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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  What Happened ? - 2011 Subaru Impreza
  By diehard080 - January 4 - 3:40 am

  I am on my 4th Sube. To this day my 1st the 77 wagon, was the BEST. Why because it was built like a tank and not flimsy in any way . Yes I had to shift it to get to 4WD but that was good for MPG ! My 2006 Outback Sport was totaled after I was hit from behind on the FWY. So I get the chance to get the "latest" body style and updated changes- Wow I have to say many in this review section seem to be idealistic and have no experince with other subes or cars. Why ? This cars handling is weak and it gives way on quick turning, powerless in 0-60 over 10seconds ! and the interior is the most sparse I could concieve. They put all the $ in the 4wd system. Bad move as the rest of the car suffers.

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  2006 Outback - 2006 Subaru Outback
  By kat95 - January 3 - 9:26 pm

  This is my third Subaru but my first wagon. I have owned this vehicle for two weeks and am finding excuses just to go out. I love driving it and find it quite comfortable. Its also a great alternative to an SUV which is too big for me as I am short. You dont feel like youre driving a wagon as the ride is firm and sporty. Great all around I would highly recommend Subaru to anyone as my experience has been wonderful.

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  Nice, functional little car - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By xraymike11 - January 2 - 9:23 pm

  My wife and I bought this car new, and weve been satisfied with the purchase. We perform routine maintenance, and the car has been quite reliable. After two spinout accidents on black ice, the car still feels extremely solid. I would recommend upgrading to winter tires. The manual transmissions takes some getting used to, but is a pleasure to drive once you master it. The engine isnt necessarily quick, but is adequate for normal driving. Inside, the front seats are comfortable and have great lateral support. Controls are logical and easy to reach. Back seats have enough room to fit adults. We average 26 mpg in normal driving. Maintains great resale value.

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  Last of its kind - 2014 Subaru Impreza WRX
  By bnewton_xp - January 2 - 7:55 pm

  After owning a 2007 STI, I consider the 2014 STI a great improvement. Much improved seats and lower road noise over 2007 STI. 2014 STI is a bit more refined than 2007 STI, however the 2007 STI car was a bit more raw and in-your-face. I chose the hatchback over the sedan as it offers the best of both worlds in performance and utility. Plus the hatchback does not appear to draw as much attention as the sedan with the big wing. While I couldve waited for the new 2015 STI, but with the next STI/WRX being more road focus I felt like the next car would lose little bit of its rally heritage and that what makes STI unique.

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  No SUV is perfect -- this one is closest - 2017 Subaru Forester
  By Pittsburgh Peneplainer - January 2 - 7:37 pm

  Compared this to Mazda CX-5, VW Tiguan; my other car is a 2016 VW GTI. The Forester won me over for its well-known virtues: best driving position, visibility, ease of entry, AWD system, modern safety features, fuel economy and (hopefully) reliability. The handling is better than I expected; the ride is never totally settled on the highway, but it absorbs bad bumps with ease. Its pretty quiet -- wind whistle around the mirrors starts above 65 mph -- much quieter than the CX-5. Rear seat is comfortable and very spacious; cargo area is terrific considering the exterior dimensions. I parallel park in the city every day; the visibility, big mirrors and rear-view camera make it easy. The bad: front seats (the standard cloth) do the job but nothing more; feels like youre sitting on them not in them. The interior plastics are mostly hard, shiny, brittle and ugly -- but they fit well. The EyeSight controls are strewn randomly about the cabin; the EyeSight cameras require that the sun visors arent wide enough to be useful. The power rear tailgate is slow, but its easy to just use it manually. The USB ports have no ability to retain index information between starts; check out the Forester forums on this issue. Choose the first song on your USB device carefully because youll be hearing it a lot! But still, the best compact SUV for my needs -- the redesigned 2017 Imprezas give me hope that future Foresters may overcome weaknesses in the current Forester.

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  Dont Make the Same Mistake I Did - 2002 Subaru Legacy
  By Yessir Arafat - January 2 - 10:00 am

  Subaru does not stand behind their product. The glass window on the passenger side front door exploded for no reason when my daughter opened the door one morning. She sustained injury to her eye - scratched cornea and cut under the eyelid. Subaru would not repair the car under warranty. I went so far as to contact the President of Subaru of America for help and got none. They were extremely rude, which added insult to injury. The next time I see them will be in court. Save yourself the hassle - buy a Nissan Altima or Toyota Corolla.

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  Nice SUV - 1998 Subaru Forester
  By MSSSSW - January 2 - 10:00 am

  Like everything about this car except the rear wiper

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  Great Buy - 2000 Subaru Outback
  By Scott A. Miller - January 2 - 10:00 am

  I have considered getting a truck or bonfide SUV. But I invariably cant find a better all-around utility vehicle. It is like having the best of a car and an SUV. It is not an off- road vehicle, but a very capable rough- road vehicle.

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  Nice Redesign - 2005 Subaru Legacy
  By BigBear - January 2 - 7:46 am

  I am very happy with my purchase. As a 6ft 260+lber, I am able to fit comfortably. The vehicle glides down the road. Car is put together nice and tight-no squeaks or rattles, very quiet. Both the interior and exterior styling are excellent. The MPG is not even close to that listed on the window sticker, its more like 18 city/22 hwy. Not being a turbo, from a stop, the car is not the fastest but at highway speed there is plenty of pedal in reserve. I constantly find myself excessively over the speed limit.

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  Mexican big rig or PZEV OB? - 2008 Subaru Outback
  By Betty - January 2 - 2:40 am

  This was my first Subaru. My past 2 cars were Toyotas. I thought Id give the OB a try. First complaint is the shockingly LOUD "engine" warm up due to the PZEV. It sound like a big rig truck from Mexico! I have started to notice quite a few rattles in the passenger compartment. It inconsistently shifts on hill climbs. But, the biggest concern is the "clunk" from the rear end or transmission at slower speeds. It is at the dealer now, but Im told they were unable to reproduce the "clunk." At 5,000 miles, a car should be a pleasure, not a concern!! Regretting my purchase!! Going back to my trusty Toyotas!!