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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  Good, good, good - 2003 Subaru Impreza
  By wrxman - August 20 - 2:00 am

  Horsepower is more than enough to carry this car, which is barely bigger than my old civic. This thing moves better than most "real" sports cars. Front seats are comfy, they hug and provide support. Handling is great, I can take corners without breaking, not suggested though.

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  You have to drive it! - 2006 Subaru Forester
  By John I - August 19 - 12:06 pm

  I bought a 2006 XT. I love it. It is fast, comfortable and cruses on the highway with ease. The agility is unbelievable and when you drive it, it feels like a bigger car. The automatic transmission downshifts quickly and smoothly. I have one problem; my wife drove it and now I have two XTs.

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  Works for Me - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By Johnny Kay - August 17 - 12:00 pm

  I owned a Baja for the last two years but the innovative design just didnt meet my needs for family/pets. The B9 allowed me to stay with Subaru and get the cargo space that I needed. I find the B9 much more fun to drive than my Jeep Grand Cherokee -- better handling, better road grip, and feels more like a car than a truck. Easy access all the way around including in/out of the drivers seat (bad back). The gold is gorgeous, and I dont mind the front styling though I can see that it wont please everybody. As with the Baja, the B9 gets a lot of eye interest from others on the road. Could use a little more oomph at times, and Id like a slightly larger fuel tank. Good mpg. Drive one.

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  Best of all worlds - 2006 Subaru Baja
  By Kevin - August 15 - 10:26 am

  Ride of a sedan, most of the functionality of a small truck, handles great. The engine is just as smooth as my partners RX8. I had a 2002 Mazda B2300 before this, and after driving the Baja, I couldnt bear to get back in it. The difference in the refinement is like night and day. Just had my first bit of bad winter weather, and didnt slide once. This may be my first and only Baja if they stop production, but Im sold on Subaru for life.

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  Cant beat the thrills for the price. - 2003 Subaru Impreza
  By sliverWRX - August 15 - 10:00 am

  This car flat out flies. There is not another car on the market that produces this much fun for the price. Step up to a Mustang GT and teach him a lesson. Some say the EVO destroys this car but I bought my 2003 WRX for $23,700 out the door. Id like to see you buy an EVO for under $30,000. This can be sensible if you want but can crush most other cars when want also.

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  awesome - 2003 Subaru Impreza
  By bassduderob - August 15 - 10:00 am

  great car. i really like the turbo and the handling of the car. I would pass on the yellow though.

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  Love the Baja! - 2003 Subaru Baja
  By ndentel - August 15 - 10:00 am

  What a great vehicle! Have had it for 3 months and love it. The bed is way more functional than it appears at first, especially with the bed extender. We can easily take scuba gear, ball gear, bikes, kayaks, and skis wherever we want to go without using huge amounts of gas. The interior is comfortable, feature-rich, intuitive, and stylish. There is a solid feel that is not apparent in many vehicles in its price range. The AWD is a dream and its fun to drive. Take it from the ones who actually own and drive the Baja every day-its a great value that should bring a smile to your face.

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  its a rocket - 2005 Subaru Legacy
  By jayhawke - August 14 - 3:56 pm

  This 2005 Legacy GT Ltd is really a stealth rocket. Probably the most fun car to drive weve ever had. It gets the looks as there is not that many on the road out here in Wichita, Kansas. All wheel drive, 250 horsepower, turbo, leather interior, sunroof for under $30K. Is great value and of course legendary Subbie dependability. Ive got to fight my wife to drive it :)

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  Pleasant Surprise - 2005 Subaru Forester
  By Bob C - August 13 - 6:36 pm

  Trying to find my wife a useful non-barge wagon or SUV, looked at Outback, took a chance on Forester. Congratulating myself. Turbo is very quick, handles way better than most sedans, feels bulletproof, great build quality. Took it from GA to New England over holidays, got into big snow, AWD very confidence building. Highly recommend.

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  Subaru Wins - 2001 Subaru Outback
  By joseph_barney - August 13 - 11:04 am

  I Love my Subaru Outback. I bought it at an auto auction for $1250. due to the last owners beliefs about changing their oil I now have about $3000 all together in the vehicle including purchase price. I do my own labor as Im slightly mechanically inclined and have a new rear sub frame, complete 3m undercoat to stop rust, and a new 85,000 miles used engine. The 2001 Subaru outback is exceptionally easy to work on by ANYONE. just buy the service manual at any auto parts store and you can do anything on your vehicle. All the sensors that do go bad are located on top of the engine block, easy. At 213k the tired old engine still pushed my outback to 122mph. The Subaru 2.5 has plenty of power.