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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  Great Wagon - 2005 Subaru Impreza
  By stocksj - June 21 - 2:19 pm

  Ive have my Impreza RS Wagon since new in 2005 and its always been very reliable in all weather. Mileage is good and it always runs. Ive used it as a truck hauling my hobby stuff and gardening things. The HVAC does not blow cold AC from the lower vents but its no differnt than the 2002 WRX wagon I traded in for this. This cars a keeper for life.

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  A confirmed Subaru buyer - 2006 Subaru Outback
  By Trina Stephenson - June 20 - 10:26 am

  I have owned many Subarus -- 1993 Impreza, 2000 Forester, 2004 Outback and now the 2006 Outback. Basically the car gets better with each iteration. There are a few things missing on my 2006 that I had on the 2004 which I miss: 1. Weatherband radio, why was this fantastic feature removed? It was great when we traveled through tornado alley to make sure there werent any weather events that we should know about. 2. The beeping feature on the seatbelts is annoying. My dog sets off the seatbelt alarm, my bag of trash or myself driving 100 feet down my driveway before I dash out to open my gate all set it off. 3. The cupholder is still awkward and small.

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  my best car so far - 2005 Subaru Impreza
  By fuapiti - June 20 - 1:40 am

  Im a car enthusiast, and a former owner of two Acura Integras and one Nissan 350z and by far my Impreza WRX has been my best ride, sporty yet practical, fast, not flashy, reliable, and most important fun to drive on a daily basis and to own for that matter.

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  EPA Mileage Joke - 2005 Subaru Forester
  By Bluepassion - June 19 - 11:53 pm

  I love my Forester, but the mileage is horrible. After several road trips I am lucky to get 22 MPG. This I find unacceptable. I have been driving like a Grandpa as well. I also find the performance to be sluggish at high speed. I can only muster 108 MPH top end from this car. Pathetic. I will drive it and I am going to start driving it hard. I had hoped for a more economical vehicle. At this juncture I almost should have opted for the Honda.The only reason I dont go back to an Audi is the arrogant price.

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  Love my Forester - 2002 Subaru Forester
  By carolyn - June 19 - 4:43 am

  I bought my 2001 Forester in April of 2000. I drive many miles for work and have about 55,000 miles on it already. Other than tires and oil changes, we have not had to do a thing to this car! I love the pickup, the way the car handles and the sound system. I never know what kind of weather I will need to drive through and always feel safe in my Forester. I dont know why anyone buys an SUV when they could do this instead. The Subaru beats my old SUV hands down.

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  Could have been great, but... - 2002 Subaru Legacy
  By Dr. Alif Terranson - June 19 - 2:00 am

  The performance of the 4 wheezing mice just doesnt cut it. I actually thought the car had a problem, and brought it in for service - the service manager stated that this was "just the way it is with the newer Subarus, because of the emissions control requirements". This is, of course, pure BS, as I have an even newer car (from another manufacturer) that meets emissions without this performance hit. The performance is *so* bad that I was going to upgrade to the 6cyl, unfortunately, a drive in that confirmed that this is a design issue, and not an engine size problem.

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  Best Purchase Yet - 2003 Subaru Baja
  By PhotoBear - June 19 - 2:00 am

  The Baja Sport is one awesome car/truck. Comfort, hauling capability, and AWD safety at a very affordable price.

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  Subaru Outback Manual Defect - 2004 Subaru Outback
  By chrosb - June 19 - 2:00 am

  BEWARE!!! Serious problems with inability to maintain stable engine speed when going from no throttle to very slight throttle and back, most noticeable in low gear, when looking for a parking spot, for example. Also apparent using cruise control at freeway speeds. Results in neck- jerking acceleration and deceleration. Quite annoying, if not seriously unsafe. Passengers notice and comment on problem. Test drive carefully. We didnt and now find that it is typical of all Outback manual transmission cars. Dealer says its "normal."

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  WRX Wagon - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By LastCar - June 17 - 10:00 am

  The WRX Wagon is fun to drive and has a lot of power. Handling in the corners makes this car fun to drive. I could do with out the road noise. I like the wagon because people think I bought a family car, Until I give them a ride. All they can say is "WOW" The all wheel drive makes this car a great package.

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  Best all round car !! - 1999 Subaru Forester
  By computer guy - June 17 - 10:00 am

  It has great head room (Im 66"), can travel in any weather, drives like a luxury sedan, has great power for trips and long hills (went from SLC to Seattle at 75-80 the whole trip, downshifting the automatic to 3rd for climbing only the worst grades, holding 75mph at about 4k rpm), engine is really quite ... I really like this car. Tops in crash testing too. This car is a keeper.