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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  Im For my Forester - 2016 Subaru Forester
  By Helen - March 5 - 8:38 pm

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  First Subaru - 2012 Subaru Outback
  By williemo - March 5 - 8:35 pm

  This is my first subaru and I cannot be more pleased. I was looking at some higher mileage rated vehicles - but the Outback was so quiet and comfortable, I decided to sacrifice the 5 mpg. As it turns out, Im getting 25 mpg around the city and 32 mpg on the highway. First time Ive actually beat the listed mpg. Great car!

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  Good Car - 2006 Subaru Impreza
  By Ira - March 5 - 5:46 pm

  I like the size of this car because it fits perfectly in my small garage in San Francisco. Very powerful (you will noticed the difference from Toyota Corolla or Honda Civic). However would suggest to manufacturer to place a lock on the trunk door and have additional light in front. My new car had auto door lock problem (worked intermittently) but was fixed by the dealer satisfactorily. Ive had it for over 2 months and love it.

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  Denver to Moab on 1 tank of gas - 2003 Subaru Forester
  By Tim-subaru - March 5 - 10:00 am

  This our second Forrester. We have a 99 L and we just traded in our gas guzzling Jeep Liberty for the 2003 XS Premium. Nice improvements a the same great reliable pratical mountain car. Good power with AWD and great gas milage.

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  Great Little Car - 2008 Subaru Impreza
  By NigelPV2 - March 3 - 7:33 pm

  This is truly a great car. It is versatile, safe, reliable, and fun to drive. With 44.4 cu/ft of cargo space, 60/40 fold-flat seats, the car can handle anything I throw at it. With the cars AWD system and 6 standard air bags it offers a level of confidence on the road unlike any of the other cars I test drove. Lastly, Subaru has found a great balance between ride and handling. The car rides completely different then its predecessor with a subtle ride, yet still contains the prowess to be tossed into a turn. The car is not without its faults, though, as the hard plastic that completely covers the interior and tires seem to amplify the little road noise that find their way into the cabin.

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  Problems - 2004 Subaru Forester
  By Forester 04 - March 3 - 12:40 pm

  My 04 Sabaru is noisy, had to replace rear tire ball bearings, had accident because of a sticky throttle 4 days after a mechanic check, lacked sufficient room for passengers.

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  Wonderful do-it-all vehicle at 6500 miles - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By Tracker - March 3 - 6:03 am

  After multiple 15+ inch storms the Subaru really earned its keep. The new interior size is a plus; Im not a fan of the exterior design with the "lifted" look but it proved critical to getting through the deepest snow and a 700 foot long driveway. Very nice and competent in all weather. Wife said last week she cant imagine being happier with a car after several Europeans. Performance is leisurely if youre used to 300 HP family vehicles. Get the 6 if you want more power. The car keeps revealing how well thought out it is, like the way a downshift blip on the paddles will have the trans. simulate a downshift and will hold that gear downhill and return to normal full-auto operation.

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  New 2017 Outback Owner - 2017 Subaru Outback
  By D.E.P. - March 3 - 5:01 am

  I have always been a VW Owner, have a 12 YO 4-Motion Passat which is seeing the end of its tenure as an everyday driver. I would have liked to stay a VW owner but the new SportTrack is grossly overpriced and is nowhere near a competitor for the Outback, more like the Crosstrek. VW Would not budge on price and in lieu of that would not up the Warranty ( they can be tricky in terms of reliability). So I opted for the Outback, in the Premium Trim in the Color I wanted with the options I like, it came in less expensive than the Base S VW. I really think VW is going to have problems selling this car, they are not moving well at all. My wifes 2011 Impreza has been rock solid so the quality and resale value are there, unlike VW. Subaru AWD System is better than the Haldex system, I wish they had stayed with the Torsen. Only complaint is getting used to the CVT Transmission. It is not a race car but that is not what I bought it for.

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  reliable, trouble free car - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By eric - March 2 - 4:00 pm

  It is a generally a well made car. I performed most of the fluid/filter change maintenance myself. The stock battery is too tiny, with the tiny alternator so got to watch out if you dont drive the car often or has a low mileage local commute. Cold start clutch shuddering is a well known "feature", and a hard to get in reverse gear. I have been stuck in city street trying to make u-turn because could not get in reverse. At 34k miles now the car desperately need the brake fluid change and a tune up. The really bad thing is the resale value comparably low but the car is a really good car, very reliable. Paint chips very easily. 3k miles synthetic oil change can be very troublesome and expensive, but is a must.

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  There is no No true competion for XT ! - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By sweet_subie - March 2 - 1:46 pm

  It is a sports car/wagon/suv/sedan/crossover/convertible (open that moonroof, you will know). 5 Star crash test rating, best AWD, 250hp/torque, drives like sedan, shorter/lighter than Honda Accord/Camry/A6, smaller turning radius (34 inches) than most sport sedans, panoramic moonroof, 8.7 inches of ground clearance (more than 40 SUVs), electro gauges, Subaru reliability, top notch build quality, Subaru-backed generous extended warranty. Can buy $3-5k below MSRP. There is NOTHING LIKE THIS!