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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  My First Subaru, My Last Subaru - 2008 Subaru Impreza
  By Paul - January 29 - 9:12 pm

  As my title might indicate, I didnt have a very good Subaru experience. The WRX has good power and roadholding ability, however it doesnt have the Japanese car reliability that I was expecting. Ive owned Hondas, Mazdas, Fords, and even Chryslers all with manual transmissions. And this Subaru was the first car that Ive owned that needed a new transmission, at only 83k miles. Before needing a new transmission it was very hard to get into reverse, sometimes 1st, and even 2nd gear at times. After replacing the transmission, costing $4k, I have been able to get it into 1st and 2nd but reverse is still an experience. Other than that its had 5 safety recalls and has had a class-action lawsuit due to failure of the firewall spot welds. Im not a driver thats hard on vehicles, but I dont like vehicles that are hard on the drivers.

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  Incredible Car! - 2006 Subaru Legacy
  By JimHinCO - January 29 - 4:50 pm

  I went from a 1999 Acura TL to this incredible machine. It gave me all the comfort of my TL (though the new ones are much nicer) but with all-wheel drive, a unique interior, and an amazing turbo engine that is just plain fun to drive. Im averaging about 26 miles per gallon...excellent for an all-wheel drive with so much power.

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  It gets better... - 2005 Subaru Legacy
  By CallMeSkippy - January 29 - 7:50 am

  Being a 4 time Subaru owner I have come to expect reliability and value. This car gives you a bonus by throwing in performance. For a few hundred more Cobb Tuning offers a solution to address some lagging and improve boost ... all without getting your hands dirty. While youre at it, dont forget a K&N stock replacement filter. The performance you will experience will once again justify your decision to purchase this car. Where else will you find an AWD sedan that is under $30K, stays out of the shop, but can humble the G35x, 330xi, and A4? I am thankful Subaru has stepped up and shown themselves as a company that can offer it all.

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  Good car, except for MPG - 2013 Subaru Outback
  By bigstig - January 29 - 6:57 am

  We are Subaru people. Ive owned 5 in the past decade. While we are basically happy with our 2013 Outback, we dont enjoy it as much as we had hoped. Our 2013 Outback Limited 2.5 CVT replaced a 2010 Outback Premium 2.5 CVT. We traded in the 2010 for the nicer interior, better color, and "bonus" 1mpg. While we love the Limiteds features, after 18k miles the MPG falls well short of the EPA estimates. With the 2010, we got 75k miles worth of 30-31mpg 70mph commuting. Thats 1-2 mpg better than the sticker. With the 2013, we struggle to get 26mpg. Dealer says car is normal. Had I known this, we would have bought a 3.6R and gotten more power and avoided the dreary droney CVT.

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  Very disaponted - 2000 Subaru Legacy
  By Dispointed - January 27 - 10:00 am

  If you are considering this vehicle be very wary of the stock Bridgestone Potenza tires and interior trim quality. My vehicle began suffering fron bubling and craks in the door trim and centre arm rest. Also fit and finish is well below standard for a vehicle of this price. Watch for problems with leaky sunroofs as well. I was told by the dealer that they are common due to dirt accumulating in a drain tube in the sunroof assemly. Fun to drive but not worth the money!

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  SUPER VALUE & FUN, TOO - 2003 Subaru Legacy
  By LADriver - January 27 - 10:00 am

  Here in L.A., this car is uncommon, and thats a nice thing. GREAT handling on city streets & canyon roads, smooth and solid ride, quiet and comfortable in most situations. Theres none of the vibration when idling you often feel in 4 cylinder cars. AWD gives it a heavy, solid feel. If you like the feel of AWD, dont miss out on Subaru. The 05 Legacy design is one to watch for!

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  for the money, cant beat it - 2003 Subaru Impreza
  By Tony Parks - January 27 - 10:00 am

  I love the car. It gives me a perfect blend of the performance I love and the ability to go off road if needed. I recently took it to West Virginia, where I go white water rafting/rock climbing yearly, and let me tell you, up in those hills my car and I had a great time! I also took in on some pretty rough roads and off road a little bit and I was surprised. How can something that handles so well on the road do so well off of it. I just wish that it came with a more performance based tire. The bridgestones are horrible! I cant wait for a set of pirellis.....

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  Love the performance, hate the repairs - 2003 Subaru Impreza
  By rgdave - January 27 - 10:00 am

  The winding, mountainous roads around me are a kick in my WRX, with power, pickup and handling. (Even Porsche and BMW driving friends LOVE driving it!) But gravel and rutted roads are tough on the tires (on my 2nd set), brakes (going in for its 2nd brake job at 27,000 mi.) and alignment (cant seem to hold it.) Could use a little more ground clearance. Doubt Id buy it again because of the brake and tire problems.

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  Dissatisfied - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By Dissatisfied - January 26 - 9:43 pm

  This is the 7th Subaru that I have either owned or leased (5 owned and 2 leased) and this the worst experience I have had so far. The initial concept is good, but the end product definitely needs improvement. I drive 30,000 miles a year in MN. Poor windshield wiper design (front and back), build quality needs to be upgraded (had a water leak in the vent system and now I have major mildew problems. Poor placement of heated seat switches, auxiliary outlet plug, and IPOD plug. Heat is either off or on with poor modulation. Poor design on center storage/cup holders. Needs a five speed transmission; hunts for gears all the time. Buy an Outback. Forester missed the mark, at least for now.

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  Love my Outback - 2012 Subaru Outback
  By gms4868 - January 26 - 11:24 am

  After nearly 20 years of exclusively buying and leasing Nissans and one month into a 2012 Outback 2.5i limited, I couldnt be more pleased. The vehicle is very comfortable and nicely appointed and fit and finish is excellent. Granted, the pickup for the 4 cylinder engine isnt the best, but it gets you up to whatever speed at which youre comfortable and easily keeps up with the traffic flow. Dont know what the steering "wander" fuss is about, as the R&P system results in a sure-handling sports car feel. Moreover, overall fuel economy in the first month of driving has run from 25.5 to as much as 29.5 mpg over the course of two 600 mile NYS thruway round-trips and local driving.