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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  B9 IS THE WAY TO GO! - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By b9 A+ - February 24 - 12:50 am

  Vehicle is awesome inside and out. Handles awesome in bad weather, although scary on ice, but what vehicle isnt. IMO its the best deal in its class. Some say it has a face that only a mother could love. Well call me Mommy, because I think this Subaru is one of the best looking SUVs out there.

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  Not friendly enough for elder - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By PISC - February 23 - 8:13 am

  I like to see the 2011 Subaru outback to add power tailgate option. So, my grandpa can buy it since he like it very much. But he will not buy it because he has no strength to close the hatch back without others help.

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  Love our new car! - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By HJD - February 22 - 9:13 pm

  First new car weve bought in twelve years, so it was a big decision. My husband is a car nut, and swore he was not going to buy a Subaru. But this won us both over. We love it. Very convenient, great interior design, very comfortable PLUS we are averaging 21 MPG (we live in a large city, so this is amazing to us). Test drive it and you just might buy it.

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  Love my Subey - 2000 Subaru Impreza
  By writerdianalee - February 22 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car out from under some poor teenage boy that had it bad for it ... and have never regretted it since. I havent had one single real problem with it. Im ready to sell it because its lower to the ground than my 48 year old knees can bear anymore, ,that will be a move I regret The car moves around curves like a dream. I once had to swerve to avoid another car on the freeway and that Subaru held the road like a snail on the side of a house. Probably saved our lives. In California, its the best kind of car to drive. Shes a keeper.

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  2nd Review - 25,000 mile update - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By David - February 22 - 6:36 am

  After driving my 2010 outback for 25,000 miles, I can honestly say this is a terrific car. Seats are comfortable, visibility is good, suspension is excellent on the often pot hole ridden roads I drive without being overly soft. The CVT tranny is awesome. My driving is mostly highway and suburban, not a lot of stop and go city driving or traffic jams. I average 30 mpg. Acceleration wont blow you away, but it is entirely adequate and the CVTs smooth power transmission moves the car just fine up to highway speeds. Cant forget Subarus AWD system. Driving it in winter weather was amazing. Up the mountain in a snow storm - piece of cake. Build quality is excellent, no issues so far.

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  Gotta love a Subaru - 2010 Subaru Tribeca
  By GoGators - February 20 - 10:00 am

  This is my fourth Subaru so Im sold on the versatility, reliability, and safety. This Tribeca is great on performance, appearance, and comfort. It ranks number 1 in safety for its class but lacks in the fuel economy. That is probably because this vehicle is heavy and uses the all-wheel drive all the time. The third row seat is nice for children 8 and under but not realistic for adults. However with the third row seat down there is plenty of storage room. My biggest complaints are not having the electronic fold-in mirrors for tight spaces like the garage and better fuel economy. Current at 9,889 miles and no issues.

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  Wish Id Bought Another Toyo Sienna - 2010 Subaru Forester
  By Andy - February 20 - 10:00 am

  I researched and compared the Subaru Forester Premium with a Toyota Sienna, 2010 models. Because the Toyo was about $4,000 more I decided to go with the Subaru. Do I regret that decision! Ive taken my Subaru to the dealer three times already since I purchased it in August. The car is very noisy upon start-up, but fine once I drive. Every start-up is noisy. The dealer keeps saying its part of Subarus design, but Im not buying it. Also, after about a month of driving, I continue to hear the rear seats rattle. If I could return this car Id do so w/o hesitation. The ext/inter design is okay, but I certainly regret not buying the Toyota Sienna! Think twice before buying a Subaru.

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  An excellent SUV - 2010 Subaru Forester
  By viper118 - February 20 - 10:00 am

  The Forester is a fun car to drive. It is smooth, quite and predictable. Gas mileage is difficult to measure. The gas consumption indicator in the dash exaggerates the mileage by about 1 mpg. I have never gotten the promised highway mileage but have always done better than the city mileage claim. For the first 6000 miles I got 23.5 mpg then it jumped to 24.5 mpg and at 17000 miles it jumped to 25.5 mpg. These figures are for city/highway mixed driving. At a steady 65 mph I get about 26.5 mpg. I have heard from several sources that it takes about 25,000 miles to break in a Subaru engine and drive system. My diving style average with easy acceleration.

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  Love my Subie - 2011 Subaru Outback
  By Connij - February 20 - 10:00 am

  I decided it was time to get a new SUV so researched new vehicles via the internet and the new car review edition of Consumer Reports. Most important to me were reliability, safety, good MPG, AWD, etc. Narrowed my choices (small SUV) to Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, Hyundai Tuscon, Subaru Forester. Went to Subaru dealer and test drove 2010 Foresters. They were just okay but not exactly sold. Saw a 2011 Outback and saw the MPG (lower than the Forester.) Test drove the Outback. It was perfect! Traded in 01 Honda CRV, 133,000 miles (never gave me any trouble.) Ten years since I bought a new car so I was thrilled with latest technology.

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  Scoobie II - 2012 Subaru Impreza
  By 2ndsubie - February 20 - 12:22 am

  I recently purchased a 2012 Subaru Impreza Premium with a 5 speed manual. This is the second Subaru I have owned. I had a 2002 WRX for 10+ years and I was sold on Subaru vehicles ever since. The build quality (100% Japan), reliability, handling and overall performance make these vehicles a "no brainer" in my mind. I did a ton of research prior to selecting my new Impreza. I read numerous reviews both positive and negative. I take what I read on the internet with a "grain of salt." It took some time to locate and test drive an Impreza with a manual transmission. I was sold from the moment I placed the vehicle in 1st gear and hit the accelerator!