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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  Still kind of amazed. - 2007 Subaru Legacy
  By Dan - July 1 - 9:46 pm

  I was looking for a reliable, safe, affordable ($20k or under) car big enough to for 2 car seats (though this is not our primary family car) that didnt look & feel like every other car on the road. I drove the Civic & Rabbit, then the Outback Sport. The last was a little cramped, so the dealer suggested the Legacy. Its bigger, more powerful, with much nicer styling, and in a completely different class than the others. Looks great, and IIHS Gold crash test ratings. I got the 07 with the sport trim (fog lights and spoiler).

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  NEED REPLACEMENT PARTS WAY TOO SOON - 2011 Subaru Outback
  By bunsen00 - July 1 - 7:30 pm

  Weve been driving Subarus for many years, and loved them. This is the 2nd 1 we bought new. I love my car, but upon last inspection I had to replace back brakes, rotors, and need new tires. This would be fine if it had 100,000 miles on it. But it is NOT alright when it has just over 31,000 miles on it. The serviceman wanted to know how long the vehicle sat because the rotors were so rusty. The car never sat! Weve had to replace rotors before, but never on anything that had less than 100,000 miles on it! I know I will think twice before going with Subaru after this, and I hope you all will too! Ive always recommended them to other people, but no more!

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  2010 Outback - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By herndon1 - July 1 - 1:16 pm

  Wow! Subaru is getting it right. Great mileage, 23 city, over 30 highway and huge gas tank 18.5 gal. equals a 450 mile range. High quality interior--seats in both front and rear incredibly comfortable. Roof rack is ingenious and will be copied quickly by all other brands. CVT takes getting used too, but it does succeed in keeping engine revolutions very low and thats how SOA is getting the great MPG. Navigation system with Ipod, bluetooth and satellite radio works great--as good as Ford Sync. Great navigation screen--as good as Acura, Cadillac and Lexus. Very quiet interior--a new breakthrough for SOA. SOA sales are up 34% for the last twelve months. This car will sell very well!

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  Baja - 2005 Subaru Baja
  By Bob - June 30 - 1:56 pm

  I recently purchased the Subaru Baja Sport for my commute to work. Although its only been about one month since I bought the Baja it has proven to be a good choice. I am getting 28mpg. Its fun to drive and though its no sports car it handles and accelerates good enough for me.

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  WRX - Great Car! - 2008 Subaru Impreza
  By Mike - June 29 - 11:53 pm

  The 2008 WRX is one fun car! I have the premium model because I wanted the heated seats. This car is fast, fun, safe and reliable. Reviews say this latest model is tame and now marketed to a larger audience. So what. For around $26K, this car delivers tons of performance for the dollar.

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  Im impressed - 2008 Subaru Tribeca
  By Suzy B. - June 29 - 10:53 pm

  Just drove the new 08 Tribeca. While cleaning my house and finding the Subaru magazine, I looked through it and found out about all the new changes of the 08 Tribeca. I own a 06 tribeca and have always been disapointed with the engine and transmission. So, went to town and drove the 08 and found the difference to be very very noticable within the first few seconds of driving it. I went back the next day and purchased the new 2008 Tribeca. I love all the great changes. Thanks Subaru!!

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  Soft brakes - 2014 Subaru Forester
  By Thomas Mikolajewski - June 29 - 4:37 am

  Bought 2014 Subaru Forester in March and found some features below standard. The rubber coated dash is hard to clean and seems to attach lint. The rear hatch does not open when the open button is pressed but has a delay so at first the open button was pressed repeatedly causing some frustration unless you wait until hatch starts to move. The brakes feel soft and the pedal slowly moves when stopped at a light. Need to pump brakes to get pedal up and this causes car to move which is scary when sitting in traffic. Dealer says all Subaru brakes operate this way but this is my first Subaru and I do not remember this problem on previous American or Japanese cars I owned.

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  Not bad for the money - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By rlim6 - June 29 - 2:00 am

  Very nice sport sedan for the money...best in practicality and performance...for the money. With 40,000 miles on the car now...only had problems with driver side power widow (fixed) under warranty. Car still feels new and solid. Paid list for the car...no regrets... I still love driving it and feel good after driving it.

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  Another Great Subaru - 2002 Subaru Outback
  By Ron K - June 29 - 2:00 am

  When we lived in Boston, we had only Subarus for over a decade. Moving to California we had access to a fleet of used company cars and bought those. Eventually we had two Mazdas and intended to replace those. However, the Outback won me over. The other replacement vehicle was a Lexus IS300 and in terms of interior comfort and handling, it is not far off. The power is much different but the Outback is quiet and comfortable while providing a practical alternative to the Lexus. All of the things I like about Subaru are still there--and improved.

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  Meets all our needs! - 2002 Subaru Outback
  By Fro - June 29 - 2:00 am

  We compared our car w/Passat Wagon, and everything being equal the Outback won hands down. The comfort, roominess and extra (non add-on) emenities made the decision easy. It handles better than any other car weve owned.