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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  Windy Review - 2016 Subaru Impreza
  By Suzanne Cutler - April 4 - 5:37 am

  Test drove the Impreza wagon (base model). Two items that didnt impress me were the lack of electric drivers seat controls for adjustment, and the wind noise when driving on the highway. With the years Ive owned and driven the Subaru models there would be NO wind noice in ANY model. Todays technology and engineering should have had a "fix" for this a LONG time ago.

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  Now I love to drive - 2005 Subaru Legacy
  By Keith - April 3 - 9:16 pm

  Needing a four wheel drive vehicle, but wanting a sedan and not spending a fortune I chose the Legacy GT LTD. I do love driving this car. As a point of reference I do a lot of highway driving up mountains and going uphill I average 28 mpg, 31 mpg downhill, both with A/C on. A recent downhill trip without A/C proved 34 mpg.

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  uncommon sedan - 2003 Subaru Legacy
  By bratman2 - April 2 - 11:03 pm

  We bought this car while visiting our daughter in Colorado as an alternative to a SUV. We also had owned a 93 Legacy fwd and still own an old 87 Brat. We drove the 1800 miles back to the east coast in three days in this car so we got a pretty good feel for it. All I can say is outstanding ride, handling. Fuel economy broke 29 mpg with three in the car and luggage day three. Just passed 30k in the car w/ no issues, just maintaince. 19k for a sedan w/ all wheel drive, sunroof and pretty 16" alloys I while pass on Camerys and Accords. We sold our 97 Mustang when we got home, though it was a V6 and straight line would out run the Legacy, the Sub has got the handling, rain or shine.

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  2.5i Limited with Power Moonroof - 2010 Subaru Legacy
  By Landman507 - April 2 - 8:33 pm

  I have had this car about a month and absolutely love it. The continuous transmission is incredibly smooth. Although the first time I drove it, it seemed odd to have a car accelerating, but not feel it go through the gears. With the 2.5i engine, you wont win any races on the track, but its more than fast enough for urban driving. That said, Im very happy with the gas mileage so far (27+ MPG in mixed driving).

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  Surprisingly Disappointing - 2011 Subaru Outback
  By Greentiger - April 2 - 3:29 pm

  Bought the 2011Subaru November 2010(after reading the great Subaru reviews) with 5 miles. 4 years into it, catalack(probably wrong spelling) converter went, fortunately the miles were right below the covered warranty for the converter and that was covered($2000). 166.000 miles in, the transmission is having issues, the emergency breaks need to be replaces(dont know why, never use it). This is not a small repair and Subaru America does not send behind their cars after certain amount of miles. Trade-in value dropped significantly due to the expensive fixes. REALLY, REALLY DISAPPOINTED.

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  Wont get me again - 2008 Subaru Tribeca
  By Rich - April 2 - 5:40 am

  I usually dont write any reviews, but this car is so bad, I thought I owed you (the reader) some advice. Dont buy this car. We bought ours new, and the engine eats oil. Dealer said the engine was breaking in. I am now at 20k on the car, and it eats 1.5 to 2 qts per 1000 miles. Dealer will not help. Also, the A/C is weak. It is barely ok for the front, but on a 5 passenger, there is no rear air. My kids hate it, always hot. Numb steering, brakes fade easily, manual shift is poor when upshifting, interior clunks and rattles like a 30 year old Ford. There is lots of room for improvement, here. Once bitten, twice shy. There, I warned you.

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  Outstanding $ for Value! - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By Bee Dub - April 1 - 4:56 pm

  Ive owned my Forester almost a year now. Its not sexy but its extremely practical. Its been an absolute pleasure to drive and own. I live in CO so its been tested in snow, ice, mountains, dirt roads, etc. No problems. The 4 speed auto could be a big problem in mountain driving except the sport shift feature makes it into an easy to use manual transmission! Ive averaged 26.1 MPG since owning it, much better than anticipated.

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  L.L. Bean Outback aka my last Subaru - 2002 Subaru Outback
  By dan - April 1 - 12:50 pm

  The transmission was replaced at 20k miles and the brakes soon after (under new car warranty). Apparently the pads were replaced and the rotors turned. I was getting a lot of front end shimmy at 30k miles so the dealer decided to turn the drums again. I was just in again at 50k with the same problem and had to pay for new rotors and pads (despite having the extended warranty and the dealer knowing full well this is an on-going problem) An independent mechanic was telling me that the rotors they use on Subaru are actually too thin to be turned and he couldnt believe they turned them once no less twice! The ventilation fan has developed quite a rumble but I was told this is "normal".

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  A Blast to Drive! - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By family guy - April 1 - 10:00 am

  Absolutely love this car! Jaw dropping acceleration, tight handling and grippy all wheel drive make this a blast to drive.

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  Reliable SUV - 2001 Subaru Forester
  By josesubaru - April 1 - 10:00 am

  Everything else but the cupholders over heat controls is excellent. 25 MPG Great in snow, rain etc. Great Visibility.