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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  Move Over Little Ford Ranger - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By rosie - October 12 - 6:40 am

  Some of my friends hinted at the fact that I should test drive a Subaru while I was looking at new vehicles. I was actually really impressed with the handling & ride. Of course, Im very biased coming from a 97 Ford Ranger with manual everything in the truck. Im pleased with the interior layout and comfortable seating. Also, I purchased the Forester with auto dim mirror w/ compass, aero cross bars, cargo net vertical, and all weather mats, and body side molding kit (and a few other options Im probably forgetting). I havent broken in the engine yet and I am getting 28 - 31 mpg on the highway and 25 - 21 mpg city. Very happy with my purchase!

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  Well designed and constructed - 2003 Subaru Forester
  By F.M.George - October 12 - 2:00 am

  This car was perfect when I test drove it and picked it up at the dealership. Unlike past purchases from GM dealerships there were no flaws or mechanical things in need of correction. The cars 4 wheel drive system gave exceptional performance during these past winter months. The standard features that came with the car and its comparatively low price make it the best deal Ive had in many years.

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  Disappointed - 2000 Subaru Legacy
  By Quite disappointed - October 12 - 2:00 am

  I love the looks and practicality of my Subaru Legacy wagon. However, I have already had to have the transmission replaced ($5,000 item at 49,000 miles), head gasgets, brakes, heat shield, the moon roof leaked into the interior light. Thank goodness it is has all been on warrenty, but I bought it thinking that it would be a work horse for many years. The dealer has worked hard to make me happy--but I really dont trust the car but dont want to incur another car payment now that this is just about paid off.

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  Fine Vehicle - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By Dick990 - October 12 - 2:00 am

  I have leased a 97 Imprezza for 3 years. I bought a 2000 Imprezza and drove it until I bought the current car. The only thing that has ever gone wrong was a burned out LED on the cruise control switch on the 2000. I lived with that with no problem. These are wonderful small cars getting an easy 32+ mpg on the highway. I will be moving on to a Forester because I am getting old and like the additional safety

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  Greatest AWD sedan available in the USA - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By ric01 - October 12 - 2:00 am

  To anyone thinking of buying this car- DO IT! The power, transmission, ride, handling, styling is all good. The car has been built really well and it will outperform Audi S4, BMW M3 and anything that costs $20k more. Its quiet and refined when you need it to be and a beast when you need that too! (Snorting, tarmac-shredding, fire breathing and ALIVE.)

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  Keep it away from the dealership! - 2006 Subaru Baja
  By Chris - October 11 - 11:16 pm

  I bought this Baja to save gas over my Chev full size pick-up. WRONG MOVE. At first it got really great mileage (almost 30 mpg on hwy) but then I took it to the dealer for its first oil change. BIG BIG MISTAKE. After that day it starting getting 17 mpg in town and 20 mpg on hwy. I took it back to the dealer (02/07) and the mechanic said no codes showed bad and therefore he couldnt work on the vehicle. The dealer offered me $18k trade in for a new Chevy truck and I guess thats about the best I can expect to get. Such a great concept vehicle but I can see now why Subaru never sold very many of them. Why drive a tiny truck if it uses as much fuel as a comfortable one? Save your money!

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  Oh So Sweet - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By jmt - October 11 - 7:50 pm

  I did a bunch of research before buying this vehicle and I was a bit hesitant buying a transition year. Dont hesitate. If you are thinking about this car run to your dealer, test drive it an pick your options. I was lucky enough to find a manual base model with the PZEV option. Without boring you with the technical details the bottom line is that the emissions from this car are almost the same as a Hybrid and only costs a few hundred dollars more. I have been averaging 28 MPG doing serious mountain driving. Up and down passes dirt roads etc. It handles everything effortlessly. So save the extra 10 grand and buy a Forester PZEV. NOt to mention the ongoing expense of batteries,tires.

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  So much fun for so little dough - 2006 Subaru Impreza
  By Daily_Driver - October 11 - 5:33 pm

  The STis performance rivals, no, outright destroys so-called sports cars 3-4 times its price. 0-60 well under 5 seconds, with no serious performance degradation in the wet (thanks to the AWD), this car just keeps giving and going. And it has 4 doors and a usable trunk to boot...amazing!

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  My First and Last - 2001 Subaru Outback
  By Larry - October 11 - 12:03 pm

  By 68k, replaced wiper interrupt unit, power steering pump, alternator, steering rack, and motor mounts. My first Subaru, purchased with 46k miles, and it will be my last. Very expensive to maintain.

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  WRX Wagon - Impressed. - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By John - October 10 - 9:53 pm

  Great car...quick, agile.