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:

• 

  Never Again - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By Keith - March 1 - 4:50 pm

  I dislike this Subaru more than any car I have ever owned. I avoid driving this car rather than deal with the cars quirky and dangerous characteristics. Examples: Climbing a hill at highway speeds the car shifts between 4th & 5th gears every 4 seconds on average. The car responds to quick acceleration maneuvers with a 2-3 second delay before accelerating; not a good thing on busy Southern California freeways. The car has only 8K miles. After nine months as a Subaru owner I am ready to visit my Toyota dealer and eat the trade-in costs. I hate this car!

• 

  Fun and practical - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By Adrian Smith - March 1 - 10:00 am

  After driving trucks for years, I finally decided to get something fun for the roads, but still needed to carry my music and camping equipment on regular occasion. What better than the Subaru WRX? You get the agility of a sports car and the utility of a wagon with the same vehicle. The interior is laid out intuitively and is very pleasant to the eyes. Exterior styling is nice, not obvious to everyone what lies underneath the hood, which is great. Bottom line is the car is incredibly fun to drive, without typical sports car compromises.

• 

  Very good car - 2001 Subaru Outback
  By Nakoosa - March 1 - 10:00 am

  Were I not so into off-roading, I would have kept this car. The ground clearance is great, the approach/departure angles significantly hamper the grnd clernce and AWD capabilities. AWD and cornering = fun! Premium sound system is Fantastic! Seat heaters are wonderful. Acceleration is very surprising (when gas is stomped). Gas mileage surprising not so desireable. I took this thing mudding, out onto the beach, rally driving on fireroads and Had A Blast!! Very versatile, very fun. But I can 4-wheel my 87 Pathfinder and it cost a lot less! If youre not into moderate to heavy off- roading, youll love all the features, safety and fun of this car.

• 

  Great Car! - 2006 Subaru Impreza
  By Willa - March 1 - 8:50 am

  This was my first ever "brand new" car, and I have had an awful lot of fun driving it. Its zippy, and sporty, and the 6 speaker sound system really rocks! There have been times when the engine is so quiet Ive forgotten the car is still running. My dog loves this car too! I typically drive with only the 40% backseat in place, so he gets a lot of space.

• 

  Good to drive and reliable - 2006 Subaru Outback
  By tljake - February 28 - 3:36 pm

  This is my second Subaru (first being a 1986 Brat). Have put over 50,000 on it in three years, have had absolutely no problems. This car has been through winter snow, off road in the high desert, city traffic, and has never failed to perform. Its not the flashiest car out there, nor the fastest, nor the one pulling the biggest load, but it will get you from point A to point B with minimum worry.

• 

  THINKING, FEELING, DRIVING! - 2006 Subaru Forester
  By Linda - February 28 - 5:36 am

  Best car ever. The buying experience was non-pushy, caring and my sales consultant still is in contact with me ... amazing. Ive owned a BMW325 then a stupid KIA Sportage. Fish tail city on ice with the KIA. The Beemer was nice in bad weather, still slid on ice at rare times but ... my Forrester is just a sure footed, fun driving experience. Deep NYC rain, snow, ice, sharp cornering, passing; no problem. I look for reasons to drive. I call my car an engineering marvel. My honey, an electrical engineer says the same. I LOVE my Forester.

• 

  Too much glass not enough tint or AC - 2016 Subaru Forester
  By Cheryl - February 26 - 10:23 pm

  The NAV system is virtually useless. It has so many safeties that your copilot cannot operate or change the settings unless you pull over and stop the car. The audible directions are horrible. You will be getting on and off Interstates until you cut it off. Requires way too much setup. Google Maps and Nav are much more efficient and trustworthy. Your copilot can recalibrate your smartphone nav while underway. Not so this machine. High level map and GPS coordinates are the only useful items. I do not have the oil issue that others have mentioned as of yet and hopefully wont but it is obvious that this machine is a rolling greenhouse. The glass and there is lots of it for optimum visibility is more than the AC can handle. Especially if you have a moonroof. You can feel the heat coming off the overhead with the blind shut. Not sure I would buy it again, we were not happy with the local dealership either.

• 

  Impressed - 2011 Subaru Legacy
  By Samantha - February 26 - 8:56 pm

  This is my first Subaru and it probably will not be my last. I am quite impressed with this vehicle. I went from a 2008 MKX to this and probably will not go back. Interior is impressive and compares to the luxury versions quite easily. The V6 isnt as fuel friendly as others but it packs one heck of punch when you hit that gas pedal.

• 

  Stability Control Requires Leather Seats - 2008 Subaru Outback
  By ruddyduck67 - February 26 - 7:56 pm

  Best midsize value on the market. I wanted stability control as an extra safety measure but was kind of annoyed that this requires a whole host of non-safety oriented upgrades like leather seats and a moonroof (which is actually very nice). The other wagons in the lineup require premium fuel!? Yeah, I wanna spend an extra 20 cents per gallon for the life of the car. Anyway, it is a very nice driving car, very tight for a wagon, and can carry anything when considering the interior and the roofrack. One more thing about the roofrack, take off your crossbars when not in use. That little effort will take 5 minutes and can save you on mileage.

• 

  A winner - 2006 Subaru Forester
  By Bill - February 26 - 7:40 pm

  This is my 5th Subaru and all have served me very well. The handling and performance are excellent. It has a smooth ride and visibility is excellent. Subaru always produces a durable and well engineered car, so I expect this one to be no different.