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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  Cant beat the value - 2003 Subaru Forester
  By Crockett Actuary - March 5 - 2:00 am

  Great handling for an AWD vehicle. Great visibility, headroom (Im 64"), and front-seat legroom. Excellent cornering. Could use a tad more passing acceleration, but its only a 4- cyl, and is fine. Liked the pre-2003 exterior styling more (was more unique), now it looks like a Honda.

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  Wipe that grin off my face! - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By Let_It_Snow - March 5 - 2:00 am

  2 years in the Forester started me off. But my new 2004 TS has completed my journey. Dry city conditions are met with a torque to weight ratio that bridges the gap between a smooth Sunday drive and tight sporty sortie - your choice. The low end torque and smooth, short throw shifter combo will satisfy the technical pilot in us all while the firm suspension and boxer style engine is responsive yet offers a comfortable ride. Now for the Quebec winters... OMG snow, please dont go. Subaru (AWD) winter confidence is addictive, fun, predictable and why I got a Subaru.

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  spankin new blue sti! - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By bluedemon - March 5 - 2:00 am

  This car is stupidly powerful. I have driven an M3 and seriously considered getting one. I chose this car over that one hands down. Overall an incredible value in spite of the hideously big wing. About the wing: both the dealer and subaru say that it really does serve a purpose and that if you remove it you will void your warrantee!!! Can you believe that? Some fans of the 80s American muscle car will remember the v6 turbo charged Buick GNX. I had one. Except for the understated syling of the all black wingless GNX, the STI is far superior in many ways especially the handling, manual gearbox, all wheel drive and the intense eye popping braking.

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  Great Car - 2004 Subaru Outback
  By Capper - March 5 - 2:00 am

  Very responsive, fun to drive, capable in the snow.

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  Montana - 2003 Subaru Outback
  By valken - March 5 - 2:00 am

  Great handling, good ride. I like everything about it except that it seems it sometimes takes too long to shift from 2nd to 3rd gear.

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  yo yo - 2003 Subaru Outback
  By katie subaru - March 5 - 2:00 am

  great car!! I love how the car ahndles itself. It has wonderul shocks.

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  My First Subaru! - 2017 Subaru Forester
  By Lori T. - March 4 - 6:22 pm

  Mostly my review is positive. I have one of the higher-end trim packages of the Subaru Forester, and, it is my first SUV as well as first Subaru. Id love to see better climate control for the back seat people (they must rely on the front seat AC/heat vents to eventually reach them). There are limited amounts of cupholders, and the front two in the middle console are ok, but they are front to back with each other and the back one requires moving the armrest backward to a position where its not really much use. I suppose the mileage is good for a car this size (Ive only had it a month, and Im averaging 25 MPG). But, coming from a Prius C prior to this, and having 50-54 MPG regularly, this is a bit hard to take. (Deep breaths, it will be ok). The safety features at this point in my life are more important than MPG. I am loving the "Eyesight Technology"! I love sitting up high and feeling a larger presence on the road. Love the steering responsive headlights, and the backup camera is awesome. Its a smooth ride, and a good looking car. It did have a complicated electrical/computer problem the 2nd day that I owned it, so back it went to the dealer for three days. All seems to be well now, after a special technician was called to make an appearance to come to the computers rescue. Its only been a month, so I cannot speak to the repair cost issue, nor to the reliability of the car, which I will know as time goes on.

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  Better than a Caddy - 2002 Subaru Forester
  By Sue Shallow - March 4 - 10:00 am

  This is my first Subaru. Everyone else in my family owns one. I thought it was about time. After one winter I knew it was the best car I have ever owned. I will never buy anything else.

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  Every morning I want to drive to work.. - 2008 Subaru Impreza
  By halcyon100 - March 3 - 12:53 pm

  This car is fantastic. The clutch is a little heavy/precise, but its fun to learn the nuances. The ride, even with STi pink springs is smooth and predictable. With the springs, the stock roll is gone. Mileage is surprising - about 25mpg, and Im suburban commuter, 28 miles/day at 40mph avg. Stay out of boost, and itll give you economy. I look forward to driving this car every day. Its noticable, but not showy. Its fast, but not impractical. Its comfortable, but not plush. Heated seats are always great in cold climates - I wish these extended to the upper back more. Some light mods make this car look/sound phenomenal. Slightly lower, tint, sport grill, cat- back (SPT).

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  Back to Subaru - 2008 Subaru Outback
  By David Smith - March 2 - 11:06 pm

  This is my fourth Subaru Outback. For the last 4 years I drove a Volvo S60. The Volvo was a great car but had no clearance and was very expensive to maintain. I was excited to get back into a Subaru. I did have a problem with a tire when the valve stem came out while adding air pressure. The first dealership could not replace the original stem (did not have the part) and charged me for a replacement. It took a second dealership to get it right under warranty. I am also experiencing an electrical problem, the radio display and wipers will cut out randomly. They are always working when I take the car in so to date the problem has not been fixed.