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:

• 

  50 hp more & $5k less itd be the best - 2003 Subaru Outback
  By DaveB - February 21 - 2:00 am

  3rd subaru for me and everyone a winner. for solid reliable transport with tons of comfort and convenience features you cant go wrong. I paid $31K for my VDC wgn and happily did so even though it was too much for a subie. still i knew what subarus are all about & i was getting a 6 cyl, VDC, 2 sunroofs and the macintosh stereo plus heated seats etc etc..A Volvo XC/Audi Allroad for way less but now the A4 and Passat wgn are all over it for price hence my title. Turbo this motor and wed have a world beating winner.

• 

  2012 Outback Limited Very Good But Noisy - 2012 Subaru Outback
  By sharon61 - February 19 - 4:23 pm

  I leased my Outback 33 days ago thanks to Subarus rewarding customer loyalty program and a great price from our local dealer. I love the moderate size and stylish exterior design and wheels, as well as the luxurious interiors heated leather seats and faux wood trim. The Harman Kardon stereo is great as is the Bluetooth connectivity feature between my cell phone and the stereo. Not having taken an extended trip yet, Im averaging 23.7 mpg in a combination of city and highway driving (no lead feet) here in the Blue Ridge Mountains. My biggest complaint is that the Outback is noisy, no doubt due to the boxer engine and CVT, but no vehicle with the word "Limited in its name should be noisy.

• 

  So Far So Good - 2011 Subaru Legacy
  By Richard F - February 19 - 2:33 pm

  Living in the Northeast I wanted an all-time 4x4 with good handling and in a sedan format that I could afford. So far I havent been disappointed! Only "complaint" I have so far is that the manual mode paddle shifters isnt truly a manual mode as you cant shift up until the computer says (arrow)you can and the shift is felt more in this car than my last CVT (Nissan)however it is fun to drive so far and I dont mind driving past the gas stations either since my last vehicle was a 6 cylinder Nissan (but I do miss the power just a little, lol) Well see how the long-term service maintenance holds up however!

• 

  2008 Subaru Tribeca - 2008 Subaru Tribeca
  By regan - February 19 - 7:40 am

  Purchased our first ever Subaru. Have always owned Honda. The changes for 08 make an already very good vehicle better! Great performance with standard AWD. The interior is heads above the rest. Would have liked a sliding armrest on the console. My wife drives close to the steering wheel and the armrest is to far back for her. Subaru will sell more Tribecas if they can get customers into showrooms to test drive them. Put this one on your shopping list!!

• 

  Homerun with new 2010 Outback - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By Terry - February 18 - 8:50 pm

  Now looks more like a SUV- taller stance- larger interior and the new CVT is silky smooth! Very impressed with how the interior looks- seats are more comf. and visibility is improved.

• 

  Most annoying vehicle ever - 2010 Subaru Forester
  By canuck - February 18 - 1:06 pm

  after 6 months, I am wishing I had never bought this thing: 1 - very poor stereo 2 - dealer fixed interior rattles with duct tape and foam, Im serious, ceiling still rattles 3 - very uncomfortable seats 4 - annoying blue interior lights 5 - poor manual gear box 6 - cheap interior, small controls 7 - no decent drink holder 8 - stupid noisy engine 9 - after turning off engine, it ticks for 10 mins when cooling, like a cheap bike, - normal apparently - maybe for subaru 10 - stupid chime when seat belt not engaged 11 - poor paint job that chips easily 12 - overall rough ride 13 - cannot open door with key if alarm activated without setting it off Buy something else

• 

  LOVE it! - 2006 Subaru Impreza
  By alex - February 18 - 6:56 am

  I just bought this car and I LOVE it. It drives so smooth, the seats are comfortable and the build is great. Its the perfect balance of sports car and comfy sedan. Im so excited to drive it. I got the Limited and the leather is very nice. Love the heated seats. ;)

• 

  Very fast - 2003 Subaru Impreza
  By vifly - February 15 - 10:00 am

  The WRX is amazing. I considered the Altima and Jetta, but neither is as fast, fun, or safe (awd) to drive as my WRX. Also, the attention you get is pretty cool. WRX drivers always wave, as do other drivers. . . .its kind of like Bugmania except the car isnt feminine.

• 

  Faulty Clutch - 2002 Subaru Outback
  By moohoggle - February 15 - 10:00 am

  2 months after taking delivery of this Outback, the clutch began to chatter badly in 1st gear (less than 2000 miles). My wife and I took it back to the dealer where we bought the car from 3 times, and each time they said that this is a normal condition with manual transmission Subarus. We pursued a second opinion at another Subaru dealership and they agreed, that this was indeed, not normal. We then opened a case number with Subaru Corp., and it took 8 months to re-engineer and manufacture the replacement parts (was initially told it would take 4 weeks). Its been 3 weeks since our car was fixed under warranty and for now, its tolerable.

• 

  WoW!! Im blown Away and Love my Choice! - 2010 Subaru Legacy
  By DeanO - February 12 - 10:53 pm

  I would consider myself a person that likes the finer things in life. That said, Ive owned Acuras, BMWs, and Several Lexus Models in the past. I traded my 06 Lexus RX330 in on a new Subaru Legacy, and I am completely THRILLED with my purchase. I test drove Accord, Altimas, Passat, and there is absolutely no comparison on build quality, the fun factor of paddle and manual shifting, and the AWD really grabs the road. In the rain, you never feel like you are close to losing control. I drive long trips, and the car is soooo comfortable, and has all the features I was looking for and more than I was accustomed to. With regular gas, 34 MPG on the highway, Im in LOVE with my car!