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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  Fun Drive! - 2003 Subaru Impreza
  By GeoArtGal - March 25 - 10:00 am

  I looked at the Protege5 and Jetta wagons before deciding on the Subaru Imprezza wagon. The Jetta was too small for my husband, and the Subaru was so much more fun to drive than the Protege. I havent had it long (10 mos), but the only problem Ive had is that it is difficult shift into reverse. I can fit a ton of stuff in the back, rubber cargo mat is excellent when driving dogs around, and at the end of an 8 hour drive, we are still comfortable. I hope this car remains as trouble free and fun to drive as it is right now.

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  Why would you buy anything else? - 2005 Subaru Legacy
  By jseybold - March 24 - 7:53 pm

  This my favorite of all the cars we have ever had! (The list includes many BMWs, 2 Lexus, 2 Audis and a WRX.) It is fast, fun, safe, comfortable, and surprisingly well made. Deep reserves of power across the entire rev range. Great steering, exemplary ride/handling balance. If there is a better every day, all-purpose, any road, any weather sports sedan available at any price, I have not found it. Buy the 5 speed. As with Audi turbos, the auto saps the marvelous engine response. The manual is amazingly good in traffic. If you live where there is snow, arrange with a tire dealer to trade in the Potenza tires. Replace them with proper summer tires & a set of winter tires/wheels.

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  2012 Outback - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By lkarickhoff - March 24 - 6:38 am

  This cars steering was so bad, with about a 1/2 inches of play at center that I took it back to OBriens in Fort Myers FL with less than 150 miles on it. I asked if I could get my 2009 Outback back. They said there was nothing they could do. They said my 09 Outback was sold back to Subaru, and gone. I later saw that it was in there back lot. So they lied. So I traded for a Hyudai until I can figure out what I want next. I lost about 10 to 12 thousand that weekend. I have had 45 new cars.

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  4th and final Subaru - 2010 Subaru Forester
  By hpntst - March 24 - 5:00 am

  I will never buy another Subaru. This Forester pings and knocks all of the time and they call it a characteristic of the engine. The tranny shudders when it shifts. Subaru is refusing to fix my car. NY State Lemon Law, here I come!

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  My Baja - 2003 Subaru Baja
  By ChopsJG - March 23 - 8:00 am

  Best car for fun and family.

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  Best car ever owned - 2016 Subaru Forester
  By Vincent Yeung - March 22 - 8:34 pm

  Great power. Good sound systems. Sleek look. Solid feel. Road hugging. Plenty of storage. Bright head headlights. Good looking wheels. Easy read and sophiscated cluster. I am going to sell my BMW and keep this Subaru Forester XT. But this is a well built vehicle. I drove Audi Allroad, BMW X1 and X3 and x4, Toyota Rav 4, Scion Xb, Honda CRV. This is by far, the most well balanced, value and well built vehicle. Dont blindly loyal to Honda and Toyota, imho they just make average vehicle. Anyway want to challenge me, please go to drive the cars yourself and compare, you will know what I am talking about. 2.5 NA is decent but 2.0XT is great. Please dont blindly buy Toyota and Honda, their car overrated. Period.

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  LOVE this car!!! - 2003 Subaru Forester
  By jcribari - March 22 - 10:00 am

  I had a toyota for 15 years and loved it. It was hard for me to change vehicle makes because I love toyotas reliability. My boyfriend is an avid subaru fan and convinced me to switch. He was right in so many ways! This is an awesome vehicle and worth every penny! I have 1500 miles on my new 2003 XS and am amazed at where it will go. This vehicle blows toyota RAV4 and Honda CRV out of the water! Love the new design.

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  Dont Expect Help From Subaru - 2001 Subaru Forester
  By premium - March 21 - 6:06 pm

  This vehicle was great to drive till things started going wrong. Both rear wheel bearings replaced due to very loud road noise. Transmission flushed, new fluid installed due to vehicle not wanting to go into forward gears, went into reverse ok. Idle & runs rough for years first replaced spark plugs then spark plugs & spark plugs wires. It still runs rough & now (2years later) it will not start if it rains [that’s right if it rains I look for alternative transportation, weird I know]. Clock blanked out, $85 to replace. “Check Engine” light goes on & off at will. At times I can’t get the key out of the ignition.

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  Never had any problems with this car - 2005 Subaru Legacy
  By Logan C - March 21 - 3:53 am

  Never had any problems with this car even with driving it across the country a few times. This being my second Subaru and its performance in the snow and winter conditions is everything Ive expected.

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  BUY BUY BUY!!! - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By John Holbrook - March 21 - 2:46 am

  If your lookig for a great car with great preformance, this is the one. The WRX is great in the rain and snow!! You can really feel the grip of the AWD system. The proformance great easy to drive and plenty on tap. Turbo+AWD= tonsO fun