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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  not so durable? - 2001 Subaru Outback
  By colorado chick - December 19 - 9:10 pm

  Ive driven my car hard and its starting to show. I expected more from Subaru. While the Outback has been a vast improvement over my 93 Legacy, Ive gone through way too many brakes, worn through lots of (higher quality) tires. Am now having transmission problems. Plus, like me, the car seems to be losing spunk as it ages; I now have to turn off the A/C to maintain speed on climbs. But, that said, its been the most incredible snow car Ive driven--with 4 studded snow tires, I can negotiate the nastiest mountain roads without fear.

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  Strong Competitor - 2006 Subaru Forester
  By Secure Feeling - December 19 - 8:03 pm

  Fine small SUV choice. Very solid build. Excellent crash test scores. View is clear and unobstructed. Has good acceleration. The leather interior and wood steering wheel are nice touches. It doesnt sit so high as to make it difficult for some to get into and out of, similar to a car. This is my 3rd Subie, and theyve all been tanks in winter driving. The gas mileage is a plus also.

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  Great Car - 2006 Subaru Impreza
  By JW - December 19 - 6:13 pm

  This is one of the best cars I have ever owned. I live in the city and I sold my last Accord v6 a few years ago. I wanted a small car, fun to drive that had the capibility to haul my dog and my stuff wherever. This car meets all of the requirements and then some. I think I am stuck on Subaru now. I fit two large dogs a freind and her dog with room to spare, through the mud, rain, and potholes the car never felt strained or out of place. Upgrade the radio and tint the windows that is my only change.

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  Things They Missed - 2001 Subaru Forester
  By gram - December 19 - 10:00 am

  I have owned this vehicle for over an year, here are my comments and thoughts about it. 1. The Visor is too small, very inconvenient when driving with the sun on the driver side. 2. The cargo cabin window (passenger side) should have had the defroster too (would help in seeing blind spot better). 3. Jiffy Lube can do the same service at 15,000 miles for $50, subaru dealer (John Elway Subaru) charges $250.00 for an an oil change. 4. Seats are very hard. Lumbar support is useless. 5. Temperature guage cannot display temperatures below 0 degrees (shows the number with out the minus). 6. Temperature guage does not show inside temperature (no options available).

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  GREAT VEHICLE - 2005 Subaru Forester
  By 4TIRES - December 19 - 7:16 am

  Ive had it for 2 months now and did some camping (therefore loaded it a lot) drove in hilly roads and so far, nothing to complain about! Great purchase, great handling, good power/weight ratio. Good feature too, the hill holder that prevent the vehicle from going backward on an inclined road (excellent when you are fully loaded in a very steep road at a traffic light).

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  For love of a car - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By Kiriel - December 19 - 2:00 am

  I wanted a WRX from the time they came out. When the STi came out, I decided to get it instead. I am very glad that I did. When I finally do get a different car (years down the road, and my STi has been driven into the ground) it will have to be even more amazing than this one. I love driving it. It is the most fun Ive had in a long time. We might even have to get my husband his own.

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  Our 5th Subaru - 2002 Subaru Outback
  By CMartin - December 19 - 2:00 am

  I love my Black & Gold 3.0 AWD Outback Sedan! Its fun to drive, and handles EXTREMELY well in snow and rain. Its the most comfortable car Ive ever driven for long trips. 600-700 miles in a day, and I still feel great at the end of the days drive. I have only one complaint that my Service Department has no answer -- the heating/cooling system. Seems theres no happy medium for it. Hopefully Subaru will come up with a fix soon! Weve been a Subaru family for a long time. I drove a 2000 Outback Sedan before getting the 2002, with the bigger engine. Glad I made the upgrade, except -- give me my old air conditioner/heater!!!

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  Second Forester - 2010 Subaru Forester
  By windsurfer - December 18 - 5:23 am

  First one went 180,000 miles, then head gasket leaked. Decided to trade in. Did the RAV4, CR-V, Forester loop, and returned to the Forester. The dealerships were the most professional of any brand. I will take it on long dirt roads for fishing, and love the better clearance. No longer a "small" SUV! At least not on the inside. My priorities are value, reliability and gas mileage. Two out of three aint bad, but I havent taken long trips yet, so maybe mileage will improve. Its got a miles-per-gallon display, which is nice. Same giant moonroof. Styling is sharper, and Im glad they didnt slope the roof any more.

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  Worst car I ever owned - 2000 Subaru Outback
  By ely - December 18 - 12:20 am

  Within a year, the head gasket blew, damaging the radiator, and leaving me stranded in the desert. Since it was almost out of warranty, the dealer kept saying he didnt know what the problem was. As soon as the gasket was out of warranty, the dealer miraculously diagnosed the problem. Subaru covered only a small % of the nearly $2,000 bill. Other problems: catalytic converter (engine light always on); heat shield always coming loose; ball joint replaced several times; broken sway bar; 2 transmissions in 4 months; engine stills runs so hot it feels like heater is on; noisy; poor acceleration.

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  I love this car. - 2005 Subaru Forester
  By Marcia - December 17 - 10:10 pm

  I have owned 8 Subarus since 1991. The 2005 L. L. Bean Forester has given me the greatest satisfaction for its practicality, fine interior, and SUV features.