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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  Loads of fun - 2003 Subaru Impreza
  By Chris - February 13 - 11:20 pm

  The car has been everything that I wanted. Good performance, nice looking, build quality is outstanding. No fold down rear seat, no remote trunk release. Short throw shifter is awesome.

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  Check of the Roof Rails on Outback Subarus!!! - 2016 Subaru Outback
  By Molly - February 10 - 10:31 am

  I purchased my 2016 Outback in March. I notice the roof rails on the car when I purchased. They didnt sit flush to the car. Showed the service department. Subaru technical support was called in to check roof rails. New set was ordered, put on car, worse than one that came on car, took back to dealership and said I wasnt satisfied. They called Subaru again, they said send to body shop, that was done, still not fixed. Was given 800 number for Subaru and told to get work order number. My car has been in shop 3 times and not fixed. The dealership has offered to give me a trade in value, less that purchase price. I do like my Outback, but Im wondering if they know what to do to get this problem fixed. If you have a 2016 or 2017 Outback, or looking to purchase, please check out the roof rack. Was told Subaru is aware of this problem, please notify your deal ship and Subaru. This is a Subaru problem, not deal ship, let Subaru know you know this

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  My first AWD - 2009 Subaru Impreza
  By kiana408 - February 9 - 5:53 am

  I love this car! I really needed an AWD for Tahoe and couldnt stand another season of having to chain up in the snow. After researching AWD Vehicles, Trucks and 4WD SUVs, this appeared to be the best choice for me, someone whos always driven a fuel efficient Honda Civic. It handles great! I drove it through the Sierra Nevadas then the Santa Cruz Mountains all in my first weekend. Smooth clutch, super stable around corners and sharp turns. Nice look, comfy and roomy inside. My first and foremost concern when purchasing a new car was safety for me and my child. I feel very safe in my new car, so happy with my purchase!

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  Good car, cheap interior - 2010 Subaru Forester
  By Hans - February 7 - 5:00 am

  I owned an 03 XS Premium, which I traded for the 10. I love the added room and new exterior styling. Things lost from the 03 - the handling is less nimble and more boat-like, there is less usable cabin storage space, the radio is not as good, the cabin fit and finishes are not nearly as nice as before, and the red display lights and small lettering for the steering wheel, radio and fan/heat/ac controls are annoying and hard to read (dont designers know that red is irritating??). I will keep this car for a long time; I just wish Subaru didnt cut so many corners on the interior.

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  A great Value but by no means perfect. . . - 2011 Subaru Forester
  By kghofsf - January 31 - 8:35 am

  I recently bought a Pearl Blue 2.5X Limited Forester. I was looking for a smaller Crossover that was rugged enough to handle some relatively sketchy gravel / dirt roads on the way to the back-country, but was not completely out of place in an Urban environment. I also didnt want to spend 40K+ either. After returning from a 2500 mile road trip to the Tucson AZ area I can confirm that the Forester essentially fulfills its twin goals of being both tough enough for the desert and civilized enough for everyday driving. It is Not, however, a luxury car (see the Volvo XC60) nor is it a Performance car. As such people with long daily commutes might want to look elsewhere.

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  Base WRX is just a starting point... - 2003 Subaru Impreza
  By Wavshrdr - January 31 - 2:00 am

  You canÂ’t beat the bang for the buck. I have done more mods than I care to mention but the performance of the car is amazing. I now have a little wagon that will easily run with or beat a turbo Porsche at a fifth the price. I can take 4 other people along with me for the ride in reasonable comfort. Then I can stuff the hatch area full of stuff and take a trip. This car is the ultimate all-weather interceptor. Very few cars can offer this level of performance, reliability and fun! Every day its basic goodness shines through as soon as you fire it off. Downsides to the car: mileage, interior materials and terrible tires. Buy one!

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  like it is - 2001 Subaru Forester
  By ralphandro - January 31 - 2:00 am

  Tires look great but arent very good in the snow should use better tires for snow use since car is sold to be used in snow. A lot of small problems brake noise,fuel filler cap broke,Ox sensor went.

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  I now this car with a few exceptions - 2017 Subaru Outback
  By Gadabout - January 22 - 3:59 am

  On any Drive Beyond one hour the front seats are totally unacceptable. Leg cramps are the norm. If it were not for the cruise control offering some relief I would have to pull over and stop. I have never owned an automobile in my 60 plus years of driving that has been this unacceptable in seat comfort. My second issue are the voice commands for the navigation system. They had best can be described as a joke. They flat-out do not work. Ive been dictating into machines one type or another for 40 years I use computer dictation everyday Ive used navigation systems on all of my other automobiles and Garmins and this one does not work. The other technologies out weight the previous issue. I would buy another BUT I would hope they get their act together on the fronts seats, the voice commands etcetera.

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  Sub - 1998 Subaru Forester
  By KLA - January 20 - 10:00 am

  Overall I would buy another Forester. Zero problems, sound as the day bought. Only complaint is that speed control was not standard on "L", a good thing to have.

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  Good car for slippery road but rattles - 2011 Subaru Forester
  By pvp5 - January 18 - 7:06 pm

  I have been driving this car since November 2010, and I have mixed feelings about this car. On the good side, it has handled very well from last winter (heavy snow, ice and rain) with winter tires and AWD drive. Also, I have total 360 degree view for turning and backing up without needing a rear view camera. I also love the tight turning capability (useful for U-turn and tight parking spaces). The bad side is Subarus failure of attention of details, particularly the moon roof, and driver seat. The moon roof rattles --particularly the build-in wind visor--when it is closed. This has annoyed me very much. Also, the driver seat is hard and so very uncomfortable for long drive.