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:

• 

  Subaru GT - 2005 Subaru Legacy
  By wysiwyg08620 - July 5 - 6:50 am

  I have been a Subaru owner for 17 years, this being my 4th Subaru. I have been waiting for Subaru to come out with a turbo charged Legacy since the sport sedan (I owned a 92 with 140k miles). Given my previous experiences with Subaru, this is a great car. Some may say that it is not the fastest or best handling or even the most stylish, but it certainly has more than a fair share of each. Include the performance and style with reliability and I feel that it is a great buy. On my wish list is that the 2.5 was the same as the 300HP found in the STi. Also, the CD players random function does not go between the CDs and the FM/AM/CD function button is a bit far away for the driver to reach.

• 

  All purpose vehicle - 2012 Subaru Outback
  By ken90004 - July 5 - 5:15 am

  Owned for two year, have 36k miles. I had no complaints about the car at all. Good gas mileage. I towed trailers and a camper with it with no issues. It is great in the snow and bad weather. Best AWD system out there in this price range. And Subaru is dedicated to their customers. Top notch service all around. I spent a year of research before making my buying decision, and now as an owner, I will own nothing else but a Subaru.

• 

  Best AWD Sedan Available for the Money - 2008 Subaru Legacy
  By subaruconvert - July 4 - 4:50 am

  The spec.B is worth the premium over the 5 spd GT; much better handling, better tranny / shifter, better wheels / tires, nicer interior. An "adult muscle car" that will also excel in bad weather. Mileage is right at the EPA of 17 for city cycle after 500 miles of mostly urban commute, and Im not always easy on the throttle. Performance could be called "stealth": quiet and comfortable until you hamnmer it! After comparing to the G35X, A4 3.2L, Passat 4Motion and Mazdaspeed 6, this car is the clear winner to me with great build quality, performance, balance of ride and handling and the ability to get a 6M tranny vs. an auto.

• 

  4x4 - 2001 Subaru Legacy
  By seanjhon - July 4 - 2:00 am

  subaru is the best car i have driven and i will recomend it to anyone.

• 

  Wow... and WOW! - 2003 Subaru Impreza
  By ZumaJay - July 4 - 2:00 am

  What more can be said about spending less than 26K out the door w/ a WRX fully optioned-out? Thanks to MIKE A. @ SM Subaru for letting me push him around! Anyhow, I LOVE this thing!! The car just wants to go fast... it wants to corner hard... it wants to make the driver happy.

• 

  Love the Car... Hate the Mileage - 2008 Subaru Impreza
  By linmike - July 3 - 6:30 pm

  Purchased this car in January 2008. Have put about 200 miles on the car so far. Handles great in all weather. Mileage has not advance to more than 11.1 mpg; very disappointing.

• 

  After seven years of ownership - 2000 Subaru Forester
  By bargain hunter - July 3 - 2:00 pm

  I bought this vehicle new in January 2000. For seven years I never had any major problems with this vehicle other than a radiator replacement. In the seventh year everything went on it at once. CV boots, wheel alignment, worn out wheel bearing, engine cylinder gaskets, fuel filter. The vehicle only had 81,000 miles on it when this all happen.

• 

  Great Car - 2009 Subaru Impreza
  By rkouvo - July 3 - 2:26 am

  I dont know where the EPA got their numbers from, I do mostly city driving and am averaging 28.5mpg on the first two tanks of gas, the motor isnt even broken in yet, Im sure to get over 30mpg. Its a fun car to drive, definitely good for commuting, the only downside is the amount of wind and road noise along with some rattling of the hard plastic interior. I cant wait for some snow to see how the all wheel drive holds up though, if its anything like my 92 suby was, it should be a lot of fun. Id recommend this car to anyone, the 09 impreza has a noticeable amount of more interior space which is great! A+

• 

  XT 2 Turbo, Hi from Ukraine - 2004 Subaru Forester
  By Vladyslav Gavrylenko - July 2 - 10:00 am

  As everybody knows what Ukraine and Russia have no roads and this car perferct for me, the slogan any road and any time giving 100% feedback, By the way as i see for Ukraine we getting 2 liters and this 177 hp, my car starting much faster than Camry 2.4 and I was winner when i drived with BMW 2.5 :)

• 

  Post 1,000 mile impression - 2005 Subaru Impreza
  By just Mike - July 2 - 10:00 am

  4 cylinders and a turbo... It is absolutely incredible what Subaru has accomplished with this car. "Slotcar" type handling and tons of power. Acceleration, lane changes, passing, and stopping are effortless; you just "think it"... and it happens. Most fun I’ve had in a car in a long time. I almost get a "predatory twinge" while driving this car.