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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  WARNING, DO NOT BUY CROSSTREK - 2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek
  By Steve - April 26 - 1:08 pm

  WARNING, DO NOT buy a Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid or a Crosstrek due to VERY POOR QUALITY. Subaru IS NOT building Hybrid models any longer because the hybrid system is faulty after 2016. What does this mean? Repair costs will be high. Parts will be expensive. Long wait times since technicians no longer need to be certified so there will be less technicians available to fix your car. There is a critical fault in the hybrid motor that will cost you $1,000s and these issues will persist Our car only has 56k miles and its been in the shop for 2 months. They also replaced the drivers seat because the metal frame was sticking thru the leather? Poor quality. We bought a new 2014 Crosstrek hybrid for $31k, 2.7 years ago. Today, 5 Dec 2016, Subaru offered $12,500 for the trade-in? This car depreciates fast. YOU WILL LOSE $12,000 if you buy new after the first year and $19,000 after (2) years. Meanwhile, they get rich. Subaru is not the Subaru we once knew. They are making cheap products that break more often and the car no longer holds the value it once did. PLEASE MAKE A SMART DECISION. Its your money. And they dont care about it.

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  Engine - 2007 Subaru Outback
  By georgegrimaldo@msn.com - March 15 - 2:42 pm

  DO NOT BUY! Lawsuit vs Subaru on oil usage. Class Action Lawsuit vs Subaru. Subaru engines Blown Head Gaskets and oil usage. Check engine light kept coming on, took it to dealer they said it was Catalytic converter, Price is $1100.00 lots of money right. Then took it to shop get it replaced, guy at shop said cabin filter and catalytic converter are same code, so he changed cabin filter and problem went away. I was ready to spend lots of money for nothing, and Subaru obviously knows about it. Oil usage: Car started using lots of oil took it to shop, Dealership and Subaru only covered half the cost to repair bc Subaru knows about oil problems, but they should have paid for all of it if they know its a problem. Repairing engine is expensive. [non-permissible content removed] Subaru, I thought they were good cars based on reviews, THEY ARE NOT. I bought my 07 in 08 with only 15k miles on it. Ive kept regular oil changes and regular maintenance as needed and recommended. [non-permissible content removed] Subaru knows their engines have problems but only pay when they have to. Thats why theyre is a Class Action Lawsuit vs Subaru on oil usage. DO NOT BUY, Its all hype about love your Subaru until they have to pay for their mistake then, No More Love, [non-permissible content removed] the customer, its all about money to them. DO NOT BUY, DO NOT BUY, DO NOT BUY, DO NOT BUY, DO NOT BUY, DO NOT BUY, DO NOT BUY, DO NOT BUY

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  Do Not Buy a Subaru - 2004 Subaru Outback
  By aml - November 30 - 2:00 am

  I am driving a 2003 Subaru Outback Sedan with the new H-6 engine. My car has been in the shop 4 times in the last 18 months because of starting problems. (It was also in two other times for recalls unrelated to this issue.) Each time it goes in, the car is down for 3 days because the main computer has to be shipped back to the factory for re-programming.This was my first Subaru purchase and will be my last. I am disgusted with the Subaru product and with the dealerships service. Buyer Beware!

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  engine blew a little over 100000 - 2012 Subaru Outback
  By sarah mcafee - November 10 - 3:15 pm

  3 yrs old regular maintenance family car. Bought it because it was suppose to get high mileage. Dtiving down the interstate and every lihht on the dash came in. Pulled over there was anti freeze everywhere. Needs new motor and whi kniws what else. Diagnosed as a oil sending unit failure. Subaru did nothing to help I will have around 6000 in repairs. Never again

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  The most boring car in known universe - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By andysomogyi - October 1 - 11:49 pm

  I detest this car. Slow, gutless, handles like a barge and the gas milage is pitiful. Only reason I bought this pile of junk is that friend of mine wanted to get rid of it, and it was cheap. It has one of the worst transmissions Ive ever driven, now I hate automatics, but this one is particularly bad. The gear ratios is bizarre, shifts are slow and sloppy, and 4th is way too low. This is one of the worst handling cars Ive ever driven, body roll is about as bad as a mid 70s Buick. Engine is truly gutless, and whats worse is given how pathetically slow this car is, the gas milage is even worse. I avg 15 city, and even with the most careful driving, best I can get is about 25 highway

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  Subpar Subaru - 2008 Subaru Outback
  By Cant make lemonade out of this lemon - September 10 - 8:44 am

  Do not buy a 5 speed Outback. The quality of these cars has gone down quickly. This is my third Subaru, and it is definitely my last!!!!

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  burns oil, engine needs replacing - 2006 Subaru Outback
  By Chris Stark - September 5 - 8:22 pm

  I learned this is a common problem with Subarus. Burns oil. Oil light doesnt come on. Engine needs replacing. $7000

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  Worst Car Ive Ever Purchased - 2008 Subaru Impreza
  By emanpa68 - June 1 - 2:26 am

  Words cannot explain how bad my Subaru Impreza has been. The dealership sold me the car with a dirty interior, and damage to paint on the doors. I was told this was to be fixed by a painter, but even he agreed that the paint was too far beyond repair for a minor touch-up. Needless to say Im going to have to sue the dealership and have them investigated for fraud if this isnt fixed. Thanks for Subaru for not standing behind your cars at all. I feel bad for anyone who is going through the same problems with this company since there is a known paint problem with the 2008 Imprezas.

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  Worse Car I ever owned - 2005 Subaru Baja
  By bearbryant1 - April 8 - 12:45 pm

  this has to be the worse car i ever owned. and would never purchase another Subaru ever again and would suggest that you never purchase one you would save more money on repairs if you got a mercies Benz or a BMW cause it will cost the same to repair.

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  Meticulously maintained, constantly broken - 2012 Subaru Outback
  By BAS - March 12 - 4:20 pm

  We bought a CPO at 55k and opted for Subaru Gold Plus warranty. In the subsequent 35k miles, its needed significant repairs ~once per year until this year, when its been in the shop 3 times for $1000+ repairs--thankfully covered under warranty. It finally died on the highway, towed it to a Subaru dealer, where its sat for 8 days because it seems like there is not a Subaru dealer in the country thats not too busy. It will require 8+ hours to diagnose the problem, and likely $6000+ for repairs. Subaru is being super cagey about whether it will be covered, despite our factory extended warranty and consistent dealer maintenance (including oil changes) during our ownership of the vehicle. We couldnt get a loaner from the dealer because it was closed and we were on a road trip, so we had to rent from Enterprise. Again, Subaru wont be clear if theyll cover this, even though we couldnt get a loaner at the time and their service centers cant look at anything in a reasonable time. This car has been the worst Ive ever owned, including a used, questionable high-mileage Cavalier. Subaru service is as bad as their reliability.