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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  Perfect! - 2016 Subaru Outback
  By D.K. Phillips - October 3 - 1:51 pm

  The Subaru Outback is a great value. Safety features, in dash electronics, road stability, reliability...well, I could go on and on. We now have five Subaru Outbacks in our family, from a 2011 to a 2016. All have been outstanding with no repairs. Regular maintenance is all that has been required. Comfortable for long trips. Useful for in town driving. Just get one and be happy for years to come.

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  2014 3.6R Limited - 2014 Subaru Outback
  By sjg5 - October 2 - 4:29 pm

  Have been driving my 2014 6 cyl. Outback for 5 weeks now and have put almost 3000 miles on it. I cannot praise this little car enough. Glad my husband talked me into the 6 cylinder, Its getting 22 mpg around town ( suburban metro Washington DC ) and on our trip to South Carolina a whopping 31 mpg. Its so much more fun to drive than my 1999 Yukon, and almost as comfortable on a long trip. Love it! My 64" husband even has plenty of head and leg room!

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  Simply Amazing - 2006 Subaru Impreza
  By TheEnthusiast - October 2 - 2:40 am

  This is simply an amazing car. The base line performance of it is enough to take to the track alone. Adding a few light mods such as a turbo-back exhaust and a BOV increase the performance surprisingly well. Its a car for someone who wants a rocket, and can handle it. Not for consumer influenced drivers who want a comfortable quiet ride. It pulls hard, and it sacrifices sound protection to lighten the car with a thin roof. Sound system is good in my opinion, yet its hard to hear over the exhaust, I take pride in that. VERY fun to drive, handles well, accelerates hard, stops in no time. It generally makes me happy.

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  Silver AWD, nothing like IT - 2005 Subaru Impreza
  By IXUSracing - October 1 - 10:16 pm

  This is my first AWD vehicle & let me say I am a beliver now. I got my the beginning of January in the New England area (GO PATS),so I had the dealer throw on some Snows(Hancook). Well Snow is no longer a threat 2 me. W/ my AWD & SNOW a hill that would have given my FWD Maxima & my RWD 240 headache(RWD espec) didnt even cause any concern 4 my subi.The Grip from the 300hp/torq is very similiar to riding my bike when u stomp on the gas.Only thing left suspension/LuxuryI considered the Lancer EVO, EVO MS, and the R32. All have dif aspects, but if u want performance/quality then u go w/ Subi.The Mitsu has a great warranty, but the comp is in finance trouble & the motor is near its limits.

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  Great Car with Needs - 2005 Subaru Legacy
  By OK driver - October 1 - 7:56 pm

  Bought my 05 Legacy GT limited about 5 months ago. I have owned/driven many different make/model cars including Subarus. This one is a great improvement in terms of looks / performance / amenities compared to older versions. Subaru has been very smart to replace Volvo and Saab, and also sell cars right under the noses of Toyota/Honda/Nissan (Sad, the other 3 brands are suffering from declining quality. I wish made in the U.S. meant the same thing it did 30 years ago. My gripes: As new, it is overpriced. Still, reliability/build quality is below other Japanese cars. Cutting corners in interior / mechanical / material quality is stupid. People are not dumb.

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  Wolf in sheeps clothing - 2007 Subaru Impreza
  By Cody - September 30 - 5:13 am

  I love this car! All the speed and performance of the Sti, but the looks of a sleeper car. I hear all the time, "thats a sweet car." It is so much fun to drive I find myself taking the long way just to spend more time behind the wheel. Number 105/800 and the first one in the state of South Carolina.

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  I dare you to find a better car for the money! - 2016 Subaru Outback
  By Charles - September 30 - 12:00 am

  Purchased 16 Limited edition of the Outback with just about everything the factory can install on it, plus a couple of dealer add-ons. It beat out the Hyundai Sante Fe Sport and Tucson, as well as the GMC Terrain. This car is comfortable given its off-road capability. It handles well on winding roads, and stops when you want it to stop. The Eyesight system works very well, and I absolutely love the rearview camera and cross-traffic warning system, especially in mall parking lots when next to tall suvs and pickup trucks. The entertainment system is a bit intimidating, but we are catching on slowly. The interior has leather appointments, making it easier to slid into and out of the vehicle with bulky winter clothing. Plus the additional clearance height means the seating is taller, making it easy to "climb" into and out. Pros include spacious interior (you dont feel cramped), the power rear gate, fuel economy, 10-way power driver seat, lots of interior storage cubbies and cup holders, and dash instrumentation. A couple of bothersome things to get used to: 1. door locks are not activated when car is put into or taken out of gear (get with it Subaru - first car in 25 years that I have owned that did not have that feature); 2. there is a lag in the transmission when switching from reverse to drive that requires you to stay on the brake pedal bit longer; 3. it takes a touch longer to get car moving when accelerating from a standing stop. The last two will resolve themselves over time as I get used to the vehicle. Overall we are very happy with the Outback, and look forward to driving it in all types of weather. It should be on your list of cars to test drive and evaluate.

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  2008 Subaru Legacy - 2008 Subaru Legacy
  By Plain Jane - September 29 - 6:46 pm

  We found this car to have the best turning ratio out there and the four wheel drvie exceeds all our expectations. Purchased the Limited to get the stability control system for added confidence. The dark brown color with the high metallic flake is awesome. Standard competitors lost us in favor of the Legacy uniqueness and safety at the best overall value and price of those other cars shopped.

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  2009 wrx review - 2009 Subaru Impreza
  By wrxtuner - September 28 - 9:03 pm

  The best bang for the buck on the market. $25K gets you AWD, 265hp, 244lb/ft of torque, great handling, and 5 star safety crash tests, 4 doors and a good amount of storage.

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  Poor Gas Mileage - 2012 Subaru Outback
  By jayarobinson79 - September 28 - 10:47 am

  I love my subaru outback but the only issue is that I get 21-23 mpg and I mostly drive highways. My dealer acknowledges the low mpg but says it is within specs. Other than that, the car is great to drive, comfortable on long trips, and the kids enjoy the ride.