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:

• 

  My Blue Subie - 2001 Subaru Forester
  By TimothyFC - August 19 - 9:00 am

  Bought used in 02/2008 for $8500. 58K mi. Automatic. 09/24/2009 94500 mi. Severe Service. $268 03/2008 Front Passenger Axle Assembly. Alternator Rebuild 12/2008 P&L $150. $168 P&L Left Rear Wheel Cylinder and brake linings. No breakdowns so far. Rear Tires road noise noticeable. Excellent AWD performance on very bad wet and dry farm dirt roads 04 to 05/2009 Laurel Hill, Fl. City and highway driving nice. Bad weather performance good. MPG good. Regular maintenance cost high but, (AWD) understandable. Spark plugs, wires, K&N Air Filter, Radiator Fluid, Radiator Hoses, Belts, Oil Changes all done. Trans & Diff fluid, timing belt not done yet.

• 

  My Snow-Bunny-Mud-Car - 2003 Subaru Forester
  By C. T.Dunn - August 18 - 2:00 am

  I bought a Forester after my 2 WD Avalon crashed on a mountain ice patch. I have affectionaltely named it my Snow-bunny- mud-car. It has never been stopped by snow, rain or mud, but has its own personality that "senses" possible trouble, and literally takes over for me! It seems to want to say, "Ok mom, let me handle this!" I moved here from Southern California,and had to get used to driving on ice. The day after my Avalon died, friends of mine in Colorado did a car ratings check that put the Forester on top. I now feel safer driving in winter mountain conditions.

• 

  love it - 2003 Subaru Baja
  By angiono - August 18 - 2:00 am

  it has plenty of pep gets out of its own way, great on fuel, just missing heated seats, easy for a women to drive and get in and out of and you can store a ton in the cargo area.

• 

  The Best Bang for your Buck! - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By Percula - August 18 - 2:00 am

  The WRX is the best value 4door sport sedan out on the market. I am 64" tall, and there is plenty of head and leg room in this car. Space for seating in the rear is limited but decent. The seats are very comfortable and supportive; after driving for 120 miles straight in this car, i was not tired at all. The ride is smooth, but responsive. The steering is quick and effortless. The performance is amazing! If you stay off the turbo you can get really good gas mileage too. The standard 6disc in dash player is not the best, but it sounds pretty pretty good (for what you pay for its excellent).

• 

  My Outback - 2004 Subaru Outback
  By Paul Marr - August 18 - 2:00 am

  My Outback is the first we have owned and has proven to be an excellant all round car wagon or SUV .lots of room for moving things yet very comfortable for long road trips.

• 

  Headrests and blind spot -- Lousy car, great value - 2017 Subaru Forester
  By John C. - August 17 - 5:30 pm

  This is my second Forester. Last one was an 03. The 2017 should fit most peoples needs, but is undriveable for me. Biggest complaint is the front headrests. I am 510" and the headrest pushes my head forward and down. I cant drive it for more than a few minutes without hurting myself. Blind spot at passenger side rear when looking at it from drivers seat is big, and made more so by body design: right rear window sweeps up towards tailgate, so body design gives you an idea that theres a car there when there isnt. You have to really look, not glance, to check that blind spot. I like the manual transmission, but think there should be some more spacing between the gears. Im constantly shifting from 2nd to 5th (skipping 3rd) or 3rd to 6th (skipping 4th) because the selections are tightly spaced. As I get used to it, that should change. Cabin noise is about normal for a low-20s priced car. Youre not going to get a Caddie. Fit, finish, steering, and handling, are good for a car in its price range. Acceleration is good. Subaru has never made seats for long drives for most people, and I knew that when buying the car (my problem is the headrest, not the seat). Ive had the car for 6 weeks now. Most of my driving has been city driving, so mileage is low and probably unfair at first glance. Update for the comment that asked about adjusting the headrest: Yes, both I and the dealer tried different headrest positions; no luck. My head gets pushed forward and down. Im going to have to spring for an interior customizer to modify the head rests. Cost unknown. Head rests in old 03 were fine.

• 

  Excellent Choice... 2 yrs later - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By yycfamily - August 17 - 9:13 am

  I have had my 2010 Subaru Outback since August 2009..... still one of the best, trouble free cars I have owned. Previous to this I had a VW Touareg and a SAAB 95 Wagon. The Outback feels more solid and I have only had to take it into the shop for regular servicing..... meanwhile the others spent more time in shop than out of it. Definitely a quality product! I wish I had got leather seating but, thats my fault not Subarus.

• 

  Solid and easy to upgrade - 2003 Subaru Forester
  By ddev - August 16 - 8:40 pm

  This is my 2nd Forester. Traded in the 2000 because I got tired of the manual. When I got the 2003 XS, I also had a 1999 Audi A8 Quatro (315 HP, all aluminum, etc.) and remarkably, the Subo was more fun to drive -- and light years better mileage. I do wish they had a turbo diesel, and Ill probably keep this car till they do and then trade in.

• 

  great car - 1999 Subaru Forester
  By ocean1492 - August 16 - 10:00 am

  I have had no difficulty or major problems with the car. The firstthing to go was a fuse within a few months of purchase. The second is a clogged rear windshield washer. I would definitely buy another one if some of my suggested improvements were made.

• 

  BAD CAR - 2002 Subaru Outback
  By MARKUS - August 16 - 10:00 am

  Bad clutch shudder, steering vibration, mushy brakes