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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  Gone, Sold, Amazed - 2006 Subaru Impreza
  By KJ - April 5 - 5:30 am

  I am a 40 year old man who has brought several cars/trucks back from the dead to a better than stock finish. I have enjoyed the muscle cars of the late 60s mainly and several foreign cars & trucks. I can honestly say I have never driven a bone stock car or any of my creations or creations of my friends that just flat out amazed me. BUT THIS CAR DID. For the money I still cant believe how good this car goes and handles. I sometimes go back and look at the blacktop to verify Im not picking it up off the ground. I love this car on back roads especially, we ave plenty of them in WV. I just wish they had some type of license here that if you passed the test you could drive as fast as you want.

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  Perfect car but Navigation is not good - 2018 Subaru Forester
  By Bobby K - April 4 - 7:03 pm

  For an affordable cost we got a car this is good to great in every category, except navigation. We are used to using a garmin. With that when you are driving and need to stop for lunch, a coffee, gasoline, your passenger just searchs for it on the garmin and then inputs it as an add to the current route. We use it all the time. But with the stock navigation system it locks you out from any changes. I think you can use voice commands but the voice recognition is poor. So my solution is to get a new mount for my iphone or garmin and put it over the expensive nav screen. I used to put the garmin up in the middle of the windshield but you cannot do that with this car because it will interfere with the “eyesight” system. Still a good car but the navigation sucks.

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  Early Maintenance - 2004 Subaru Forester
  By Bill - April 4 - 12:00 pm

  This car is great except for fuel and maintenance costs. Plugs only last 50000 and cost 300-400 to replace due to complexity of the flat design and the turbo plumbing. Most recently I had a raw gas odor requiring replacement of fuel hoses which required removing the intake manifold for repairs. Also found an air turbo intake hose with a hole in it ($100).

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  Impressive Machine - 2013 Subaru Outback
  By jetpilot767 - April 3 - 8:26 pm

  I bought a 2013 Outback 3.6 Limited last month. Since then I have traveled from Georgia to New Hampshire to Michigan and Illinois visiting family and friends. All told, I put 3400 miles on the car very quickly. I had been looking at the Outback for several years since my 2002 BMW X-5 was getting a bit long of tooth. I am glad I did because just about all the complaints from other reviewers of the 2010- 2012 models have been resolved. The more I drive this car, the more I enjoy it. And it will go places that other crossovers only dream about.

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  Very reliable car - 2004 Subaru Forester
  By subaru enthusiast - April 3 - 9:03 am

  Great car. Currently at 120,000 miles. The only major problem was leaky head gaskets which I think is an inherent defect in the engine. But easily fixed for less than $1000. Otherwise the best car I have ever owned. On my way to 200,000 miles and beyond.

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  great vehicle! Subaru heritage SUV style - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By chemgirl9 - April 2 - 7:20 pm

  Bought it to drive from TX to NH with a 100lb dog and a cat - no problems, all were comfortable. Use the DVD all the time for 2 hour trips to see relatives nearby. We were the first ones in to the dealer with 30K checkup - we drive a LOT! Handles NH snow/ice excellently and always feels solid. Easily carries 5 adults, 7 for short trips (the rear seat is small, but okay). Quiet interior (as good or better than others I drove, including VW, Lexus, BMW, etc.) and good Subaru value (put $ where it counts, not on wood paneling!). Everything is still solid and we are @~40K. Tires are still doing well. Puddle lights are great - I had no idea how useful they would be!

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  First Subaru - 2007 Subaru Forester
  By Hershey - April 2 - 4:23 pm

  This is my first Subaru and the AWD is excellent. After spending a good bit of time in the car you begin to realize that they are cheaply outfitted. The carpet is the skimpiest I have seen used in a car, the center console armrest is not well constructed and most of the storage is so small that it is only useful for storing gas receipts. The engine is a plus as the performance is good for a 4 cyl and the automatic transmission shifts well. The car performs well on snow covered roads and give a vey secure feeling under most driving conditions. The MPG is fair at 22 around town and a little over 25 on the highway. The only problem so far is a loose speaker in the right front door.

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  Further improvement of noise-isolation. - 2016 Subaru Outback
  By Janga Rai - April 1 - 2:31 am

  They must check noise isolation and automatic door lock. When i drove on the road , the more foreign noise is heard inside the car. We all expect 2017 new noise isolation improved one and manuel locking looks like 15th century ago , its better to replace with AUTOMATIC LOCK . All the best . thanks.

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  Peppy, all the bells and whistles, safe - 2003 Subaru Outback
  By Campbell - April 1 - 2:05 am

  Reliably safe and very peppy!

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  Proud To Be A WRXer - 2003 Subaru Impreza
  By Jonny Gray - March 31 - 10:00 am

  My boys talked me into this car. I changed jobs and actually had a company BMW 741 IL - a fast but heavy lux car. When I had a very limited budget and a lot of weather to content with, I needed a high performance AWD car. Man has it been great! The car performs like a race car - very quick once the the turbo kicks @ 3000rpm, the tires are sticky around any curves, and the brakes put you in FULL control... I love this car so much, I will be moving up to the STi (as soon as my wife lets me...) If you have a chance, buy this car. You will not regret it - unless you try to fit 3 boys, wife and dog in it. Wont work! Enjoy