2007 Subaru Outback
  By David - November 14 - 7:53 pm

  Purchased this Subaru after taking a look at VW Passat as well as other small SUVs and wagons. The Subaru had the best ride, best fuel economy, except for hybrids, and good looks too.

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  Lots of Fun for the Money - 2008 Subaru Impreza
  By David - November 14 - 4:56 pm

  Ive had this car for a bit over a year. I bought it as a second car, but with the lease ending on my primary vehicle (Infiniti M35x), this little Subaru Impreza has become my primary vehicle. I must say, I really love this little guy. I was originally drawn to the exterior and the interior design (beautiful), but really fell in love with how it drives. Its great fun. My usual tastes for higher-end cars are turned upside down with this Impreza. I just dont see a reason to upgrade and spend the extra $$$ at this time.

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  Great wagon! - 2006 Subaru Outback
  By Lou - November 14 - 3:00 pm

  This is our first Subaru and Im happy we made the purchase. The turbo + AWD makes this a fun and spirited ride, particularly on wet on-ramps and on gravel roads. The leather seats are firm and comfortable for long trips, and the height off the road gives a good view to the surrounding traffic. The Subaru extended warranty was quite reasonable - as it should have been since the 3 yr/36,000 mile new vehicle warranty is inferior to most other manufacturers in this space. The handling is responsive, particularly when you realize how long and heavy this wagon is. The car is quiet -- both in the city and at highway speeds -- despite the large, open cabin. Fuel economy is reasonable, but low.

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  I thought it was a good ride but..... - 2016 Subaru Forester
  By PatrickInBama - November 14 - 7:26 am

  Ok, I am shopping for a new vehicle and my list is the 2016 models of the Ford Escape, Mazda CX5, and the Subaru Forester. I added the Forester recently because it looked great on paper. Ive test driven it twice now with the second time with the family. I thought it felt great, but my wife hated the feel as a passenger. She felt nauseous because the vehicle swayed and bounced like a ship on turbulent waves. We own a Nissan Frontier and a Mitsubishi Outlander. She has no issues with either of those vehicles. So I put the Forester back down to #3 on my list and will have her test drive my #1 pick before I purchase. It does us no good if shes queasy as a passenger. Something to think about if you purchase this vehicle.

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  Great car! - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By Ryan - November 14 - 5:23 am

  So, I have had this Subie for a while now. I think its a great car! The 4 inch raise is welcome(you still dont have to worry about rolling like you do with SUVs). Now this car is no speed demon (dont mistake this for a WRX!), but it has plenty of get up and go. I went up a 16% incline with very sharp turns and had fun doing it going 40 (In manual mode of coarse :) ). This thing is going to stay on the road. One thing that surprised me, was the very nice sized gas tank(18.5 gallons). I fill up 1/2 as much now! If you live in a hilly area, be careful, I live in Oregon, So its very hilly and the hills can eat gas up quick! I guess that will be for ANY car though!