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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  So far so good - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By Rene - August 5 - 10:00 am

  I have had my OB since March 09 and so far its been great. Took a road trip to Sedona and averaged over 30 MPG. The 2011 has the folding mirrors which would be nice and the fuel efficiency gauge has got to go. My only real complaints have been that it idles very high in the morning and on cold starts and the passenger side airbag sometimes does not show activated when a 120 lb woman is sitting in the seat.

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  Great Car - 2011 Subaru Outback
  By Mifflin Mary - August 5 - 10:00 am

  Ive only had it a short time. Im looking forward to taking a trip with it. I had an Impala before and had it for 8 years. I really liked it. But not as much as I like my outback. I compared and test drove a lot of other cars before I bought our outback. I read al lot of reviews and none compared. I always came back to this one.

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  Great car - 2004 Subaru Outback
  By Bill - August 4 - 10:56 am

  Ive had my Outback a little over a year. I run my cars to death and they never set for long periods of time. I do newspaper delivery in this car. So you know the car has to be good. It gets driven anywhere from 60 miles to 150 miles everyday. The only problems Ive had with it is the water pump went out, nothing new had a 97 legacy gt with the same problem. Recently the CV boot tore in half and threw grease all over the catalytic converter. Not a big deal. The water pump was bad for almost two weeks before I took it into the shop. Car has never really left me down. Now I have had some performance parts put on it to compensate. Overall a great car would buy again.

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  Overall Excellent Vehicle - 2008 Subaru Legacy
  By mkrman - August 3 - 7:16 am

  Overall a great car. Just the right size, handles wonderfully, and great on gas (if you are easy on the accelerator). Dark grey color is beautiful - get compliments constantly. AWD works great, even with stock tires. Back seat can be tight for larger adults. Build quality is good, other than one minor trim piece was misaligned. Overall, ride is good, but the low profile 17" wheels add some disruption to the ride. My major gripe is no radio controls on steering wheel - ridiculous for a 26K vehicle. The car will be too small for some, but its the perfect size for me & my needs. Acceleration is OK - there is enough power for most, but the power-hungry should go for the turbo.

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  Charles Atlas - 2005 Subaru Impreza
  By The Rush - August 3 - 12:00 am

  This is the Charles Atlas of Automobiles There are few automobiles that can outperform this small car. And I have as yet to find one. Everyone should try this one before they spend more money for a name.

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  Not happy! - 2009 Subaru Tribeca
  By kari - August 2 - 2:36 pm

  I have owned four Subaru Outbacks prior to this 2009 Subaru Tribeca and thanks to this nightmare I will never buy another one! We purchased the car brand new. I wanted another Subaru for sure but thought I would try another model. My station wagons NEVER broke down and drove problem free for years. This car had been in the shop due to " check engine" light on within the first eight months. Only to be told its a faulty sensor and is fine. Yesterday my car lost power at 55 miles per hour- NO STEERING, NO GAS, check engine light back on and all I could was coast off the road. The car had to be towed. Service found the computer needed to be " updated" and now my car should be fine? NIGHTMARE.

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  Subaru 2.5i - great car - 2006 Subaru Impreza
  By Al - August 2 - 9:10 am

  This car is a lot of fun to drive, very responsive, great handling. It is built like a tank, no funny noises anywhere so far (Ive had the car for 4 months). Suspension is awesome, you can pass a speed hump at 30 mph and you wont feel it. Great brakes, had no problem stopping on wet roads. I am waiting for winter to see how the AWD behaves. Overall is the best car I could find, a lot of value for the price.

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  Watch Out!! $$ - 1998 Subaru Forester
  By Mike - August 1 - 2:56 pm

  Own 1998 and 2001, both bought new. 1998 clock above mirror went out as apparently with most of these cars. The center differential pack went out at 60K to the tune of $1200. The head gaskets and transmission failed at 86k. Cost for these two items is almost double the value of the car. The transmission on the 2001 car went out at a little over 100,000. Cost to replace was given as $3500 or about the value of the car when sold to Carmax.

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  Cool blue - 2008 Subaru Forester
  By AC - August 1 - 2:13 pm

  First SUV ever owned, needed something versatile for small family. Went to get a 2007 leftover and got a good deal on a 2008. Drives very well, was pleasantly surprised by handling on winding roads during test drive. Has small exterior dimensions but has well designed and comfortable interior. Got the WR blue and realized that it resembles Thomas the train which my son loves.

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  Dont like my Subaru - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By Dave doesnt like - July 31 - 8:10 am

  I cant believe all the hoopla about the ride comfort of this vehicle. I have had mine for a month and recently took it on its first interstate trip. The ride quality was poor at best - deafening road noise where 2 of us in the front seats had to shout at each other constantly in addition to picking up every tar crack or road imperfection. Also exhibited wind noise at 55 MPH. As for the performance, the little 4 cylinder was constantly shifting and loud with every little grade we encountered. Im not talking about hills here. Maybe its the cheap Yokohama tires or they forgot to put insulation in mine. My 05 Merc Mountaineer on a truck frame was better.