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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  Nice ride but paint and interior poor - 2004 Subaru Forester
  By Vickie - February 10 - 12:06 am

  I enjoy my Forester but the paint (black) has not held up well at all. I thought Subaru was built for harsh weather. I live in the south - no snow and ice here. My drivers seat has a tear in the "leather" trim. My goal is to drive the car until it has 200K miles. I am guessing that I will have no paint left by that time. I took the car back to the dealer before the warranty expired and they could not help me with the paint. Are you kidding me - my next car will not be a Subaru for this reason alone.

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  Subaru Outback - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By eddybauer1 - February 9 - 9:03 am

  I rented a 2005 Outback last week, check engine light came on, dash rattled on rough snow covered roads, flashed Err 55 where trip miles should be and for a long time, the cruise control light flashed, plastic around gear selector is easily scratched, cramped seating for 6 foot tall people, especially on long trips, it is too narrow up front, and your legs get tired easily. Seats are too firm. I did like the heated seat option, and the AWD. Steering and handling were good, stereo was average. It does have a very refined transmission and engine, it shifts smooth, and the auto stick is fun. Build quality is average.

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  Subaru - 2001 Subaru Impreza
  By ajackphd - February 9 - 2:00 am

  The model year after this one - 2001 and beyond - has more leg room in the back seat. Only complaint I have about this car is not much back seat room. But the sporty styling in the 2001 model year is much perferable to the more sedan conventional style look of the 2202 and beyond

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  Love my 99 Forester S - 1999 Subaru Forester
  By MaineBob - February 9 - 2:00 am

  I bought mine off the dealer lot the day after I moved to Maine. It has been humming along now for nearly 5 years with no repairs of any significance whatsoever and 126,000 miles. A few minor annoyances -- the led for the Cruise Control switch went out 2 years ago and I was told the entire switch needed replacing (for about $60). Also, the led for the clock near the ceiling, above the rear view mirror also went out this year. Here in Maine, I am fearless. I have never had the slightest problem navigating in heavy snow, ice, slush, and rain.

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  pocono taxi - 2002 Subaru Forester
  By meeeary - February 9 - 2:00 am

  very reliable. only thing I do not like is that teh brakes go too low to the floor, as if they are worn out. Dealer checked and says they are OK. Vary good car in the snowstorms that are common in the pennsylvania pocono mountains. Not top heavy like most suvs so less chance of tipping over.

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  Great vehicle - needs more room - 2002 Subaru Outback
  By Hiker - February 8 - 11:50 pm

  I like my 2001 LL Bean edition very much. I could do w/o all the extras but I did not like the four cylinder. I do not miss my old, bouncy, poor riding/handling, gas guzzling SUV. However, at 6-02 in height, I could use one to two more inches of legroom and a telescoping steering wheel.

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  Top Quality, Low Comfort - 2000 Subaru Legacy
  By Norvin - February 8 - 10:00 am

  This is a very safe and dependable car. It is great in all types of weather. It is also extreemly uncomfertable on long drives and the road noise is outrages for a $23,000 dolar car. if you are thinking about one drive it for a distance to make sure.

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  Great Machine! - 2006 Subaru Impreza
  By Eddie Cat - February 8 - 6:06 am

  I have to highly recommend this car to anyone thinking of buying one. I never drove the WRX, but I love this STI! If you live in a cold weather climate with snow, this is the ultimate performance car for you. Plus you can pass it off as being "practical". 300 HP & Torque is awesome. Shake off all the Fast and Furious wannabees with ease. One of the fastest cars I have driven ... drive one, you will buy one!

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  The best car - 2016 Subaru Forester
  By Sam - February 7 - 10:50 am

  I love my new car

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  Do NOT believe the MPG rating - 2016 Subaru Legacy
  By Bill Ramsey - February 6 - 6:54 am

  We have put just about 1k miles on our car after trading in our 2010 Toyota Camry. My wife drives the same as she always does back and forth from work and it is half highway and half street. We get a BEST 22mpg. That is no where near the 30mpg combined they advertised. She would fill up her tank in the Toyota which has the same size tank and it would last her about 2 weeks. Now we are barely making it one week before we need to fill up again. Horrible advertising In my book. Would NOT have bought the car if I knew that it was going to be this bad. Im hoping for engine break in but was told that it wasnt likely by Subaru. The rest of the car is great, the transmission is definitely sketchy but you get used to it. Overall we really like the luxury about the car ( I drive a 2010 Lexus IS250 and it is probably better than it ) but the gas mileage is not what we expected. DONT believe the salesman as that is a MAJOR selling point they use. Once we bought the car the reneged on that sales point of course!