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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  Best Performance Bang for the Buck - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By hySTirical - January 22 - 2:00 am

  Whats not to like about a car that can give Porsche Turbos a run for their money on the road and cost you less than your average entry-level luxury snoozer? You get the convenience of 4 doors, an enourmous trunk, and respectable gas mileage. Plus, you get the safety of Subaru AWD standard. Nuff said.

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  Best Yet! - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By Mary J - January 21 - 7:30 pm

  The Tribeca is the fourth Subaru I have owned and it is truly the "best yet"! At 15 years and 250,000 miles, I gave my 1990 Legacy to my mother-in-law and prepared to buy an Outback wagon--until I saw the "coming soon" promotion on the Subaru website. I am not sorry that I waited 4 months for the Tribeca. The styling outside and in is very sleek and eye-catching. The controls for AC/stereo are very convenient. The Tribeca handles very well and is as fun to drive as my Legacy. I have taken several trips to mountainous areas. The Tribeca holds the road in the curves extremely well and I have plenty of power climbing. It handled wet roads perfectly. Comfort, style, performance -- best yet!

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  Just like new - 2016 Subaru Forester
  By Alan Pearson - January 21 - 6:02 pm

  5k and just like I brought it home, no issues. Was concerned from a lot of blogs on oil use....none in 4k miles until first oil change.

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  Hum......Not this one - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By A.C - January 21 - 2:06 pm

  I personally do not recommand this car to anyone. Reasons: 1) the interior material does not match what I expect and what it should be in this class. 2) I prefer the pervious generation looks. 3) THe turbo is strong, but after 4th gear, it is getting weak in high speed. 4) It does not have STI version. 5) Seats sucks. Need at least Sparco package. 6) The paint is not well done. Tiny scratch could be seen under summer time.

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  Falling apart - 2003 Subaru Forester
  By Gerterschnitz - January 21 - 10:33 am

  We bought this car new in 2002. It was fine for the first few years. Its been well maintained. However, in the past 2 years we have replaced sway bars twice; sway bar links need replacing; heater blower fan just died; several engine gaskets are seeping. The car is simply not built for much other than smooth highway driving. Its also noisy - and was right from the get-go. I would not buy again.

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  2003 Forester-Firdt new car in 30 years - 2003 Subaru Forester
  By JIMBOB17 - January 21 - 10:00 am

  I tested the Forester on a long hill with full A/C and the manual Forester had plenty left. 25-27 mpg the last few fillups. Its quiet inside and fun to drive. My wife is disabled and its easier for her to get out of the Forester than the car she uses. Im 64" and there is plenty of head and leg room. Great visibility compared to competitors cars I test drove. When you get the Forester get the Rubberized cargo liner. It will save the carpet.

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  Outback is great - 2012 Subaru Outback
  By Mac_Camper - January 20 - 11:08 am

  Have had our 2012 Outback Premium 4 cylinder for over 4 years and 70,000 miles. This is by far the best car we have ever owned. I cannot believe how amazing it is to drive in the rain and snow. We get over the MPG ratings often with the Continental tires. Highway between 32mpg or better. In town it is closer to 25mpg. Nothing sedan/wagon handles like an Outback, they are so fun to drive. The space in the back is excellent. We find this car so practical for traveling and especially camping with the roof box on top,...recommend Thule 6300, fits perfect on top. Only recommendation to improve this car is dont get the Ivory colored cloth seats you cannot keep them clean even though the fabric is excellent quality, it is the color,...too light. Recommend WetOke seat covers.

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  WRX squared - 2017 Subaru WRX
  By Chad Garcia - January 20 - 3:57 am

  Loved the wifes STI so much we went and bought a WRX to match...

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  Price vs Contents - 2016 Subaru Impreza
  By Deb Adams - January 18 - 7:36 pm

  For the price, I expected it to feel more luxurious. The door locks clunk loudly when used. The seats are OK, but nothing special. I bought the top of the line Impreza. I expected it to have all the options available in todays cars, but it doesnt. And Im disappointed by that. The options it does have are good. The Nav is a little difficult to operate. It does not allow you to search for places by name or type. Such as Wal-Mart or department store. The Eyesight is great! I like the ability to adjust the music to front or back, and left or right.

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  Good wagon, but not great - 2006 Subaru Outback
  By andy - January 18 - 5:33 am

  Being a Honda man, I defaulted to a Subaru Outback wagon because the Accord isnt available in an AWD wagon; a manual transmission because of its slow 0-60 times. I have a few complaints: shifter is too far forward in relation to how I like to sit in the drivers seat, power windows go up and down too slowly, miss the power up feature in my old Accord, wind and tire noise, rear slides out when cornering, exterior panel gaps are too wide and are unsightly, balky and ambiguous manual gear shift pattern and feel of engagement, awkward clutch/gear engagement (compared to my old Accord), the lack of telescoping steering column, sub-par standard audio system/speakers and lack of standard sunroof.