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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  Impreza 2.5i M5 Wagon - 2006 Subaru Impreza
  By ZB - December 5 - 8:20 am

  We just purchased an 2006 M5 2.5i wagon. This will be my wifes car and she has enjoyed the first 500 miles. We love the redesign for 2006, really like the side impact air bags, and the new lights look and work great. Interior is well built but the drivers seat is slightly uncomfortable for my 63" size during longer trips; a tiltable seat cushion would fix this problem. Better fuel economy would be nice, but AWD is a trade off. We live in snow country and AWD is a nice safety feature as are the airbags and Subarus other safety features. We are very pleased so far with our Subaru.

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  Dont think Ill buy another Subaru - 2002 Subaru Outback
  By lilrhody - November 30 - 6:36 am

  This vehicle was my first new car (2000 miles on it when purchased). The "all weather package" is sort of a joke. When the icy weather comes it doesnt clear/keep clear the ice from my windshield. The wipers completely dont touch the windshield after spraying fluid. Heated seats are a plus though. Has been leaking oil/coolant since 90,000 miles +/-. I was told I have a head gasket seal that is failing. Im at 111,000. Oil smell is disappointing when at a light/in park with engine running. Recently had a fuel line leak. Window gaskets are horrendously loud! Front windows only. My husbands 98 Forester had to have the engine replaced at 50,000 miles! I dont know if Ill buy another Subaru.

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  2008 and i have changed 8 - 10 headlights - 2008 Subaru Tribeca
  By lvilletribeca - November 23 - 1:06 am

  This car has the worst reliable headlights of any car I have ever owned. Every 6 months and they need changing. Gas mileage is not good and the care is noisy. On the positive side, other than brakes and headlights I have had low maintenance. I would think hard before i acquired another Subaru.

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  Legacy GT Turbo - 2009 Subaru Legacy
  By Mac - November 4 - 1:43 pm

  There are a lot of reviews out there that suggest this car can compete with the European Sports Sedan class and I would say that it falls short. It is a quick car that offers a lot of bang for the buck, but its suspension is soft and lacks the high quality interior of its rivals.

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  never buy one again - 2005 Subaru Legacy
  By Laura - November 2 - 5:23 am

  I bought my 2005 subaru legacy gt new. This was my first time ever buying a new car. The turbo blew in March "09", they fixed it after proving I proporaly maintained it. Dec. 09 it went again. They replaced it went to test drive it and the timing jumped and blew my cam shaft and valves, they also found metal in the oil pan from the turbo. Now I am getting a hard time for proper replacement, instead of replacing the parts new (short block and the damage from poor mechanic installation) they want to put a used motor with more mileage and no history of how well it has been taken care of. I would never buy another subaru or recommend one to anyone.

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  Timing Chains break - No support from Subaru - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By ob108 - October 25 - 3:51 pm

  This comment is dated, but I was looking for a recall notice. While your story is not a good one, here is one better. Less than 84000 miles on it when the timing chain fails. That cause the cam gear to fail and the dealer says they dont replace timing chains they replace motrs if they fail Scary I thought. I fix it and $2400 lighter it was running again only to find out that the main bearing was damaged and cannot be fixed. Thats why the replace motors. You would think that Subaru would stand behind one of their most expensive models. Nope I am on my own. To them I thank them for eduacating me that I will never trust them again.

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  Subaru should start making wagons again - 2017 Subaru Forester
  By Mark - October 16 - 9:26 pm

  Too bad Subaru doesnt make wagons anymore. I had a 2004 Forester XT that was so much fun to drive. Subaru got bitten by the SUV bug in a big way, quite the shame. I now drive a BMW 328 sport wagon, and the Forester dwarfs my car in the parking lot. Even the Outback seems fat and ungainly. Subaru should get back to what made them attractive in the first place- 4WD and wagons.

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  A reliable rattle trap - 2005 Subaru Legacy
  By JTA5 - October 14 - 1:16 pm

  The Subaru has rattled and squeaked from the beginning, the fit of the glove box and center console is a joke, the paint started to fade after 6 months, the drive shaft has had to be replaced, it took Subaru 4 times to get that right, brakes are anemic and the pads now are in need of replacement. The engine has stalled, stuttered, and bumbled along at 2500 rpm, from the beginning, so much for performance. A mistake to buy, never again.

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  let down - 2005 Subaru Legacy
  By phil - October 11 - 12:20 pm

  Its on its 4th motor. Over 20 k in warranty claims. Paid 5k for 1st motor the 2 others Subaru paid for. I have had nothing but problems with this car.

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  Car is great - DO NOT PURCHASE WITH NAVIGATION - 2013 Subaru Outback
  By sailingfool - September 8 - 12:20 am

  I love my Subarus - this is my third. When it came time for a new car I did not hesitate and bought another Outback. Based on experiences with my wifes and friends cars, I sprung for the integrated nav after having played with one in the dealership and finding it OK. BIG MISTAKE! The 2013 Outback nav system is very different from the 2012, and severely lacking in user interface and usability. First, you can only enter addresses when stopped (a reasonable safety feature), however even when there is a passenger present and operating the nav (the car could know this as it detects front passengers for airbag activiation) it is not very usable.