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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  Limited limitations - 2007 Subaru Outback
  By nornet - December 1 - 11:40 am

  There are few limitations of this vehicle. During the first 6 months of ownership the AWD with its amazing cornering has got me out of 2 very tight situations where I was cut off by vehicles doing 40 mph less than myself (I wasnt speeding, they pulled out). About the only thing I dont like is the leather heated seats. They are cold up north and the heated area is a little narrow.

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  Its not a station wagon! - 2004 Subaru Forester
  By T-$ - November 29 - 4:26 pm

  This vehicle is rock solid. It chews up the lousy road conditions a crummy New England winter can throw at you. No need to shovel your driveway when you have one of these parked in it. This car will crunch its way up the steepest ice covered hill in town. I also love the fact that off the line you can easily smoke those larger SUVs. All of my friends are surprised at the power the Forester has after the take a spin in it. So please people get it straight the Forester XT is not a station wagon - its a small SUV!

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  Subaru believer - 2000 Subaru Impreza
  By russ - November 29 - 2:46 am

  This is my 3rd Subaru and I must admit the best of the lot. The 2.5 is quick and economical. I have not had any problems with in the 130000 miles I have on it. I just had to replace the timing belt and water pump and one rear bearing in 10 years. I wish you could put on hydraulics to lift it off the ground more in the winter. Too much snow and I have problems. I trained two kids how to drive a manual in duluth, mn which is full of hills and the clutch held up till last spring. I still get looks from some people when I drive by.

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  Warranty Issues! - 2007 Subaru Legacy
  By Slitch - November 27 - 6:23 pm

  The car performs as expected and I am generally pleased, but as soon as you have a warranty issue Subaru of America will look to weasel out. They immediately demand copies of receipts for oil changes and say that all turbo engines must be serviced as shown under severe service conditions regardless of how you drive. This is an obvious contraction to what the service manual states. An extended service contract is a must for the turbo, but still be prepared to duke it out when you try to use it! Research Subaru forums on warranty issues and read about all of the people getting jerked around. Consider with the added cost of the service contract, other awd makes might be a better purchase.

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  hazardous headlights - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By aok - November 27 - 1:30 am

  Nice look and ride in daylight. Very dangerous low beam headlights. We had it checked out and service said thats the normal operating characteristic. Cant see 10 feet in front going down a hill at night. Flawed design-needs safety recall. Another Tribeca owner said its like a horizon line right across your vision. Its a notched line, pitch dark on top. Need to drive with high beams on-creates another safety issue for oncoming cars. Poor, hazardous headlight design. Service has heard it lots-why dont more bring it up?

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  What a Joy - 1998 Subaru Forester
  By DoDred - November 26 - 8:53 pm

  We have 170,000+ miles on our Subie and still feel that it is one of the best cars we have ever owned. I have used and probably abused it back and forth across the US and Canada, from California to Prince Edward Island, from Key West to Vancouver, BC. What a joy of a car to own.

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  First Subaru, but likely not my last! - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By racer - November 26 - 2:00 am

  After my VW GTI gave up the ghost, it was time to look for a suitable replacement. Having had VWs for so long, I looked around and test drove the much written about WRX, in wagon form. What a fun car. Strong acceleration and handling. AWD. Hatchback versatility. Good fuel economy. Now after some 9,000 miles in 6 months that included hot summer trips, great fall getaway drives and snowy commutes, I can say "what a great car!" My only true complaint about the car, which has been voiced in other forums, is the decidedly WEAK A/C. The car just never seems cold enough inside on 85-95 degree days.

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  Solid ride - 2000 Subaru Outback
  By MOutback - November 26 - 2:00 am

  This car is solid, but needs more power and refinement. The ride is smooth, handling is balanced, interior is comfortable, traction is superb, and ergonomics are decent. Of course, the key selling point was the AWD and Subaru dependability, which have proven their worth. Plus, its good looking. After 38K miles, the only problem Ive had was a bad AC compressor, which was covered by the warranty. But Im glad I dont have the McIntosh stereo (what a loser). Id gladly buy another, especially the 2005 model, which promises to be an excellent improvement.

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  My first Subaru - 2008 Subaru Impreza
  By Nicole - November 25 - 7:13 am

  This is my first Subaru and I am very happy with it. I traded in a 2006 Civic that went nowhere in the snow and during Minnesota winters thats not a good thing. I decided on this because of the AWD, the looks and the price. I am impressed with the ride, and quality of the car and it has great pick up, its pretty quick! Not much road noise either. Feels like a nice solid ride. Cant wait for some snow to test it out. It gets a pretty solid 26 mpg city and when I drove a 200 mile trip all highway it got a solid 32 mpg which I think is great for this car and it isnt even broken in yet. Overall happy with my purchase and will buy a Subaru again, maybe a Legacy next time :)

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  Love / Hate Relationship - 2007 Subaru Outback
  By Dave - November 23 - 12:04 pm

  Reasons for Hate: "Inexpensive and Built to Stay That Way" Ha! Whatever happen to that philosophy Subaru? Well, my 2007 Outback has been one of the most expensive cars to maintain. I have spent over $12,000 dollars in maintenance costs over the last 9 years - not including tire replacement. Your engineers should really do something about the Head Gasket issue as well as the flimsy boots on the front axles that require the entire axle to be replaced - and all too often. Certainly there are longer lasting materials out there for boot covers, or at least find a reliable way to replace the boot and not the whole axle. I have also replaced the clutch assembly twice, which is an exceedingly expensive job! It would have been cheaper for me to just upgrade to the Automatic Transmission when I first bought the car.
  
  Reasons to Love: Maybe Im shallow, but the only reason I do not trade the car in on something else is the fact that it is the most striking wagon design in recent memory - if not longer - if you have a long memory! Its an All-Wheel-Drive Sports car that just happens to be a wagon. The car has no bad angles! I just wish that the newer Outbacks had not lost their wagon roots. Any Outback after 2010 just seems to be struggling with an identity crisis, although the newer [2015+] models have shed some of their awkward bulges in favor of more subtle curves. You may be on the right path with the newer Outback, but just get the mechanical issues right!