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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  A car nut in a quest for the next best thing - 2016 Subaru Outback
  By BCWatty - May 1 - 4:52 pm

  I am a caraholic. I am in constant search of my next car. I love the Subaru and here is why: EYESIGHT is an extraordinary bargain. Cross-traffic alert system takes so much stress out of backing out of a parking space, I never knew the anxiety I had until it was alleviated. Blind spot monitors are very useful and, again, ease my mind when changing lanes. Adaptive cruise control is very useful and makes road trips stress-free, and the lane-keeping assist steers the car back into the middle of the lane. The rear seats recline. The roof rails have built-in cross rails. The cargo area is huge, but could use nets on the sides. What do i wish it had? The passenger seat needs to be height-adjustable just like every VW ever made. All cars should give up their proprietary interfaces and just give us CarPlay or license Fords Sync3. An option for a panoramic moonroof would be nice, too. Diesel option would give us low-end torque. My biggest gripe? Make the passenger seat height adjustable.

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  Subaru built great cars - 2005 Subaru Legacy
  By Steven de Bouvette - May 1 - 3:30 am

  Bought the 2.5 GT wagon in April. So far love the car. Fun to drive. Very well designed and built. Gas mileage not the best plus needs premium. Managed to reach 27 mpg on highway. Main annoyance is the remote that is poorly designed and too sensitive. Car locks and unlocks when it is in my pocket. Brakes started vibrating after 50 miles. Subaru fixed them at no charge. Same vibration starting again at 6900 miles.

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  A word of warning... - 2003 Subaru Outback
  By abgra - April 30 - 9:09 pm

  I LOVED this car when I first got it. I live in Montana, so the AWD and heated seats were perfect. However, I quickly realized this car is was a lemon. I poured thousands into this car before I finally traded it in for a Civic, only to find out the dealership forked out $3000 to fix the head gasket, water pump, timing belt (that was only a year old), air conditioner, and front brakes that I replaced a year before as well. A local Subaru mechanic said that there is a factory defect in these and he rebuilds about three a week. If you insist on buying this car, make sure you have a Subaru specialist go over the engine with a fine-tooth comb.

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  Ooutback Shine Again - 2016 Subaru Outback
  By Barry Hecht - April 30 - 12:37 pm

  Consumer Reports Loves this Car, and so do it. I have yet to experience all of its features, so this is an early review. The instrumentation and infotainment/navigation/active safety systems are particularly well laid out. Ergonomics are exceptional, always a Subaru plus. I have only the 2.5 l engine, which is exceptionally vibration free and quiet. Acceleration is OK...not great, but certainly adequate. I can get better acceleration when I really need it with the paddle shifters. Benefit is very good gas mileage. I expect the CVT to be a real plus. I bought the car with the "eyesight" (active safety) and Nav packages. It is close to an autonomous car. I can travel highways without using the gas or brake pedals (careful...this is a double edged sword, but it works!) Note: No experience on reliability; car is too new. However, this is my fourth Subaru Outback (or predecessor), over 31 continuous years, and the others have been great in reliability.

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  I love my WRX - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By wrxmom - April 30 - 2:00 am

  I love my WRX! Its fun to drive, easy to handle, and very reliable. As a mom, I needed a 4-door, but I was not going to sell a Porsche for a Camry. The suspension is stiff, the turning is tight.

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  Extreme Value and Performance - 2003 Subaru Legacy
  By marzomi - April 30 - 2:00 am

  Recently traded in my 2000 Grand Cherokee, for what I thought was a step down, a 2003 Legacy Specail Edition Sedan. I thought wrong. This car clearly is out performing my Jeep. Solid on the "slick stuff", great interior harmony, tight to the road, great option package and a true driving experience. And not to forget, less standing at the gas pump. I shopped the 03 Accord, 03 Camary and 03 Passat, nice cars,equal performance, but cant touch the value of this one.

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  Another VW Convert - 2003 Subaru Impreza
  By Angelou - April 30 - 2:00 am

  Owning a VW for the past 20 years, I was skeptical about the switch. Now I know what Subie owners have been keeping for themselves all these years. All the auto publications were not exaggerating what a value this car is compared to all else that is on the road. I just dig how well it performs in all conditions. Took it for a real test in the canyons above L.A. in the Angeles Crest National Forest area with lots of immediate twisties and it was impossible to keep the smile off my face. Nothing can touch this car for under 25K.

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  Nice Ride - 2003 Subaru Impreza
  By Bean - April 30 - 2:00 am

  I traded in my beloved firebird for the WRX after a scary snow incident. The WRX has made the transition easy. The turbo gets things going quickly, the AWD handling is incredible. Its a sporty, reliable car. One you can take to the track for fun, or pack in some friends for a long road trip and still be comfortable. Very happy I purchased the WRX

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  Fun 2nd Car - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By kotpet - April 29 - 5:00 pm

  Fun 2nd car. Not for every day. Theres a considerable turbo lag, but not an issue if you keep revs above 4000. Some understear. Side mirrors too small. Also, I recommend to change to better tires.

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  Great car. - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By Daily driver - April 29 - 10:20 am

  We bought our Forester Turbo at a little over $26k USD. The inside is amazingly spacious, enough legroom for 4 decently sized adults. Turbo hits hard from like 2500RPM-5000RPM, which is more than necessary for normal driving. Yeah, it could use a 5th gear because the high RPMs feel dead, but its really not necessary. It goes fast enough. Tiptronic is nice. Your mileage will top out at about actually 27mpg for 100% highway driving, no AC and windows open at a constant speed of 60MPH (2100RPM). The XT WILL embarrass any other 4- cylinder car (with the exception of the really high end ones) and it will most certainly keep up with the 6s and 8s. Adequate trunk space. 5 star crash rating.