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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  Incredible Car! - 2006 Subaru Impreza
  By Charlie - September 2 - 8:26 am

  I have only had the car for about 1500 miles, but already I am absolutely in love. The car handles incredibly well and accelerates like, like well its got 300hp! Big brakes, driving it is similar to flying a F-16 with license plates. I am now 100% sure that I will always own a Subaru, great build quality, AWD, reliability, this is the car company that is truly a diamond in the rough. Nothing holds a candle to this car company. I would recommend a test drive of at least the WRX, just to get a taste of what comes when you decide that the extra $9000 is worth it.

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  Fun to Drive AWD commuter Sedan - 2006 Subaru Legacy
  By Tim - September 2 - 2:20 am

  This car is fun to drive. The very smooth boxer engine, is quite and powerful for a 4 cylinder 3,300 lb car. It handles excellent with the 205-50-17 tires. The car handles beautifully in the snow, pulls nice and straight.

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  I love this car! - 2007 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By Krista - September 1 - 9:06 pm

  Ive had my new 07 Tribeca for a month now, and I absolutely love it. I shopped the Nissan Murano, and Lexus RX330, but ultimately had to go with the Tribeca. Its got a 3rd row (which fits adults comfortably, despite some reviews I read), which neither Nissan nor Lexus even offer. Plus I could get leather, dvd back-up camera and nav for thousands less than the Murano or RX330. This car is fun to drive, it has plenty of power. The only downside is the gas mileage has been awful, Im averaging 16 mpg, with a mix of highway and around town (with air on, its been hot!). Plus the tank only holds 16 gallons, so fill-ups are frequent. Overall, this car looks and feels very luxurious.

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  Still fun to drive - 2011 Subaru Outback
  By Great Car! - August 31 - 11:33 pm

  I was worried when I read on Edmunds that the "increase in size removed much of the responsive and fun-to- drive nature". Do not believe it. Weve owned ten Subarus, including a 2008 Tribeca. This 2011 Outback 3.6 is far more similar to our 2006 Outback than it is the Tribeca when it comes to handling and responsiveness. I dont know where the Edmunds editors got the idea the 2011 Outback was going to feel like the Tribeca, it is not. But as for interior room, it is so close to the Tribeca it is silly. The 2011 is the best Subaru we have owned out of ten, bar none. Already getting 25 mpg on the highway with only 1500 miles on it. Best we ever got with the Tribeca was 24 at 30,000 miles.

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  Great except for black interior and NAV system - 2013 Subaru Outback
  By cmlsudbury - August 31 - 7:48 am

  Very good in all respects EXCEPT 1) the choice of interior (both light and dark show every single mark, especially along door where low entry almost guarantees your toes will mark the lower door panel) and 2) the AUDIO/NAV systems (which are easily the least-intuitive and most frustrating interfaces I have ever used in my life). They are so bad that they deserves a recall to fix the software

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  Subaru Outback 2016 - 2016 Subaru Outback
  By Chris Lisnic - August 30 - 12:12 pm

  Good reliable car

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  practical performance - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By yukn - August 30 - 10:00 am

  The best car Ive driven on tight, twisty roads. Suspension is much stiffer than my 98 M3. Changing the throttle between slightly-on/off seems to disproportionately affect the cars line. Practical around town - easy to drive in traffic! Lots of road noise, some minor dash rattles.

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  Love this turbo wagon! What a beast! - 2005 Subaru Legacy
  By Mainiac - August 30 - 12:53 am

  We traded in our 99 SAAB 9-5 SE Wagon and have no regrets so far. We needed AWD for winter driving in our area. We already own a 93 Legacy AWD Turbo and have appreciated its performance and reliability over the last 12 years. We are very impressed with this cars performance - especially the tremendous acceleration over 3,000 rpm. The ride is stable and quite firm which is fine with us. The handling is crisp and inspires confidence. We like the exterior lines - design very well conceived and executed. Some of the interior materials and switch gear seem less robust than wed like but time will tell. Overall, an impressive, well thought out, entertaining AWD performance wagon.

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  Fun to drive around mountains roads. - 2002 Subaru Legacy
  By Glenn - August 29 - 3:16 am

  My car has over 170000 on it. Its still very tight and smooth. Its great in the snow (under 8") with new tires on. Ive always had problems with the brakes (front calipers) and of course the wind noise. The check engine light has been on for a long time. New Catalytic converter cost over $1500). All my driving is highway but I havent done the timing belt yet. Ill do it soon. The dealer was able to correct 50% of the wind noise. The rear defroster isnt very strong compared to other cars. I drive over 1000 miles every week. It only gets 25- 27MPG (due to the AWD and the weight of the car.

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  Great Little CSUV - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By Terry C - August 28 - 1:50 pm

  Stopped at the local dealer to just to look at the new Foresters but after a brief test drive I was hooked. I traded in my full size pick up a day later on the new 09 Forester 2.5X with the premium package. The handling is sporty and the ride is smooth. The fit and finish impeccable, much better then the truck. The headlights are very bright on high and really light up the road. The automatic transmission shifts smooth and is well geared. Theres tons of interior space and very comfortable seating. The huge moon roof is a nice feature it nearly extends all the way to the back seats.Power windows and key less entry are standard even on the base models. Oh and the gas mileage is awesome!