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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  No Reason To Buy High-End - 2004 Subaru Outback
  By Jim - April 26 - 10:03 am

  The functionality of the Outback is great -- hauling bikes; moving friends; loading up my band gear. It does this well while remaining a practical urban car (read: easy to park). However, the VDC has failed 5 times -- each time while in the Sierras during a snow fall! Isnt that when I would most need it? Also, McIntosh has failed twice (radio reception is horrible). The two reasons for why I bought the upgraded Outback are both failing ... why did I spend that money?

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  6 Years Old and 125k miles - 2004 Subaru Outback
  By CT Dave - April 26 - 12:43 am

  This car has been a workhorse, grocery getter, commuter car, and family truckster for us. It still runs great and we hope to get 200k out of it. The exterior has held up well. The car has been dependable.

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  Good value, nothing fancy - 2007 Subaru Outback
  By js - April 25 - 9:00 pm

  We bought the 07 Outback Basic from my parents when we had our second child. Its been reliable and rugged, and the high ground clearance has been great for the frequently-flooded streets of Houston. Its a boring car, but cant be beat for the price!

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  Everything I expected and more. - 2006 Subaru Legacy
  By Pete - April 25 - 12:36 pm

  This is my third Subaru because, theyre reliable, safe, versatile and somewhat fun to drive. In the winter, I just love strolling past numerous cars & SUVs that cant handle slippery roads. The Limited edition is fun on exit ramps at 55 mph. Those tires stick like glue. Accelerate instead of braking and see how fast you can go. The car will go faster in the corners than youre willing to go. Oh yeah, I love the side curtain air bags being there, just in case. 30 mpg Hwy in summer time, about 27 mpg hwy in winter. The wagon is bigger than friends mini SUVs, fits a lot of stuff. 116K so far, no big problems. Do your own brake jobs, their easy to do and cheap, $55 for all 4 wheels.

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  most versatile economical car on road today! - 2017 Subaru Outback
  By lks - April 24 - 4:27 pm

  I wanted a vehicle where I could actually see out of the windows, had some off road capabilities, comfortable on the highway, got great gas milage, high safety ratings, great resale value, low maintenance costs. I live in the west (as do most Subaru vehicles), and I have not found any problem driving up steep passes and passing cars. I have the 2.5i prez engine, which some have complained has lackluster performance. No mistake, it is not a Ferrari or anything close. But I have found the engine to do everything I want it to with great fuel economy in a high altitude environment. The all wheel drive system works very well. I highly recommend this vehicle. If you want something that is very fast it isnt for you. But if overall value and safety are your game, this car nails it.

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  6 Months of Love. - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By Luv our RU - April 24 - 8:06 am

  My wife and I bought this car back in November of 04. She traded her Saturn, which was great car for us. You always have buyers remorse on a major purchase. We did not have that here! We have had our car for 6 months now and absolutely love the overall quality, ride, and comfort of our Subaru. I would totally recommend this car to anyone looking for a wagon. We looked at CR-V and Passat (wagon & sedan). We made the absolute right decision.

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  BURNS OIL & has a slight hesitation - 2014 Subaru Forester
  By coni_k_2014 - April 24 - 6:27 am

  I purchased a new 2014 Subaru Forester in July of 2013. All work has been done at Maita Subaru of Sacramento I use the Synthetic 0-20 weight oil, Maita has performed all oil changes. I drive a lot so from July to now I have put 28000 miles on my car. Maita said that this engine burns oil and I should have to add about a quart between oil changes. They said that its the engine and its design so it gets better gas mileage. So now I have to bring back in every 1200 miles to check and see if it is burning more than usual, NOT a Happy Subaru owner!!

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  family wagon from hades - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By mick maccionagh - April 23 - 4:36 pm

  Wow. One review I read while I was researching vehicles and trying to decide which to buy in the spring of 05 referred to the 05 XT LTD as the family wagon from Hades in regards to its absolute rocket-like reaction to full gas petal depression. Now I know what he meant. The car is very comfortable, nicely packaged, bolted down very well, nice touch here, classy touch there, safe as can be, reliable etc. But, what its really about is what happens after the turbo spools up. I really believe, as IÂ’ve read elsewhere on more than one occasion, that the 250 advertised hp is conservative, at the least. ItÂ’s a great car and fun as all get out to drive. Buy one. Tomorrow.

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  Subaru a great value - 2000 Subaru Impreza
  By Subaru nut - April 23 - 10:00 am

  First time Subaru buyer, great car, good for snow and maintance. I would buy again.

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  Joefs Subaru - 2003 Subaru Forester
  By joef - April 23 - 10:00 am

  The vehicle has great acceleration, corners well and handles well in snow and ice. The visabilty is fantastic. The interior is well defined. Every control is within reach.