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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  Battle tested - 2010 Subaru Forester
  By dayunski - July 19 - 8:00 pm

  After breaking-in 3 weeks after purchase, I embarked in a 12-day road trip w/my wife from corona, ca to lubec, me racking 7,066 miles. Handling was responsive & superb, performed well on overtakes, freeway mileage varied on terrain & speed but the best was 30 mpg @ 70 mph on a flat road, felt safe on many hours driving in the rain and spacious enough for our cargo. Got home safely and can declare my subie passed with flying colors!

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  Transmission blown at 4,200 miles - 2008 Subaru Outback
  By John Kasperowicz - July 19 - 2:00 pm

  I have owned many Subaru models in the past years. This new 2008 Outback will be my last. The transmission blew out at 4,200 miles and left me stranded. I think that the new transmission selection of different modes might have contributed to failure. This new feature is more of a gimmick than a useful option. Ride of car is not good, very jarring over small potholes or minor dips in road. Way too much road noise. Leather quality of seat not very good for 32k car. Overall, car is not worth the money and quality of parts and the interior is lower than previous models.

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  Great but with warning - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By TomSea - July 19 - 8:00 am

  Weve owned ours for two months and find it outstanding in comfort and to be a solid quality vehicle. Great interior comfort; lots of pep and a much admired purchase. But pay attention to other reviewers comments on the headlights: How long have humans been making cars? These are a disaster on rural roads. Forget about seeing more than 20 yards ahead on curves or hills. And youll never see deer in these headlights. If you do lots of nighttime rural driving get another car.

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  2006 2.5i - 60,000 miles in. - 2006 Subaru Impreza
  By turnersdad - July 18 - 11:43 am

  I have now had this car nearly 4 years of basically trouble free ownership. It has been a great commuter car. The AWD has been great in the Michigan winters, and the car has plenty of power even being a four cylinder. Gas mileage has averaged 22-24 mpg. This is our 2nd Subaru and has worked out well - enough so that we bought a 2010 forester last year. Just had first maintenance done for a cost of $900 - not bad for 4 years and 60,000 miles.

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  Love the ride. - 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek
  By willie01 - July 17 - 10:58 am

  There are lot of things to like about the car, but he most impressive is the the way it drives. I have always heard about how fun they are to drive but never given it much thought. This car handles great, off road capabilities are on par with the 4 wheel drive toyotas I own or better. Thight well built car with quality through out. Getting 27.8 combined mpgs so far with 564 miles on the car. Like the vesitality and quirkey nature of this car. I do a lot of soft sand and beach driving here in Fl. and it hasnt let me down. If your looking for a car out of the mainstream with a lot of features that make it a fun go anywhere car,I think you would like it.

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  A pocketworth - 2008 Subaru Outback
  By alston - July 16 - 3:26 pm

  Dont plan on the Subaru folks going out of their way to provide amenities. I have never seen a car with so few compartments for storage. No open area exists to put down your house keys, so I stick mine in the very small ashtray. There is a useless added-cost armrest which makes one lose more storage space. The lighting is red for night driving, so I feel like Im on the late shift at a nuclear power plant. There are no night lights for the glove compartment or to find the "Door Unlock" lever. The cupholders cannot be taken out for cleaning and are not too versatile. The wind noise is better than in my last car, a Forester, which was very noisy. Outside visibility good.

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  Rattle solution - 2010 Subaru Forester
  By Dr.Trout - July 15 - 10:16 pm

  Immediately after purchase, my Forrester performed wonderfully at all speeds on an 1800 mile road trip and with better than advertised mileage. On a dirt road, I got carried away and came face to face with another vehicle on a sharp turn in sand with no way to stop in time. Took a very high bobsled bank on the right in sand and swooned down before my wifes heart had a chance to skip a beat. 2 weeks later a sudden rattle occurred on my way to work. In had put the plates on the night before. The rear one came with only 2 screws. Put 2 more in the bottom holes and presto, no rattle.

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  Subaru 2016 is Great ! - 2016 Subaru Outback
  By Debbie - July 15 - 1:24 pm

  Love this Subaru 2016 Limited that we purchased 6/30/2016. Roomy, handles well, great interior and technology features. Already taken it on one long road trip and also to the beach...so nice to have all that extra cargo space for our gear. Passengers loved the leg room and their comfy seats. Only thing I can negatively mention is that road noise is not as quiet as my BMW but few cars would be. I am VERY happy with my purchase of this car and look forward to many years of enjoying my Subaru.

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  DUMB-BAR = PAIN IN THE BACK - 2004 Subaru Forester
  By dumb-bar victim - July 15 - 10:00 am

  BEFORE YOU BUY THIS CAR, CHECK THE LUMBAR SUPPORT IN THE DRIVERS SEAT. YOU CAN ZIP OPEN THE BACK OF THE DRIVERS SEAT. THE LUMBAR IS A STEEL ROD WITH A PEICE OF PLASTIC ON IT. IT WILL CAUSE YOU MAJOR BACK PAIN AFTER ABOUT 1500 MILES. YOUR SPINE WILL REST ON THIS BAR AND YOU WILL BE SORRY YOU BOUGHT A $27,000 CAR WITH 27 CENT LUMBER SUPPORT.

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  Just LOVE it!!!!!! - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By lolasmom - July 15 - 10:00 am

  Today is the third day we have owned our Outback. This car is just a blast! Its quick and handles like a sports cars, but the interior is total luxury, and its roomy enough for dogs, kids and grocery bags. We have done it all in this car: around town, highway and off road driving. We went off road on jeep trails, this baby climbed over rocks and tree roots without a problem!! The Outback is just perfect, its everything I have ever wanted all rolled into one!!!