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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  fun fun fun - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By bill - May 1 - 9:03 pm

  Well I just bought my Subaru not too long ago and I love it. Ive done some mild mods and the throttle response is a lot better than what some of the other reviews have suggested. Its a fun to drive car and it looks good too. If you know anything about cars and are mechanically inclined (even the slightest bit) you can fix the minor squeaks that Ive read in some of the other reviews. I personally havent experienced any of those problems.

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  05 Forester 2.5 XS - great in snow if... - 2005 Subaru Forester
  By James - May 1 - 2:20 am

  Our 2005 Forester replaced my old 1991 4WD Mazda MPV. My first winter with the car was a big disappointment as the car didnt handle well in the snow. Hang those wretched Yokohama tires! I replaced them with a set of Michelin HydroRangers, and this cars winter performance is greatly improved! The car has great visibility and entry/exit access for the front seat. Newer models have different option schemes, so Im a bit in a quandary on selecting a Forester for my wife. I like the power, heated cloth seats. It doesnt look like thats possible on the newer models.

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  2011 Legacy - 2011 Subaru Legacy
  By james212 - April 30 - 11:09 am

  I have 5500 miles on my new Legacy and I like the car better then I thought I would. The car has some quirks. It idles high when cold. The electronic parking brake can be applied while driving. The car does not have a pass through into the trunk behind the rear seat arm rest. There are no shimmies or vibrations however my car was parked out in a blizzard and ice or snow created alarming vibrations above 35 mph. It went away after some driving. The dealership had no additional explanation. The Harmon-Karden sound system can sound muddy at highway speeds. Gas filler release door has on backup except to force it open. When the transmission is cold it does not want to shift.

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  VDC good enough? - 2003 Subaru Outback
  By RACCAR - April 26 - 2:00 am

  I really love this car. A 2001 VDC wagon. Handles to well in all weather. I tried to get it stuck in snow this winter. Couldnt. Great at high speeds. The VDC works better than the reviews suggest. However, my wife wants me to find another car. She cant get comfortable in the leather seats. I agree. They are hard as rock, and a car upholsterer says he cant improve it. Dealer said its the only real flaw with the car. We take long week end trips, and this really is an issue.

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  Head Gasket Blew at 69,000 miles - 2012 Subaru Outback
  By Working Mom - April 25 - 5:27 pm

  I bought this car new off the lot in December 2011. I was thrilled with the fact that I could get such a nice car with a 6 speed manual transmission. It was perfect for me and my family - easy to park, utilitarian and good to drive. However, that changed last month when every light on my dash started flashing just before getting home, and the coolant overflowing in my driveway. Thank God I have AAA to tow it to the dealer. Three weeks later, my dealer tells me that it was the head gasket and that they replaced all the seals as well as the timing belt. Since I have the extended warrantee, it didnt cost me any more than my deductible ($100). Now Im wondering how long its going to be before the head gasket fails again. I love this car but now I question its reliability.

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  Pay Attention to the details - 2015 Subaru Forester
  By lilbit24 - April 25 - 8:14 am

  I was so disappointed the first time I drove this car at night. The interior is severely underlit. The mirrors, glove box and overall interior lighting are not sufficient. My model also did not have memory seats, which is a huge pain. I found the seats very uncomfortable. My model did not have remote start, so I had the dealer install and I was really disappointed in the way it worked - you still had to start the car again upon entering. The locks do not automatically lock - Subaru says this is a safely feature. Compare other models and the interior features far exceed the Forrester. I traded up to Escape within 30 days.

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  Great All-Wheel-Drive, but weak a/c - 2010 Subaru Legacy
  By sgtfritz - April 24 - 12:00 pm

  The Good: All Wheel Drive provides extra grip - Great gas mileage (average 27 mpg) - Large interior (good rear leg room) - Comfortable driving position - Nice styling interior & exterior - CVT provides less to no jerking - Smooth riding vehicle - Quiet (easy to carry on a conversation) - All Gauges conveniently located The Bad: Touchy “sport” steering at highway speeds - Wind pushes the vehicle around more than expected at highway speeds - A/C ducts blow in face (center ducts not flush but beside radio, no way to direct straight back) The Ugly … - A/C unit does not cool vehicle I have also had to return my Legacy back to the dealer 4-times for A/C problems.

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  2015 Subaru Forester Premium - 2015 Subaru Forester
  By notjust - April 24 - 9:46 am

  I have had my for a little over a week. Its been great so far. It is my first SUV and I have really enjoyed the experience. I am not a car buff, just an average driver, but here is my input. Leg room is best in its class by far. Lumbar support and driver seat make a very comfortable ride. Plenty of room to carry my bike when the back seats are folded. Gas mileage is pretty good and I am getting just below about the 27 average except when I am stuck in traffic. This has been the quietest vehicle I have ever owned, which was a pleasant surprise since some reviews of the 2014 model listed this as an issue. No issues in 8 days, but I do not expect any on such a new car.

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  Paint problems - 2004 Subaru Forester
  By John S - April 17 - 5:56 pm

  A great car in most aspects except paint. Have commuted 110 miles round trip for years with Hondas. The Subaru paint on the front plastic components has become heavily pitted from bugs in spite of frequent washings. Looks trashy on the front. Now I am getting a milky residue on the entire exterior. No known exposure to air borne pollutants. Waxed regularly. Washed predominantly by hand with proper washing materials. The black pearl paint looks great except it shows both of these blemishes rather dramatically. Subaru only offered to pay 1/2 cost of bumper repainting. A real disappointment.

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  Subaru Forester -- great car - 1998 Subaru Forester
  By Brian Dines - April 16 - 8:26 am

  Bought the car 2 years ago from a friend for $7500. Its been an excellent, reliable little SUV. Ive put about 25000 miles on it and the only maintenance thats been required was to replace a couple of CV boots ... and that was cheap. Best used car Ive ever owned. I get about 27 mpg driving 65-75 mph, about 300 miles a tank.