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:

• 

  Great car, AWD is big plus for our snow season - 2016 Subaru Legacy
  By Chris Quinlan - February 4 - 8:13 pm

  Its a great car with a few important qualifications to consider: The stock tires arent very good, so if you buy it for winter driving, as we did, youre going to need replacements very soon after purchase. This car was the 3rd out of 4 Subarus we have purchased (all at the same dealership and sales rep). The others were a Forester (2009), Outback (2012) and another Outback (2017). The Forester and Outbacks are MUCH better in the snow given their higher high ground clearance and are unstoppable on bad roads (except for the cars in front of you of course), the legacy is a sedan, so even with the AWD on all models, you wont get the same ground clearance and hence as good snow performance as the Outbacks or Foresters. DO NOT BUY A BLACK SUBARU!!!! The paint will Scratch incredibly easily. My wife ran it through a non-touchless car wash, the washes that use the big rotating brushes, and the car came out with $300 worth of damage on the hood. But it has also had spots on the roof and trunk. This apparently happens when dirt, bird poop, sap, etc., is on the car in the sun. Whatever it is, the black paint gets so hot it will "cook" it resulting in the paint bubbling up and cause expensive to repair damage. In our case, the dealer went back to Subaru and theyre going to repaint the car, mostly due, I think, to the fact that weve bought four Subarus from one dealership in the last seven years.

• 

  Power Steering gone after 300 miles - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By Michele - February 3 - 11:40 am

  Three days after I bought my Tribeca, the power steering went out. I had to have it flat bedded back to the dealer. The fluid reservoir is full, no leaks, the belts are fine. I guess I will find out how good this dealer is in how they treat me through this. I just hope it is not something that will happen again and that they fix it right. I LOVED the car before this happened and will probably love it again when it is fixed and I feel confident it will not happen again.

• 

  I will miss my Subaru - 2007 Subaru Legacy
  By Longtime Subie Owner - February 2 - 10:23 pm

  We leased this car after our previous Legacy was 11 years old. There was no doubt about the replacement. Wifes only requirement was color (Diamond Gray Metallic), and it had to have a spoiler. There was no doubt about getting another Legacy, and this car exceeded our expectations. Great handling, just enough power to be fun, manual shift mode, in-dash 6CD player... This car was great, but with a growing family it is just not big enough. Trading up to a Toyota Sienna AWD. I will miss owning such a reliable, low-maintenance car.

• 

  Good Car For The Money - 2006 Subaru Outback
  By Ben - February 2 - 10:16 pm

  This has been a good car, but I have one issue with regard to the all wheel drive. When turning into an intersection from a stop on fresh snow, the rear wheels will kick in with too much power resulting in the rear end sliding sideways. The dealer says I am applying too much gas, but Consumer Reports experts agree w/ me on this issue. Also, the passing gear hesitates 2 or 3 seconds before activating. The inside use of cloth in some of the places that get dirtiest...visors, inside door walls behind the arm rests, etc. should be something washable. Also the light interior colors are impossible clean, especially the carpets and cloth seats. Opt for a darker colors unless pet hair is an issue.

• 

  My Second Subaru - 2002 Subaru Legacy
  By Sirstinky - February 2 - 10:00 am

  I bought this with 69k miles and so far I put a little over 1000 on it. My 1991 has 190,000 miles on it and still runs good so I got another one. So far so good. This is a very good-looking wagon. I love the awd. Good brakes and handling. Its not too loud inside (theres the common Subaru wind noise) and the ride is smooth. So far no head gasket issues, but the engine has a noisy lifter now when cold and the transmission could be better. Jerky shifts when cold, and it upshifts/downshifts slowly when you need it to. The interior looks good and is solidly-built. Not many squeaks or rattles for 70K miles. Gas mileage bad in city driving 19-21 mpg.

• 

  After 1500 miles - 2005 Subaru Forester
  By Hamilton Coolidge - February 2 - 8:36 am

  Very satisfied overall. Comfortable, Excellent All wheel drive control in snow and slippery conditions. Very responsive steering, braking and acceleration. Many interior storage opportunities, no waste space. Full size spare tire. Interior lighting excellent. Tail gate easy to operate. Good storage space.

• 

  Best By Far - 2006 Subaru Impreza
  By Subaru Fan - February 2 - 12:33 am

  I was looking at buying a new car and really never thought of the Subaru WRX. I actually went to the dealership on a random trip and test drove the WRX. I fell in love and quickly bought it afterwards. Driving it is the most fun I have had in a car. The larger engine cuts down on lag from the turbo and sometimes the acceleration can get away from you. The interior is great, and very easy to navigate, and the exterior looks amazing. I would recommend this car to anyone.

• 

  Bought two of them - 2003 Subaru Baja
  By AnbAnimal2 - January 31 - 7:46 pm

  In 2003 I first drove a Baja, liked it so much my son and I each bought one. This car has been a blast, from driving in a Blizzard in Vermont, to the rains of Hurricane Ivan in VA., to the north woods of Canada, the Beaches of Assateaque Island, and through the Rockies in Yellowstone for 5 months. Last year I got 35 mpg in the Rockies and up to 37 mpg on the way back to PA. It still amazes me that people still stop and look at the car. I have the differential cage added, tow package, an alpine stereo system, and a tonneau rear cover, + off Road light bar. This car is one of my favorites, both my son and I refuse to part with them. Mine is red and silver, his the yellow only produced in 2003.

• 

  Weak Windshields - 2007 Subaru Forester
  By emily - January 31 - 2:23 pm

  Yes, windshield(s). In 2009, after owning the car for two years, driving the car on the highway, there is a crack in the windshield. Replaced the windshield and a year later in August 2010, driving car on the highway and there is a crack again. Had a Toyota Corolla from 1994-2006 and the car hood flew up into the windshield on the highway and there were ZERO cracks on the windshield. What is wrong with Subarus windshields or window frame? It shouldnt crack so easily against rocks flying around on the highway. Its the highway, there is always going to be loose rocks. Perplexed.

• 

  First Time Subaru Owner - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By JGatsby - January 31 - 2:03 pm

  The sticker said 20 mpg city, 26 mpg hwy, average around 22 mpg. I drove this new vehicle in mixed city/hwy for the first week and got 26 mpg. Then we took it on a 500 mile trip over the weekend and I got 31.6 mpg. When I finally break this vehicle in, Ill let you know if it gets any better. Amazing! It bought it for its utility, safety, and dependability. This gas thing is a big bonus.