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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  Great Car For the $ - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By lotboy - June 16 - 2:00 am

  This is a good car to have if you drive a lot especially.The TS is stable to drive in adverse weather conditions.The cars weight keeps it planted well on roads. Engine power is good for both city and highway driving,with a power band that produces even power thoughout. Everyone looking for a car in this price range should drive it to compare with other cars.This car is worth your time,especially if you test drive it in slippery road conditions. Give it a try!

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  True love. - 2002 Subaru Forester
  By Goldencouple1 - June 14 - 10:00 am

  It puts the sport back in sport/utility. A blast to drive in the mountains. A reliable car to take to the ski basin. It turned the white- knuckle road up to Ski Apache above Ruidoso, NM into a fun drive. The Subaru Forester is in its natural element on an undulating, winding mountain road. And it eats up the Interstate miles with comfort and good fuel economy, while exhibiting plenty of power for hills and passing.

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  Wonderful Vehicle... So Far - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By Love IT!!! Good Job - June 14 - 6:00 am

  This was definitely one of the best purchases Ive ever made. The car is solid, whips around turns with superior handling. I love the paddle shifters for the manual mode. The premium sound is a plus (worth the extra $$). Easy latches on roof rails to swing them around.

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  Great Choice - 2010 Subaru Forester
  By jjgonzo - June 14 - 12:43 am

  First Subaru, made an excellent decision. Fuel economy avg 24 mpg combined. Moon roof great, sound system is very good, road noise better than all the others I test drove, handling is nimble at high speeds, braking excellent. All in all I am very happy with my Forester.

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  The Subaru That Keeps Going - 1998 Subaru Forester
  By bigairtrix2 - June 13 - 3:34 pm

  Unlike many other reviews that I have read on the 1998 Subaru Forester mine keeps going no matter what I do to it. I have never had a problem with head gaskets or wheel bearings. Yes I have replaced the timing belt at 80k but I do that with every new vehicle I buy. Other things that I have replaced over the life of the car are struts to an adjustable bilstein coil over , rotors and pads to brembo drilled and sloted rotors and pads , cv joints were changed based on the fact the car had 150 k and it was time, clutch to a center force stage two and two sets of tires cause each set wore out after putting over 75 k on each.

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  Reliability & a Great Driver Too! - 2006 Subaru Legacy
  By Ed - June 13 - 9:56 am

  Im 44 & a driving enthusiast. Ive owned many brands of cars. This Legacy combines the reliability & quality of a good Japanese brand with the driving feel of a European car. I traded in my VW Jetta and Audi A6 for this car and have never looked back. I was tired of the repair bills and inconvenience of the "down time", but thought I would miss the driving feel of those brands. Not so! The AWD makes the handling of this car very neutral, and the suspension soaks up bumps while remaining responsive. The steering has good feel and its not too over-assisted. The normally aspirated engine revs easily and has plenty of power for daily driving & the 5 speed makes good use of it while adding fun.

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  Forester rating - 2006 Subaru Forester
  By forester rating - June 13 - 7:13 am

  Very quick. Great performer. Decent gas mileage. Awesome visibility for my 53" wife who traded in her Legacy.

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  2011 Subaru with 54,000 mileage - 2011 Subaru Legacy
  By jonster1 - June 13 - 3:36 am

  I do not like the CVT transmission on this car but it seems to be the wave of the future. Other than that, this car has taken me through two brutal winters where the snow would normally keep me from my driveway on top of a steep hill. With the Legacy (I traded in a BMW 528i), I have no problems making it up that hill. There is nothing like the traction of a Subaru in snow and rain. I love this car and plan on buying it when it comes off lease in another few months. For $24K, I got the Winter Package and a sunroof. I think its an amazing value. A $20K Mercedes.

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  Just drive one - 2006 Subaru Legacy
  By sonny123 - June 12 - 12:40 pm

  I have just spent the last two days driving my wifes new Legacy SE. It is IMHO significantly more refined and just plain fun to drive than either my own 01 Infinity or the new 07 Camry, 06 Accord and 06 Sonata v6 which I have driven on real test drives in various conditions. With the SE auto, on a 600 mile road trip, just notched 29 mpg in mixed driving (80% hwy) and it’s a hoot to drive on back roads. The all wheel drive and excellent balance makes you want to search for reasons to take the roads less traveled, even in the base SE.

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  First time Subaru owner - 2003 Subaru Forester
  By n.munson - June 11 - 10:00 am

  During the last 2 winter in New York, the Forester proved to be the best purchase in a car, we ever made. Great fun to drive, gives the driver a real feel for the road conditions. We are over all happy with our purchase.