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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  Nice Car, Poor Gas Mileage - 2012 Subaru Outback
  By suboutback12 - February 26 - 5:41 am

  I purchased my new Outback a few days ago. It drives nicely and has decent acceleration. I have noticed that the car has a shudder when shifting from park to drive or reverse to drive. I hope it goes away. I also have been getting about 18-19 mpg combined under normal driving conditions. I do not gun the pedal and do not have a lead foot. Why am I getting such poor gas mileage? I hope it improves, but so far it sucks.

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  LL BEan - 2002 Subaru Outback
  By abear - February 26 - 3:23 am

  This car has been everything I expected in general. It really powers through snow witht the 4X4. I feel very comfortable on the snowy NE roads. The stereo sounds great and the auto climate control and heated seats make for a pleasant driving experience. It is a very solidly built car (just lift the hood when you check it out. It must way 100lbs)

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  Super vehicle - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By Robin - February 25 - 10:26 pm

  I love this little wagon. I bought it new and it has been so much fun to drive. Im tall and it has a lot of headroom. Its fast and comfortable and a blast to drive. Its been extremely reliable until recently when at 92,000 miles Ive had to replace the transmission and the air conditioner compressor. It has Recaro seats which are very comfortable and it has some engine adjustments by Cobb Tuning which drop the 0-60 time into the 4s. It will run with a Porsche at a third of the price. My son has a 2005 and he is 65" and he fits in it comfortably. I like my WRX much better than my wifes 2009 Lexus IS 350 which I have to fold myself up like a pretzel to get into.

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  Great driving Outback - 2016 Subaru Outback
  By b duffy - February 25 - 2:48 pm

  Take a serious look at the 3.6L outback

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  Snow King Subaru - 2006 Subaru Outback
  By Denny - February 24 - 5:46 am

  Took this Subaru hunting season in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan where I live; the 2nd day our tent nearly collapsed due to 14" of heavy wet snow that fell while we were sleeping. We were 1/4 mile off the main road, had to cut trees off the road to clear the way. Drove the Subaru out breaking trail through 14" of heavy wet greasy snow and it never faltered or had any traction problems ... used to 4 wheel drive trucks and this was a wonderful surprise to me. Traction was great in a worst case scenario.

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  Spiderman, Spiderman - 2007 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By rioria - February 23 - 5:16 pm

  I traded in my 2003 Legacy Outback Limited for the Tribeca as soon as it came off the production line. It is so much fun to drive. It is also my very first automatic! I wasnt sure I would like an automatic, so I decided to lease it. Well, here it is almost three years later, and I am still smitten. I was so disappointed when they changed the front in the 2008 model. That is what made it so unique. And, that is why I will most likely purchase this at lease end. I am going to check out the new Forester, and then make my final decision. I am looking for a car to own for the next 10 years. Every time we have to climb a steep hill in the snow, we sing the Spiderman theme.

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  Everything - Including The Dog - 2004 Subaru Forester
  By Dave_in_CA - February 23 - 2:00 am

  My wife and I have been driving the XT for about a month. Just as the first reviewer said, I also bought this car for her and can now hardly stand to drive my car. We have been very pleased by this ultra- sensible sports car. Dog, kids, groceries and a sub 5.7 0-60 time. What more can you ask for? We looked at many wagons (Passat, Outback, Saturn) and chose the Forester for its comfort (her) and performance (me). The sound system is great, fit and finish are excellent (on par with Acura, better than Toyota IMHO) and the car just feels rock solid. No opinion on the reliablity but with regular service it should be fine.

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  great car - 2005 Subaru Forester
  By chris - February 22 - 9:40 pm

  My wife and I love this car! We have the base 2.5 x and it has all of the basic features plus many safety features we wanted and is surprisingly quick. Performs really well. Only regret not getting a sunroof and the clutch is a little rough but overall a really solid, good looking SUV that is easy on the wallet.

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  Proven again and again! - 2000 Subaru Impreza
  By Spanked TypeR - February 21 - 10:00 am

  Pre-WRX, just add the goods and you will find the awd power slide. Grips like the true champ in WRC. Only the ones that know, buy it! Either 4dr or 2dr, no biggie there.

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  the best subie?? ( WRX !! ) - 2002 Subaru Outback
  By douglas dubois - February 21 - 10:00 am

  Subarus luxury car. have done over 22,000 miles and it has not missed a beat. Mobil 1 every 7500 miles, gas and rotate the tires.....thats all it needs. Its fast when you want it and cruises effortlessly all day at highway speeds and more if you dont use the cruise. Heated seats are great, handles snow (what snow!!) and stereo is one of the best. It does need a 5 spd auto box to take better advantage of the 6.