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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  Dont buy this car!!! - 2006 Subaru Impreza
  By Patricia Kuehl - October 15 - 12:23 pm

  Soon after purchase of this vehicle, I noticed that the paint degraded wherever bird droppings were, even after a few days. My car is midnight blue. I have attempted to remedy this through my dealership for over one year without resolution. I have not had this problem with my Toyota, Ford or Volvo. In forty years of owning cars I have not encountered this problem, nor such an unsatisfactory response from a company. It is a cute car and fun to drive, but dont be tempted.

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  Dont buy a Subaru - 2001 Subaru Forester
  By KBUN - October 15 - 10:00 am

  Had problems with the check engine light, the AT Oil Temp light, and the transmission that the dealership could not resolve. Service at AMD Subaru in North Hampton NH is terrible - the worst Ive ever experienced.

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  Very Disappointed Subaru Owner - 2002 Subaru Forester
  By pps - October 15 - 1:30 am

  I have owned several Subarus over the past 20 years and have been happy with all of then until I bought the Forester. From the research I read I felt it was well worth buying. I own a 2000 model and put alot of mileage on it. After it hit 50,000 it began to go downhill, I had to replace both rear hub bearings and Subaru would only reimburse the parts cost and not the labor charge. I have had problems with the brakes and the cables and spark plugs have worn out quickly, the fan makes noise and the locking anti theft system does not work properly. In addition, Needless to say this is the last Subaru I will ever buy.

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  Awful - 2001 Subaru Outback
  By Totally Unhappy - September 27 - 2:00 am

  I have owned three Hondas, two Toyotas, and one Mazda. I have heard a Subaru can be run into the ground and is good car. This Outback I have is either a lemon or others dont tell about all the little things that go wrong. I bought it for style admittedly, but it has been to back to the shop FIVE times in one year for strange noises, rattles, broken fan, and now a CHECK ENGINE light. I am selling this piece of junk the minute I get the light fixed. I almost feel guilty passing it off on someone else.

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  Toss your $$ on a fire b4 buying this!!! - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By Hugdeath - September 2 - 10:00 am

  Bottom of drivers seat 2 narrow. Lost "9K" in value in 14 months. Worse than a large american SUV. 2 much buffeting with front windows down. Flimsy/poorly sized cupholders. Cheap paint. Svc dept placed me in "LEGACY STATION WAGON" for a week and a half while they kept vehicle over multiple nights for 4th time. Fun 2 drive at moderate speeds. No fun at low speed. Too sketchy at high speeds.

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  Shaking steering wheel - 2011 Subaru Legacy
  By Shaked not stirred - August 19 - 10:00 am

  Dealer said it would be go away after few 100 miles but still persistent. Roadforce balancing, and changing steering wheel part havent fixed the shakes.

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  Head gasket at 75k - 2009 Subaru Legacy
  By Tyler Flanagan - August 17 - 4:43 am

  Stay away. My head gasket went at 75k miles and the repair is $2500. This is one of many Subaru makes and years with head gasket issues.

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  Why is this car so popular? - 2017 Subaru Outback
  By KJ Osterkamp - August 6 - 5:34 am

  I got talked into this by my husband because it does well in the snow (which happens twice a year here.) However in the ways that count, this is a poor value. The road noise is so bad, one can’t hear the radio and the visors are not set to a position to block bright sunlight (blinding if you’re heading west.) The acceleration is like the old Beetle, albeit automatic, it is loud, slow and dangerous enough that freeway entrances are terrifying. The navigation system is unlearnable and incredibly frustrating while the phone operation is unreliable and not available when ignition is on. But the biggest design flaw involves the rear hatchback, which literally operates on its own. It never opens all the way up and has almost killed both my spouse and me by closing in mid lift! The battery has died several times requiring our AAA friends. The back seat is very awkward to enter and exit and the drivers seat controls do little more than go back and forth with little lumbar or positional support.

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  Garbage - 2003 Subaru Outback
  By wis family - August 5 - 4:20 pm

  At 60K the engine developed a bad knock we were told this was normal - as it got worse we had oil analysis done and it indicated there was a lot of aluminum in the oil after endless dickering with Subaru they replaced the engine - the old one had two very bad pistons and would have failed soon. We also have had many electrical problems and oil leaks at the cam seals. Also the alarm system was on and my remote battery died and I was unable to get it started until I got a new battery for the damn thing. We could go on and on about this lemon. We were Subaru fans and drove our last one almost 200K but this one has been a nightmare of epic proportions. We will NEVER buy another one.

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  Get Back to the Drawing Boards - 2004 Subaru Outback
  By sfsailman - July 24 - 8:46 pm

  What a dog this car is. Funny looking side panels, what are those about. Ever try to transport a dog in the back? No ventilation = unhappy pet. Cup holders are useless since they are too far back. And the thing auto shifts at the strangest times. Now it sounds like its blowing its nose around 1500 RPMs. Im going back to Toyota where I should have stayed. Give me back my Tacoma, please.