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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  What an Upgrade - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By Les - August 31 - 11:06 am

  i just bought a used 2002 WRX wagon. WHAT A RIDE! got a sweet deal on it. At first I was considering the Mazda3 but I was big on performance. What an upgrade compared to my slow 1994 Honda accord. My commute is so much fun now! Driving in the rain is not a problem with the AWD...so far so good. Filling my tank up with premium gas will hit the wallet hard, but the good outweighs the bad.

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  Nikobonjons Subie - 2005 Subaru Legacy
  By Nikobonjon - August 31 - 7:13 am

  Pros: All in all this is a good car with exceptional handing abilities. It is a fine car and holds the road well. The turbo engine is super when it kicks in. The car is quiet and clean. Cons: Expensive to maintain especially the tires. Turbo burns premium unleaded. Somewhat narrow (hip room) front seating. Typical turbo lag. Fuel economy could be better for a car this size.

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  Subaru Groupie - 2008 Subaru Tribeca
  By Subaru Groupie - August 28 - 8:30 am

  This is my fourth Subaru. They have cornered the market on all wheel drive. You can beat the low center of gravity and feel for the road. My only wish is that they would widen and cushion the seats better. All in all, wouldnt trade in my Subie for anything else. Like any vehicle maintenance and good tires are the keys to the vehicles longevity. Expect 200,000 miles

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  Good car, very pleased - 2004 Subaru Forester
  By Dan - August 27 - 9:30 pm

  85,000 miles and no failures or repairs. This car has been rock-solid from the very beginning and shows no signs of slowing down. The turbo motor makes for some fun driving but I can also get 24-25 mpg on highway cruises. Visibility is top-notch and the built-in safety features are a huge plus. Its not the prettiest car around but thats not why you buy a Forester. Its a do-everything vehicle that doesnt make many compromises to accomplish that goal. Rear seat room could be a touch bigger and thats the only major gripe I can come up with. If my Forester got totaled tomorrow, would I buy another? Yes, without a second thought. All cars should be this good.

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  Good safe family car - 2016 Subaru Legacy
  By Lloyd - August 27 - 2:26 pm

  This is not a fun or sporty car to drive, but it serves it purpose as a safe family sedan. I bought it because of the AWD that Subaru is known for since I live in a hilly area in Northeast. The 2.5 engine lacks power and acceleration. There also seems to be lag accelerating from full stop. Cornering is just ok. The safety features are very good. Blind spot warning came in handy a few times when I pulled out of parking spot and a car suddenly zoomed by or pedestrian running by. Eyesight doesnt work well in fog or sun glare. The dashboard will warn you when Eyesight is turned off. Eyesight will trigger warning if youre cruising and the car infront of you suddenly breaks. Lane departure warning is very sensitive and can trigger erroneously if you drive over a tar line patch on the road. Overall, this is a good safe car and I plan on passing down to my kids once they start driving. Its better that they dont drive a high perfornance car.

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  2nd Subaru - 2008 Subaru Outback
  By redheadwolf - August 26 - 1:07 pm

  After getting tired of my 99 Legacy Outback and its constant overheating, (to be fair it has 256k miles on it) I decided I wanted a new car. I researched a lot in the 10-15k range. I chose the Outback again for the awd/mpg/style/room/reliability. It has everything you need. It is more comfortable than my 99 even though its a base model. (Even comes with seat heaters!) I was able to get this car with 41,000 miles on it back in November. So far Ive put 11,000 on it and it still runs excellent! Ive taken it on dirt, up steep roads and gravel and it does it all. Last time I recorded just highway miles I got 28mpg! However, I usually average 24.

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  Fun to drive, not fun to maintain - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By Dave - August 18 - 1:16 pm

  The car is fun drive in the worst of weather. Handling and acceleration are good with the 5 speed manual. Its been a good car for ski trips and mountain bike weekends.

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  The Logical Choice - 2004 Subaru Forester
  By 1969Skeptic - August 18 - 12:03 pm

  I bought this car after extensive research in 2003. It was down to the Honda Element vs. the Forester XT and the power won out. This is the first car Ive had that I can honestly say Ive used most of its capabilities regularly. Im no street racer but I do enjoy the acceleration and handling of this little SUV. I usually travel by myself or with my young son and its just the right size. Ive had it off road on the beach and on dirt trails - no complaints and its easy to maneuver. It towed my 17ft Boston Whaler nicely as well. However, for family road trips we take my wifes Pilot - more room.

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  2015 WRX CVT - 2015 Subaru WRX
  By rvolney - August 17 - 7:42 pm

  Traded in my 2008 wrx, manual for the 2015 CVT. Wanted an automatic, was delighted to hear the new WRX was in auto, even if a CVT. Love it. Boring in regular mode, fantastic in sport #. Use it mostly in the middle performance mode for everyday driving. Lots of road noise, very still suspension. Razor sharp steering Ive never come across before. Paddle shifters good, only use it to do a race start. Crappy navi, good stereo with Harman option. Very good cornering, brakes a bit stiff to push but work well.

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  Own Subaru since 1974 - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By Michel - August 15 - 8:06 pm

  I lived in Canada, It is my third Subaru, The first was an Impreza bought in 1994. Bought another one (Impreza) in 2004. Subies are good cars and this one is the best.