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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  Problems - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By TS - October 9 - 8:06 am

  Have had the following problems with my Impreza: 1) Engine Hesitation 2) Intermittent Starting Hesitation 3) Intermittent backfiring from underneath vehicle (sounds like someone threw an empty tin can out the window) SOA unable to fix problems

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  Initial impressions - 2010 Subaru Legacy
  By marvinlee - October 8 - 9:13 pm

  This is an initial review at 104 miles of use. The car rides well, dealer prep was poor--the compass-mirror was not set to this region and tires were badly over-inflated. The dealer also failed to prevent this factory ordered car from being unnecessarily driven by dealership employees. Perhaps that is why it now has a slight piston slap in one cylinder. The manual explicitly states not to exceed 4000 RPM before 1000 miles. The H-K music system is excellent. The steering wheel tilt-telescope control is awkwardly positioned. Body gaps are larger than the car being replaced. The white paint appearance is excellent.

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  Good so far - 2006 Subaru Impreza
  By Good so far - October 7 - 5:20 pm

  Just bought a month ago. Positives: Quiet, fairly comfortable, great styling, AWD always good, and I like the outside temp gauge. Negatives: Rear seats dont fold down -- only small center split does, no trunk opener on electronic key device, cold weather operation to be desired (lagging start -- taking about 2-3 times longer to turn over, stiff manual transmission until warmed up). Overall not a bad car, but I wish I had done a little more shopping around to see what other buys were out there.

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  08 special edition - 2008 Subaru Legacy
  By d. - October 7 - 7:23 am

  After I drove the 08 Legacy. The decision to buy was easy. My first Subaru , but definitely not the last . Test drove several others.

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  Engine Failure - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By MJU - October 6 - 8:33 pm

  I had my Forester XT limited for about 4 months and had driven it about 6,000 miles. I really liked the car, but the engine died on a family vacation. It now needs to be replaced. It is all under warranty, but it still is an inconvenience It also makes me feel uneasy about the engine from now on, even if it is brand new. I had heard and read so many positive things about the Subaru boxer engine that this shocks me.

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  Overboard on safety issues - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By Erin - October 6 - 2:43 pm

  This is my first Subaru and I was attracted by the redesign. Overall, I like the car, but dont LOVE it like I loved my past VWs. The GPS system cannot be programmed while the car is moving, not even by a passenger. So, if Im driving and need to change course, even by simply pressing a button for a previous destination or home, the car has to come to a stop, which means pulling to the side of the road if on the highway. Also, there is very limited iPod control when the vehicle is moving. You can change songs on a playlist, but cannot change the playlist while moving, forcing me to unplug my iPod to change lists and then plug it back in, or pull over. That seems MUCH safer...

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  1st Subaru ever! - 2008 Subaru Legacy
  By 1st Subaru!!! - October 6 - 11:50 am

  Just imported a Legacy. I just want to say I love it. The handling is great. Quiet, comfortable, power is just what I need. Interior is nicely laid out. Love the climate control and heated seat.

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  Canadian STi - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By omgreg - October 6 - 10:00 am

  Its GREAT ! The acceleration and handling are amazing and its ride and mileage is pretty good for a daily driver, although you can almost watch the gas needle move during "spirited" driving and the seat does get a bit uncomfortable for journeys over 4 or so hours.

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  MySTI - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By sneadc - October 6 - 10:00 am

  I traded a 2002 WRX for this car because I wanted to avoid the turbolag. I surely does that! I love the car and consider it the best pure performance vehicle Ive ever owned. Strengths are power, power, and more power. The ride is firm and fuel econ is fair as expected. Lack of available floor mats is a disgrace for a $32000 car but that is nit picking a great performance auto.

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  Problems - 2002 Subaru Outback
  By happydog - October 6 - 10:00 am

  We have had too many problems with this car. When applying brakes the steering wheel will shimmy. This only happens when brakes are warm. The air conditioner has quit twice. The grill over the fog light fell off. The windshield has cracked twice in the same place. Dealer has tried to fix problems. It is back at a dealer now for another attempt at fixing.