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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  Something amazing... - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By mkaczorowski - September 5 - 10:00 am

  Im not gonna go on for hours and fill this page with its max # of characters, ill simply say.... this car is not only amazing in every way but shows other car producers that they are far from catching up in making such a perfect and reliable car!

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  Good as a first, but may not last - 1999 Subaru Forester
  By Thor Heller - September 4 - 5:58 pm

  This was my first car, so I have some love for the black Subaru that I affectionately nicknamed, "Sleipnir". Objectively, that love should not exist. My father got it new, in April of 1999, and shortly got engine problems. 62000 miles. First Engine Replacement. 230000 Miles, second Engine Replacement. Air Conditioning, Clock, and Mirror Motors do not work, and havent since 2010, 2008, and 2007 respectively. 21 MPG was advertised, but I ended up between 14.1 and 18.3 MPG, keeping the RPMS below 2000 at just about all times. The CD player only takes ever fourth CD, no real pattern to it. At 234500, the front axle broke entirely on its own, leaving me to limp home at 5 mph. Car needed a plethora of repairs from the moment we got it, until the moment we gave it away. Some of it was age, other bits were poor design/workmanship on the part of Subaru.

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  Fun and Practical - 2006 Subaru Impreza
  By wg - September 4 - 1:56 pm

  Traded a Loaded Dodge Dakota AWD for this to save gas and for added longevity. This is like driving an adult go-cart, with a great stereo. Average 22mpg mixed driving with a lead foot(80-85 hwy). Also I find the seats very comfortable; however no long distance drives yet. And this car handles all weather very well.

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  Good, but could be better - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By Jerry Levy - September 4 - 4:26 am

  Excellent driving experience, a good combination of handling and luxury ride. Fun on two lane mountain highways, dirt roads, and freeways. Dealer very helpful when I needed unscheduled maintenance--gave me a new, free car for two weeks.

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  Great car for the money - 2008 Subaru Tribeca
  By Tim O - September 3 - 9:23 pm

  Have 12,000 on my Tribeca, and have been very happy. I was shopping for an SUV w/ 4WD/AWD, good reliability and resale, and wanted some luxury appointments (leather, 6 CD, etc) for not much over $30k. I chose the Subaru over all others in class as I was able to get most everything I wanted without having to compromise too much. The inside and exterior styling are very unique, and the interior is more luxurious and sharp looking that the other cars in class. Ive had the car for close to a year and have been very impressed. The AWD system is fantastic in the Iowa winters. After having ridden in all of them, Im happy I chose this over Pilot, Highlander, 4Runner and Edge.

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  nice package - 2010 Subaru Tribeca
  By lovecars07 - September 3 - 8:44 pm

  traded my 2009 Forester XT for a the 2010 Tribeca touring and it was a good decision. Needed a larger car with 2 kids. 3rd row is great for 2 extra passengers.

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  2017 outback - 2017 Subaru Outback
  By Barb - September 3 - 9:14 am

  An improvement over previous (2013) model. Better pick-up and rear seat room.

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  Tribecas great! (exc. gas mileage!) - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By Lanie - September 3 - 2:16 am

  I love my new Tribeca. I also own an 03 Honda Pilot. Both had the NAV system, the becca has the DVD too. The Tribeca is much more posh inside, but I think its NAV is worst than the Pilot. The driver shouldnt have to figure out which "zone" she is looking up an address in, and living in Pa/NJ, I have to switch between zones! The Honda NAV is much nicer, easier to work, and thus quicker. Subaru should send out discs that cover all the USA! This zone stuff is from years ago. Another downfall on the Subaru is the lack of the radio station and time being featured alongside the map. Press map, then feature, then back to map. Not cool. And the gas mileage, well, Im doing 18mpg at best on the highway.

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  Safety, value, and FUN! - 2003 Subaru Forester
  By Justme - September 3 - 2:00 am

  After moving to the east coast from CA, I was determined to buy a 4WD or AWD vehicle. I spent the past 6 months doing research & test driving the Audi, Volvo, Highlander, 4Runner, Pilot, CRX etc. No other car offered the safety, gas mileage, reliability, AWD system quality, driving fun & environmental friendliness at a comparable price. The car is a dream for me to drive, w/ plenty of zip, and Ive felt SO MUCH safer in snow & bad weather. Im 54" & its a perfect fit, but my 63" husband enjoys driving it too. My Subaru dealer was wonderful--I paid invoice, & he put leather in it for me, so I got all the extras & still have a 5-speed, which I love.

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  A robust little wagon - 2000 Subaru Forester
  By Chris in IL - September 3 - 2:00 am

  Bought the car as a dealer demo back in April of 00. Overall ownership experience has been great. Torquey motor with enough punch for around town driving, decent mileage and super reliability. AWD is great in inclement weather (once the sucky stock Bridgestones were replaced with Pirrelli Scorpions). Plain-Jane wrapper, but at least it doesnt look like an atheletic shoe (think RAV4).