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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  Class Leader - 2004 Subaru Forester
  By drjeff - October 11 - 10:00 am

  This is one well designed, carefully engineered vehicle. For those who dont need a truck or a sports car, the Forester does everything well. In bad weather, there is nothing safer or more stable under 3 tons! It tracks smoothly in slush, when big SUVs are fishtailing. Reliability is outstanding. Storage compartments are abundant. The seats are comfortable because they are shaped right. The only credible competitors are in the Outback line.

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  Just Test Drive It....Enough Said!!!! - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By slevy - October 11 - 10:00 am

  This car is by far the most fun car Ive driven. Its so fast. Ive burned a much faster Porche by suprising them in third gear with my turbo just kickin...then bamm. Youd be surprised how much juice comes out of 4banger. This car eats snow like its nothing too. All around you cant touch this car if you want to mod.

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  Why Buy A SUV, When U Can Own an Outback - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By MKS - October 11 - 10:00 am

  I know why this is Car of Year in Japan. This thing is awesome. FAST, Lexus quality interior, virtually noise free. This is my second Subaru, the first was a 2002 WRX. I sold the WRX to get more room, and does this car have room. The trunk space is huge in comparison to other midsize wagons. The power is more than adequate for a car this size. I am very happy that I bought this car. But after watching Lance win the Tour De France with a Subaru following him, really solidified my choice. LIVESTRONG!

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  My wife loves it - 2016 Subaru Outback
  By Desert Mountain Biker - October 10 - 12:32 am

  This is our second Outback. My wife hated the passenger seat in the 2006 and wasnt too fond of the hard seat on the driver side either. Fortunately, the 2016 has enough driver side adjustments that she can find a very comfortable driving position. The passenger side was still an issue so we didnt buy until I found a cushion in one of the upper level catalogs that relieved that problem. It has a support matrix and memory foam and it boost her up a bit since which is ok since she is 54". If the passenger seat had the same adjustments as the drivers seat, we could have bought the car sooner. She loves the radio and the great visibility and the backup camera and warning system. I really like the adaptive cruise control. It is great for both local driving and for the freeway. Average gas mileage approaches an honest 24mpg and we have gotten 26 +mpg on long trips. The navigation system is nothing special, confusing at best. The phone and Garmin type navigation is greatly superior. I wish we didnt have to have the moonroof - mostly useless in a desert climate - in order to get Eyesight. Based on more than a dozen fillups, the indicated fuel economy is 5.5% too high. Not bad but not correct either. I wish the seats were a bit longer but my wife would not have liked that. Fortunately, the seat adjustments make long distance driving comfortable. The back seat is also amazingly comfortable and roomy especially in comparison to the 2006. My wife has stopped driving our other car and is now a great fan of Subaru.

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  Love the car!! - 2007 Subaru Impreza
  By k tracy - October 9 - 9:26 am

  This is my first Subaru and I have owned my car since Sept. 2007 and love it. I have had no issues with the car. It has been totally reliable. I drive 60+ miles a day for work and have already put over 16,000 miles on it. Its been a great car. I love the looks of the car. The handling is great. The AWD makes the car handle very well and all of the tires are firmly planted on the road. Great handling.

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  Pure enjoyment - 2003 Subaru Impreza
  By Gramadin - October 7 - 2:00 am

  Enjoy the vehical very much love the cornering and super acceleration. this is my first car with stick so i am not that great at it but it is comming quickly i dont think it is all that bad shifting, no rain yet but it will be comming and it will be no problem i am sure. i find interior setup pretty good. sound is not as bad as some say ti is. gotta love the all wheel drive

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  L.L Bean - 2003 Subaru Outback
  By nauman mark - October 7 - 2:00 am

  This is the fourth Subaru that I have owned. The L.L Bean wagon is very luxurious,comfortable, and it has a lot of speed. The ride is smooth and compares to the ride of a Lexus or Acura without the heavy sticker price.The people at the Dean team were very courteous and made this an enjoyable car buying experience. The car has a lot of curb appeal and the recently tinted windows really add to the rich look of this car.

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  NICE! - 2005 Subaru Legacy
  By ILIKEIT! - October 5 - 10:00 am

  Had the GT Wagon M for 1 month now...WOW! Looked at the Mazda6, Audi/Volkswagen Wagons and there is no comparison. The Subaru came in at 27K. Power is abundant through all 5 gears. 5.8 sec 0-60 times are no joke out of this rocket. Dont listen to any of the hype of the turbo lag. The GT makes 13.5lbs of boost and its quite available. Shifts are a bit long and I think Im going for the short throw shifter upgrade in time. Ride quality is superb with minimal body roll. There is no dive whatsoever under heavy breaking. The 2 kids(both under 2) ride in a cacoon of safety features.

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  Love the car - 2005 Subaru Legacy
  By MegAndRob - October 4 - 1:40 pm

  Going on two years with our legacy GT LTD. Sweet car, super fast... when I drive our other car, I miss the acceleration. Turbo lag is slightly noticeable, but once the turbo kicks in, its smile time. Handling is great, acceleration is great, driving it in the mountains is super fun. AWD is great also, but get the snow tires if you live in an icy area... the standard tires dont handle worth anything on ice. Get the short throw shifter, also. This car is a lot of fun for a very low cost compared to the G35 and Acura RL. The gas mileage isnt too heinous, we average about 25mpg, less if youre really thrashing it.

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  Great Great Great - 2016 Subaru Outback
  By jhalm - October 3 - 10:31 am

  This is my second Subaru, had a 2015 Legacy which is very similar inside. Originally wanted the Outback but they were all out of stock and needed something quick. The build quality on these cars is outstanding. Quiet comfortable interior with lots of leg room for all you taller folks. The acceleration with the 4 cylinder isnt rocket like, but it gets the job done. If you are going to tow anything substantial, get the 6 cyl. Either way, these cars are build to last.