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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  Eyesite feature great, Navigation maps outdated - 2017 Subaru Outback
  By MR - February 22 - 7:14 pm

  Very happy with the Eyesight System & features. Navigation maps are about 3 years out of date in a new car with no updates available. I have contacted Subaru customer service several times and they dont seem to care and dont offer any prospects when an update will be available. Cannot see the clock or outside temperature display (which are poorly placed) if you are wearing polarized sunglasses. Some of the apps are a waste. I miss the calendar and calculator that was available on my 2011 Outback. They could redesign the display of the steering wheel and dash switches to make them more easily readable during the day. At a glance you do not know what some are for. At night with the red display on the buttons they are easier to identify. I dont understand why they havent changed that over the years. Other than that I am quite happy with the car but very unhappy regarding the maps. I would not have bought the navigation system knowing the maps were out of date. Frequently have to use my iPhone for directions.

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  Great Little Stationwagon - 2011 Subaru Forester
  By Ernie - February 22 - 2:00 am

  After much research and checking out competitors vehicles, my wife and I settled on the Forester. We liked the styling and comfort. Living in the California foothills and mountains we wanted all wheel drive or 4 wheel drive. Being a 4 cylinder, I thought it was a little underpowered, but after three months of ownership, we are both convinced, this car needs a 6 speed automatic to perform and keep up with traffic, especially in the hills. Being promoted as an outdoor vehicle for use in the hills, it seems funny most cars have a 6 speed automatic and Subaru has a 4 speed that was common in the 70s. Keeping the engine rpm in the higher ranges would make this car stellar. A good car.

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  great ride - 2011 Subaru Outback
  By lazymedic42 - February 22 - 2:00 am

  owned 97, 05 outbacks. 2011 version much improved in interior space, comfort seating and ergonomics. 3.6 engine is needed for highway; gas mileage much better than listed. Cant throw the new car around like the older models, miss the weather band radio and engine block heater. Back-up video takes time to get used to but worth it;

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  Getting worse on gas every tank - 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek
  By ski08071 - February 21 - 2:09 am

  I owned an FJ Cruiser and went to the Crosstrek because of its advertised fuel mileage. In the beginning it was getting 28-30 mpg, now it is 2 months old with 3,000 miles and it just barely gets 20 mpg. I should have kept my FJ, it may have only gotten 16 mpg but at least it was built like a tank.

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  I Love it, Wife hates it - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By Angus141 - February 20 - 2:00 am

  I enjoy the engine so much that it overshadows the ride which is poor. But i knew what i was buying. Wife is not auto enthusist(sp) and dosent understand why i would buy something so small and harsh riding. Fine with me.

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  After 30,000 miles! - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By sabatia - February 16 - 7:20 pm

  I have driven 30k miles, including three trips to my extreme getaway in the near arctic in winter and summer, city driving, and semi-rural around home. This car is fun to drive, feels quite safe, has plenty of cargo room, a big sunroof. If I could do it again, I would have gone up one more step to the VDC and gotten a major winter safety boost. The all-wheel drive is seamless and has gotten me out of some very slippery and rough situations in my explorations of very remote areas in all seasons. I live in a very wealthy area and I dont see any car Id rather have!

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  Forester is Fine! - 2018 Subaru Forester
  By Denise - February 15 - 3:17 pm

  Many features have improved from the 2009 to the 2018 Forester, however, one very poor decision was to NOT have a light in the trunk! The rear cargo (Trunk) does not have a light.

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  YeeeeeeHaaaaaa - 2005 Subaru Impreza
  By Stimuli - February 15 - 10:00 am

  THIS THING IS A ROCKET SHIP! It so so quick and so fast that it is scary. I equate it to holding a calm cat that just got scared and is digging in to get the hell out of Dodge. Once break-in is over (even before!)you will not want to drive this thing without a radar detector present. The closest you will get to a supercar under $100,000. There are very few vehicles in the US that can challenge the STi, anywhere!

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  Better than my Boxster S - 2005 Subaru Impreza
  By jontronics - February 15 - 10:00 am

  A lot of bang for the buck. This car replaced my 02 Porsche Boxster S, what a difference! For $26,000 less I got more horsepower and torque, better handling, fewer squeaks and a lot less attitude at the dealership. Bottom line, when you add up all of the peformance items that come standard, it would cost you thousands more to turn any other sports sedan into anything close to the STI, plus its all covered by a 36,000 mile warranty. Instant track car.

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  Great car for family and Michigan - 2006 Subaru Legacy
  By mrnoorde - February 14 - 2:26 pm

  My wife had a Subaru WRX but when we had a child, she needed something bigger. The WRX was fun to drive, safe, and reliable so naturally looked at another Subaru. We knew we wanted a wagon with a manual gearbox. We also wanted better fuel economy, lower insurance rates, and something that does not take premium fuel. The Legacy 2.5i wagon manual proved perfect. My wife misses the WRX but once the Legacy had about 2000 miles on it, the engine loosened up nicely and works well with the manual gearbox. Yes, a little more power would be nice but 25 mpg around town and 30+ mpg on the highway is fantastic.