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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  Fantastic Crossover! - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By drobine - July 19 - 10:00 am

  With the H6 boxer, it has plenty of power for driving around town and highway. We bought it to have a comfortable, reliable, around-town car that could go off-road. We couldnt afford a VW Touareg V8. Other cars driven were Toyota 4Runner, Honda Pilot and Acura MDX. The Outback was easier to live with than the 4Runner (too rough in-town), nicer than the Pilot (disappointing finish inside for a Honda), and was a virtual tie with the Acura MDX. The Outback felt more spacious than the Acura while behind the wheel.

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  05 Subaru Outback Turbo - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By Therapet - July 19 - 10:00 am

  Subaru Outback Turbo (2005) Sleek styling, smooth riding, lots of extras. Smaller steering wheel, good sound system, 6 cd changer, very comfortable and fun to drive.

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  27 years with Honda and now a Subaru - 2011 Subaru Outback
  By Bill L - July 19 - 7:26 am

  I have had my Outback now for a little over a month. I have taken one long trip and averaged 30 mpg Highway while going just a tad over the speed limit. Around town I am getting 22 mpg and i have just over 1,000 miles of driving. This is my first non Honda in 27 years I have always liked Subaru but until now, never had one of my own. I really think Subaru makes a great product, unlike other manufacturers they havent cut corners where it really matters. It rides great, and from various reviews read it has passed with flying colors as a safe drive. So far I am really enjoying this car and i can understand why Subaru owners are loyal to what they drive

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  Overall its a great car - 2011 Subaru Outback
  By JHK - July 19 - 2:16 am

  I was looking for a smaller SUV with better gas mileage than our current Honda Pilot (which we loved), but wanted plenty of cargo space. Narrowed down to the Chevy Equinox and Subaru Outback. Both were good, but the OB had better reputation for quality. I wanted the 4 cylinder for the gas mileage, but my wife convinced me to get the 6 cylinder for better performance. Im glad I did. The 6 cylinder has a lot of zip for the freeway, is a lot quieter than the 4 cylinder and, frankly, is a lot of fun to drive (after 7 years with the Pilot). Gas mileage is good. I commute from the suburbs and average slightly over 23 mpg. Plenty of cargo space. Good lucking. Really well designed.

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  Great Car - 2005 Subaru Impreza
  By Great Car - July 18 - 9:16 am

  Excellent performance, best bang for your buck...

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  Not quite what I expected - 2009 Subaru Impreza
  By coffeebean2 - July 17 - 6:43 pm

  We have a 2006 Outback and love it. So I wanted another Subaru because of the AWD. Considered another Outback but went with the Outback Sport. The fuel economy is not what I expected, the automatic shifts later than when I think it should (possibly contributing to the fuel economy issue), and the manual drivers seat gradually sinks down. I filled up the gas tank on Saturday, drove approximately 30 miles in-town, and Im down below 3/4 of a tank. Thats similar to what I was seeing with my 2001 Chevy Blazer. Also, snow gets packed up behind the wheels - when I try to kick it off, the splash guards look like theyre about to come off.

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  Watch out for neck pain! - 2010 Subaru Impreza
  By GDG - July 17 - 11:46 am

  I just purchased anew 2010 Subaru Impreza Outback and was really excited - first new car in over a decade. I had a Subaru in the 90s and loved it. My new car looks great but the drivers seat and headrest are horrible, the headrest extends forward too far causing neck strain, pain and nausea for me if I drive more than 30 minutes at a stretch. Cant find a solution to this, may need to return this car.

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  A great muli-purpose vehicle - 2003 Subaru Forester
  By kbpayh - July 17 - 2:00 am

  The Forester is my daily commuter as well as my weekend get away vehicle. After one week of driving in all conditions from long, mundane highway trips, to blizzard and unplowed roads, I came to the conclusion that I made an excellent decision when purchasing this car. If you are considering any SUV, take a Forester for a test drive!

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  Just awesome - 2005 Subaru Impreza
  By Zack - July 16 - 9:00 pm

  Upgraded from a standard WRX and its a totally different ball park. Not for the faint of heart. Fun, practical, daily driver.

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  May be the perfect car... - 2005 Subaru Impreza
  By maastrichtian - July 16 - 4:06 pm

  Perfect blend of performance, utility, economy, reliability... Performance: 0-60 in ~6 sec (with AWD). Utility: AWD for off-road + rain/snow, >60 cu.ft. cargo capacity, decent ground clearance as opposed to many sports cars, allows you to navigate over bad roads or off road. Economy: I paid ~$22k & get ~25 miles per gallon fuel economy. Reliability: its a Subaru! Everyone Ive ever known who had Subarus still has them. Also nice is the long list of standard features: 6-disc in-dash cd player, side airbags, ABS brakes (saved me from a wreck about 100 miles after buying it -- I would have crashed into stopped highway traffic had I been in my Pathfinder), automatic climate control.