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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  Get a 3.6 R! - 2011 Subaru Outback
  By Jdoll - August 23 - 10:00 am

  At the time I bought my outback there werent any real good reviews for the 3.6, most were for the 2.5 so I was hesitant. However after 4500 miles I am really glad I got the bigger engine! The extra power is awesome and really performs quite well! I also disagree with the review stating that the ride is "doughy" and lacks response. Its a wagon, not a rally car! So far I have gotten between 22 and 24 miles per gallon and on the highway actually get around 26! The upgraded stereo system is nice, and for the most part my bluetooth has worked really well. This is a great trip car! Have been on several road trips already and have put 4500 miles on the car in three months!

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  A great car - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By Wheeldog - August 23 - 2:00 am

  As of this writing I have about 146000 miles on my WRX wagon. It has been a terrific car. It was at the time I bought it the best combination of performance, utility, and value, and it still holds up well. I would definitely buy this vehicle again.

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  Hold on to your hat. - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By eteh - August 22 - 4:46 pm

  I have had this car for about 1 week now and I cant say enough about how much I LOVE to drive this car. I commute about 60 miles every 2-3 days for work and this car has made every minute an absolute joy. Its quick, very quick (I hope I dont get a ticket) and handles like butter--very responsive. I had no problems making a u-turn in a fairly narrow street. We cant wait to start using it for all our outdoor activities. The trunk space is great for all our gear. The only problem is that the sub-woofer rattles the interior plastics at moderate volumes.

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  Perfect for dogs and overall utility - 2009 Subaru Outback
  By 3DogNight - August 22 - 10:40 am

  I love driving this car. The ride is smooth yet still sporty. Subaru was clever with some really small stuff, like leaving a space for your ipod cable to exit the armrest storage. A simple clip to hold up the rear floor cover which accesses the "secret space" under the cargo area. I have three dogs and with the 1 of the rear seats down they can move around and get comfortable. (I purchased a very cool cargo cover from Canvasback of Idaho which makes clean up after taking the dogs to the lake much easier.) I love the big 17" tires and two tone exterior. I have the Newport Blue Pearl which is only 1 of 2 models with the silver cladding at the bottom. The sunroof is humongous.

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  The best kept secret, Suburu! - 2008 Subaru Legacy
  By Theodore - August 21 - 10:03 am

  Toyota and Honda is the only thing my wife had ever driven. But unlike myself she is utterly terrified of driving in the snow. She refused the idea of an SUV and neither Honda or Toyota offers an AWD alternative. I suggested a Suburu Legacy and she reluctantly test drove the Legacy 2.5I SE. She was hooked within the first 5 miles although we drove it another 50 before returning to the dealership. But the story doesnt end there. The snow would be the real test, after all, the AWD was the main reason for the purchase. Well, after 11 trips in mild to heavy snow she was convinced this was the best purchase she ever made in her life. Yup, in her life. Wow... For that she gives it a perfect ten!

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  Sleeper Hot Rod Forester XT - 2017 Subaru Forester
  By Jack - August 21 - 2:17 am

  This car has lots of power, and handling, and once you get used to it, is superb. However, this car is extremely twitchy, with no slack or weighted steering right in the middle. The 02 Outback Eddie Bauer edition we had, was way better in the steering. This is a serious problem that Subaru should address: Please subaru, drive a German Car, a Mercedes, BMW, or VW, even an old one. You can see how cars should steer. You have to pay attention constantly when driving, good for the Zen meditation expert who wants to use the art of driving as a tool for addressing Life, but poor for the average person that has to text, pay attention to the phone, figure out the climate controls and the radio and has a passing interest in the art of driving. I do love this car, but wish it had more storage, a voltmeter (how come we dont get to know how the battery is doing?), and a little more luggage area in the back, although you can fold down the back seat. (Dont make it any larger!) The styling is sort of "me, too"; but Im getting used to it, and learning to love it because it is so average. A sleeper Hot Rod, the XT! The headlights are way good, and really shine down our deer laden roads in Wisconsin. I will write a more thorough review once Ive had it longer. Oh Subaru! You must address the twitchy steering!

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  165,000 and counting - 2012 Subaru Outback
  By AWD Boxer LUVR - August 20 - 9:05 am

  We have always had japanese cars in our family including Honda accords, Acura MDX, so Infinity g35 so we had high expectations of reliability with our Subaru and it has not disappointed us. We love the look of the Outback, it is a utilitarian vehicle with a bit of an attitude. The 4 cyl engine gets us about 24 mpg around town and up to 31 mpg on the highway. The CVT transmission can be a bit noisy during hard acceleration but it is quiet at cruising speed. The materials and build quality of the interior is excellent, my only complaint is that the sheet metal on the exterior seems thinner than I am used to. When waxing the car the body panels and hood flop and flex quite a bit more than I am used to so I actually have to be careful not to press too hard for fear of denting the panels in certain spots. I like to DIY the oil changes and basic maintenance on the car and I love the fact that Subaru has made things like oil,air,and cabin filter changes easy. We dont get a lot of snow where we live so I cant comment much on the AWD on the car. So after 165,000 miles the car still runs like new, only maintenance items so far have been regular oil and filter changes, a timing belt replacement, spark plugs, tires, and brakes, and a battery. I do plan to change the CVT transmission fluid very soon though. Update: I am now at 170,000 miles and I still love my Subie. I do a lot of outdoor activities including fishing and hiking and the Outback gives me plenty of room for all of my gear. I just took a 1200 mile trip with the family. 4 people 2 dogs and luggage stowed in a Yakima roof top box, the Outback got 26 mpg and is still running flawlessly at 170k miles.

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  What mean gas mileage?? - 2006 Subaru Impreza
  By BAIC AW STI - August 20 - 8:23 am

  This car is everything that I expected and much more. Sure this car is nearly 2x the HP of any previous car Ive owned, also the first AWD vehicle. But it drives just like I wanted my dream car to be, after many years its finally mine! I was and still remained so thrilled to get and own it. Acceleration, cornering, braking - all top notch for just over $30K.

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  Bad Drivetrain - 2005 Subaru Forester
  By Chris - August 20 - 7:33 am

  Lots of head room, fairly fun to drive, but has a loud clunking sound coming out of the transmission when you take off. Also has some bad rattling sounds already coming from the hatchback. Stuff that shouldnt be happening with 12,000 miles on it. This is the second Subaru i have had with drivetrain problems. They are very expensive to fix! I wont be buying another one and will be trading this one off before the warranty runs out. It sure goes through the gas with city driving. I will try a Toyota next, or maybe a Honda.

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  Dont get the 170hp model - 2010 Subaru Forester
  By Hank - August 19 - 11:46 am

  Sure, the cars fun to drive and looks good. With the 170 hp engine, I have to constantly redline the engine to merge with traffic. When it finally gets up to speed, its very responsive. Opening and closing the doors and you realize how cheaply made the body is. Like a coffee can on wheels. Driver seat must have been made for short legged people. Cheap radio has SAT button but you need to buy the extra satellite option. MPG drops because of the weak 4 cylinder 170 hp engine. My Dodge Caravan with a 6 cylinder had much better acceleration but had almost as good gas mileage because the engine didnt have to strain as much. Only good thing is that its a company car that Ill have2 years