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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  Tons of Fun and Practicality for 23 G - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By LenEun - March 10 - 10:00 am

  This is one demonic wagon. Addictive turbo boost and handling that comes alive at speed. You can blast into a 25mph corner at 60mph in rain and it wont lose that AWD grip. Just so much fun to drive, yet theres more cargo room than a CamCord, that is if you dont care for the backseat. Yes, the overall refinment is not up to the 25G mark and its not the fastest car under 25G anymore either, but when you have this much fun and practicality, you have to give up something. So if you want refinement and some fun, get an RSX or a Mazda6. If you just wanna go fast, get an SRT4. But for me, this is the perfect combo of everything I need, plus some more.

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  First Subaru - 2010 Subaru Forester
  By TJK - March 7 - 2:33 pm

  Had the car for a month now. The whole family enjoys driving it. Handles well, very responsive in steering and power for a 4. AC works very well. Thought I would feel "overwhelmed" by the size after a sedan all these yrs but feel comfortable driving. all in all, so far... very happy with the vehicle. We tend to keep our cars until they die so if it lasts as long as the Jetta - 14 yrs-frame rusted out but still runs like a champ - I will be happy. However today, started to smell gas, really strong. Dont know what that is about but quite concerned. called dealer but was after hours. hopefully will talk with them tomorrow.

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  New to me Subie - 2005 Subaru Legacy
  By Ron - March 7 - 9:03 am

  I just bought my 05 Legacy GT Limited used. So far it is an amazing car. Its much more fun to drive than my previous car (98 Honda Accord 4cyl). The AWD really inspires confidence when taking corners and all-around driving.

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  Will get another eventually - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By lewis sherman - March 4 - 8:03 pm

  Terrific car except that after about 25,000 miles I got stuck with total brake jobs because NO DEALERS could diag. noises at low speeds. My mileage - not kidding - is terrific on open roads. Always get no less than 33 mpg on the 100 mile trip from the Catskills!! Love the looks of the Forester but hate to give up the Outback.

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  Overall , satisified - 1999 Subaru Forester
  By mccorky - March 3 - 10:00 am

  Its a great car to have if you live where the weather turns bad in the winter. It handles great, but like any car, ice is ice and AWD does not stop you from sliding. I noticed a difference with snows. I did have a$400 engine repair at 37K, just after my warrenty went (egnition coil??) Other than that, it has run smooth.

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  greatAWD - 2001 Subaru Outback
  By abj - March 3 - 10:00 am

  Everything, and particularly the H6, is top notch. Strange ergonomics on it (probably due to Japanese RHD converted to NA LHD). Brakes sre noisy and vibrate too soon in their life. Id buy again though.

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  I really wanted to like this car, but... - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By WeatherfordOutback - March 1 - 10:00 am

  This is a great snow car, however it developed the well documented front end shimmy almost immediately. Many of the convenience and entertainment features are quirky or poorly implemented (such as a Nav system that is horrendous and cant be read with Polarized sunglasses). Subaru finally admitted that their proposed fix to the shimmy problem would not really fix the problem, so we traded the vehicle in. Gas mileage was mid-20s in town, 30 and up on the highway. Dealership process was generally poor. A road force balance would fix the shimmy for 1000 miles or so, then it returned with a vengeance. Proposed permanent fix involved almost entire steering system rebuild.

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  Close to 19k miles in first anniversary - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By Manny - February 28 - 3:56 pm

  First time Subaru owner; may go back to Toyota. Two months after the purchase felt like wheels were spinning on two occasions. Finally at 15k transmission is gone. Dealer wanted to charge $90 for transmission flush. Threatened them to call Subaru of America and only then they agreed to replace tranny for new one. A/C had intermittent problem that showed up shortly after I bought it. Had to get Subaru of America involved to get dealer to provide loaner car and keep the Forester overnight to try to duplicate problem. Disappointed with the service received at dealership for a fairly new car under warranty. Makes me wonder whats next? Wife thinks I bought a "LEMON". Have Subaru phone # on hand.

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  The Good the Bad and the Ugly - 2005 Subaru Legacy
  By george - February 24 - 2:33 pm

  Picked up this 05 Subaru in March. The good: performance, looks, handling, utility. The bad: gas mileage, low ground clearance, turbo lag or engine revving in automatic. The ugly: For over 2 weeks it was in for a rattle behind dash, which was then entirely removed, and waited for new foam piece. The back for check engine light twice. Have the car back now for 1 week and hope nothing else goes wrong. This is my second Subie because I think I got a good price since last years model, and was less than the Audi A3 or A4 with awd. Performance is good though gas mileage stinks. And I dont like the way the auto transmission revs then shifts. I find myself using the paddle buttons or sport-shift.

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  Shouldnt you own one to review it? - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By ironcow - February 24 - 10:00 am

  Seems like there a lot of test drive reviews here, not owner reviews. Great balance of practically and fun (erroring on the fun side). Exactly, what I hoped. I just hope its reliable in long run.