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:

• 

  19000 mile and 13 month update - 2007 Subaru Impreza
  By 45 year old kid - November 1 - 12:23 am

  This car has been very good. This is my 4th Subaru. Living in the North east makes AWD that much more important. It is good in the snow but not as good at the Legacy sedan or Outback. I think it is the performance tires. If I ride it hard, I get 25 MPG. If I act like an adult I can get 27.5 MPG. My commute is 25 miles (1/2 highway) one way. I have had no issues to speak of. I actually have gotten 70K + miles on each of my Subarus before I have any kind of repairs >$500 (excluding maintenance of course) The WRX is a great car. I like driving our Outback sometimes for a break, but it has been a year and I still smile when I leave work and see it in the parking lot!

• 

  Love it! - 2004 Subaru Forester
  By wesy - October 31 - 10:00 am

  I just traded in my 98 Volvo S70T5A for the 04 XT PP. The XT wallows less around curves and has less lag. The XT just wants to go. The auto is well matched with the engine. Its a blast to drive and has tons of utility that my Volvo didnt have. Another plus is that the insurance is just a touch more than I was paying on my 6 year old Volvo! Go figure. I gave up a touch of luxury for way more grins!

• 

  Subaru owner for life - 2004 Subaru Forester
  By Jim & Di - October 31 - 10:00 am

  Looking to get a new truck til my nephew showed up with a Forester, we read the review in Comsummer Report and took one for a ride. That was it. We couldnt find anything we didnt like. I was set on a 5 spd. but the auto with the 4 cyl was so quick and steady I was sold. Hard part was which color to get. There is plenty of room in the back to haul things and it doesnt seem to balk at a load of a few hundred pounds like some 4 cyl will. Great height for getting into and good head space and leg room in the back seat. Seats have good support. Handled great in heavy rain w/ flooded road. Love my car!!!

• 

  Real Car for the Real World - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By drovemall - October 31 - 10:00 am

  We purchased our 2004 Subaru Impreza Outback Sport Wagon after comparing many other cars using the following criteria in order:Price, safety,reliability,asthetics,handling and practicality.We found this car to beat all contenders easily and it handles superbly. Firm enough to take a hard turn with confidence and soft enough to soak up the small stuff. The non-turbo has 168 hp and is plenty for the weight of the car and not enough to get me into turbotrouble+low insurance! It gets great mileage for an AWD and runs smooth as silk. Built 100% in Japan. Runs like its on tracks and gives me TOTAL confidence after having to make 2 life saving evasive manuvers.

• 

  First 500 - 2014 Subaru Forester
  By brekdown - October 31 - 4:09 am

  I will come back to update in a few months but I wanted to get my initial ownership impressions out there. Pros: Engine/Turbo - makes a car this large really fun to drive Transmission - High torque CVT with SI modes is best CVT Ive driven. Not as fun as VW/Audis dual clutch DSG, but still very good. Interior Room/Space - Car feels much bigger on the inside than it looks on the outside. Exterior Styling - Ive had three unrelated people tell me that the cars profile reminds them of a Porsche Cayenne - Ill take it! Cons: Sunroof: Rattles like crazy when open and doesnt have a tilt function. Seats: Not uncomfortable but not good either, even with the sport side bolsters

• 

  Longtime Outback Owner - 2011 Subaru Outback
  By BBurgDave - October 31 - 3:20 am

  We purchased this Outback to replace our 2000 Outback (75K miles) which we really liked and are giving to our son who is off to college. Prior to that, we owned two Legacy wagons, so we are a Subaru family. Compared to the 2000 Outback, this one is a bit less "sleek" and stylish (this one looks a bit more like an SUV and less like a wagon)and the rear cargo space is 3 inches shorter from the back of the rear seats to the tailgate. The space for passengers, on the other hand, seems better over all. The gas mileage seems about the same, the ride is a bit smoother, but the handling is a bit less "nimble". So far, we like it!

• 

  1998 Subaru Forester - 1998 Subaru Forester
  By ml secrest - October 29 - 6:26 am

  In 1998 I was looking for something safe, reliable, small, but still enough room for all my stuff. The Forester has met all my expectations. The only problem was keeping the front end in line. Investing in a good set of tires and being careful not to run into curbs has solved the problem.

• 

  Comfortable and affordable - 2008 Subaru Impreza
  By Ty - October 29 - 2:00 am

  This is my first Subaru, and Im impressed so far. The ride is a near perfect blend of road feel and impact isolation. Not even major potholes transfer into the car as harsh impacts. The steering and brakes are almost perfectly weighted, though I had hoped for more road feel and feedback from a Subaru. They got most of the interior details right (the steering wheel buttons light up!), but some cost cutting is definitely visible. I think they did it in the right places, its certainly forgivable in exchange for AWD and an engine that makes 30 more HP than competitors do. Overall it drives very nicely for a sub-20K car is getting 5-6 MPG more than my CR-V that had the same MPG rating.

• 

  CVT Noise? - 2017 Subaru Outback
  By derekonweb@yahoo.com - October 28 - 6:23 am

  High humming noise when running at low speed. Dealers technician checked and said this was due to CVT transmission and its normal. I used to own a car also with CVT but much quiet. MPG was about 15% lower that Subaru stated.

• 

  Dont believe the EPA ratings - 2012 Subaru Impreza
  By llcj727 - October 28 - 1:18 am

  I totaled a 2010 Yaris in a rainstorm in early June. Its EPA ratings were 28/35. I was looking to find a car with similar ratings, but also wanted a little better styling. I drove a Civic, Accord, and the Impreza. I liked the feel of the Impreza and assumed the EPA sticker (28/36) would lead me to a overall better car. I drive very conservatively and my Yaris gave me 36-38 mpg everywhere. I have driven my Impreza the same and the best I have yet to yield is 28.6. I have 2800 miles on the car so far. The dealership claims it gets better after 4-5k miles. I doubt it. I feel the EPA stickers on these cars should be lowered in order to not mislead consumers looking for a certain fuel economy.