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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  Inexpensive WRX alternative - 2003 Subaru Impreza
  By tjhenn - February 28 - 2:00 am

  I looked at the WRX wagon initially, but decided the extra $4000 and higher insurance rates werent worth it. The TS is a fun, sporty driving car with the benefit of AWD and the Insureance Institute for Highway Saftey best crash rating. I like its "quirky" styling because you dont see much else like it on the road. The 2.5l engine provides plenty of power for freeway driving and the mountains. Much better than the Saturn its replacing. The back seats might be a little cramped for adults over 57" on long trips and Id like to see alloy wheels and keyless entry made standard, but those are my only major gripes. Very solid, fun car to drive.

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  Careful if you are big/tall - 2001 Subaru Outback
  By Elrond - February 28 - 2:00 am

  A fine car, but at 62"/210, not for a long drive. Of course, few cars are. My wife loves it and the traction is superior, snow or rain. No problems, at all, though I have noticed the torque issue on pulling away. I find the acceleration perfectly adequate or better. Accessories are fine. Bought the 6 CD, nosebag, and universal cover (we do lots of dirt roads).

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  2003 outback - 2003 Subaru Outback
  By dmaher - February 28 - 2:00 am

  I have found the outback to be one of the best cars i have ever purchased. The ride is comfortable, the milage great, and the all-wheel drive just pulled me through a major snowfall. When other cars couldnt stay on the road, the outback not only kept going, but was remarkably stable and gave no hint of losing traction. On my last trip the Outback got 28 mph despite above 70mph driving. I would buy another without hesitation.

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  Why buy an SUV?!? - 2016 Subaru Outback
  By William Roe - February 28 - 12:19 am

  The obsession with big trucks and SUVs baffles me. This Subaru is PERFECT, and gets much better gas mileage! We just returned from a 2000 mile trip with 3 kids (2 in car seats) and 2 adults and a back full of luggage. The 2.5i engine did just fine in the mountains, and we had no problem with room! Was the back seat cramped, yes, but the 30MPG was fantastic! We have had this car for 1 year now, and Im very happy with my decision.

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  Very Classy Car - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By Trace & Mike Francis - February 25 - 7:30 am

  My husband and I were originally looking to purchase the Murano, and as I was conducting research, I came across the Tribeca. After going to the dealer and seeing it in person, we had to have it. We absolutely love this car. We have the Atlantic Blue with grey interior. Its like a cross between the BMW X3, Infiniti, the Lexus and the Murano. A lot of features to have fun with including the rear DVD, and it drives like a dream. We havent had the chance to test out the sports/manual transmission drive yet, but maybe when we go on vacation, well be able to test it. Several people have already stopped to ask us what the car is, and we have gotten many curious looks when driving this car.

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  Rattles like a Soviet-made piece of junk - 2010 Subaru Forester
  By Rattled - February 24 - 8:50 pm

  After 6-7 months of research, I bought a new Forester 2.5X (basic). It is a compromise: will use it as a family car + getting to trail heads via back roads. After 3 weeks and 600 miles on asphalt, it started rattling at relatively low speed, like 20-40 mph. The last time I had a car rattle like this was when I was much younger - and it was a a small Soviet-made piece of junk, much different from a cute new Forester. The service department reduced the rattle but it is still there. They gave me a replacement Forester that rattled at least as loud as my own. The rattle completely spoils the joy one expects form a new car. In addition - relatively poor gas mileage in a city (we drive it gently)

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  Things that make yoy say, Hmm - 2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek
  By Scott - February 24 - 10:37 am

  I have put some 30k miles on her and this is a review , I have owned 4x Subarus and some 40 cars in my life. I do alot of outdoors activity and bring along the dogs as much as possible, so for that that it is pretty good, the MPG is about 24 City and 34 Highway, which is really good when compared to the SUVs in the area, the car handles well in braking, corner and such in the mountains, I travel to Smokey Mnt., about 3 times a year and I am also a Kayaker, which I have to get in and out of some tough places with the SUV, the ground clearance really come in, alot of mud holes, muddy and general soft ground she does well in. I have disappointed in alot of things about the SUV, items that are stock on others in this area are not in the Crosstrek, example, turning blinkers on the side on the car or mirros, none, with a company that prides itself on safety this should be on there, as to avoid a wreck, is best to see the other car and what its intentions are. The interior is really cheap, no lights on the mirrors overhead on the sun visor, chair material seems to stain very easy, carpet is like a felt, very thin, hard to clean, everything sticks to it, I would suggest seat covers, the radio only hold 1 Bluetooth link,( one cellphone), so if my wife wants to drive it, she has to delete my settings and put hers in, she as a Legency which this is not an issue with. Know the Engine and transmission, I will say that it is very lacking, even in teh small mountians of the Smokeys there is a real issue, the car has a hard time going uphill with the automatic transmission, even when using the paddle shifters, there is just so little pickup, that you have to allow more time for passing, or if you need power in an emergency, it is not there. I have checked on performance upgrades for the engine, there are none to this date. My brother is looking at a Subaru now, I would him Forester XT, it has the WRX engine, so when you need power it is there. CVT takes a few minutes to warm up and you can not go over 4k rpm, so either you have to let it idel until ready of drive less than 4k rpms. I would not buy another CrossTrek with the CVT and 2.0i engine, I am looking at selling it this spring, will go with Forester XT.

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  Hate this car - complete lack of power - 2011 Subaru Forester
  By jenn_outdoors - February 24 - 7:47 am

  Paid $27k, 6mo later I wanted out of this car due to complete lack of power when I would go up into the mountains. CarMax & Toyota only offered me $19k, so I went to Subaru since they offer a "Guaranteed Trade In Program", however they also only valued the car at $19k. Unfortunately now Im stuck in a car that I hate, and I will have to look into renting a more reliable car when I want to go up into the mountains. Will NEVER make the mistake of buying a Subaru again:-(

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  Excellent performance and comfort - 2004 Subaru Outback
  By Jazzcat423 - February 23 - 10:40 pm

  This is my first Subaru. I wish I had gotten it years ago.

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  subbaru mystique - 2016 Subaru Forester
  By aj zimm - February 23 - 5:00 pm

  the forester is a basic plain good car wih a lotyt of features and a reliable foundation No matter what the ads say and how love is a Subaru mystique if you are in the market, new or used for this size SUV this must be on your list. Great entry exit, and a huge picture window they call the windshield makes you feel more a part of driving f the driving experience. The stock tires are noisy and are too harsh riding (Yokohama geolander 91 something) so in due time new treads will clear up this annoyance.