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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  Fun to drive - 2005 Subaru Impreza
  By Solistide - April 5 - 8:40 pm

  This car is awesome to drive. It is fun, and provides good handling and feel for the road. Not recommended for driving over bumpy roads, unless you want a sore behind. A bit rough, definitely not a luxury car. The interior is cheap; for my car, the seat material was wrinkling up (got it fixed through warranty), drivers visor mirror fell off, stock armrest extension not secured well to the car (quite fragile), and several other issues. This car was definitely meant to be modded (modified).

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  Amazing for the cheap price of $30G - 2005 Subaru Legacy
  By Tieger plumbing - April 5 - 4:03 am

  This car took one heck of a hit by a truck and I walked away This car is really great.

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  Test drove 17 SUVs and bought the B9 - 2007 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By RWP - April 4 - 8:20 pm

  This vehicle was purchased for my wife. She wanted an SUV that wasnt too big, wasnt too small, wasnt the same as everyone else, and had lots of features. We test drove everything (17 in total) from $25K to over $70K. We liked the Porsche Cayenne S, but didnt feel like spending that much. We also liked the Lexus RX350, but everyone has one. The Subaru B9 Tribeca was the last one we tested and we only tried it because the Porsche and Audi dealer also sold Subaru. We liked it so much, and the dealer gave us a very good deal on a just off the truck 2007 model, that we bought it that day. We have taken it on two long road trips and love it.

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  Missing in Action - 2016 Subaru Forester
  By mel turetzky - April 4 - 6:57 pm

  The Limited version I purchased omits many useful features that have been on all my previous cars at this cost and trim level. Heres a partial list: 1) ignition key does not fold so it stabs holes in pants pockets 2) there is no touch down for Passenger side window 3) there is no auto on for headlights at darkness 4) cruise control only increments in 5mph units after setting 5) there are no clothes hook hangers above back door entry 6) there is no overhead light in cargo area 7)the cargo mat is so rigid that it prevents entry to the useful underneath storage area. And Ive only had the car for four weeks. The ride and comfort are as good as reported. I think the Eyesight feature, while usually good is overrated because my limited experience is that its response time is too long for cars cutting you off and thereby requiring instant braking.

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  Legacy GT LTD - 2005 Subaru Legacy
  By ken - April 4 - 2:43 pm

  Awesome car. Theres no car better than this car for the price in terms of performance and luxury for under 30 grand.

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  9" of snow and ice in first 4 days - 2010 Subaru Legacy
  By Dave - April 4 - 10:53 am

  I have boon looking for the right car for 6 months. I bought that car last Friday. We had 9" of snow Sunday, and packed snow/ice since then. 700 miles this weekend, including passing semis on fresh snow. No other vehicles would give me the ability to that safely while getting over 30mpg at this price. The rest of the features/flaws lack relevance when 2wd vehicles become essentially un-driveable. I cant wait to drive it on dry pavement. Until then I will simply amuse myself laughing at those sliding backward on 7-8 degree iced roads, while carefully driving around them. I made sure to test drive this car at 65- 75, no vibration at all.

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  Nice truck but my last Subaru - 2010 Subaru Forester
  By mike - April 4 - 8:40 am

  Bought my first subaru in 2001 and it was perfect, rock solid till the day I sold it last week. The new replacement a XT sure looks nice BUT... Rattles something fierce and all over. The headlights wont work sometimes (had to shut the truck off and restart to get it working) windows software maybe?? The drivetrain makes bad noises when turning and the turbo (maybe) made a bad squealing sound for miles you first start the truck. I figured its under warranty let it blow up. The rear window for some reason wants to open with no one pushing buttons. The heater works in reverse. Have a small book for repairs. Will I buy another Subaru - I think Not. Too bad I didnt keep my old model, my fault.

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  Gets all the looks!!! - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By wrx fan - April 4 - 2:00 am

  definitely a great investment. i just bought a blue 2003 wrx sedan. havent tested the theory that it can beat most all stock cars within its price range, but ill take their word for it :) and it is also said to even beat boxters. what fun!!!

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  Fun car with a few downsides - 2017 Subaru WRX
  By Nick - April 3 - 4:57 am

  This is my second Subaru WRX. My first was a 2016 base model with the 6 speed manual. I originally got rid of the 2016 because I was sick of daily driving a manual transmission car in traffic. I traded it for a 2017 Premium trim with the CVT. The Premium trim has a few nice extras like a sunroof and fog lights and the car is built well and has a good firm ride and feels sturdy. The big problem I have with this car is that the CVT. It just doesnt belong in this car. I like that it has 3 driving modes that you can choose from but the shifts are noticeably artificial. My second problem is the fuel economy. I thought the CVT would help the mpgs over the manual but its actually worse. I was averaging 22-23 mpg in the city with the manual and the CVT is averaging 18-19 in intelligent (economy) mode. I absolutely love this car with the manual, especially if you live someplace where you can really use it and have fun with it. At this point I really regret getting the CVT.

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  Nice Car - 2016 Subaru Outback
  By GRaj - April 2 - 6:57 pm

  Test drove Mazda CX3, CX5, Honda-HRV and decided on this model. Driven it for a month. Both my wife and my son love this car. Lots of safety features. Loved the adaptive cruise control, lane assist etc etc. Smooth driving. Lacks power but I am OK with it. Smooth driving. Good handling in snow. I agree with one comment about reversing on a slope. The car can run down the slope when you reverse if you dont hit the brakes. But I have seen this with my Infiniti FX35 as well. Overall very happy with it. I hope I will remain happy in months/years to come...