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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  Head Gasket built to fail - 2003 Subaru Outback
  By gib - September 12 - 1:40 am

  it started off as Beautiful Relationship. but the honeymoon ended quickly. 1st the Air conditioner dropped to about 10% output, then the Brakes needed a complete remake, rotors pads fluid, all went bad, then the radio, and now after only 40K the Head Gasket is leaking. This is a "known" problem and there have been many recalls but when i contacted Subaru they took the position of," its 1yr out of warranty". i agreed, but anyone who knows anything about cars knows a 40K engine should never have a HG failure. Subaru makes TERRIBLE Head Gaskets, look it up on-line BEFORE you buy one. the 1 piece of misleading information out there is that many more HGs have failed than have been written about!

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  Best Fuel Economic AWD on the Market - 2008 Subaru Impreza
  By Stephen - September 12 - 12:43 am

  I searched for the most fuel economic (freeway), AWD (for frequent dirt-roading/all weather) on the market with good interior loading capacity. This car blew the SX4 Crossover AWD (which I test drove) out of the water, especially in loading capacity, and was ~$10k cheaper than the Ford Escape Hybrid (which was great to drive but had about the same fuel economy as the Impreza 180hp). Ive already driven through fields with my Outback Sport in wet weather and it plowed through it like a champion - I cant wait for snow to come this season! This car has already been superior on road trips. Ive noticed the gear ratio used makes for a slight lack of power switching from 4th to 5th. @ ~50-55 mph

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  buyers remorse - 2012 Subaru Impreza
  By aross3 - September 11 - 11:37 pm

  I have major buyers remorse from this purchase. My husband convinced me that this was my dream car and it surely is NOT!!! The seats in this car are so uncomfortable, I have constant lower backpain from driving this vehicle. I would not recommend this car to a friend or even an enemy. There is no lumbar support even offered in the Impreza. This would probably be a better suited car for a high school kid that has absolutely no back issues is in perfect shape and does not care about comfort in a vehicle.

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  Dont get the navigation - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By adsgoddess - September 11 - 1:13 am

  This is a wonderful car except for the navigation/audio system. However, the backup camera is a necessary. The navigation system is so bad that it is unusable in city traffic situations and is downright unsafe in it characteristics. It does not say street names, is unreadable in the sun or when you turn on your lights during the day, you cannot change or operate the nav system when you are moving. The audio system uses mhz instead of treble and bass settings. Also, no fix in sight! For the money, get aftermarket.

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  a good family car - 2005 Subaru Forester
  By slipsheet - September 10 - 1:03 pm

  Purchased to add a second car to family for my wife. Hadnt needed two cars for previous three years as I was a night shifter. Primary factors driving this purchase were snow driving, safety and fuel economy. Additionally its a very good looking car. Car handled great in the one or two snowstorms we had this year. Also mpg is 10 higher than some of the slightly larger suvs in same market. We werent looking for a tank, just a car that handled better in the snow than our 00 Jetta. Backseat is a little tight for adults but the only person that uses it is our three year old in a car seat. We also shopped the Honda CR-V but chose this because it fit us better.

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  Loss of confidence - 2008 Subaru Tribeca
  By Phil in Blaine - September 10 - 12:10 pm

  I purchased our Tribeca about 18 months ago, and rated it very high. All of that has changed after being stranded 3 times and numerous trips to the dealer who cant or wont resolve the problems. From the beginning there has been a noise in the engine that the dealer and factory reps hear but cant pinpoint, so it goes unrepaired, also it burns oil but not enough to meet their oil consumption criteria. The steering column locks up, and has stranded us three times, you have to beat and bang on the column to unlock it, the tow driver taught me that, and because you cant duplicate the condition, they cant repair it. This is our first Subaru and it will be our last. Maybe we got a LEMON?

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  health check-up - 2001 Subaru Forester
  By kmisenor - September 10 - 10:00 am

  The car is reliable and can be towed behind a motor home.This was a feature we were looking for when purchased the car. It also works well as everyday run around car.

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  LOVE IT! - 2002 Subaru Outback
  By JenJ - September 10 - 10:00 am

  We love this car. Plenty of room for a family of 4. Stereo is great. Much more power than our old Subaru. Dont really need the moon-roofs, but the kids think theyre cool :) Had to laugh on a recent trip to Vermont, saw at least one in EVERY parking lot. Cant wait for snow this winter.

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  The outback is back! - 2015 Subaru Outback
  By santafe87507 - September 9 - 7:04 am

  After several monumentally disappointing years, including the year I bought ( 2013) the Outback is back. It seems the engineers and designers locked themselves in a room and went over all the issues of the last 3-4 years. It handles very well now and the new keyless ignition and doors are superb. If you have one of the last several years, trade it in now for the 2015.

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  Subaru 2.5i - 2010 Subaru Impreza
  By Woot4Awp - September 9 - 5:23 am

  I have 350 miles on my new sube, and it corners very well. I got the sedan 5spd, the throw on the shifter is a bit long but I really enjoy driving the car. I looked at a Civic and a Mazda 3, but I do not like FWD, because of the odd pull on hard corners. Thus far a wonderful car, wonderful traction in rain, and just all around a great car. The inside looks good, bit cheap looking with the plastic, but you are going to get that with a base model car. It was built 100% in Japan, parts and built, I have no doubt of its quality, And the dark gray paint with no orange peel looks steller. I LOVE MY SUBIE!!!