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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  First New Car! - 2009 Subaru Impreza
  By Karen - September 8 - 9:46 pm

  This was my first time buying a new car. I was excited so I researched for months! I checked out and test drove every decently priced compact car I could find. I did TONS of reading on various cars. I settled on the Subaru Impreza, and I am sooo glad I did. It drives so well and I love the blue color. I put in an iPod interface, which I love, because I just cannot drive without music. The thing that struck me the most about the Subaru when I drove it was how nicely it takes corners! I just LOVE owning this car. I have never been a car person but after buying this car I cannot shut up about how much I love it! The fuel econ. was better than expected - around 26-28 mpg city/highway mix.

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  Turbo grocery getter - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By no spam - September 8 - 10:26 am

  This Subaru rocks!

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  Happy Mothers Day to Me! - 2016 Subaru Legacy
  By Georgian - September 7 - 9:22 pm

  I have recently retired. Since I am not that informed about cars, I felt I needed to get a car that is known to be dependable. This is what I got in my new/used Subaru Legacy. I also wanted to treat myself, so I found one with all the whistles and bells to make me a happy driver.

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  Traded my Acura TL - 2008 Subaru Tribeca
  By Jay - September 7 - 2:30 am

  Leased this vehicle in April 2008.Love the comfortable smooth ride. It has a lot of room for sports equipment. XM radio is awesome. Fun to drive and with AWD handles great on rain slicked roads. Will be going up to the western NC mountains next month and am looking forward to mountain driving. Looked and test drove Mazda CX-9, Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia, Acura MDX, and Toyota Highlander. The Subaru Tribeca seemed to be the best fit and great value for the money.

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  Love it except the MPG: in LA averaging 19.1 city - 2016 Subaru Outback
  By Diane - September 6 - 9:55 am

  Comfortable, reliable, road hugger. MPG NOT WHAT THEY SAY!

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  Beautiful Car! - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By cdubois1@ - September 6 - 6:03 am

  The car is a genuine winner. Its my 10th Subaru and easily the best.

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  Smooth Ride - 2018 Subaru Crosstrek
  By Emma - September 6 - 2:21 am

  This car handles well and the features are outstanding. I love the feel on the road. I do wish it had sensors to tell you how close you are to something when pulling in. The gas mileage is great and instrumentation is easy to read. The pickup is okay but it could use a boost.

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  Amazing car!! - 2005 Subaru Impreza
  By ScoobyRex - September 5 - 11:16 pm

  I bought my 05 with 15000 miles on it. Great performance car, with minor (about $1500) engine upgrades its at est 285hp/285 tq and runs with most cars on the road!! And I can still haul my daughter and a trunk full of groceries without a problem. I get 22-28 mpg AFTER being tuned to almost 300 hp. I have driven on horrendous winter roads with it (and Blizzaks) and it is amazing--more controlled and sure-footed than the 4wd Explorer I owned in the past. My only regret is not buying one as soon as they hit the US shores in 2002!

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  ImprezaWRX - 2003 Subaru Impreza
  By Slavichek - September 5 - 10:00 am

  Beside the known fact that this car is the best in its class, Ill want to highlight some problems I experienced with it. Front brakes rotors, sipping radiator, bad paint quality.

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  Transmission Woes - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By jk55 - September 5 - 10:00 am

  The 5 speed manual is awful or, perhaps, I got a lemon. I have had many manual transmission cars and this is the first that has given me trouble.