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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  Great car, no complaints here - 2005 Subaru Impreza
  By mfk3 - April 19 - 10:46 pm

  I had a 1999 Legacy Outback, went to trade it in and found this 2005 Impreza Outback w/14000 miles on it, I liked the style better than the 2008 Impreza Outback. I bought it as a Subaru CPO car and have never looked back or wanted for something else. In fact I looked at Mustang V-8s first (nostalgia), drove an Impreza RS and I was totally hooked on the Impreza. It felt like more of a performance machine than the Mustang.

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  Ugly or not, shes a trooper! - 1999 Subaru Forester
  By Jim - April 19 - 9:20 am

  Ive owned the vehicle since it was new. I bought the car in NC and brought it to my home in Minnesota. what an excellent choice! Ive had the same battery crank in sub-zero temps for 11 years! However, when it does break down, you will cry. Head gaskets blew at 70K and the repairs cost me $2200. After that, no problems. Fun to drive and an Excellent teen car!

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  Aceleration - 2007 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By Bill Bates - April 18 - 3:36 pm

  The editors review indicated less than good acceleration for the B9 Tribeca and I must say I disagree strongly. My B9 has great acceleration entering and on the highway. It will jump out from under you if you require it. Super highway car.

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  EXPERIENCE, MINE - 2003 Subaru Forester
  By VINCE R. NEUHEIMER - April 18 - 10:00 am

  SUBARU IS THE MOST RELIABLE CAR I HAVE EVER OWNED. WE HAVE HAD SUBARUS IN OUR FAMILY SINCE 1985, AND I HAVE NEVER EVER REGRETTED IT. THEY ARE A 100% QUALITY VEHICLE, FAR SUPERIOR TO MOST CARS ON THE ROAD. (I HAVE NEVER HAD A LIGHT BULB INSIDE OR OUTSIDE BURN OUT) RIDE

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  i forgot - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By quintin - April 18 - 10:00 am

  its a great car

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  awesome - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By MarkForesman - April 18 - 10:00 am

  be careful of cops

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  AWESOME!! - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By GSuthe - April 18 - 10:00 am

  The Subaru WRX has got to be the best car that I have ever purchased. Where I live there are tons of dirt roads that most cars just cant get through. Ive been using SUVs for the past 16 years and I enjoy driving cars more than SUVs. The new WRX has made my life so much easier by having AWD and I get all the comforts of a car that i need. Thanks Subaru for making such a great car!

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  DYNO PACKED 4 CYL!!! - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By bstshot3 - April 18 - 10:00 am

  THIS SUBARU IS NOTHING LIKE THE ONES OF THE PAST. IT IS AN EXCELLENT EXAMPLE OF A REAL SPORTS/RACE DRIVEN MACHINE. I HAVE NOTHING BUT GOOD THINGS TO SAY ABOUT THIS LITTLE CAR. ILL MOST LIKELY STICK WITH THIS CAR COMPANY FOR THE DURATION...

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  Hope to NEVER own one ever again@ - 2000 Subaru Legacy
  By lucymo - April 17 - 10:46 pm

  at 6 years and 114K miles headgaskets failed despite the special sealant/conditioner that Subaru applied to the coolant. Had to replace them and the engine that warped due to overheating (the thermometer never showed signs of overheating). Then, the catalytic converter needed to be replaced, and a whole bunch of other expensive parts. For the money I spent on this car in the last 7 years I could have purchased a new car! The tranny is starting to go - wont shift into D (at 150K m). Since I already put so much money into it, I cant part with it, but it just keeps failing... Very unreliable. I do all scheduled maintenance on time. The only good thing about it is the wagon size - gigantic

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  Poorly Designed - 2015 Subaru Outback
  By randirn - April 16 - 7:09 pm

  Notice to those considering a new Outback. Please be aware that there are some design features that are just not driver friendly. The electric tailgate. You must UNLOCK all the passenger doors to use this feature from inside the vehicle. You have now opened yourself up to being carjacked. I own a GMC Terrain and when I go to the supermarket and have the groceries loaded into the vehicle, I have all the passenger doors locked, I dont even need to have the vehicle turned on for the electric tailgate to work. The store employee can load the groceries while I sit inside the vehicle safe. The remote start, what joke. You remote start the vehicle, but when you open the drivers door the engine sto