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 but noisy - 2000 Subaru Outback
  By driver1144 - March 12 - 10:00 am

  I bought the 2000 Limited edition of the Outback wagon this winter and have had a few problems... some with the dealership (paint and dent problems), but some with the car itself. I like the way it handles in the winter roads and the seats are comfortable for long rides, but the brakes seem to be getting softer all the time and the wind noise in a big annoyance. They have told me at the dealership that the brakes being soft is just the way they are supposed to be and the wind noise so far has been unescapable. I have not had a car this load since my 78 thunderbird.

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  Best Subaru Yet! - 2012 Subaru Impreza
  By jcricket - March 12 - 9:20 am

  This is my third Sooby. It is the most fun. For a car with small dimensions on the outside, it is huge on the inside. I like the ergonomics of the interior - the dash and steering column controls are easy to use; intuitive. Lots of pep, very spirited off the line. With winter tires on (see suggested improvement below) this car can go places my 4x4 pick-up can not go. Good gas mileage too. It started off getting 30 in town and after breaking in for 13,000 miles I get over 40 on highway/country driving trips. This from an AWD! Its a great car to take to the beach or to the mountains with friends. Two of my friends bought Imprezas this year.

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  Overall good not perfect - 2011 Subaru Legacy
  By billfeet - March 12 - 6:11 am

  I have 52K on my Legacy, it rides and handles well, the 2.5 id underpowered if you like quick acceleration but is is good for daily driving and parkway acceleration. Th plus to its power is I get 28 MPG mixed driving with AWD. The heated seat switch is in a horrible spor next to the shifter and unwanted hot seats in summer result. The interior vinyl is cheap needing a warranty replacement before 1 year on the armrest and already wearing through the replacement. Same is true for the door vinyl but has not worn out due to less constant arm pressure. The stock radio is a little weak, get the upgrade. Overall I like the car good snow performance and reliable,spend the extra on the limited

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  100,000 miles of service---*wheel bearings - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By eldee123 - March 11 - 10:45 pm

  I live in the mountains at Lake Tahoe. This car is more fun to drive up the mountain than my classic Corvette. The roof line is low enough to load my bikes on the roof rack. For some weird reason headlight bulbs dont last as long as you would expect. All owners need to know the warrantee on the wheel bearing problem is 100,000 miles. contact the Subaru mothership if a dealer wont fix it for free. Im going for a 2011 now and that should last me the rest of my life :-}

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  Consider the Legacy GT - 2005 Subaru Legacy
  By Bruce - March 10 - 12:53 pm

  Thus far it has proved itself to me. It is great in the snow and just a fun car to drive. People have commented on the "great looking" car for months now. The mileage is better than I anticipated unless you horse around with the accelerator. It is well built and well designed and I like the way it handles. After considering several vehicles from BMW and others in the same price range I chose this excellent AWD Subaru. I had been a Saab owner since 1973.

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  Very Fast Car - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By Dara - March 10 - 10:36 am

  This car is really fun to drive. It feels like a American Muscle but has AWD.

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  Great SUV - 2016 Subaru Forester
  By Stacie - March 10 - 8:20 am

  I think this is a great smaller SUV. Plenty of room in the cargo area for various activities. I have enough room for groceries, packing up for long camping trips and even moving wood and materials for home projects. Seats and ride are extremely comfortable even with the sport tuned suspension. Great power and I love the option for S#/S/I modes. Itd be nice to have a digital speed readout like on my husbands WRX but you can read the speedometer just fine. The steering is responsive and hugs the road well around corners. I wish it had a higher tow rating but 1500lbs is enough to tow a trailer with a atv and few dirt bikes so it fits my needs. Im happy with the gas mileage. I really enjoy the upgraded infotainment system, Bluetooth connection is great and the touch screen is really responsive. I love the look of this vehicle, its aggressive looking with a very comfortable ride. I actually got my mother in law to buy one as well. I would recommend the forester to anyone looking for a smaller SUV with a good amount of power, comfortable ride and reliability and reputation of Subaru.

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  This is the best car I have ever owned - 2003 Subaru Legacy
  By MNlovessubies - March 10 - 2:33 am

  Extremely reliable - even at 82k miles. The clutch is tight and acceleration with my manual 5 speed transmission is good. I have achieved 30 MPG on highway trips. I take this car on long trips and the seats are the perfect mix of firmness and luxury. I live in Minnesota, so the AWD has saved me numerous times while others are stranded. I honestly havent had a single problem. I do keep up all recommended maintenance at the Subaru dealership.

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  Great car, but ... - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By B9chef - March 9 - 6:16 pm

  I was deciding between the Subaru and the Murano The Murano had *extremely* comfortable seats, but it just didnt have the reputation and trust of Subaru. The Subaru was a little cheaper than the Murano. So far, it has been wonderful. It is very stable on the road, and at fast highway speeds, it handles great. But mileage has been noticeably worse than the estimates. Granted, I am driving less than 35 MPH in bumper to bumper traffic in Los Angeles, but I am still only getting 16 MPG ... though freeway speeds get me 22-24 MPG. Im bummed that the Nav is now offered in the Ltd 5-Pass. I wanted it in mine. Overall, quality is good, but many improvements can be made.

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  Love my Subaru Legacy! - 2016 Subaru Legacy
  By Sharon Yount - March 9 - 6:51 am

  The EyeSight feature is amazing- well worth the extra cost. This car hugs the road like none other. The visibility is the best in its league. The power drivers seat is perfect. Wish Id gotten the power passenger seat but its ok anyway. The interior is well-designed. The car is so great looking. The Twilight blue color is gorgeous. Consumer Reports lists the 2016 Legacy as #1 in the mid-sized car. I have no complaints and would definitely buy a Subaru again. The gas mileage is quite good even though its all-wheel-drive. I could not find another car in its price bracket to even come close to the value packed in the Legacy. Im still working out how to use the Navigation; its not as intuitive as I would like.