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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  Cant go wrong with the STi - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By RodSTi - June 20 - 6:10 am

  This car is an excellent choice if you are a driving enthusiast who wants a daily driver. The engine pulls good at any RPM, almost feels like theres no turbo lag in day-to-day driving. The car is practical even with its design intent. Four doors and easy to drive make it a great daily driver. The gas mileage may be poor regardless of how you drive, but you will be hard pressed to drive this car like a normal person. The car begs you to push it as hard as you can. The suspension is tight but you can live with it. I have raced that car in autocrosses and the handling is fun, you can achieve oversteer with the right tire pressure. The brakes are also out of this world.

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  Excellent vehicle! - 2003 Subaru Forester
  By Mrs.Bean - June 18 - 10:00 am

  I very recently purchased a 2003 Forester 2.5x after months of researching & test driving. Not only was it a pleasure dealing with the sales staff, they were extremely fair. The car/truck/wagon is perfect. Im a new mom, and we love to camp and hike. The Forester is a perfect for going to the grocery store as well as going for a day trip to the mountains. I must admit- its feels "cooler" than a station wagon, while not being a gas guzzling SUV. Its been a pleasure to drive!

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  Buy it for comfort and space - 2002 Subaru Outback
  By ksolomon - June 18 - 10:00 am

  I have driven 70K miles in 18 months in West Michigan, mostly on the freeway. The car is exceptional in the snow especially with winter tires, it is quiet and comfortable on the freeway and grip is excellent. The tailgate is 43" wide and you can carry a 48" wide board on an angle. It also pulls medium size trailers effortlessly. My car has had only one problem, which was a blown fan motor caused by a faulty surge protector. Dealer service has been very good. My complaints are that the interior is pretty boring, the car is really slow, and I average only 22mpg.

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  First Brand New Car - 2012 Subaru Impreza
  By darkblash - June 15 - 6:41 pm

  Buying a Brand New car is never an excellent value. However, Subaru is not only well know for their exceptional reliability, saftey, and customer loyalty, they are also one of the top brands listed for resale value. When comparing the 2012 impreza on paper to its closest competitors it is not definitively going to jump off the page as the best choice in the segment. That is dependent on what your needs are; if you live in the snow belt, and are interested in upgrading or trading the car 5-10 years down the road, the impreza is a great choice. Many complain about the MPG not reaching 36mpg hwy.

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  Safe, Dependable and fun - 2004 Subaru Legacy
  By Froggy - June 15 - 1:53 am

  I agree with the others that the auto trans could be better.A 5 or 6 speed would improve economy (I get 25 overall) and acceleration. Reliability wise, I have over 90,000 on it and I have had only one out of pocket repair. It is still tight as a drum. My friends Hondas and Toyotas have been more problematic, in fact they all love my subie. I think many people just dont give Subaru a look before going to Honda or Toyota. This is my third Subaru and I dont see where the others are any more reliable or better made.

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  So THIS is why people buy imports.. - 2010 Subaru Legacy
  By helloiamjohn - June 15 - 1:45 am

  I was originally looking for a 4x4/awd crossover SUV. The salesman had none around, but wanted to show me this Subaru, a brand I knew only a few (good) things about. The weather was really bad that day, with schools closed due to icy roads, but the Legacy killed it. No drama, and the heater was a champ. It feels like an extremely nice, intelligent vehicle, and the truly awesome MPG combined with the looks, comfort, and reknowned reliability sold me on it. I am so glad I tried it.

