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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  Dont Expect Help From Subaru - 2001 Subaru Forester
  By premium - March 21 - 6:06 pm

  This vehicle was great to drive till things started going wrong. Both rear wheel bearings replaced due to very loud road noise. Transmission flushed, new fluid installed due to vehicle not wanting to go into forward gears, went into reverse ok. Idle & runs rough for years first replaced spark plugs then spark plugs & spark plugs wires. It still runs rough & now (2years later) it will not start if it rains [that’s right if it rains I look for alternative transportation, weird I know]. Clock blanked out, $85 to replace. “Check Engine” light goes on & off at will. At times I can’t get the key out of the ignition.

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  2015 Subaru Outback Review - 2015 Subaru Outback
  By js_hiker - March 19 - 7:02 pm

  Just upgraded from a 2013 to 2015 Subaru Outback. They improved its handling in snow and the electronic steering and cvt are smoother. I rated the 2015 low due to quality of the fit and finish of the body panels – especially my hood. My 2013 and other manufactures have nice consistent gaps between body panels. I even found an online video where someone was showing issues with their hood.

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  Steeriing problem at highway speeds - 2012 Subaru Outback
  By ouchback - March 14 - 8:22 pm

  Are you in the market to buy a new Outback? If you are then dont act until you have read about the steering wandering at highway speeds. Go to subaruoutbackdotorg and do a search on wandering. There are lots of posts about this problem. We just bought a new 2012 (1800 miles now) and our car wanders at highway speed (50_ MPH). You have to constantly make corrections to keep the car on track. Very tiring after a while and dangerous at times. I would not have bought this car if I had known about this problem. I hope Subaru does a recall and fix this issue.

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  The good, bad and ugly - 2013 Subaru Outback
  By farmboy97 - March 7 - 10:49 pm

  Subaru has great idea with AWD feature and high ground clearance. Gas mileage is good and sound system is great. Nice interior and appointments. The car has heavy steering and some wandering adds to fatigue after traveling long distances. The car uses excessive amounts of oil between oil changes. Dealership dismissed my complaint. Told me, "they all use a little oil". Found out recently, there is a law suit pending regarding the issue. May not purchase another Subaru due to this issue.

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  An OK Car, Nothing Special - 2008 Subaru Legacy
  By Johnny - February 26 - 10:00 pm

  This car is OK, nothing special, it was a cheap lease. I had a VW Golf which blows the Subaru away in overall performance and quaility. The Subaru doors close like a tin can, power in the engine is non-exsitent, and the road noise is high. But it is new and get about 24 MPG, not bad for an AWD

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  2002 Subaru Forester - 2002 Subaru Forester
  By Ac Cars - February 12 - 4:06 am

  Well I think it should REALLY have improved comfort/road noise!! Also it doesnt have good brakes or reliable cup holders. Mine broke in less than a year! Also those dark/light gray seats soak up way too much sun. I would not recommend it.

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  Nice ride but paint and interior poor - 2004 Subaru Forester
  By Vickie - February 10 - 12:06 am

  I enjoy my Forester but the paint (black) has not held up well at all. I thought Subaru was built for harsh weather. I live in the south - no snow and ice here. My drivers seat has a tear in the "leather" trim. My goal is to drive the car until it has 200K miles. I am guessing that I will have no paint left by that time. I took the car back to the dealer before the warranty expired and they could not help me with the paint. Are you kidding me - my next car will not be a Subaru for this reason alone.

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  Top Quality, Low Comfort - 2000 Subaru Legacy
  By Norvin - February 8 - 10:00 am

  This is a very safe and dependable car. It is great in all types of weather. It is also extreemly uncomfertable on long drives and the road noise is outrages for a $23,000 dolar car. if you are thinking about one drive it for a distance to make sure.

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  Do NOT believe the MPG rating - 2016 Subaru Legacy
  By Bill Ramsey - February 6 - 6:54 am

  We have put just about 1k miles on our car after trading in our 2010 Toyota Camry. My wife drives the same as she always does back and forth from work and it is half highway and half street. We get a BEST 22mpg. That is no where near the 30mpg combined they advertised. She would fill up her tank in the Toyota which has the same size tank and it would last her about 2 weeks. Now we are barely making it one week before we need to fill up again. Horrible advertising In my book. Would NOT have bought the car if I knew that it was going to be this bad. Im hoping for engine break in but was told that it wasnt likely by Subaru. The rest of the car is great, the transmission is definitely sketchy but you get used to it. Overall we really like the luxury about the car ( I drive a 2010 Lexus IS250 and it is probably better than it ) but the gas mileage is not what we expected. DONT believe the salesman as that is a MAJOR selling point they use. Once we bought the car the reneged on that sales point of course!

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  You get what you pay for - 2013 Subaru Forester
  By vhewitt - February 3 - 5:31 am

  I like a lot of things about this car but a huge problem is the very poor quality of the interior . I have had it 4 weeks and had to buy after market seat covers because the seats are so poorly sewn I thought they would not hold up to normal usage . My dog stood on the front seat console and his claws put a hole in it . The same dog rode in my Jeep for years , stood on the same thing and it never left a mark let alone made a hole . My keys scratched the plastic , the dog put his feet on the dash and it left a scratch . Its almost impossible to use the car and not damage the interior . My Chevy Truck and Jeep Cherokee have the same usage and no damage . I truly hope it is mechanically sound