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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  YOU WANT THIS CAR! - 2005 Subaru Impreza
  By kennyinmanhattan - April 9 - 11:56 am

  I have had my Impreza wagon for almost a year now. No issues less a little window screech now and again. I live in Vermont now, and the AWD is superb in the snow (drove to Boston in a blizzard and it was wicked fun!), and solid feeling on wet roads in driving rain as well. I will only be getting a new one when there is a moonroof option and leather seating. It would be nice to have cold weather packages in dealer stock, like wiper warmers, and wheel well warmers to counter snow build up in the front especially. Despite my desire for perfection ... a true winner. My sister has an 04 automatic, and having driven both extensively, I recommend the manual for more power.

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  Best Vehicle I ever had - 2002 Subaru Forester
  By Michael - April 9 - 10:10 am

  I bought it from the dealer in 2002, haven’t been back to that dealership for any work. I just put gas in it, change the oil and air filters. Gets awesome gas mileage, awesome performance, great at towing, does just fine at off-road and I feel safe in it when racing along with traffic. I towed 6,500 lbs of trailer from NH to TN (1300 miles) with no problems getting up hills or accelerating down the Interstate. Vehicle has been the best one Ive ever had. Previous vehicles were 2000 Toyota Camry, 1998 Kia Sportage, and 1986 Volkswagen Jetta. None were close as good as this vehicle has been to me.

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  great value and best in snow - 2011 Subaru Forester
  By gib2011 - April 9 - 7:04 am

  This is a great SUV especially for Harsh winters and off road driving. The 2010 /2011 Forester is easy on the eyes in my opinion. This car has the best value for money in its class. The leather interior is very nice but not luxurious. The blue tooth and Navigation work well, and the touch screen is very convenient. I really enjoy driving my Forester. The handling is better than I thought it would be. The sound system in the limited edition forester is good. I was quite impressed with the video quality of the DVD player. I watched Avitar in my Forester, and the surround sound together with the visual quality was great! I really love this car!

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  JUST got it paid for :( ! - 2005 Subaru Baja
  By SManning - April 8 - 8:40 am

  I have mixed feeling about my Suby. I have had a few problems but nothing prepared me for this: at 71K, Im replacing the turbo!! JOY! To the tune of $1800. This despite babying it with regular maintenance. I am thoroughly disgusted that the first foreign car Ive bought in years is less dependable than my Jeeps and Durangos. I purchased this car for its reliability and planned to drive it 200K. What a rip!

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  Long Term Test Drive - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By Pilgrim - April 8 - 2:46 am

  Had the car for 10 months now and its still a thrill to drive. Full-time all wheel drive is wonderful; though the stock tires are a poor choice. Transmission is smooth yet tight, one of the best Ive driven. With better than 10K miles still no rattles. Surprising handling for such a high profile will be made much better by tires that actually grip the road. Despite the tires the car has a very substantial feel whether on a back country dirt road or out on the interstate behind a semi on a windy winters night.

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  2006 Subaru Legacy Limited junk - 2006 Subaru Legacy
  By subarujunk - April 8 - 12:09 am

  Head gasket needs replacement at 79,000 gentle miles!! $1800! Outrageous. It is apparently a very common problem, despite what ANYONE says about the issue having been resolved from 2005 and newer. Id expect that from 1979 Chevy Chevette, not a 2006 Subaru Car is only mediocre at every level. My 1992 Camry (that I kept as a spare car till a couple years ago) did everything better (except for winter traction of course). Transmission shifts poorly (again, my 92 Camry shifted more smoothly and confidently). First and last Subaru. My Toyotas and Nissans have all gone over 250k and never needed a head gasket replacement. DONT BUY A SUBARU!!

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  Good fun, but turbo lag - 2005 Subaru Legacy
  By Wyosubie - April 7 - 11:30 pm

  This is my fifth Subaru, including a manual WRX wagon and manual WRX sedan. I have also owned two V8 Mustangs and a couple of BMWs. ONCE IT IS MOVING a turbo Subie is great fun! From a stoplight, unless you beat it, turbo lag is still a problem. My 10 year old V10 Dodge Pickup is faster for the first 50 to 100 yards. Responsive, stable AWD handling; good feedback; stock Bridgestones average in dry - poor on dirt and snow. I average 23 to 24 mpg in mixed driving using premium fuel. Manual shift mode is entertaining and steering wheel controls are convenient and provide flexibility.

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  LUV my Baja - 2005 Subaru Baja
  By steve6153 - April 7 - 10:20 pm

  I live in rural NY and needed a reliable light vehicle to get me in and out of area. My Baja has performed without a hitch since my purchase and dealer support has been great. Only issue is that dealer does not provide Saturday service. I have requested such without success. It is a good thing my Baja runs and runs and runs otherwise it might be an issue. I get frequent compliments on the look of vehicle and am often asked as to my level of satisfaction. My Baja came with the Bed Extender package so the small bed has not been a problem.

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  Not bad at all for a 19,000 vehicle!! - 2014 Subaru Impreza
  By subiejohn - April 7 - 3:01 pm

  Overall this car is pretty good! I have about 5,000 miles on it so its still pretty new. The car is very light so on windy days the car does get punched around a bit but not a big deal. The sound system blows ass but is better than the 2005 Impreza I drove before. The only complaint I have is that when Im driving on a shitty road with a lot of bumps I hear a slight rattle coming from the back of the interior when I hit bumps but it only does it hear and there and lately seems to have stopped. But nothing major. The build of the car such as the suspension is awesome and when driving you can tell its strong. The interior quality is built well for the most part except for a couple little areas

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  Good car but comes with problems - 2015 Subaru Outback
  By Naghma Husain - April 7 - 2:17 pm

  Chose this primarily for all the safety features. (We have teen drivers.) In general, great car. Problems: 1) Auto rear door gets stuck on occasion. Wont open with key or by pressing button in the back. Dealer wont do anything b/c they cant replicate since it only happens on occasion. I had several videos as evidence, but that didnt matter. 2) Useless voice recognition. 3) Navigation difficult to use. I gave up, just use my phone. 4) Screen system not intuitive, though my teens figured it out. 5) Heat controls confusing.