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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  Love this car, but.... - 2006 Subaru Outback
  By CK Henry - September 19 - 11:35 pm

  After 100k expect to spend a lot of money. I hear this is typical of most American made cars of this price range;however, so I can accept that. SUbaru Inc. has always been extremely supportive and very fair about fixing mfg. problems, until air bag incident....that was a huge disappointment. Didnt fix for six months! And told me not to allow a jump seat passenger! What?

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  LOVE my Forester! - 1999 Subaru Forester
  By problemcat13 - September 18 - 11:43 am

  I LOVE my Forester! I put 15k miles a year on it, and I drive it hard! 5 speed and the engine pulls great. I had one problem, the headgasket, but it was covered under the service bulletin/warranty to 100k. I currently have 112k miles and this car is great. I really enjoy it. Reliable, fun, but maybe a little small for a family of four. Stereo/tape was lousy, I replaced it with an OEM 6-CD changer from a Subaru WRX for $100. MPG: if I drive hard (wide open throttle) I get 21.4, if I set cruise at the speed limit, 28.4. AWD uses more gas but is a blast to drive spirited! We miss our other Subaru (95 Legacy) and plan to purchase another when we can. Im so glad I got this vehicle.

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  Clunk is what makes a Subaru, a Subaru - 2009 Subaru Outback
  By vaa4 - September 18 - 5:53 am

  I was very happy about our new vehicle purchase (Jul09) until we hit a bump in the road...an uneven bump. Rack and Pinion is designed to clunk every time wheels are turned and hit an uneven pavement (fact). Happens on driveways and while turning on an imperfect road. Took 3 service trips to find out at over 75% of Outbacks suffer from this issue. Done 3 trips to get front vibrations (tires?) taken care of, still in progress. Front rotors already machined (2K miles). Driver door handle cable is loose, havent addressed yet. If I was a Die-hard Subaru fan, I may have ignored these imperfections since no other vehicle fits my lifestyle that well, but I am having a hard time coping with it yet.

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  My New Subaru MPG! - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By Joanne Erickson - September 15 - 8:50 pm

  My dream was to own a Subaru. I went to buy a used one and couldnt resist the new 2005 LL Bean Outback. I had saved for 12 years and had a substantial down payment plus a 4 year contract. My final plan was for this to be my last car. I drove it for a month before I realized that I was putting a lot of gas in it. I started checking the mileage and realized I was getting 10 mpg average. I was devastated! I checked the mileage several times to make sure. It actually did average 10-12 mpg. I contacted Subaru. They had me bring the car in and reset the computer. I returned home and really paid attention to the mpg. Now in town, I am averaging 8 mpg. Highway mpg is 28.

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  Great looking date, but has to get loose - 2003 Subaru Legacy
  By Plains Drifter - September 13 - 2:00 am

  I find the look of the legacy to be attractive but my beef with the car is clear in the amount of HP it has. This car is built for safety first and that as the driver you certainly can tell. However, with safety comes alot of weight and this car needs at least another 25hp & also a 6spd tranny. On the bright side, Ive never driven a sports car that handles better, the AWD is awesome and this car is just as sure footed on wet ground as it is on dry ground

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  Still cant find a better car! - 2003 Subaru Impreza
  By tintinet - September 7 - 2:00 am

  Now that the STI is on the horizon, I am only slightly tempted. The stock WRX delivers more than adequate performance. In 14K miles, Ive had no problems and my only critiques are slight quibbles about lack of outside thermometer, lack of heated seats, leather upholstery, and other things that really are secondary. For the money, the quality and performance of the WRX are unmatched, especially for those of us who do alot of winter driving.

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  a little dissapointed - 2002 Subaru Outback
  By skillet1 - September 7 - 2:00 am

  This is my first Subaru. A little dissapointed after all the great things Ive heard. It has alot going for it but I feel it is way overpriced for what you get.$25k for cloth, manual, no moonroof, no homelink, only frt. airbags,anemic stereo, 4 cyl. w/ adequate power at best. Left front brake started squeaking after delivery and still sqeaks horribly. Found out they are notorious for squeaking and warping. MPG has been ok but have never gotten near the posted 27mpg hwy, 25mpg was my best and 23mpg is my avg. going to work and back which is 95% Hwy. I get 24mpg on the same trip with a RX300. However,the Outback is a practical, spacious, nice looking wgn.

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  Dont miss the Jeeps at all - 1998 Subaru Forester
  By Subielvr - September 6 - 1:33 am

  I bought my Forester just over two years ago and its one of the, if not the, best purchases that Ive ever made. Even with the recommendations of friends who own Subies I was nervous about buying a car whos odometer had just passed over the 100,00 mile mark. It was much ado about nothing as in the last forty thousand miles the only expenses (aside from routine maintenance) Ive had are; replacing a cracked coil, new tires (would be necessary on any car), one rear wheel bearing, and the relatively expensive replacement of the timing belt which is really part of routine maintenance anyhow. Gas mileage is about 25 mpg around home and 30 using cruise control when traveling. I love this car!

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  Fun sports car yet fuel efficient - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By dgman - September 5 - 10:30 am

  I have had my WRX for over 3 years now. I almost bought an 04 Mazda 6 instead but after driving each of them, I couldnt get the performance of the Subie out of my head. It is just too much fun to drive. The turbo is a different kind of fast, but the car is undeniably fast. If you are a "muscle car" person who thrives on low end torque, you wont like this car. The WRX is grippy and slow off the line and the power explodes at 3K RPM all the way to redline. Second gear is amazing. If you behave and drive nicely, you can get close to 30 MPG. The trunk is usable. I even have a child seat in the backseat. The car is a 5 star safety rated vehicle. Lots of great features.

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  This car will surprize you - 2013 Subaru Impreza
  By stetson87 - September 1 - 11:31 pm

  This is my first Subaru ive ever owned. Ive been a Mazda fan for years due to its "zoom-zoom" factor, I test drove the Impreza and walked away ecstatic. I bought the 5speed manual over the CVT because I love to shift gears. The CVT gets better gas mileage. The AWD system gives you grip right off the line, no waiting for power to build. I rarely feel the need to redline just to merge onto the highway, just a blip of the throttle, downshift and your off. This isnt a WRX and shouldnt be treated as such. The interior is pretty simple but very nice materials. Its very spacious and four 6ft adults fit nicely in my sedan.