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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  Ill drive. - 2015 Subaru Forester
  By mtski - January 13 - 3:47 am

  I did a lot of research before purchasing a new car and liked the performance, safety, and value the Forester offered. My prior car was a 1997 Jeep Cherokee (6 cylinder) that I loved. In terms of modern amenities, any new car would be a change, but I worried about missing the power and off-road ability of the Jeep. The Forester is great on ice, slush, snow, blowing snow, etc. It feels stable and peppy. Although I can tell it is working hard when going uphill, it doesnt feel sluggish. I wasnt sure how much Id use the X-Mode and Hill Descent Control, but they were handy when we got 14 inches of snow over a layer of ice. Its comfortable and I enjoy driving it.

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  Practical Yet Fun - 2010 Subaru Impreza
  By Jake F. - January 13 - 1:53 am

  I am overall very pleased with this car. The build quality seems excellent for this class. The doors give a quality thunk when you close them and all switches/levers feel durable. The performance of the 2.5 is adequate and when combined with the 5spd the result is a zippy little car. The suspension soaks up the bumps very nicely (better than my 04 Impala I traded for it) and I live near some very rough roads so that is appreciated. I am a large person (275 lbs) and I find the interior comfortable and roomy enough. Even though it is summer, I have already used the AWD to climb up a rain soaked muddy drive and it performed flawlessly. Im almost looking forward to the ND winter.

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  2010 Forester - 2010 Subaru Forester
  By chris313 - January 12 - 1:34 am

  We purchased our 2010 Forester in Febuarary 2010 when our daughter was born. We mainly purchased it for safety and reliability. The vehicle was fun to drive and handled well. We were disappointed that the a/c compressor went out and even after being replaced continued to make a grinding noise and would quit blowing cold off and on. Dealership never was able to fix it. Also found that the seats were uncomfortable and fit and finish were lacking. We traded it off on a toyota, which we have owned several of and never had service problems with. Would not reccomend the forester.

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  Sure thing - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By Bill - January 11 - 1:06 pm

  I have been buying Subarus for years and find this one the cream of the crop. Handing is a bit soft, but the comfort, the small turning radius, the "interesting" styling, and the power to spare all combine to make it a first rate buy, even at a top Subaru price.

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  03 Legacy L S.E. - 2003 Subaru Legacy
  By TZSUBIE - January 11 - 10:00 am

  What can I say, my wife and I love this car! In shopping for her new car we didn’t even look at Subaru until I drove a WRX. I expected it to be fast and handle well, but it exceeded my expectations and surprised me with its quality. That test drive led us to the Legacy, a more practical car for her. We commute almost 30 miles one way with an elevation change of 1000 feet on curvy two lane roads. This car is great on those roads, especially when its wet! We bought it in Aug 01 and here in May we have over 18,000 totally trouble- free miles on it. Ive even been thinking of buying another Subaru - an Impreza 2.5RS or perhaps a WRX - for ME

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  Perfect New England Car - 2008 Subaru Impreza
  By vtcj - January 9 - 11:33 pm

  So far, this car is terrific. We had tons of snow in Vermont this winter, and I was able to drive anywhere with the standard all-weather tires. While the drive doesnt quite have the feel of a European car, the 5 speed is fun enough and the price tag for an AWD vehicle is just right. Love the hatch for bike/skis/dog etc., and the premium package with the VDC, leather stuff and 6 disc changer is totally worth the money. MPG is better than expected. I do mostly highway driving, and after 10,000 miles Im starting to average around 29 MPG.

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  Happy Camper - 2017 Subaru Outback
  By Scott Logan - January 9 - 12:51 am

  This car really is everything they say it. We absolutely love it !

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  Very happy so far. - 2008 Subaru Outback
  By Ron - January 8 - 3:36 am

  I liked my wifes 07 3.0 LL Bean so much I decided to get an 08. So far I love the car. This is my fifth Subaru. It has good performance and is very comfortable to drive. I find the size to be just right. I am having trouble using the NAV system and dealer thinks it was not "prepped" correctly and is checking things out. Otherwise no problems to date. Wifes 07 has just had the power steering pump go out, however.

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  Nice car, but electronics not up to speed - 2017 Subaru Outback
  By Steve mc - January 7 - 5:47 pm

  Navigation very average. Voice activation system is above average

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  The Excellent 2014 Forester 2.0 XT Touring - 2014 Subaru Forester
  By carlogic1 - January 7 - 12:41 am

  The 2014 Forester 2.0XT Touring is one of the nicest small SUV I have owned and could argue the best on the road today. Just finished a 400 mile trip and averaged 30.9 MPG going 60 to over 70 MPH on 93 octane. So far to and from work has been 27MPG. The car is quiet, the Boxer engine is fantastic and very smooth with plenty of power for passing. I did not think I would like the CVT but it is not so bad. The S# mode has good simulated shifts. It is easy to see out of and feels very planted on the road. I am not sure why others are complaining about MPG, I am getting better then EPA. I think people are not paying attention to what mode (I, S, or S#) they are in.