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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  Goes Fast, Grinds Faster - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By Baoh - June 3 - 2:00 am

  This car has great power, handling, and seats. Its great to drive, but 4th gear synchros went out at about 23,500 miles, were replaced under warranty, and now, 2000 miles later, the 1st and 4th gear synchros are both out and the car is in the shop right now under warranty. It makes no sense that the new ones wouldnt last as long as the original ones. They arent replacing the tranny, just repairing.

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  2003 WRX Wagon - 2003 Subaru Impreza
  By Kevin11 - June 3 - 2:00 am

  This car is the best overall vehicle for most people. Forget about gas guzzling SUVs, this all wheel drive WRX kicks their a$$ in every way. One mont all and NO regrets...

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  WOW! - 2003 Subaru Baja
  By BryceBaja - June 3 - 2:00 am

  Wow! I love it. Performance is great. Moonroof is so much fun. Leather seats!!!! I am skier, dirt biker, and member of arm-wrestler. I drove Baja arcoss the mountain all the time. I have been looking for a new SUV for a year till Baja appeared on commerical break that caught my attention. Baja is match my personaly.

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  What I like About Subarus - 2003 Subaru Outback
  By vladkoval - June 3 - 2:00 am

  I like this car because it is fun to drive. It is not that big and it has all wheel drive system.

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  Good car, great value - 2007 Subaru Outback
  By LL - June 2 - 2:03 am

  This is my first Subaru. I cant report on reliability yet but I think the car is much undervalued (Audi, Volvo?). I actually left the US and brought it with me to Europe (it costs about double here!); drove it across the continent during winter, pulls you nicely out of snow, handles well on the dry road (although certainly not like a BMW), okay mileage but rather poor at high freeway speeds (I guess its the AWD, ground clearance and relatively big size, btw, backseats down and the cargo sleeps 2 people v. comfy), feels friendly, safe, uncomplicated yet sufficiently equipped, practical and robust, non-flashy and well respected. Maintenance + engine compartment will be the next frontier.

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  Love it. Highly recommended - 2017 Subaru Impreza
  By Agnes of Allentown - June 1 - 10:17 pm

  Good solid build just like other Subaru. Relatively, coming from Buick Verano, Subaru Impreza lacks acceleration and the comfy ride, but Impreza makes up on the economical MileaguePlus, good handling (almost-zero turn) and AWD capability.

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  Love it! - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By Ion - June 1 - 8:00 pm

  This has been my daily driver since new. I change the oil with Mobil 1 and the car behaves like new, even with 54,000 miles. I still have the same brakes and just changed the tires. I drive 55 miles/day and many of those miles are on twisty roads with tight corners (Sunset Blvd. in L.A.). The car corners and accelerates beautifully. I highly recommend it as an economical (average 25.5 mpg) fun car to drive.

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  Great Value - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By jon - May 31 - 7:56 am

  This is my 8th Subaru and we have had it almost one week now. I made a trip and got 34.2 mpg and around town I am getting 27.9 mpg so that is quite good for a new engine with about 300 miles on it. I have had a little road noise from the back tires but the car seems to be performing well. This car is a lot bigger than the previous models and the fit and finish is good. The CVT transmission is great and is very smooth and I find the 2.5 engine fine for most driving conditions. The seats are comfortable and there is plenty of leg room for the front and rear passengers. The Stereo and media hub I ordered work well together and sounds great. The bluetooth phone works good.

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  OUTBACK - 2003 Subaru Outback
  By DDXER - May 29 - 9:00 am

  After two years, no problems. It is the best "snow" car I have ever driven. Tracks solid in all weather conditions. Window and mirros defoggers make driving in bad weather a breeze.

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  Not feeling the love - 2016 Subaru Outback
  By Wally - May 28 - 4:59 pm

  Technology is outdated! Really sorry I didnt pay closer attention before buying. Voice commands have very spotty performance. Very hard to adjust heater/defroster controls while driving. Clock is barely noticeable and poorly located. Maps radio and other controls on Starlin/GPS control panel are useless when the sun reflects on the dash. The garage door opener/Home link is poorly designed. When I pull up to the garage at night there is no lighting on the mirror. So you need to grope around your mirror to locate the button to open the garage door. The Forester has a much better instrument panel /Starlink interface. The dealer misinformed me about the abilities of eyesight. I was initially told the car will stop on its own when an object is in front of the car and moving slowly. I have since found out that is not the case. Do yourself a favor stay away from this one!!! Unless something amazing happens this will be my first and last Subaru!!! Do not buy this car!!!!!1