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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  Subaru Bluetooth is garbage! - 2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek
  By Larry Belcastro - November 20 - 11:49 pm

  When we upgraded our cell phone to a Samsung S6, we lost the ability to automatically reconnect each time we use the car. This is time consuming and has to be done BEFORE we move the car, delaying our travel. We cannot connect the bluetooth when driving, even though the driver is not pushing the buttons. Subaru Customer Support says that they cannot keep up with all the new cell phones and carriers, and have a list available with the ones that work. GET MORE HELP THEN! This is a poor excuse why they cannot get the autoconnect feature to work, but as a consumer its a good excuse to never buy another Subaru if they cannot keep current with technology.

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  a definite value pick for a compact SUV - 2011 Subaru Forester
  By jamesosan - November 20 - 10:26 pm

  This vehicle is blast! A nostalgic cruiser for the senses. The panaramic roof set back brings all the smells of a coastal day trip to the senses. The turbo 4-boxer compliments the incredible handling. The overstated concerns for a 4 speed tranny is an effort in futility. If we were questioning the lastest porsche with this tranny in play than there is a viable arguement. But this is a compact SUV for the small family or weekend enthusiast. If a gearhead is looking for the ultimate in performance than its an overstated perception that compact SUVs are not race cars. This car is a blast. When I pop the roof open it draws my three year olds attention away from the tv and towards the sky!

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  Dont buy a Subaru - 2001 Subaru Legacy
  By IW - November 20 - 10:03 pm

  I bought the car new in 2000, performed all dealer service as scheduled, have had numerous problems with head gasket, transfer seal, and cam seal oil leaks. I bought the car expecting to get 200,000+ miles out of it, and started having oil leaks at 45,000 miles. Dealer has tried to repair numerous times, with no success. Every Subaru owner with whom I speak says the head gaskets are a known issue. I would never buy a Subaru again, and am looking to ditch this one as soon as possible, taking a huge loss in depreciation.

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  Horrible transmission - 2010 Subaru Forester
  By cupcakebaker4 - November 19 - 4:54 am

  It seems that any time I change speeds suddenly, my car revs up and feels like its stalling. The first time it happened, I was on a major highway and went to pass in the left lane when suddenly the car revved really high (as if I threw it into neutral and stepped on the gas pedal) and wasnt moving! I saw a car coming up on me in my rear view mirror and thought, "thats it, Im a goner!" Just today on my way to Subaru for the seat belt recall, as I pulled out onto the highway, the car revved to 5 and it felt like the gas pedal was stuck. When I slow down to make a turn at a corner, the car jerks when I put my foot back on the gas. 3x back to the dealer; they say thats how this trans works!

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  I LOVE this car - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By KentKings - November 18 - 10:00 am

  over all the car top to bottom is great.. family car/sports car/safe car.. all in one.. i did alot of research before purchasing a car.. and after doing the math.. dollar to dollar this is THE car

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  WRX Go Go Go - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By rjones1138 - November 18 - 10:00 am

  Nitpicking, the back seat is small and the interior is smaller than some cars in the class. Uh, it should come with trunk straps to hold things in place :). This car is always super fun to drive.

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  The 4cyl. is strong enough - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By Rick - November 17 - 8:56 am

  This car fits my lifestyle. I have two children in car seats and at least one bicycle in/on the car at any time. Living in the NE I also have to deal with snow so I wanted AWD. The price and gas mileage of the 4cyl. looked amazing but I had strong reservations about getting that model as I live in an area populated with short but very steep hills. Then I took a test drive. The 4cyl. with CVT suits my needs perfectly.It is not a race car but there is always ample power for any situation. No problem driving up hills with 15-20% grades. Outside of the engine, the car feels solid and grips the road in a very reassuring manner. It is an excellent family hauler for the dedicated weekend warrior

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  Cool Car for Little Cash - 2011 Subaru Impreza
  By B Sova - November 16 - 10:00 am

  I purchased this Subaru because I needed AWD since I live in the hills and have to drive through snow, mud, etc. I didnt expect to have such nice road-hugging and really fun to drive. Bought it with manual transmission which is smooth. No frills, but really fun and dependable little car.

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  One of the best on the road! - 2005 Subaru Legacy
  By chris - November 16 - 12:46 am

  This is my third Legacy....and the best, nicest, fastest, and most fun to drive yet! It turns heads everywhere I go, and performance-wise it totally hugs the road. The turbo engine and speed/handling is excellent, and the 250hp engine is a MAJOR improvement. My wife now drives my 2002 GT Limited sedan, and she is thrilled with it as well. It puts her Accord to shame with handling, safety, performance, and styling. Ill continue to buy Subarus from here on out - theyve set the standard very high for performance and safety, yet they continue to keep the cost reasonable. GO SUBARU!

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  Great winter car for MI! - 2008 Subaru Impreza
  By Cosworth - November 15 - 1:03 pm

  We bought the car to get us through sometimes very slick and snowy Michigan. And, we love the AWD handling of this car in snow! Even when the roads are covered with 2-3" of snow, the car tracks straight and it performs like its on dry road.