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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  BEST CAR/SUV/WAGON EVER - 2004 Subaru Forester
  By Josh Evans - June 2 - 10:00 am

  I LOVE THE VEHICLE!

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  The most fun and reliable car I ever own - 2005 Subaru Impreza
  By Myeelotter - June 2 - 10:00 am

  I have driving 7,500 miles and I look forward to every time I get to drive it. Its so much fun even going to the supermarket. On the highway, its pure exhiliaration. I can just cruise or keep it up 5 notches to pass other annoying drivers and other aggresive drivers that like to tailgate me. This car has so much mid- range power that it really suprises me when I have to pass another vehicle. The interior is not as fancy as some of my friends Audi or Infiniti but its good enough for all my needs. Although I see they may some minor changes in the 2005 model that I love to have in my.

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  Great Ride... but - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By chelsea - June 2 - 2:00 am

  Ive owned Nissan Sentra before this Subaru-expected big difference; cant compare with other SUVs like CRV and RAV4 because I didnt test-drive them (my mistake,just relied on reviews). Murano has more power (the price is too much though), but Forester is quieter. After about 2 weeks of use, I started hearing this annoying rattle by the dashboard. I also hear a "thug" in the back (right side) the moment it runs after parking. I will have the dealership look into it. Its frustrating to get stuck with the noise for years. Also, Ive been reading great MPG from owners; the highest Ive got so far is 18.3-based from the dashboard monitor, mostly highway 60-65 mph.

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  Beware the Seats - 2010 Subaru Legacy
  By Steve G - June 1 - 5:23 am

  I’ve had my Legacy Premium 2.5 less than a week and am already ready to get rid of it. I’ve never had a backache in my entire life yet after a week of driving the car, about 270 miles, my back is so painful that I’m about crippled. I cringe at the thought of having to get back into this vehicle. My car has the adjustable lumbar support and even when it is completely deflated, after about 20 minutes it feels like somebody has their knees in my back. My advice to anyone considering a Legacy is to drive, or at least sit, in the car for a minimum of 30 minutes before you make your decision to buy this car. I didn’t and fear I have just made a $25,000 mistake.

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  Our 3rd Subaru - 2011 Subaru Outback
  By Wheels8716 - May 31 - 6:13 am

  This is our 3rd Subaru. Weve owned a 04 WRX and a 06 STI. The wife was looking for a SUV in the 25k range and happened across the Outback. I didnt put up a fight. Test drove the only one on the lot, and fell in love.

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  Ultimate Utility Car - 2003 Subaru Outback
  By Dave - May 30 - 10:33 pm

  This is our second Outback, the first was a 2001 but in the basic package. The VDC edition is simply an extremely well designed and built car. Put an aggressive tire on it and you can get any where you need to go in any weather. Handling is surprisingly sport like and has enough power to make driving fun, we trailer an atv with it. Decked out with all the bells and whistles.

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  NO REGRETS - 2003 Subaru Forester
  By VOUGHNE - May 30 - 2:00 am

  Im a first time buyer and a new driver as well. It takes me months of researching which vehicle to buy. Finally I found the one which met my expectations- Subaru Forester XS. For safety , car like handling, reasonable price and fuel economy, Forester top them all!

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  Great! - 2003 Subaru Forester
  By VV - May 30 - 2:00 am

  A great car! I absolutely got the value of every dollar. Too many to be mentioned.

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  the love of my life - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By girlnxtdoor223 - May 30 - 2:00 am

  this is my first car, i am 16 years old, and out of any car int his price range, i picked it because of its style, performance and reliability

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  TS Wagon awesome - 2003 Subaru Impreza
  By Jose Merino - May 30 - 2:00 am

  great to handle, AWD is outstanding, awesome grip on turns, excellent power and acceleration, terrific power steering... fun to drive