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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  2003 Forester - 2003 Subaru Forester
  By Dan Stosuy - April 18 - 4:50 pm

  Generally happy with the comfort, driveability, economy, and utility of the vehicle. However, three complaints in order of severity: 1- In the winter, once the cabin has warmed to the selected temperature, the climate control system blows cold air on your face and hands, and super heated air on your feet. Subaru has not acknowledged that this is a problem. 2- Wind noise around the drivers window, and 3- the tires wear fast, have poor snow traction, and are noisy. Also, their size results in a speedometer and odometer error of nearly two percent. Think about that when your warranty runs out 700 miles before it should.

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  Good off-road vehicle - 2017 Subaru Outback
  By San Diego customer - April 18 - 9:09 am

  Interested in Premium w.5i 4-cyl cloth seat covers. Would have liked the 18" wheel for off-road versus 17" and more power/ torque which comes in the higher trim with leather. For long road trips, the seats would be a bit confining and tight. I am a small frame but on long drives I like to have room to move around unhindered. The. Takes are squishy; takes several more seconds to stop. I like the second row seating and the size able cargo area. The car needs to fit your needs. Drove it twice. Did not purchase.

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  Improvement over Honda CR-V - 2010 Subaru Forester
  By artman - April 17 - 9:03 pm

  Bought this car two months ago and really like it. Excellent highway car with 25-28 MPG and 19 around town. The four speed transmission is below par and really needs a 5 speed. The radio sounds tinny but I hardly ever use it. I have no problems with rattles except noise from the back when I go over road bumps. I think this may be tied to the cheap cargo cover under the rear floor. I love the design of the vehicle and the interior. Way better than the cheap plastic used in many cars today.

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  Just a 2.5RS... nothing special - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By Just a girl w/2.5RS - April 17 - 6:56 am

  I really do LOVE my car. Its fun to drive, it got me through my first real winter (snow, ice, slush) in a new place, and its never had any problems due to regular wear and tear (regular maint. is done). Though not a WRX, acceleration is just fine for highway driving. I used to take my car through a very deserted canyon road with tight turns on the weekends and it begged for more.

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  Amazing Car - 2007 Subaru Impreza
  By FJM - April 16 - 6:20 am

  Couldnt be happier! This car is so much fun to drive. Awesome cargo capabilities to boot.

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  2002 WRX 2.0 Turbo Sedan 5spd - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By OffRoadCritic - April 15 - 10:00 am

  One word sums up the way I feel about this car, "awesome". This is truly a drivers car, you have to understand how to drive a car of this stature to truly appreciate its abilities. The car does have its drawbacks though, the interior seems cheap, but it is well laid out. Subaru seems to invest the majority of your $25,000 into the powertrain, and the suspension. I really like the ability to spin the tail end of this car around when flying through hairpin offroad turns. Subaru claims to have designed the AWD and the balance of this car for that purpose. You cannot understand what a great suspension this car has when only driving on the paved roads, go offroad to see why this car was built.

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  08 OB Looking Good - 2008 Subaru Outback
  By Outbacker - April 14 - 3:46 pm

  Just traded in my 01 Outback for the 08 Limited model. I had doubts about buying another Outback - the last one was not much fun to drive, and there were some leaking problems after 90K. After test driving all the comparables, the Outback was the only one that fit the bill - reasonable gas mileage, good safety ratings, reliable, good roof rack for the surfboard, and can hold 25 bags of mulch in the back when needed. So far, so good. The 08 is lots more fun to drive than the 01 - the sports shift option helps. A little more power than the 01, and a generally smoother, better ride. Im told that the leak problems have been resolved - time will tell.

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  Yahoo Subie-Roo - 2017 Subaru Outback
  By Mike Federer - April 14 - 10:43 am

  This a great car and a wonderful alternative to a see-everywhere SUV. It is solid as a rock and definitely feels like a step up from the 2012 Subaru Forester I traded in for it! There are no blind spots and the backup camera shows a very wide field of view...very helpful when backing into my garage. The radio is good but not spectacular, I can live with it. The front seats are very comfortable and are not tiring after driving for several hours. I had my doubts about the CVT transmission, but I am very pleased with it. It shifts like a 6-speed transmission and the gas mileage is spectacular. Acceleration from a standing start is very good with no hesitation. I was concerned about the possibility for "droning" sounds at some speeds, but have not experienced any of that. All in all, I am very pleased with the wagon Subaru has built and cant wait for our first long get-a-way trip into New England at the end of September! Have taken two trips, one to New York and one to Florida. Over 3300 miles on the Fla. trip; car was comfortable, roomy and avg. 28 mpg! Very pleased!

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  2004 Subaru Forester "Burt" - 2004 Subaru Forester
  By brooklynjoel - April 13 - 4:08 am

  I bought my Forester X "Burt" used in July 2011 from a Subaru Dealer in Rockland County, NY with 107K miles on it. I now have 120K miles on it. It has proven to be a reliable and surprisingly comfortable vehicle. I average about 18 mpg in the city, and around 28 mpg on the highway. This car is one of the most "honest" cars Ive ever owned. It just works without fuss or fanfare, and feels solid. I Have done nothing but oil changes, a differential and tranny fluid change, tire rotations, and inspections for maintenance, and Burt goes like a top! I hope to buy a new 2014 Subaru Forester based on my experience with this one, and I am one of the most "brand unloyal" owners out there!

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  Rock Solid car with only few minor glitches - 2007 Subaru Outback
  By Thomas Leahy - April 13 - 3:14 am

  Ive owned the 2.5 XT Limited 5 speed manual for 10 yrs ( bought it new ), currently has just over 130k miles. During that time Ive driven it HARD, towed 1 ton of hay behind it for about 10 miles ( no kidding I really have towed a trailer with about 1 ton of hay on board. Yes, it was overloading the car a bit, but it handled it fine, keeping the speed down of course ). I take it on gravel roads on camping trips regularly. Its very solid on wet roads in driving rain in the Pacific Northwest. Its solid in snow too, although I had not the best snow tires on it ( Hankook snow tires from Les Schwab, they were not great, dont recommend them, still needed chains to get up hill to my house ) Had one problem a few years ago where car would not start if the engine was hot : you run into the store for an errand and come out after 10/15 mins and car wont start. Wait another 20 / 25 mins and it starts fine. Happened intermittently. Took dealership a long time to track it down. Finally we replaced some sensor on the engine, I forget which one, and the problem has never re-occured. My wife doesnt like driving the car as she finds the position of the pedals very cramped and it forces her foot to an awkward angle for the gas pedal. Also, the back seats are pretty cramped. Its not really an ideal car for young kids in car seats as we found out. Agree with another reviewer that the roof rails are not the easiest to adjust. Was just barely able to make it work with a 16 cubic feet Thule cargo box. The gearbox is certainly not "smooth" but you get used to it and it does the job. Was told by the dealership when we bought it that it has a tougher gearbox and clutch to support the bigger engine on this turbo model so maybe thats why its not so smooth. But overall if you like to "drive", its a fun car to drive. You can throw it around twisty country roads and itll totally hold the road and go where you want it to go with no hesitation. Had a few minor repairs, mostly things like rubber boots on CV joints, mostly items I considered wear and tear from the way I drive it. Fuel efficiency is about what could be expected from a 2007 vintage AWD. Easily get 28mpg on a long highway trip and average 23mpg in mixed driving. I have been diligent in doing all factory recommended servicing right on schedule, not sure if that contributes to my good results, but it cant hurt anyway !