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 love my Baja - 2003 Subaru Baja
  By stooks - September 5 - 2:00 am

  this car truck is great the handling and the cars many uses from hauling the trash off to getting a load of lumber its great Ill never owne anything eles and it goes great in the snow and rain the all wheel drive makes it stick to the road thanks subaru for a great car

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  The first car Ive ever bought! - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By jon1848 - September 5 - 2:00 am

  This year, I decided to stop leasing and purchase a car outright. After months of research, I bought the Subaru Impreza TS Sport Wagon - what a car! The 165 horsepower feels like twice that. The acceleration is much more sport than wagon. The boxer engine helps keep the centre of gravity low and it shows in the smooth, stable cornering. The look of the car has improved significantly with departure of the Neon-esque front- end.

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  No low-mileage drivers allowed - 2002 Subaru Forester
  By cllapham - September 5 - 2:00 am

  Although I love my Forester, I dont recommend it to anyone who doesnt regularly drive more than 20 miles a day. Its a great car when it starts, but mine is on its third battery and 8th or 9th dealer visit because of dead battery problems. The dealer says its because I dont drive enough (less than 100 miles a week). So, if youre a commuter, this is a great little car: safe, comfortable, good mileage. If you work from home... If you have a two-car family... If you live near your office... If you like to bike to work instead of always driving... This probably isnt the best car for you.

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  I LOVE THIS CAR, best one I have ever had - 2003 Subaru Outback
  By Patterson - September 4 - 2:16 pm

  I never knew what it was like to LOVE a car until I got my wagon. I will probably never own another type of car but a Subaru Outback. It is the perfect size for about ANYTHING. It is reliable, is great for short or long trips. The gas mileage is good even with the rising costs. This is coming from someone that drives an hour each way to work everyday. So I spend TONS of time in my wagon.

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  It rocks! - 2008 Subaru Impreza
  By New to subaru - September 3 - 5:20 pm

  Had been looking at the WRX. But cost of gas using this as a commute car , made me look at the regular Impreza. I was under the idea that the Outback sport had drum rear brakes. That is wrong. My salesman pointed this out to me on a just delivered silver Outback sport. I look the looks of it. It drives so solid. If you havent driven a Subaru before take a test drive, it is the oddest feeling and it is great. Try this car and you will buy one. The winter package is only available on the outback sport and the WRx. Interior is great and the car handles very well. No regrets buying one.

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  Troubled - 2012 Subaru Outback
  By stevenson5 - September 2 - 8:51 pm

  Something seems very off with the drivetrain -- CVT transmission or body. Steering vibration. Car wanders when on the highway. Otherwise a beautiful car.

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  Blue tooth - 2012 Subaru Impreza
  By joelira1 - September 2 - 1:59 pm

  car is great over all Handling, ease of driving, sure footed on wet roads The big problem in Imressa I own has been a defective blue tooth system The factory does not own up to problem after 7 Times of leaving car for Enginering to inspect Dealer confirms the problems over and over Factory gives every excuse put can not fix And will not replace with new car great car good dealer bad factory support

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  Empirical improvements over other legacy years - 2017 Subaru Legacy
  By G Dog - September 2 - 12:49 pm

  We showed up at our local subaru dealership to look at a few low mile off-lease legacies that seemed fairly priced. 13s, 14s and 15s. Its worth noting that the sixth generation models benefited substantially from the small increase in power and what the dealer claimed were adjustments to the CVT powertrain. Stand on the accelerator of the 2013 and the vehicle sounds like the engine is racing, but there is very little corresponding acceleration. The chain is racing but the gears dont engage until the speeds match up. For the small increase in HP, it seems they got some of that worked out - the car doesnt get up and run away, but neither do you feel like your driving in a half-neutral gear with a slipping transmission. Another improvement is in the cabin soundproofing. The 2017 had much less road noise. And finally, it should be noted that the standard backup camera is really an asset vs. earlier offerings as the view out the back window - while better than many cars - is still restrictively high. We decided to go with a lease on the 2017 based on those considerations, and also dealers seem to be ordering far more PZEVs now than in the past, which Id take any day over a hybrid with heavy metal batteries that will require a strict EPA compliance when reprocessing (shipped off for reprocessing in China or elsewhere where cutting corners on environmental compliance is not uncommon), and the PZEV cost us nothing extra to get in a 2017 lease - I figure its because the residual with that feature gets a slight boost due to the higher exhaust warranty.

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  Still Going Strong - 2002 Subaru Forester
  By Marks - September 2 - 2:00 am

  This Forester has been in daily use since we bought it new. It has had very few problems. Replacing the catalytic converter was the only signficant item so far. We also had to replace the CD player module when it started eating disks and keeping them! I was impressed that Subaru voluntarily replaced all the engine gaskets at no cost after some head gasket seepage was noted during dealer service. I for one like the placement of the cupholder, even though it puts your cup in front of the air distribution control knob. The cup is ergonomically in a good position -- up high and easy to reach. The holder looks flimsy, but it hasnt broken. A great little vehicle, easily the best I have owned.

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  My third legacy - 2010 Subaru Legacy
  By edward - September 1 - 4:23 pm

  I replaced my 2008 tribeca with the 2010 legacy, primarily to improve fuel economy. The tribeca is a great vehicle, but I wanted something more fuel efficient. This is my third legacy, having owned a 2000 legacy limited and a 2005 legacy gt limited. I love this car, the increase in interior space, especially with respect to the rear seating is welcome and a major improvement. So far Im impressed with the mpg Ive been receiving, and love the CVT transmission. What more can I say, its a Subaru, theyre the AWD champs.