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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  04 wrx sti - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By tireman steve - January 21 - 2:00 am

  well its a great midlife crisis car !! remains me of my 66 shelby gt350. fast, not very good for long trips and lots of fun when the young guys in hondas pull alond side. classy silver paint and styling. for 32k wheres the floor mats and atleast a cheap radio.

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  My favorite car of all time. - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By MN_WRX - January 21 - 2:00 am

  Fun, fast, safe, and practical. All I can say is I absolutely love my WRX. The WRX oozes character. The engine, drivetrain, and turbo, create sweet mechanical sounds that are music to a car fanatics ears. The handling is tight without being punishing. The acceleration is rocket like, yet the car is surprisingly easy to drive sedately. The interior has nice materials, and the controls are perfectly placed. I added a Kartboy short shifter and bushings that do wonders for the shift feel. I look forward to driving to and from work. I want to run little errands, just so I can drive my REX. I live in Minnesota, and the winter is no match for the WRX.

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  Interior options - 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek
  By carscientious - January 20 - 3:03 pm

  The Crosstrek "limited" offers only two stereo head units-the standard unit w/o Satellite capability and the NAV system with SAT. As satellite users for several years, we made a dreadful mistake in buying this SUV without making sure the "Limited" version had SAT. Adding a mobile car unit is "cheesy" and takes up more room especially if you have a "Garmin" on the dash. An aftermarket unit can be quite pricey and can range $500-$1800 including installation. Our local Subaru dealer quoted $4500 for a new Subaru factory NAV system if available and requiring a new antenna if wiring is possible. Would have given up leather seats for cloth in order to get SAT. :-(

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  First impressions 06 2.5i Wagon - 2006 Subaru Legacy
  By dave - January 20 - 12:33 pm

  Ive had it for a week or so now and taken one road trip. I cross-shopped against a Mazda 06 and a used BMW 3 series (I could get an 02 for around the same price). Compared to the BMW it wasnt quite as nice and the engine wasnt quite as smooth, but it was surprisingly close. Throw in the difference in cost and the Subaru was the value point. I also considered the GT. With the lower mileage, the higher purchase price and the need for premium fuel and the softer tires, the GT cost an additional $10k over the life of the vehicle. May be worth it for some, but not me. Ive found the handling great. Acceleration was adequate, but not fantastic. I love the interior. A fun to drive car.

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  Couldnt be happier - 2008 Subaru Legacy
  By j4106 - January 19 - 10:03 am

  After one year, and 25000 miles, I couldnt be happier. I drive 30 to and from work over a 7000 ft+ mountain summit to a city that has 3 of the top 10 ski resorts in the country within 5 miles. Naturally, traction is a concern. After having a Honda Civic Si and snow tires, I will never be without quality winter tires again because getting going is one thing, stopping is another, and the Legacy does both brilliantly when properly equipped. I confidently and safely got where I was going (and passed so many 4WD trucks and SUVs I couldnt even venture a guess at a number). I am so glad I bought this car.

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  Impressive - 2001 Subaru Impreza
  By Huan-Wen Chiu - January 19 - 10:00 am

  Sure footed in any kind of weather and over any road surface. With performance and versatility to spare in a sleeper wagon body.

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  Working Fine For Me - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By happysofar - January 19 - 4:20 am

  This is my first Subaru and so far Im pleased overall. However, the lack of lumbar support and position of the head rests do make this somewhat uncomfortable. They take some getting use to. (My petite wife complains even more than I do.) The console holds my travel mug just fine. The biggest plus for this is the sure-footedness I encountered in snow/icy conditions. The AWD really grips, and the handling is very responsive. I bought the manual because thats what I enjoy driving and wanted to get the better gas mileage. The throw into 5th is a bit of a reach. The first four gears are fine and smooth. Gas mileage 26.4 overall. Traveling over 65 brings MPG down quickly.

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  SUBAWESOME - 2010 Subaru Impreza
  By zuly - January 18 - 7:00 am

  I love how this car looks. When I got out of my previous car at the dealership I was drawn like a magnet to it. I got the dark glitter gray. It looks dark enough to be black but in the light it looks purplish black. The stock ground effect kit and fog lights look so mean. The seats and little red details are a rally car drivers dream. Im so glad the race pedals are an option on the WRX and not just the STI. It handles so well! I cant wait to go to Mt. Baldy and run those curves in the snow. The radio is ok. Set the treble lower like 1 and the bass at 3 and itll sound better. Also you can turn the feature on that clears the sound up a bit. Really the 6 speaker audio is not bad if tweak it.

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  A Lemon of a Great Car - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By husker_soobie - January 18 - 4:40 am

  4th Soob. Bought it used at 2 yrs old with 40k miles Fast forward 4 yrs now at 100k. The last 2 yrs have been a nightmare. Brakes, headlight bulbs, CVs, spark plugs, axles, 2 Oxygen Sensors (in December 10, failed April 11 - part under warranty-not labor. The car was great to drive in inclement weather, & was a looker, it was a mess under the hood. Weve spent $2200 in the last 7 months. Took it in for brakes AGAIN last week only to find out that we had a bad head gasket. We used 3.5 qts of oil in 2000 miles! Estimates $1700, plus impending timing belt, water pump & steering pump $1200 more. Just traded for a new Forester. Praying this one isnt possessed by demons!

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  Cant go wrong with Legecy - 2017 Subaru Legacy
  By Brian - January 17 - 7:24 pm

  I purchased this car in December and I took advantage of Subarus zero percent financing. I am very happy with the room under the hood and the roominess of the cabin. I am 61 and I am very comfortable driving the car, plenty of room. The car is smartly engineered. The AWD is the best in the business. I live in the northeast so the AWD will come in handy. So far I am very happy with the car. If you are looking for a good, comfortable, realizable and safe automobile at a good price, look no further than the Subaru Legecy. Dont get the base model. You get more bells and whistles starting with the premium edition on up.