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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  Well, that was a huge waste of money! - 2009 Subaru Outback
  By deminimis - April 24 - 1:42 pm

  Only 54,000 miles and the engine hatched. Not only is the car under the factory warranty, but also an extended warranty. Subaru is fighting us tooth and nail. Will have to sue Subaru to get the car fixed under warranty. Will stick with Toyota next time.

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  Wolf in sheeps clothing - 2005 Subaru Forester
  By JSBuck - April 23 - 2:40 pm

  After sampling other small SUVs, I was "sold" on the XT two minutes into the test drive. This vehicle is near ideal (for me): high performance (blazing acceleration, great handling), safety, exceptional build, roomy, well thought out interior, comfortable, good sound system and marvelous technology. Gas mileage is fair to middling: 20 in the city and 24 on the open road. Still ... a small price to pay for exceptional performance. After seven months, I still look forward every day to driving this machine. It is that much fun to drive! How many people can say that?

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  2015 basic Forester - 2015 Subaru Forester
  By nbg71 - April 23 - 11:37 am

  I was told that the Forester was better for shorter people because of the high seat position, thats nonsense, Im 65 and the extra headroom is fantastic, I have no leg room problems, I think this car is better for tall people. On the highway the car fells like its begging you to go faster, at 80mph you hit the accelerator and it booms forward, very solid at high speed. To leave my house I have to go up a horrific steep hill and with 10" of snow on it this winter the car in the L gear it went up as if the snow didnt exist, I watched other suvs struggle to do it, Hondas and Nissans. The car can be noisy and it can be a little rocky but this is minor.

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  We dont need no stinkin turbo! - 2006 Subaru Outback
  By Lynne - April 22 - 7:56 am

  My first Subaru was a 2000 Limited Wagon. Had no trouble at all with it, except the automatic transmission never seemed to downshift when I thought it should. Now have the 2006 Outback wagon, and love the redesign both inside and out. Have 5 speed manual transmission in this car and love it. If you know how to drive a manual transmission, get it in this car as you can do way better than the 0 - 60 on the automatic transmission. This car is lots of fun to drive, and hugs the road even though it sits rather high up. I feel very safe in it in all weather. I get approx 27 mpg combined in this car with normal driving, but it can really move with the 5 speed manual if you need it to.

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  Side molding between the tires - 2010 Subaru Legacy
  By Unhappy owner - April 22 - 7:03 am

  Has anyone else had problems with the side molding between the tires coming off? Mine has came off 4 times this week! Its frustrating. To think we paid a lot of money for a car thats gonna fall apart! I love the car & its features, but I am completely unhappy w/this problem! If we would have known it when we bought it we wouldnt have!

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  My New Subaru Forestor Premium - 2014 Subaru Forester
  By deweyhowe - April 21 - 2:13 pm

  Overall, I am very happy with my new vehicle. However, I am disturbed at the gas mileage I am getting on the highway. When I drive on a two lane road (where I live there are limited expressways) I get 35 mpg over longer distances when driving 60 mph. However, when I do get on an expressway and drive 75 mph my gas mileage drops to 25 mpg. On longer trips this is disturbing since most of my driving tends to be longer trips in terms of overall miles I drive.

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  Solid car - needs more power - 2007 Subaru Impreza
  By John Grubenhoff - April 21 - 12:36 pm

  I live in Colorado and do a lot of mountain driving in the snow. There was nowhere I couldnt get to in the Impreza wagon. Even with all season radials, I had better handling in snow and ice than many vehicles with snow tires. The ride is smooth and acceleration is adequate most of the time. The 4 speed auto lacks power when climbing steeper mountain hills and downshifts too frequently to maintain speed. Flat land driving is excellent. The handling in all conditions exceeds any car Ive driven before (86 Sentra, 90 Accord, 93 Infiniti G, 96 Infiniti G and 03 Altima). Overall this car offers a good mix of performance and mpg. If youre looking for true sport handling, get the WRX.

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  The Subaru Forester Has It Right! - 2006 Subaru Forester
  By Ken W. - April 21 - 3:56 am

  This car rides and feels like a quality vehicle at least double its price. Very comfortable in most every respect.

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  8000 mile Review - 2010 Subaru Forester
  By RN - April 20 - 6:36 am

  My wife and I have zero complaints. We are both previous Subaru owners, Im still driving a 1996 Outback Sport Impreza. If you like Subarus you wont be disappointed, the Forester handles, sounds, feels, and drives like a Subaru. We love the power adjustable seat and the clear view of the road. The turning radius of this size vehicle is great. The heated seats control does take some time to get use to. The radio could use an upgrade, but with some fine tuning the premium radio sounds decent. If your the type of person that needs alot of pick up and go, I recommend the XT. My wife and I are very happy with the non- turbo power. Tons of room and great for outdoor recreation. MPG = AWD.

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  The Transmission? - 2008 Subaru Outback
  By seamus fogarty - April 20 - 5:26 am

  This is our 4th Subaru, 99 ,04 Legasc, 05, and 2008 llbean 6 cyl, , generally good all around, except for the transmission, it keeps, shunting, the gears, as all the other were smooth, feels like a driver with a standard shift, jerking the clutch, this is very disturbing, I had the 30,000, mile service last week, and to-day had to take it back to valley motors, that service cost $ 544. And that was fine, except that the transmission, issue was not resolved, now I am waiting for a call from valley motors, one other thing with the service/engineers, or lack of, the handbrake was adjusted so tight, that one had to be a mr Atlas to pull it up .