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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  "Tough Enough for Alaska" - 2007 Subaru Impreza
  By billandti - September 21 - 10:00 am

  Tight, nimble, reliable and smooth little car. The wagons appeal is the just-sporty-enough looks, cargo and comfort capabilities. I love the AWD since I live in Alaskas interior and need a reliable car to get me up hills and through our roads safely. I also chose the manual transmission for fun and fuel economy. The standard 2.5 engine is sweet and quiet but dont expect a power pull from this engine. With over 11K miles on my car since I bought it new, I climbed from 21 mpg new and now average 24 in the city. Ive had 30 mpg on the highway if I keep it at 60 mph. 70-80 mph (summer driving) and I still get 27-28 mpg.

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  Great Car. - 2018 Subaru Crosstrek
  By John - September 21 - 7:08 am

  After 5,000 miles I have very few complaints. I would remove the fake shift points from the CVT and make the front seat bottoms wider. Other than those two things, I have no complaints and it is an awesome car. Ive done some off-road specific mods like aluminum skids and a 1.5" lift. I mostly commute in it, but will also use it as a lite overlanding vehicle. It does well off-road for a car.

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  2009 WRX STI - Best car Ive ever owned! - 2009 Subaru Impreza
  By JD1 - September 21 - 4:53 am

  I needed a car that had enough room for two small children (occasionally), AWD for the snow (no snow plows or salt trucks here in the Pacific NW), and I wanted a car that would have great performance (but economical enough for daily commute). Ive had this car for 3 months, and I couldnt be more pleased. It meets all my needs (though not tried in snow yet). I keep it in the "Sport" setting, and average 21mpg in mixed driving conditions. Not a single problem with the car. A few additional costs: insurance went up $200/yr and car requires 92 octane fuel, but its money well spent. Nicely balanced suspension (not too stiff, not too soft). The STI is a very high quality vehicle in and out.

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  Awesome Car - 2010 Subaru Forester
  By Chloe - September 20 - 10:10 am

  This car is amazing. I picked it because I dont know too many people who drive it, and I feel like a million bucks when I am in it. I used to drive a Saturn L2, so this is quite a difference! I get 26-30 MPG on the highway with this car. Its the perfect size for me, though I could see a family of 4 driving it as well. Everyone I have driven in it loves it, and I like its size--big enough for passive safety, but not as gigantic as some other SUVs out there. Even my dad who is against "foreign cars" (even though its built here) likes it a lot. No buyers remorse whatsoever--best first car I could ever get!

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  Subaru Outback Sport - 2000 Subaru Impreza
  By Buell902 - September 20 - 2:00 am

  I have a 2000 Outback Sport and its a great car. I was going to get a 2002, I drove both standard and auto. If you want a more fun car to drive, go with the 2002, it gets an added 20 horse and 20 torq. But if you like the "Power Bulge" get a 2001 or older model, the car looks great, and its awesome to see the look on peoples face getting beat by a wagon. and off road capaple out the wazoo. great suspension, great handling. handles, and grips better than my brothers Jaguar XK8, overall this is one fun car.

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  14-Month Review - 2002 Subaru Outback
  By rob999 - September 20 - 2:00 am

  Have completed 14 months / 17,000 miles in my H4/5spd Outback. Absolutely zero problems. A delightful car to drive. This is primarily my commuter car, but we occasionally press it into family service for weekend trips, especially for winter driving. I would recommend the Outback to anyone considering this type of vehicle. Glad I ditched my SUV!

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  Wanted To Love It, Be We Are Just Friends - 2011 Subaru Forester
  By vvla - September 19 - 6:27 am

  My impressions so far at 5K miles is a mixed bag. The Forester XT is great for family trips with enough comfort and room for kids and stuff. The XT has good power and dynamic handling thanks in part to the AWD that sometimes makes things boring. The interior is nice with some good features and is comfortable and reasonably quite. The price is also reasonable. But make no mistake about it, the 4sp auto is this car’s big downfall that accounts for poor gas mileage (I’m getting 17.7mpg mostly city) and jerky shifting.

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  A "poormans Porsche" 4 wheel wagon? - 2006 Subaru Legacy
  By Multisport transport - September 19 - 2:00 am

  4 years and 75,400 miles and its still a blast to drive. Very reliable except wheel bearing issues on both the front and rear passenger side wheels. Extended warranty actually paid off. (Had a costly transmission fiasco with prior Volvo all wheel Cross Country) Broke even this time. Combines practicality and style, costs less than an Honda Accord, handles better than VW Passat and offers the all wheel drive of an Audi A4 wagon which costs $15,000 more. I bought a Harley Davidson Nightrod with the savings. The long wagon roof line and additional interior space provides versatility for carrying gear for family vacations and outdoor adventures. Decent MPG range of 23 town & 30 on highway.

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  3rd Subie - 2008 Subaru Impreza
  By nsky - September 19 - 2:00 am

  Bought a used 2008 with high miles to replace an aging Mazda B truck. I also compared a few 2006-2007 models, but no WRXs in the same price range. The 06-07s were much more fun to drive- more connected to the road. The 08 is much quieter and smoother like a "grown-up" car as my wife put it ( she drives an Outback, which we LOVE) Im a sporty driver with a heavy foot, and the gas mileage is OK- about 23 for urban- suburban commuting, quite often in bumper to bumper. If you want a gas sipper, look elsewhere. If you want AWD security, yourre in the right place. 35 MPG is useless if you cant get out of the driveway.

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  After all of these years... - 2016 Subaru Forester
  By Allen Jaggard - September 18 - 5:14 pm

  We finally bought a new Forrester. This was the time, the price was right, and the Forrester has grown up in to a beautiful, functional, and sized-right car perfect for young or old. We love it so far, my wife barely lets me drive it. She is very happy and calls it "her dream machine". The visibility is great, the ride comfortable (although the seats could use a little more cushiness), and my only problem is driving in high winds. You feel the weight and excellent traction beneath you, but the car is subject to some windage due to its height. We love the carand I am thinking of buying a 2ndso I too can drive.