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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  Still Fun, After All These Miles - 2007 Subaru Impreza
  By Fandango - July 28 - 5:00 am

  This is a 20,000-mile update after driving the car daily for nine months. No mechanical problems to report. Its still the most fun for the money. I like the simple, traditional interior design and layout. A word to those on a budget. This car comes with highly rated, very expensive tires, and if you damage one, you may have to replace the whole set to avoid damaging the AWD.

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  LOVE it. - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By Wendy - July 27 - 10:10 pm

  I was in love with this new body style since it was released in 2009, finally bought it at the end of June 2010. Traded in a 2004 Honda CR-V LX, which was a great car but the Outback was a huge upgrade for me. I did a lot of research since they first came out but never drove it until the day I purchased. Some people say it takes some getting used to for the CVT but I came from a 5 speed manual and didnt really notice a difference except for the lacking of the changing gears motion in a automatic car. My husband has a 2004 Forester and the new Outback is way bigger. Speeds up nicely and can pass cars with the best of them. I have no issues merging on to highways.

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  Love My New Subaru - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By Claire - July 27 - 2:30 pm

  Ive had my new B9 Tribeca just over a month now and I love it. Its stylish and eye catching. Ive had several people comment and ask about it. It has great speed pick up and does an awesome job in the mountains. I chose the Mahogany color with Beige interior and it looks great. This is the nicest driving vehicle Ive ever had and I highly recommend that anyone test drive it.

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  2.5 TS Automatic - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By RJ - July 27 - 1:46 pm

  Ive enjoyed this vehicle for over a year now. It is a great car; it makes driving in the city (Chicago) almost enjoyable.

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  Love Everything but the Mileage - 2006 Subaru Forester
  By Indaburgh - July 26 - 11:06 pm

  Great car. Pickup is exceptional for a four cylinder. A little on the small side in the seating area. Impressed with how much cargo space it has.

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  Buy One Youll Love It. - 2006 Subaru Legacy
  By Red Dirt - July 26 - 8:46 pm

  Great car, has been a treat to drive. Wish I had the GT though.

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  Great car, but room for improvement - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By subnewbie - July 26 - 2:00 am

  My experience with my 03 2.5 TS has been great. I have upgraded my OEM 15s to 2002 stock wrx 16s. The impact, although minor, has been great. lighter/tighter feel. will be upgrading to a cobb exhaust soon.. My issues are, the crappy stock cd player they give you. ive already had to replace my first one under warranty. the second one is better but it still has issues with playing burned cds. and the sound at interstate speeds is a little loud. kind of light body frame as well, not safe feeling.

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  Great vehicle - 2008 Subaru Tribeca
  By gmopsman - July 26 - 12:10 am

  The vehicle has good power and does not have to shift down to pull hills. I averaged approximately 23 miles per gallon on the trip from Virginia to Tennessee at speeds from 55 to 75. The seats are supportive. The navigation system needs street number and address info before it will initiate. Good information display. Some people might like more adjustment in the steering wheel position. So far it has been very good.

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  Safety Problem and poor mpg - 2015 Subaru Outback
  By bal1013 - July 25 - 7:53 pm

  we haveowned this car for almost two weeks now and we love the car except for a few small problems and one major City mpg is poor so far just making 18 mpg and 12 combined, hopefully get better with time. will let you know. We bought this car for its safety values, little did we know that the car did not have automatic door locks when placed in drive. I ththought all cars did and even salesman at dealership thought it did. My grand daughter opened door in drive. this safety feature should have been a given or at least let us know with a warning sign or something. Just imagine your wife or daughter getting car jacked cause the doors didnt lock.

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  Great Compact SUV - 2005 Subaru Forester
  By Ed - July 25 - 6:33 am

  Fabulous acceleration. Handles and rides like a sedan. Subaru AWD is excellent. Slippery conditions are handled like they do not exist. Plenty of compartments for storage throughout the vehicle. The cargo area is large and very well designed. Drop the flat folding rear seats and the area is cavernous. Very comfortable and we love the power seat and the upgraded audio system that is standard. Turbo engine is really powerful and there is no turbo lag. Overall, a great compact SUV. Kudos to Subaru.