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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  Fun to Drive - 2006 Subaru Forester
  By Analei - November 30 - 9:13 am

  Yes, fun to drive. Its not even a year old and Im going to pass the 20,000 mile mark this week. I didnt notice how smooth this car is until I got into a friends PT Cruiser...yuk! My Forester handles well, is comfortable but firm. I hate a boat-like ride or big suvs. Im averaging 27.5 mpg which is nice. I love the big windows and the cover in the back to cover my shopping bags, especially at Christmas time. All the gauges are logically placed and I can finally reach the radio in a car without leaning over! Id buy it again if I needed a car right now.

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  SUV Subaru at last - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By narotam - November 28 - 5:10 pm

  Excellent driving experience in snow and tarmac. Good power, excellent AWD and traction control. Windshield wipers obscure view of nose and headlights.

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  Could use more power - 2004 Subaru Legacy
  By BrianMac - November 28 - 10:00 am

  Purchased this vechile after experience with the Outback. Overall happy with car but could use more power. Some quality and fit issues.

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  First Subaru - 2003 Subaru Baja
  By Nick Senanes - November 28 - 10:00 am

  Other car is a 99 Corvette and Id rather drive the Baja.

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  Solid & Dependable - 2000 Subaru Outback
  By mkhappy - November 28 - 10:00 am

  We have put a ton of miles in a short time and have enjoyed every mile. The car is comfortable, easy to drive and very reliable. I haul camping equip, music equip, and bikes...Will probably buy another as soon as it makes sense.

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  blown engine and transmission - 2009 Subaru Outback
  By johnny - November 27 - 1:26 pm

  this is my second subaru. My last one was a 95 legacy wagon, 215,000 miles. Never even had to replace the clutch, it was as tight as it was the day I got it. 09 outback 8 months, 16000 miles, blown engine and trans. I am sure this is a rare event. I do love the car, just an extreme pain and a hassle.

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  POC car - 2011 Subaru Legacy
  By Gomez Addams - November 26 - 10:00 am

  I hate that it is made out of cheap materials. The paint scratches easily. The interior is inferior. Cant even wash it at the risk of scratching the paint washing and drying.

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  Very nice car - 2017 Subaru Impreza
  By Beth Harles - November 25 - 10:03 am

  No CD player. Nice ride

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  Great wagon/SUV combination - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By rschleicher - November 25 - 4:56 am

  Ive only had my new Outback for a few weeks (600 miles), but it has been great. I was looking for something with a good AWD capability for driving up to Lake Tahoe in the winter, and one that would be pretty capable off-road, while having fairly car-like driving attributes, and better gas mileage than the full-size SUV I was replacing. The Outback scores on all aspects. Instead of being a compromise crossover that doesnt excel at anything, it is a vehicle that is truly a pleasure to drive in any environment. It satisfies my engineers need for utility and practicality, while still being very entertaining to drive. The 3.6 H6 engine is very smooth and strong, with decent mileage.

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  Surprisingly terrific - 2006 Subaru Outback
  By abqdad - November 25 - 1:00 am

  For the last ten years I have driven a Lexus LS400 and my wife has driven a Mercedes E320. Both are just as excellent as they are reputed to be. When it came time to get a new car I looked carefully at all of the "usual suspects" (BMW, Mercedes, Lexus, Infiniti, Acura...). They are fine cars, but none were interesting enough to get me to prefer them to the Lexus with 150,000 miles. Until I looked at the Subaru Outback LL Bean. Weve had it a month, and I am still extremely impressed with it in almost every way. Great job Subaru! My list was: "Safety, reliability, comfort, utility, value." I dont know of anything else within $10K that can touch the Subaru.