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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  outback sport - 2003 Subaru Impreza
  By et - July 24 - 2:00 am

  I really enjoy driving this car. I do find the clutch to be a little stiff, and the turning radius is not what it should be on a car that size. Also, it gets terrible gas milage. However, I am very happy.

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  A Wolf in Sheeps Clothing on the Cheap - 2003 Subaru Impreza
  By Subaru Wagon Fan - July 24 - 2:00 am

  The 0-60 starts from the tollbooth gate are something to behold at 5.4 seconds. All this in a reliable economy compact wagon under $25,000 that gets over 20mpg on average. Handling with 4wd is razor sharp. Driven normally, it is a very comfortable well-behaved car. Driven hard it is amazing! It is, however, one of the ugliest cars on the road. It takes practice to eliminate turbo lag. Wagon space compared to the Subaru Legacy is tiny. Youll need to fold the back seats down for real hauling space.

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  Practical and fun - 2003 Subaru Impreza
  By shermaro - July 24 - 2:00 am

  Chose the WRX over the GTI VR6 in a close call. Miss the VR6s amenities, but the WRX power and awd are decisive. Accel, braking, cornering, and shifting are all terrific. Smoothness is and quietness are better than I expected; ride is excellent except on large bumps. No defects so far except for rattle in short-shift linkage. Trunk slam is pathetic, but if Subaru had to cut something to meet price, thats a good place to cut.

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  subaru outback impreza 2002 - 2003 Subaru Impreza
  By ferrellms - July 24 - 2:00 am

  Nice car - got it used. Pluses - well-made, fun, good stereo, nice looks. Minuses - fuel milage, seats not comfortable, not cheap.

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  outback sport - 2003 Subaru Impreza
  By ET - July 24 - 2:00 am

  I really enjoy driving this car. I do find the clutch to be a little stiff, and the turning radius is not what it should be on a car that size. Also, it gets terrible gas milage. However, I am very happy.

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  Lifesaver - 2003 Subaru Impreza
  By darley - July 24 - 2:00 am

  We bought the 2003 WRX with the insurance check from our 2002 WRX, which was totalled just 3 weeks after purchase. The four 19 and 20 year passengers (two of whom had no seatbelts fastened) all walked away from the crash with minor cuts and bruises. The driver drifted off the side of the highway at 80+ mph at a dangerous curve where the shoulder dropped off and the car turned over several times.

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  Subaru Outback Limited 2000 - 2000 Subaru Outback
  By dewitmartin - July 24 - 2:00 am

  Overall, my subaru is excellent. Reliability has been excellent. I would appreciate a little more room in the width of the car. Reaching for the drivers seat controls is cramped, and is the major reason for wanting a little more room. Otherwise, the car has been a good car and a great alternative to an SUV.

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  Low-Impact Driving Machine - 2007 Subaru Forester
  By dnealv - July 23 - 5:23 pm

  This is a good car. In California, its a partial zero emissions vehicle. As pollution free as a Prius. It handles well. The ride is a bit harsher than a Camry, which Im accustomed to. Fuel economy, after only 1000 miles, has been about 23 mpg average. It holds the road well, has enough room for four and groceries. I can tow a small boat and drive on marginal roads. The dealer had an excellent price. $19,000, after the $1500 rebate. This included options of rubber floor mats, mud guards and rear bumper non-skid.

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  my wrx - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By nategall - July 23 - 12:23 am

  I have been reading everything on the WRX since it came out in the USA on edmunds and any other sites which I could find. The only other car which was in the running was the new Nissan Altima, which is a larger car with more internal features and a pretty good engine. But the test drive in the WRX on a rainy night made up my mind.

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  four doors automatic locking system - 2016 Subaru Outback
  By kiran - July 21 - 2:10 pm

  I have done the subaru outback 2016 test drive. I found doors are not lock by itself and drivers need to press the lock button to lock the doors.Its better to have automatic lock system for safety and to be hassle free. We expect automatic lock system in 2017 models.Thank you.