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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  Bad Engine/ CVT - 2012 Subaru Impreza
  By Mark webster - May 5 - 10:55 am

  Its a o.k. car, wouldnt buy another. Problems with the boxer engine, burns oil. Transmission is weird, brakes when coasting down hill. Outside of car easy to dent, thin metal. Very loud when driving, turn up the tunes. Just had a wheel bearing and the front brakes replaced, cost about $900, so repairs are not cheap. What I do like is that the seats are easy on the back, corners well, and good speakers.

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  Sooby rooby roo, we love you! - 2005 Subaru Baja
  By Lucas Martin - May 5 - 2:58 am

  This car is amazing. I love how it looks. It really fits the Colorado lifestyle. Havent taken it to the shop in two years and still runs like new. The back is really cool. If you are a fun loving personand you live near the mountains, I highly recommend this car for you. It does have a few issues. One is that there are only 4 seats in the car. Another one is that the gearshift is pretty wobbly. But overall, this car is the most amazingest car ever.

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  WOW! A Hidden Gem Among "Small" Cars - 2008 Subaru Impreza
  By JGray - May 4 - 6:13 pm

  We just purchased our Outback Sport hatchback in silver last week. We already have 640 miles from taking rides while being amazed at the gas mileage. Sticker indicates 20/27 city/hwy. We are getting 24-25 city and 33 on the highway. I am 64" and feel very comfortable in this car. We bought this car to replace our Mini Cooper and couldnt be happier. It is extremely sporty, rides very nice, handles excellent, has plenty of power, plenty of cargo and passenger capacity, and did I say sporty? This car is the only small car to receive the rigid IIHS (Insurance Institute of Highway Safety) top 2008 pick safety rating. The Subaru Outback Sport is truly the "hidden gem" of small cars.

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  Subaru Returns! - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By Nebulous - May 4 - 2:00 am

  Subaru has done it again, but with a regular car? This 4WD sedan does very well by my standards. It corners great and looks cool. Also throw in the 237 HP and youve got the greatest value around. NOTE: I do not work for subaru.

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  North America here I come! - 2011 Subaru Outback
  By GypsyGopher - May 4 - 2:00 am

  Get in, start up, buckle up, brake release - GO! I feel like Top Gun behind the wheel. Safety, technology, economy, features, price - winning combination. Everything but Nav, and my Android takes care of that. Retiring in January; from the Upper Midwest to FLA for the Last Shuttle launch. No interstates if I can help it. I have already driven 4500 mi. in three months, and got 28 mpg mixed driving. Winter gas has taken that down a notch or two, but whos counting. Big (unexpected) snow storm last week demonstrated the Subies pedigree to my complete satisfaction. Remote start and heated seats - oh yeah! Great visibility, and room for this 65" male. Etc etc etc - loving it all.

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  A guzzler? - 2017 Subaru Impreza
  By A Maryland driver - May 3 - 7:32 pm

  All would seem fine if my 2017 Impreza Hatchback had in town gas mileage better than the (very) low 20s. That is a large, expensive-in-the-long-term disappointment. This is the first car of any brand in which I havent easily exceeded the EPA mileage figures, beginning with the first full tank of fuel.

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  2006 Legacy SE Wagon - 2006 Subaru Legacy
  By DesertEagle - May 3 - 3:43 am

  My wife has to drive a lot for work, so we were looking for a reliable vehicle with some space for the family trips. In 12000 miles, this car has been great. Good luggage capacity, decent gas mileage (26mpg average), good handling, firm but comfortable ride, and AWD. So far not a single problem with it. Love the interior (except for the seats) and the overall build quality of the car. For a wagon, the styling is also very nice. The engine has OK performance, but the 4 speed auto transmission is the weak point. It takes FOREVER to kick down once you floor it. Luckily there is the manumatic feature. Overall, we love the car and would definitely buy it again.

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  No regrets whatsoever - 2009 Subaru Outback
  By Matt - May 2 - 5:56 am

  I have a 5 speed MT Special Edition. I have gone from VW products to Audi and I have no regrets at all. The build is great, the AWD is extremely capable and I have never gotten it stuck (and I have tried as I take it down trails through mud and snow and over rocks to go biking), the comfort and visibility is fantastic, the power is not earth moving but good enough, the mileage is very good considering its a big 4 cylinder and just 5 speeds. The only real downside is that the leg room in the rear seat is very very tight.

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  great utility car - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By Ron - May 1 - 2:03 pm

  Bought new now I have 109,000 miles on it with very few problems brakes at 45,000 tires at 52,000 brake job was expensive $800. I commute 140 miles each way to work about 10 times a month. Average mpg 26.6 This is my third Subaru and the only reason I will probably not get a fourth is I need a change. I have noticed some of the reviews indicate this car is not good in the snow I live in the northeast and drive many miles on the backroads of Maine, New Hanpshire and Vermont and I think this car is great in the snow One caveat if you like quick acceleration and power THIS IS NOT THE CAR FOR YOU If you want reliable economical transportation and need AWD this is a great car.

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  Glad 2 B back in a Roo! - 2003 Subaru Outback
  By linuxlooNH - May 1 - 10:30 am

  After four years with a Saturn LW2/300, I decided to get back to Subaru for a variety of reasons. The biggest one is the reliability of the car. I had a 92 Loyale that I couldnt kill, but traded in for the Saturn. After various "issues" with that car, I decided to come back to Subaru. I bought the standard Outback Wagon with a 5 speed, my first! and just love it. Here in NH you need a good snow car. The Outback continually impresses my wife and I, not only in the foul weather, but on our short and long trips. Very little stops the car or us. It goes through every where we want to go. It loads up and cruises down the highway well. Being 6 foot 1 inch, I find I have just enough room behind the wheel.