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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  Good car for the price. - 2017 Subaru Legacy
  By K Rangst - January 27 - 6:58 pm

  Traded my 2016 for the new 2017. Has many new features but the same old outdated navigation system. When going out o the area I use my old Garmin which can be updated for free.

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  Subaru is passing the competition up! - 2016 Subaru Outback
  By Greg Candor - January 27 - 4:50 am

  The only thing I would have wanted would have been ,back up alarm sensors, but I know others would also like to have entertainment system even though I think kids need to look out the window and see the world and nature . Ok now getting back to more goodies Im sure people would want is a 120 volt outlet and more USB ports front and rear . These cars have come along way and you must drive one for yourself .

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  perfect car/perfect truck - 2006 Subaru Baja
  By bonnie - January 27 - 12:50 am

  Love my Baja wouldnt trade it for any other car or truck. Subaru is making mistake not continuing making them. Everything is great, from sounds to drive. From a beach to a mud hole it drives on it.

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  10 Years of Ownership - 2008 Subaru Impreza
  By Alf Anning - January 26 - 10:18 pm

  I hit a deer today, ending my 10 years and 1 month of ownership of my metallic gray 2.5i Subaru Impreza, and I am very sad. It was a basic vehicle, but I really liked it that way as nothing really broke. I upgraded my stereo on my own this last year so I could have bluetooth connectivity, but other than that, I liked the manual heating selectors and lights as I feel like the electronic gadgets tend to break very easily. I replaced the clutch around 100k and had a weird issue with the ignition coils that resurfaced later, but was likely due to a bad patch-job by the first mechanic. Outside of that, it got me through more than 155k miles, countless rain and snowstorms, and some very long drives between New England and the Southeastern US. This car was safe and reliable, and Ill miss it especially for that. The AWD was extremely reliable: I never, ever worried when it rained. I drove my wife through a heavy snowstorm when we had just started dating, something she still brings up as a wonderful memory to this day. I didnt love the two interactions I had with the dealership, but if I had to do this again, I absolutely would.

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  10 Years of Ownership - 2008 Subaru Impreza
  By Alf Anning - January 26 - 10:18 pm

  I hit a deer today, ending my 10 years and 1 month of ownership of my metallic gray 2.5i Subaru Impreza, and I am very sad. It was a basic vehicle, but I really liked it that way as nothing really broke. I upgraded my stereo on my own this last year so I could have bluetooth connectivity, but other than that, I liked the manual heating selectors and lights as I feel like the electronic gadgets tend to break very easily. I replaced the clutch around 100k and had a weird issue with the ignition coils that resurfaced later, but was likely due to a bad patch-job by the first mechanic. Outside of that, it got me through more than 155k miles, countless rain and snowstorms, and some very long drives between New England and the Southeastern US. This car was safe and reliable, and Ill miss it especially for that. The AWD was extremely reliable: I never, ever worried when it rained. I drove my wife through a heavy snowstorm when we had just started dating, something she still brings up as a wonderful memory to this day. I didnt love the two interactions I had with the dealership, but if I had to do this again, I absolutely would.

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  More Uncomfortable Seats of any car - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By usererrr - January 26 - 2:33 am

  We were so excited about getting the Forester - great headroom, legroom. We purchased it yesterday and went for our first day trip today. THE SEATS ARE SO SO SO UNCOMFORTABLE. I stopped at one point to lay out on a picnic table at a park along the road. Zero lumbar support...goofy headrest pointed the wrong way, and knees higher than your rump - all the pressure goes to your low back. I am absolutely so so sad Im stuck with such miserable seats in what seems to be a nice (otherwise) car. Im young, not overweight, and in good health - and these seats are absolutely awful.

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  Snow? What Snow? - 2003 Subaru Impreza
  By Diggn the Ride - January 26 - 2:00 am

  I bought my 2003 Outback Sport Manual just as the weather changed from dry rainless weeks to rainy days and slick roads here in the east. It gives a great feeling of the road and handles better in inclimate weather than the 1996 Nissan 200SX SE-R that I previously owned. The first snow of the year I saw more Subaru owners on the road than SUV owners. Yeah Subaru!! Fun to drive in all kinds of weather. Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!!

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  Bought New and Traded-In after 13 Months - 2011 Subaru Forester
  By 94accordwagon - January 25 - 5:09 pm

  I bought the 2011 Subaru Forester X Premium brand new in December of 2010. I only drove it for a very short local road test which was a mistake. I had the car for a few months and wasnt happy with the bumpy ride, the wheel base is too short. My wife who is my main passenger couldnt stand the passenger seat which is mounted so low with no height adjustment. The heat doesnt blow down on your feet so you take forever to get warm. Gas mileage, particularly with the outdated 4-speed automatic transmission is terrible. I couldnt take it anymore and traded it in in February 2012. I bought 2012 Outback, a softer ride has a longer wheelbase while the car is only 9 inches longer.

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  Forester is Fabulous! - 2002 Subaru Forester
  By Kristy - January 25 - 8:56 am

  After test driving a 2002 Forester, I fell in love with it. The HUGE sunroof and big windows give a great open feel. I have the 5 speed S Premium and I love it. The car is very comfortable with many drivers seat lumbar adjustments and heated seats. The look, the feel, the whole package is great! I highly recommend the Subaru Forester.

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  Great Car... but buy a WRX - 2007 Subaru Impreza
  By Weston - January 25 - 3:46 am

  The 2.5i model of the Impreza really is just the little brother of the 200+ WHP WRX and the 300+ WHP STi. If you want a good starter car for a teenager... this is not it. The 2.5i still shows an impressive 175WHP and is easy to upgrade. While the car may be lacking in power, it still shows a lot of promise in the handling and all around performance areas. If you are looking for a car that is an easy comparison to the RSX or the Civic but safer, look no farther. This car is GREAT and I have a feeling it will be great for years to come.