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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  Disappointment - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By Larry Schultz - August 18 - 11:30 pm

  In mountains you cannot use cruise per manual and experience. Foot drive results in shifting under load between 3 & 4 gears. Have to rev engine to 5000+ rpm to maintain freeway speed. Engine screams and high rpm bad for engine. Wont pull hills in 4th. Sport shift helps but is not responsive enough and will shift gears without driver knowing. Any call for power even on level road results in high rpm in 3rd with engine howling. Didnt pay all this money for automatic & cruise and not be able to use it. In general, lack of power causes behavior like my pickup towing a heavy camper. Driver seating is designed for small people. Its either stretch arms for wheel or knees "against chest" for 6 footer.

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  Guess I got the lemon - 2003 Subaru Outback
  By Jane - August 18 - 7:13 pm

  Immediately post-purchase, I noticed the car hesitated on acceleration & had slow & clunky gear shifting. I was told that was just "the boxer engine"?! The car chews thru the brakes - been replaced & repaired every year. Wind noise has been a constant irritation & I cant read stereo settings on bright days due to glare. Today, I was told that the head gasket is blown and the brake pads are gone again. In spite of having routine maintenance, this 6 year old car has had a long history of expensive repair, gets poor mileage & requires more expensive gas. I would never buy another Subaru but from others revus, clearly Im in the minority?! Must have been the lemon?!

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  First Time Subaru Owner - 2010 Subaru Legacy
  By Tom - August 17 - 12:50 am

  Had a terrible time in the winter last year so I wanted something that would provide better driving so with the AWD Subaru was at the top of the list. The 2010 redesign caught my eye. It is now just as roomy as the Accord and Camry that I tried out and was quieter than the Accord. I chose it over the Camry due to the AWD. Although not as spirited in the engine from a start it is plenty powerful and cruises nice. I just hope the seats break in faster.

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  Form meets Function - 2005 Subaru Baja
  By JustLee - August 16 - 9:20 pm

  This car/truck is just plain fun.

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  Reliable on everything - 2001 Subaru Forester
  By JP - August 16 - 8:33 am

  Bought it new and have had minimal repairs and total reliability. Have replaced both boot cover for axle (too close to muffler-bad design) and at 160000 am replacing timing belt. Only minor expected brake part replacement and tires. Drive on dirt roads and in the Rocky Mountains and it is great. I drive a great deal and never feel I am at risk. This car handles snowy roads very well. I have even gone off the road into a ditch (my stupidity) and was able to keep it upright and get right back on (snowy dirt road). So I am guessing that rollovers are not common. If that had been my old explorer, I would have rolled. Best AWD around as far as I am concerned

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  beautiful car - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By apkjczb - August 16 - 6:56 am

  I bought this car because I needed a car that has 7 passenger seating but I hate those big trucks with 7 seats, so this was the perfect match for me, I loved the interior design, and the leg room it has since I am a tall guy (6.2) the few things I am missing in the car is the Bluetooth, and rear backup sensor which is important for this car since it has a tiny rear window so it’s a large blind spot.

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  Only Subaru - 2003 Subaru Forester
  By DavisJ - August 16 - 2:00 am

  This is my fourth Subaru and I love them. Picked up my new Forester today and I love it too. It is the perfect size. I almost got a CR-V, but its too big and trucky, sits a little too high. The Forester is perfect. Drives like a car and still has plenty of room for all my stuff. Subaru cars have been super reliable. You cant go wrong with one of these cars.

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  Top Notch - 2003 Subaru Forester
  By WayneM - August 16 - 2:00 am

  I looked at alot of vehicles, the Subaru by far is the best bang for the buck. I think there is a major mis- conception that the Subaru is too expensive.

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  2002 subaru GT sedan - 2002 Subaru Legacy
  By nd - August 16 - 2:00 am

  Bought in November. Seems like a solid car. To early to tell about reliability. Live in the northeast. Have had three storms since buying the car.Great in the snow.

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  Car waiting to be modded... seriously - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By WRXreX - August 16 - 2:00 am

  This car is one of the easiest car to get the power out of. $2000 can make this a reliable 300hp monster www.turboxs.com. On the other hand, $5000 can net you a high 11s WRX. This car is meant to be driven hard and that is what rally car is intended to be. Please dont expect interior quality of VW. You will be disappointed. However, factory option carbon fiber trim kit will make interior look much much better. Tim