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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  Great all-around car - 2016 Subaru Legacy
  By Jim - February 2 - 8:53 pm

  I recently purchased a 2016 Legacy 2.5i Limited with the moonroof/nav/eyesight package and this is a great all-around car for the money. I got black with the ivory interior and its a very sharp looking car. It has an incredibly smooth and quiet ride and it really feels like a car that would cost thousands more. It doesnt even feel like a Subaru! Ive owned some older ones going back to 1999 and theyve come a long way! So far Im enjoying the comfy roomy interior which is well appointed. The materials have a soft and luxurious feel which is nice. The "high tech" features can be a bit much but many things in the world have become more complicated so thats just the way it is these days. The Eyesight system works well and it applied the brakes for me probably preventing an accident. I looked down for a sec then all of a sudden the car was stopping by itself. Pretty amazing feature. Overall this is a great car for the money.

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  You Only Live Once - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By 04BlueSTI - February 1 - 9:46 pm

  This is an absolutely amazing car for the money! I have had mine for almost a month now, and have many upgrades. We can fit the carseat in the back, and as far as the insurance company knows, the STi is a four door family car. I traded in a mustang gt for the STI and love the trade. The STi has power, as well as being VERY economical. Gas mileage is good, when youre not wearing the lead shoes. And the dependability that Subaru offers is one that stands strong. It is hard to find a fast car that will never get stuck in the snow, but the Subaru did it.

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  Love The Features - 2016 Subaru Outback
  By Tim Satterfield - February 1 - 7:26 am

  I purchased a 2016 Outback Limited with all the bells and whistles. The car looks great inside and out. In fact, inside it is close to as nice as any luxury car I have owned (MB, BMW, Acura), with leather all around, a great sound system (HK, including sub), comfy seats, and excellent safety features. I am only 1,000 miles in, so cant comment on reliability, etc., but will say that the EyeSight system is awesome! I love that it detects anything behind or to the side of me, and alerts me when I am veering or getting to close to other traffic. It is easy to see all around this car, much better than the Toyotas and VWs we have recently owned. While it is a workmanlike car on the road, the comfort features in the cabin keep us happy.

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  Great Ride - 2010 Subaru Forester
  By dru - February 1 - 1:36 am

  Ive only had this car for 2 1/2 weeks and I love it. I sold my 2002 Jeep Liberty 2wheel drive for this Subie and I love it. I live were it snows a lot and the all wheel drive is great. The car handles nicely. I had a rattle in the back but I just opened and closed all the doors and it went away. The radio is on the cheap side but I dont live in the car I just drive to work so it will do just fine. The passenger seat is a little low but thats a minor issue. all-in-all this is a great value for what you get in terms of safety and driving. There is also a lot of cargo space for a small SUV

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  Like it so far - 2002 Subaru Outback
  By Roy - January 31 - 9:30 pm

  Currently we only have 6000 miles on the car, and so far it is very enjoyable. The ride is very smooth and sure.

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  Best SUV Ever - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By Joe Lopez - January 31 - 3:53 pm

  I love my Tribeca. its great that its not everywhere. People say "wow thats so beautiful, what is it?" I love it. First Subaru. Forever Subaru.

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  Great Car - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By jo151 - January 31 - 10:00 am

  All i can say is that for the money this car is excellent. I think for any price this car is a good choice because it can be driven all year long. If you need only one car this should be it. I was considering a 911, boxster, corvette, and M3 but they all require a separate car for the winter. Besides, after driving them all i came away more impressed with the power, grip, and brakes.

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  New buyers disappointing experience - 2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek
  By badsubi - January 31 - 6:08 am

  After owning Toyotas for the last 28 years I decided to buy a 2014 Crosstrek. 3 months now and the Check Engine light is on !. Took the car to the dealer and the car needs an Oil Control Valve. Many cars have this but last at least 75k miles. My "New" Crosstrek in the the shop for days and I know this car will give problems in the future. I bought Subaru because of all the reliability hype. As I research the internet more and more, I find that they are not durable, unreliable past 50k miles. Mine broke at 7k miles, thats a smack in the face for Subaru. Dont buy it. Every make has its problems but you are better off with Toyota or Honda for reliability. Do your homework on the internet.

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  Like my Outback - 2003 Subaru Outback
  By J. Coulter - January 30 - 11:40 pm

  I have been really pleased with my Outback in general. The only problem I have had with driving it is going up moderate hills. A lot of my driving takes place in the lower Sierra foothills, usually less that 1200 ft, and the car seems reluctant to climb even small grades, at one point, even bucking a bit. The dealer told me I was lucky I had a 6 cylinder. and that Subarus didnt like hills. Structurally, it is made with a kind of depression in the lower part of each front door. A number of people have pointed out to me that I have been "hit." Looked that way to me too, before I realized that the car was that way on both sides.

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  Too many RATTLES - 2008 Subaru Impreza
  By Subie - January 30 - 5:23 pm

  New 2008 STi is unquestionably a blast to drive, and I actually prefer the new, toned-down body style. That said, Im finding it a difficult daily driver. Not because of the transmission (clunky) or the gas mileage (mediocre), but because the car rattles so, so, so much. Ive only owned it for a few months, and it is barely out of its break-in period. But it seems like every time I get in the car, it has developed a new interior rattle. No use turning to dealerships for help, in my experience, as they either fail to fix the problem, or claim to be unable to replicate it. Just how high do you have to turn the stereo and a/c to drown out all those rattles, boys?