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  Subaru Outback - flawless performance - 2016 Subaru Outback
  By Bob - June 14 - 6:50 pm

  I have never even looked at Subarus before becoming interested in one. After looking and driving virtually every other similar styled vehicle out there (small suvs/wagons) we decided on the Limited model pretty well loaded with most options available. Two weeks after buying we had an emergency 1,900 mile round trip come up. This vehicle never missed a beat entire trip, was very comfortable and I am well over 6 and about 265#. Didnt have much time to get used to the Subaru before having to leave so was not familiar with how everything worked, i.e. the navigation, radio system, lots of safety features but didnt take much to figure most of it out. We were in very heavy rains at end of trip and even in some pretty serious dust storms early in the drive. Have seen reviews indicating not enough power with the 4 cylinder but did not have any instance of not having sufficient power and did go up some pretty steep stuff. Acceleration while getting onto freeways and passing more than adequate. Some things hard to review at this time as no maintenance costs yet, purchase cost very good compared to other similar equipped vehicles we looked at. Obviously we have no idea of resale value at this time and warranty has not been used. Right now if we had it to do over again we would have purchased the exact same vehicle, seems to fit us perfectly. The dealer, Modesto Subaru has been excellent as has been the salesman, Ron Myers, who was able to answer all our questions well with absolutely no pressure at any time.

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  Couldnt ask for more - 2009 Subaru Outback
  By Greatcar - June 14 - 6:30 am

  The XT Turbo is plain fun to drive. The front seat is roomy, the cockpit layout and lighting are fantastic, the turbocharged engine does anything you could ask for, and the all wheel drive provides sure footing in any weather. This is my third Subie (after a Mazda, Honda, and 2 Toyotas), and I wouldnt trade it for any other make or model. Rear cabin storage is great. My only wish is would be for better city gas mileage, but its a fun, fantastic car to drive.

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  Shoulda checked - 2016 Subaru Forester
  By AnotherBill - June 13 - 6:00 pm

  Who can not help but love a new car. I know I do, but after a month of owning my Forester, there are some little annoyances that cant be noticed until you have owned the vehicle. I may be a little critical, but some things you take for granted that they have been tried and approved. The front seats need some added cushioning. It is a little to firm for my aching back that becomes apparent after a six hour drive The power seat is very nice, I just wish the passenger side had some of the same adjustments as the drivers, such as the lumbar support. These things dont become apparent until you have spent time in the vehicle. The climate control blows lots of whatever you want, but my kids in the back seat were complaining of being too hot, or too cool. I thought there was a vent to the back seat area under the front seats, but there are none. The entertainment? screen, AKA the radio, is a touch screen. I think it is the same software as the RAV4. Having to page up or page down to see other programmed stations is cumbersome, and without fail, I miss the touch area to advance, and end up on a different screen. Im sure I will get used to it, but for now it is a pain. The steering wheel controls are there, and they work well, except you have to step through all the other preprogramed channels. That is just how it works. No fault there. The information screen on top of the dash, although mostly useful, has a number of screen settings that seem to be more fluff than substance. It handles very nicely, but does seem a little too much on the stiff side for the bumpy roads of Ohio, and for the expansion joints of many of our interstate highways. The CVT was a nice surprise. Being old school, I was suspicious of the design, but it is quite smooth. My only gripe is from a stop, it can be a little "grabby" as it engages. I also hope the longevity is on par with their older designs that lasted forever. The AWD system is flawless. They all are. Im about done, but I need to mention that as I packed for a family trip, I found myself wishing it was a foot longer in the cargo area. Purely for hauling our junk around. Probably owning a mini-van spoiled me, but I still like to take my stuff with me when I head out on trips. Oh and another thing. I didnt realize this was not assembled in the U.S. That could have been a deal breaker. (My 1998 Outback was built in Indiana. Still on the road, but tired)

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  Subaru Rocks - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By Paul Browne - June 12 - 7:06 pm

  I have owned this car for about four months now. This is my second Subaru. Its a great car, handles as good or better than many sports cars I have owned, is fairly quiet on the road, and yes, it can get good gas mileage (you have to drive gently). Commuting to and from work I get 20 to 22 mpg, with mostly highway driving. At high speed on the Interstates (75+) I get 19-21 mpg. The manual shift feature I use a lot when Im driving in the mountains (NM), it saves the transmission from countless up and down shifts. The other vehicle I considered buying was a Cadillac SRX 7 pass. One test drive told me the B9 Tribeca was the best buy.