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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  You can do better - 2006 Subaru Outback
  By Bob L - September 30 - 8:46 am

  Bought this wagon because of all the reviews I had read. This vehicle performs exceptionally well and looks nice. Quality control is good. Now for the bad. EPA sticker 22-28 mpg. The last car I had was rated the same and I averaged 23-25 mixed driving. This vehicle is getting 20 mpg mixed but will get 28-29 on highway driving. The headrests are very obtrusive and hard to see past. I am average height (59") and the electric drivers seat doesnt quite give me the leg room I need. The passenger seat, although manual, is way worse. I cant even stretch out my legs. The rear legroom is terrible. Also trade-in value is the worst I have seen on any car I have owned.

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  Excellent car for this price - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By wend - September 30 - 2:00 am

  Good horsepower, decent acceleration, excellent handling, spacious interior, fun and sporty looks makes it a good choice for anything under 20k. Go for the silver exterior color.

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  More than satisfied - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By Militia G - September 29 - 10:00 am

  I had my 2002 RS for a one and a half month. Absolutely LOVE this car. Its not blistering WRX fast but its plenty fast enough. Highway ride is smooth, very responsive and pretty quiet but nothing extraordinary. Though I was moving in and out of lanes at about 90mph in heavy rain and it didnt even flinched. This baby really shines on those back winding roads. The handling is superb for a car in this class. All in all the RS is an extremely responsive vehical under all driving conditions. Great acceleration, awesome handlings, and it feels like a race car when youre behind the drivers seat. Im very happy with it.

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  My fan-freeking-tastic Subaru Forester L - 2002 Subaru Forester
  By goldencouple1 - September 29 - 10:00 am

  Great in the snow. Great in the mountains. Great in the desert. Fun in town. Comfortable on the Interstate. Nimble, quick, fun. Linked S-curves, up and down hills. Just perfect.

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  Fun to drive - 2006 Subaru Legacy
  By Jeanie - September 29 - 6:30 am

  I love my car. Its fun to drive and it rides and handles really well. Cant think of a single negative thing about it. Ill be a Subaru owner for a long time!

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  FUN 2 DRIVE - 2006 Subaru Impreza
  By GRAY - September 28 - 9:00 am

  I have wanted a WRX for some time now, but could not afford one. Subaru offered a sweet lease deal on the 2.5i that we couldnt pass up. $199 a month with NO money down (4yr. lease). It turned out to be a really fun car to drive. Felt sorry for the salesman during my test drive. He had to hang on tight a couple of times. But hey, it was MY test drive! Great build quality.

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  First Subaru - 2011 Subaru Outback
  By bstarr11 - September 27 - 6:40 pm

  We bought our Subaru just one month ago. Still love to take it out on the road any chance we get. Cant believe how smooth the CVT trans is. The boxer engine is plenty strong enough for this auto. Responds nicely when the step on it even a little. I always opt for the more powerful 6 cylinder when it is available. Although, we stayed with the four on this one due to rising fuel costs. Glad we did as this crossover tops the list in fuel conservation. Our main reason for trading in our Toyota Rav4 was driver seat comfort. With Subaru not an issue the seats are great and taking it out for a few hours doesnt effect my back as others have. This is a sleek well built SUV, I am thoroughly enjoying

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  Solid SUV - 2000 Subaru Forester
  By ciosavlo - September 25 - 5:36 pm

  Not really had any issues with this car. Its got nice pickup and is a blast to drive. Can routinely out drive the bigger v-6s. This Sube is like all the others, solid engine, drivetrain, and external parts. Some rust a bit quick than others, but you can tell some real design went into this car. Drawbacks are the interior. Rear seat is cramped, but hardly every use the rear seat so its worth the trade off. Also, choice of materials inside was weak and has lasted as long as it should.

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  Maximum Value - Solid Car - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By Charles - September 25 - 1:46 pm

  Ive driven this vehicle now for 9 months. Solid vehicle in all respects. Im not sure about "fun to drive", but for a vehicle with this power and height, I believe it handles extremely well! Cabin is much quieter than prior Subies weve owned, and the cloth interior (my prior experience was with leather) has been a very pleasant surprise. Car is sure footed in winter weather, and the only time I couldnt move (on the stock tires) was trying to climb a steep driveway with 6-8" of snow already on the pavement. Finally, despite prior reviews which panned the standard sound system, I find that mine is perfectly fine for casual listening on the road. Options such as XM radio were pricey.

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  2001 Subaru Outback AWD 6 cylinder - 2001 Subaru Outback
  By Knox Cohen - September 24 - 11:00 pm

  Finally a Subaru with decent power. Its fun to drive, AWD makes it safe and stable in rain or snow, very dependable. Rarely breaks down and very safe crash test results. Needs better drink holders for travel comfort.