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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  Some Minor Complaints - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By ORTravis - February 12 - 3:40 am

  We chose this car because of the rear seat room, which is plentiful. Overall the car is great. Its comfortable and the MPG is great for an AWD vehicle. I also like the rack system. I have had issues with the power steering, it seems loud to me. Some other minor complaints: Door cup holders dont accommodate water bottles (in a car marketed to outdoor enthusiasts), no power seat memory, no rear seat vents, windows vibrate when slightly opened, and the turn signals are not very visible from the side (needs additional side signal and even one in the mirror). Finally, the manual says not to use snow chains, which can be a problem in Oregon if you go to the mountains infrequently!

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  What A Car! - 2005 Subaru Legacy
  By socalguy1 - February 11 - 10:06 pm

  Just leased a black GT limited in manual transmission. Love it! This car is so much fun to drive - especially in the stick. We looked at the 3 series Bimmer, Audi A4, Nissan Maxima, and other sporty sedans and they could not touch this car for power. Might get better handling in a German car but would have to pay several thousand more. I now look forward to my commute.

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  I LOVE this car - 2006 Subaru Legacy
  By bashopoem - February 11 - 11:36 am

  After researching and test-driving many of the cars in the LGTs class, including the Lexus IS350, I found that the Subaru LGT is hands-down the best deal out there. It handles better than the Lexus and Volvo S60R, is faster than both the BMW 3-series and the Audi A4, and costs thousands of dollars less than all of them. This car is a pleasure to drive. My only complaint is that the seats do not have a memory function, but thats small potatoes compared to everything you get for the price. I highly recommend you take one for a test drive.

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  More than OK - 2003 Subaru Forester
  By Chris22 - February 11 - 10:00 am

  Handles great, especially in snow and on ice though I did put on dedicated winter tires. Replaced my Ford Explorer due to rising gas prices. Drive 50 miles or more per day, no problems in over a year. Accceleration OK, gateless shifter a plus when getting up to speed in a hurry. One issue, auto setting on temp controls not very useful in extreme cold or heat, takes too long to compensate. Works well the rest of the time.

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  awsome - 2005 Subaru Impreza
  By stii - February 11 - 10:00 am

  the car is wasome the 6 speed is awsome and the car hauls ass

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  Do not buy this car!!! - 2009 Subaru Legacy
  By Dissapointed - February 11 - 3:53 am

  I would not recommend this car to anyone! The transmission shifts so roughly the entire car lurches, but the dealership insists it is fine. The seats are extremely uncomfortable - my back kills by the time I arrive at work!! The interior looks worn after only having the car for a few weeks. I purchased this car because I wanted an AWD vehicle and the price seemed good, but I regret every time I step foot in the car!

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  Just what I wanted - 2005 Subaru Forester
  By car37 - February 10 - 11:50 pm

  I am very pleased with my Forester XT. It is fun to drive, just the right size, nicely designed though not flashy. The right price/value for the overall package. I will upgrade tires, battery and brakes when the time comes to replace for better performance and on battery for stronger starts in cold weather. I have gained a number of paint chips on the front (in 5.5 months which Im not happy about and need to get fixed. I wonder if I should install a "clear bra" or some other type of paint protection. I also wish Id purchased the cargo nets for the back to hold basics like extra washer fluid. Id buy another one for sure!

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  Only gets better - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By DK - February 10 - 10:56 pm

  Last week I came upon a brand new Jeep stuck in a four ft. snowdrift. The owner (a 20 something male) was testing his new car in the snow. I drove into the snow drift next to him, rolled down the window and offered to call the tow guy. Sheepishly he told me his dad was coming. Put my Subaru into reverse and drove away. This weekend was in Tucson parked at a resort surrounded by 100s of Lexus (the official car of golf resorts) I watched as several people passed by and looked at our car, puzzled as to the new look. My biggest fear was to get run over by an out of control Lexus. In summary, Subaru - rough and wild in the woods and civilized and classy when needed.

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  my new outback 2.5 cvt - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By jack - February 10 - 4:50 am

  First of all Id like to say that I had apprehensions between the time of buying and delivery. I had to wait 2 months for the delivery and during this time I read all kinds of good and no so good comments about the OB. Well I have been driving this car for about 2 weeks now for 450 km in town and on highway (not done any offroad yet but Im sure It wont disappoint me) and I am happy to report that this car is the best 4X4 SUV I ever had.

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  Great Car until 85,000 miles, then it started to fall apart. - 2008 Subaru Legacy
  By chk34kk - February 9 - 2:02 pm

  I really tried to love Subaru and become a lifetime buyer of there cars. My 2008 legacy provided me with great awd traction, great highway mpg 30+, low maintenance costs. The negatives started at 85,000 miles, head gasket leak, end links failure provided very loud clunking noises, power steering pump wine, heat shield rattle at start up, door panel clunking, dashboard clunking. The problems started in June 2014 and by September I gave up on the car after I realized I have the dreaded Subaru head gasket leak. The car also became a rattle box inside after about 80,000 miles which surprised me. I planned on keeping the car to well over 100,000 miles. City mpg was also sub-par 17-19mpg.