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 am going to miss it. - 2000 Subaru Outback
  By montanagirl - April 3 - 2:00 am

  Overall I have loved my Subarus but after my recent massive outpouring of money to get a new engine for my 2000 subaru limited outback sedan, I will never buy another one. I have 90,000 miles on my car and needed a new engine it was/is ridiculous. The engine was insanely expensive and still doesnt run perfectly. The car performed great on my montana winter roads, was comfortable to drive, needs more power but I suppose that is why they introduced the 6 cylinder model.

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  Good car, bad mileage - 2009 Subaru Tribeca
  By rorypang - April 2 - 5:40 pm

  I bought this car, last year before the bad North east winter. I was really pleased with its snow weather handling, it left stuck 4runners, and trailbazers behind. The car is excellent with overall driving, however issues I have are; very bad mileage approx. 16 mpg, for city, small fuel tank, dated design, dated nav system, unrealistic third row, the radio steering controls are not practical, no bluetooth, no ipod controls. I am really thinking of trading it in for the X5 diesel, it gives 26 mpg.

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  Blown Turbo(s) - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By zkeatley - March 29 - 4:48 am

  This was my familes second Outback with the first one putting in 10 solid years of service. The only thing that was lacking for me was that there was not sufficient enough power for passing so I was excited to find the turbo model which added greatly to the cars performance numbers and made the car fun to drive. The first turbo blew right around 60k and the second was like clock work at 120k. Sure things break on a car but at $2500 a piece, and the same exact part with the same exact problem...not really. The first time it took 4 weeks to get my car fixed because the turbo was on back order and there were two other cars at the same dealer, with the same exact problem.

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  2008 Outback - 2008 Subaru Outback
  By France - March 28 - 11:20 pm

  This is the 4th Subaru Ive purchased. My last one was a 2002 Outback which I found comfortable to drive. Ive owned my 2008 for about 2 months and am looking to get rid of it. I started getting back pain within a week. There isnt enough foot room between the brake and gas pedals to place your foot comfortably on the gas pedal. In my 2002, the passenger side didnt have enough leg space. Now the 2008 does, but at the expense of the driver side.

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  OBS - 2008 Subaru Impreza
  By Joe - March 28 - 8:43 pm

  Purchased this OBS 4A a week ago and now have almost 600 miles on it. Nice little car with a roomier interior than one would think. My first Subaru (Ive owned 62 vehicles including all the German and most Japanese). Im averaging 25 mpg in mixed driving and expect it to go up another 10 to 15%. The OBS has good content. It does lean a bit as others have mentioned but not to a point of concern. My only complaint is of some dash plastic vibrations, lack of a sorely needed 5 speed auto, and lack of moonroof. I was aware of the latter two shortcomings going into this and purchased it anyway. I expect my OBS to serve my purposes for a couple of years and I am really quite pleased with the vehicle

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  Worth every penny! - 2000 Subaru Legacy
  By WASTEWORLD - March 26 - 9:43 pm

  Bought 2 years ago with 120K miles (!); changed timing belt and alternator, burned later with upgraded 300W sound system. Both front CV Joints replaced after towing 2500lb trailer at 80MPH. Spark plugs and wires replaced, had a engine hesitation problem with old ones. Other than that runs and runs!

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  My 1st SUBARU-"Its a keeper" - 2009 Subaru Legacy
  By hank60 - March 26 - 1:23 pm

  This 2009 Legacy is a good value for what it is; I bought it used with about 20k miles on it---now its 4 yrs later with over 75k miles. The AWD is great for the Ohio winters, especially once I replaced the OE tires with higher quality treads. I get about 25 mpg overall city/hwy which is not great, but for having AWD and the comfort and space for me, its OK. I appreciate the rear seatbacks which fold forward, which gives extra space for storage, or transporting materials from Home Depot when doing weekend projects. I wish the engine had more power for quicker acceleration at times, but its adequate most of the time. The car has been basically trouble-free...its a KEEPER for me!

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  Absolutely Love this Car! - 2006 Subaru Impreza
  By WRXracer256 - March 25 - 10:20 am

  I have had this car for about 3 and a half years and it now has 55,611 miles on it. I must say that this car is a beast. I love how it handles, accelerates, and brakes. It works wonderfully in the NJ snowstorms and can launch to 60 in under 5 seconds. The mileage is ok, but thats what you get for a turbocharged vehicle. I get about 18MPG all around on 93 Octane (Shell V-Power). I have driven this car around the country and have never doubted its reliability once. It has never left me stuck and has always brought me to point B safely. I recommend this car to everybody who enjoys a 5SPD and whiplash inducing thrust.

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  1998 Subaru Forester S AWD - 1998 Subaru Forester
  By T-Bob - March 19 - 3:06 am

  This has been the best car we have ever owned. We have taken it everywhere - offroad, on beach, long trips, and everyday commutes, and it has never had a problem.

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  A great compromise - 1998 Subaru Forester
  By TallahasseePete - March 15 - 2:00 am

  Bought this car to replace a Bronco II. It was great in Buffalo snow, on the interstates, and in the Adirondack woods. Seriously sorry to trade it, but we need a pickup truck and cant justify two vehicles.