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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  killer 4cyl - 2003 Subaru Impreza
  By wrxnut900 - April 23 - 10:00 am

  great car fun to drive tons of power for such a little motor i added a intake and exhaust and made it really fast i love it !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  4 door rocket - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By amicone - April 23 - 10:00 am

  This car is amazing. If you want porche performance with room for 5, this is the car for you. Just tap the gas and you are off to the races. it corners like none other and brakes like the champ it is.

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  One word - Awesome!! - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By nishaachar - April 23 - 10:00 am

  Wonderful car. Just waiting to cross the 1000mile breakin. Will update when done.

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  My Colorado Car - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By RonK - April 23 - 10:00 am

  After moving to Colorado recently, I parted with my 2002 Jeep Wrangler to seek a more cost-efficient source of transportation that would also do well in the Rockies. After driving SUVs over the past ten years, I settled on my first "car" in a decade. It was a Subaru Outback Sport Wagon, and I drove it for a year and loved it. It carried my dog , bikes, snowboards, and camping gear all year with aplomb in all manner of weather. A raise in my salary coincided with a WRX test drive, and back I went to the dealership. What I got was the same, solid Subaru Boxer- powered vehicle with 25%+ more power, and incredible handling. Fantastic car!

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  First Legacy - 2005 Subaru Legacy
  By kat95 - April 22 - 9:00 pm

  My first Subaru was a 1995 Impreza coupe which I loved dearly. For practicality I had to get the Legacy so hubby would be a bit more comfortable. I have had the Legacy one week and have not quite warmed up to it. Time will tell if its reliable. I can say that Subaru in general makes a good car. I live in snow country and can attest to the AWD; I couldnt picture driving anything else.

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  10,000 Mile Review - 2013 Subaru Outback
  By bostonbulldog - April 22 - 7:17 pm

  We recently passed 10,000 miles on our 2.5 Outback Limited. Ill state right up front that so far we love this car. We have not had any realibility concerns and it has performed very well. The new engine and 2nd gen CVT work well together, and we find the drivetrain to be very responsive. We have been averaging 26/27 mpgs in mixed driving. Driveability and traction in bad weather has been great! On the downside, the mpgs have gone down since winter has arrived, although we have been using the remote start a lot. The premium radio is good but not on par with offerings from other mfrs, and the SAT radio seems to cut out a lot. Overall though it is proving out to be a good purchase.

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  What a bargain - 2009 Subaru Legacy
  By Subaruba - April 22 - 4:33 am

  It is amazing to me that people do not know about this car. Comfortable, good looks, great price. I got an incredible 2 year lease. Outstanding reliability with my previous subaru. Very smooth manual, easy shifting. If you want the best performance from this engine, get the manual.

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  Engineering Problem Update - 2011 Subaru Legacy
  By Phillip - April 21 - 10:00 am

  Put 500 miles on the Subaru Legacy since my 10/9/10 posting. The upgraded Continental tires didnt help. I like the interior a lot, great seating position and the engine is very nice. Sadly for me, the steering wheel vibration is still there and EVERY road imperfection on ALL surfaces travels through the car. In summary, the worst handling, riding and cornering car I have ever owned by a wide margin. For the record, I have owned a lot of cars in my life. The dealer has been nice and claims they can fix it, but I dont believe it. Subaru knows they have a problem with the Legacy, but they are still making them with the problem and shipping parts to their dealers to fix them

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  RIP at 261,000 miles - 2000 Subaru Impreza
  By MileHighMotorist - April 20 - 11:03 pm

  Dead due to a broken timing belt at 261,000 original miles (entirely my fault: I only only replaced the timing belt twice & I ignored the squealing belt for a week before it broke). Remarkably good condition at death, considering what Id put it through over the years -- who knows how many miles Id have gotten if Id checked out that squealing belt? Only two serious flaws in my opinion: The clutch cable snapped TWICE during ownership (once during a blizzard!), and too little ground clearance, particularly in front (an old Toyota Tercel EZ Id previously owned was actually much better on rough backroads than the Subaru). Overall this car is a solid winner, though, despite a few complaints.

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  An All-Around Excellent Car - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By Viking - April 19 - 1:26 pm

  This is an excellent car. Actually, this car does not really have any direct competition for the price. It is very comfortable and looks upscale in and out. Of course, I wish I would average better that 21 MPG, but a lot of my driving is real stop and go. The car has never had to be repaired, only its regular servicing. Perhaps it is the brochure cover green, but I always get a lot of compliments on its looks. The car has no shortage of power and it handles incredibly well.