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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  Loyal Owner - 2010 Subaru Forester
  By juice - June 7 - 9:13 am

  Got this after owning a 98 model for many good years. Mileage had been good, we break 30 on trips. Like the perforated and heated leather seats, too. Good size for a family of 4 - small outside, big inside. Ours hasnt seen the dealership since we bought it, our salesman says we see him every 7 years, when its time to buy a new one. Id like to see them add Direct Injection and maybe the CVT from the Outback. All in all were happy and would buy the same car again.

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  Switching from Forester 2009 to 2017 - 2017 Subaru Forester
  By Konstantin - June 6 - 6:38 am

  WHAT IS WORSE: Instruments panel - terrible light and readability. Barely visible even at max setting of dimmer. No contrast at all. All controls are less comfortable. Like, position of ventilation knob is hard to read. Right button on dash board notoriously still does _nothing_, just sits there. This is just weird. All infotainment stuff is just junk. Car controls must become simpler, not over-complicated. Less storage space inside: central console in 2009 has 2 compartments, now it is only one and smaller. No sliding cover for central console. The place under central infotainment panel is smaller. The place for cups is shallow and smaller. Rear view camera does not beep when in critical proximity. Rear view screen has poor brightness, in sunny day barely visible. Front sun visors are smaller with ugly retractable side extensions. Drivers floor mat retention hooks changed from steady metal knobs to plastic stripes and they are very hard to find, they are moving from side to side. WHAT IS BETTER: rear view camera - the only really useful improvement of controls. Side visibility is better. Added light in the trunk. Added roof rails for all trims. Roof antenna does not swing (always had to adjust it after car wash). Alloy wheels look better and they are lighter. Less road noise. Thicker windshield. WHAT I HOPE WAS IMPROVED: bottom heat shields - on 2009 they start making annoying rattling sounds after 30K mi, now they removed(?) them. All internal panels have better soundproofing - old car was making all sort of sounds, esp. in a cold weather. AND MAIN ISSUE - heads gaskets, I do hope they will not start leaking at 60K.

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  Only time Ive bought a 3rd one. - 2006 Subaru Outback
  By Jon C. - June 5 - 10:36 pm

  Compared to other SUVs I tried, this one is the only one that didnt handle like a truck (compared to Ford Explorer, Nissan Xterra, etc.) and didnt get buffeted around in the wind. This is the 3rd one Ive owned and it is still the best snow car Ive ever driven (I ski and regularly go into snow country). It also quite adequately tows my boat. My only gripe is that the current models "sport automatic" drive is not as smooth as my last one (2002).

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  Hot RS - 2000 Subaru Impreza
  By 1236585224 - June 5 - 10:00 am

  Great little car. Snow will not stop this car. After this NY winter, I KNOW!!!

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  2003 Forester X 2.5 GREAT CHOICE for SUV - 2003 Subaru Forester
  By Rog - June 5 - 10:00 am

  Great size, excellent interior design and appointments. Very good standard sound system. Easy operating folding seats, good passenger and drive head and leg room. Good fuel economy average of 23 MPH. Nice ride and handling.

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  Impressive Impreza - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By bluedog63 - June 5 - 10:00 am

  Handling is excellent. Great front legroom, poor rear seat legroom. Stylish. Fun to drive. Peppy engine.

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  The BEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By Doug Farmer - June 5 - 10:00 am

  The Best in subaru line of Subaru cars.

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  Inexpensive but underpowered - 2002 Subaru Outback
  By SWISS - June 5 - 10:00 am

  I like my Outback, but I wish it had more power for the price. Gas mileage is only average - maybe 23 mpg, and thats not lead footing it either. Mine developed several interior rattles after just 10,000 gentle highway and around town miles. Its a decent car, hauls a lot of gear, but I wont buy another until they boost the power of the 4 cylinder because theres no way Ill pay $28K - $30K for the H6! (Might as well get a used XC70 or a nicer new Passat 4motion for that price...)

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  Best of the small crossovers Ive tried - 2014 Subaru Forester
  By misprof - June 4 - 9:05 pm

  I am 65" and my wife is 53" and we wanted something that we could adjust to both be able to drive comfortably. We tried a Forester last year, but the visibility was nowhere near as good and the interior seemed very cheap. The 2014 is a huge improvement. I dont have to adjust the seat all the way back even with my 35" inseam legs. Visibility is much better due to the larger windows all around and the relatively straight roof line, unlike a lot of the competitors. After about 400 miles I am getting about 29 MPG of mostly highway driving. Overall I like the look and functionality. It isnt flashy, but is the most comfortable and practical of the crossovers out there.

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  Disappointed - 2015 Subaru Outback
  By kak53 - June 2 - 6:53 pm

  This is my first Subaru. I am experiencing the annoying wind noise from the triangular window on both the passenger and driver’s side. It certainly has put a damper on the fun of owning a new vehicle. I have been waiting for a call from the dealership, which is waiting for a service bulletin from Subaru. Otherwise, it seems to be a wonderful vehicle.