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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  I Love My Car - 2010 Subaru Legacy
  By sjl - March 14 - 5:16 pm

  I love everything about my car, its been 3 1/2 months and 7500 miles and I still love it as much as the day I got it. Its so much fun to drive. I love my stereo and heated seats. Im averaging 32 mpg overall. Thank you Subaru for making a sporty-sedan that doesnt look like it should just be driven by a young kid. The Legacy has a very sporty-but-classy look to it. I, unlike many others whove posted, didnt drive all the comparable cars in the class because my funnest car (and ugliest) Ive ever owed was a dumpy old Outback wagon that would never die. If that old 200+ thousand mile car could be so much fun and reliable to drive, I knew Id be happy with this one. I was so right!

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  Competent and fun utility vehicle - 2013 Subaru Outback
  By restless4 - March 13 - 9:00 am

  Bought a silver Limited 3 months/3500 miles ago. In general it is a very competent vehicle, extremely spacious for the overall dimensions of the vehicle. Initial reliability has been perfect. 2013 included a change to the suspension, which has made this car handle well, and fun to drive on country road. Two downsides to this car. First is that it does have an economy car feel, even as the high end Limited model. Switchgear, plastics used, and such are cheap for a $30K car, and there are some sloppy manufacturing shortcuts that are easily noticeable. Second is that the 2013 model has a new drivetrain thats supposed to get better mpg, but it seems to have dropped from the 2012s.

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  2005 Forester - 2005 Subaru Forester
  By Bryan - March 13 - 12:43 am

  I have had the ability to side-by-side compare a new CR-V against my new Forester because my mother-in-law bought a Honda two months before I bought the Subaru. She drove my Subaru a half dozen times & wishes she had got the Subaru in hindsight! She does love the fact tha ther Honda CR-V is known for excellent reliability. My opinion in comparison - both cars are practical and fun to drive. I feel the Subaru has a bit better finish and a more solid feel to it. The spare belongs in the car, Honda. Im partial to the aesthetic of the Subaru, but that too is subjective. Handling is another matter though, no subjective opinion here - the Subaru just handles better. Both need better MPG!

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  Excellent do-it-all machine - 2012 Subaru Outback
  By lashleroux15 - March 10 - 3:35 pm

  Just purchased a 2012 Premium 2.5i with moonroof package. This replaced a 2008 nissan altima because I just needed more trunk/carry space but decent mileage. I compared it to the Equinox/Terrain twins plus others. After looking at all the options, the Subaru had the best overall package for my needs. Drives great and is very comfortable. Mileage is good (averaging 26 MPG in mixed driving). Back seat is actually bigger than my Altima (fits 3 kids easily) yet takes up the same space in the garage. AWD is excellent (works great in snow so far) with no worries about grip. Handling dynamics are good for the higher stance....

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  Do not buy this car - 2012 Subaru Outback
  By 2012outback - March 10 - 8:06 am

  This car has a 60,000 transmission warranty. Our transmission needs to be replaced at 67,000 miles. The car is less than 2 years old and the mileage is all highway miles. I could not recommend this vehicle to anyone. When the transmission went out I was on the highway with children in the car. I cannot express how horrifying this experience was. Dont buy this car.

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  2005 Legacy GT Wagon - 2005 Subaru Legacy
  By DC - March 10 - 12:13 am

  Awesome drivers car! Very quick, stable and predictable. Drives like a sports car. Great heater. 100% reliable so far with 20K miles. Excellent in snow, we had 3 feet in one snowfall last week, and with a 400 driveway it has to be good. Be aware that the 17" tires are fairly expensive and if you need extra wheels for snow tires, you will have to get alloys. No steel wheels available as far as I could tell, and I tried locally and on-line. Very comfortable seats. Mine was a program car with 12,000 miles on it when I bought it and now has 20,000 miles on it. No one will regret buying this car. It does everything very well and I know of no weaknesses except rear visibility.

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  Love this car - 2008 Subaru Impreza
  By Drew - March 9 - 8:43 pm

  I average 27-28 MPG combined between city and highway....SPT Exhaust sounds great! Very comfortable, love the pearl white paint, good looking gauges. Very happy with this car!

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  Somewhat Disapointed in Tribeca - 2008 Subaru Tribeca
  By jpdinnj - March 9 - 3:40 pm

  Current mileage 2000. Transmission clunks hard into first gear downshifting to a stop; A/C is not cold enough for a cabin of this size - dealer said it was overcharged; suspension clunking sound made from the front wheels when hitting slightest of bumps – reminds me of bad ball joints in an old car; acceleration at cruising speed not smooth, instead feels out of balance; gas cap rests on exterior paint during refuel, need telescoping steering wheel; back seats wobble and make noise as does the rear seat belt from the ceiling; exhaust makes tinny vibration sound when accelerating hard. Expected more from this vehicle.

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  Awesome performance - 2009 Subaru Impreza
  By Jerry - March 9 - 2:26 pm

  Quick, very quick 0-60, and lots of torque at highway speeds. One car mag says 4.7 secs 0-60 and thats not far off, which puts it in a league way above its price. Gas mileage about 24- 25 highway when you can keep your foot out of turbo, otherwise 21-22. AWD grip and handling superb even though the car mags say it is a little soft. Had it since March, got 7K miles on it and have loved every minute.

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  Near to perfect design - 2004 Subaru Forester
  By netmate98 - March 9 - 10:00 am

  Gas mileage just plain bad, I got the same mileage, 13 mpg, with a 2006 8 cylinder hemi daytona with 360 hp. This has great hp for a 4 cylinder and is very fun wagon to drive. The leather seating is well done. Tilt wheel would raise the comfort level. Better quality front seat back handle control needed. Near perfect interior-exterior design. Window whistle at 45 mph annoying, need window frames. Sacrificing quality for weight savings dont work for me, the aluminum hood takes a beating on the highway. The expensive to fix cd changer radio is a let down.