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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  Subaru Outback Limited with VDC - 2008 Subaru Outback
  By TODD SIGLER - January 8 - 5:10 pm

  I just bought my outback limited w/VDC about 3 weeks ago. At first, my vehicle was hesitating very badly and I took it back to the dealership where they said it was a loose #3 spark plug wire. I was not happy at this, to say the least. However, since the spark plug has been adjusted 2 weeks ago, my vehicle has been performing very well. My ride is much smoother than most vehicles Ive been in; I dont feel bumps in the road as much as other vehicles. The AWD is wonderful in handling a lot of turns as I live in West Virginia.

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  2003 Forester X - 2003 Subaru Forester
  By sneezy2 - January 8 - 10:00 am

  This is my first new car and I just love it- great value, reliability, safety, excellent visibility, and lots of standard features(that are add-ons with other car makes), plus it is so fun to drive.

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  bang for the buck!!! - 2003 Subaru Impreza
  By Doogie - January 8 - 10:00 am

  this car will get the most bang for the buck.at the price of $25000 you will not find any other car out there that can come close.0-60 mph 5.6 secs and you can drive it in snow when most sports cars can not move an inch.thanks to the all wheel drive rain,snow,gravel and mud are no problem.once you hit 3000rpm get ready to be pushed back in your seat and watch the speedometer climb fast. to sum this car up go get one and you will not be dissapointed!

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  bang for the buck!!! - 2003 Subaru Impreza
  By doogie - January 8 - 10:00 am

  this car will get the most bang for the buck.at the price of $25000 you will not find any other car out there that can come close.0-60 mph 5.6 secs and you can drive it in snow when most sports cars can not move an inch.thanks to the all wheel drive rain,snow,gravel and mud are no problem.once you hit 3000rpm get ready to be pushed back in your seat and watch the speedometer climb fast. to sum this car up go get one and you will not be dissapointed!

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  Solid but better service please... - 2001 Subaru Forester
  By kalsank - January 8 - 10:00 am

  Drives well and is made well. Lots of decent features in the S model. Ideal for NW driving conditions (rain/snow).

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  Nicely redesigned car - 2010 Subaru Legacy
  By ozzie12590 - January 7 - 12:43 pm

  I was ready to purchase a 2009 model from the local Subaru dealer when I came across the 2010 Legacy. From the outside, you could not tell the 2009 and 2010 models are related. It was also apparent that the new Legacy was roomier for passengers. A quick test-drive around the block was impressive --- the CVT transmission shifted smoothly, the ride handled a rough parking lot (speed bumps and pot holes) admirably and the seating was comfortable for a petite female driver and her 6-foot passenger. With improved gas mileage and a price tag that was only $2k more than a 2009 Outback Sport and I was sold. The car sold itself. It didnt need a salesman to talk me into it.

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  Love the car, HATE the headlights! - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By Hope Stewart - January 7 - 6:16 am

  This is a great car. Very comfortable, great ease in getting in and out of car. Smooth ride, fun to drive except at night. Low beam headlights are horrible, especially in rural Montana with not streetlights, just a lot of deer. Extremely dangerous! I have to drive with high beams to see, but this is not always possible with oncoming traffic and weather conditions. We have taken it to Subaru shop several times and another mechanic, and nothing can be done. If I had test driven this car at night, I wouldnt have bought it. The lights take away from all of the great things that I love about this car. I am afraid to drive it at in the dark, but I have to in the winter. Car is dangerous at night!

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  Most fun to drive - 2006 Subaru Impreza
  By Sam - January 6 - 5:33 pm

  The STI is the most fun to drive out of all the cars I have ever driven. Acceleration, top end speed, handling can not be beat. If they would only change the front end back to the way it was, it would be perfect!

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  My 5th and Best Subaru - 2006 Subaru Outback
  By Poohbaru - January 6 - 4:16 am

  I have owned 5 Subarus now starting in 1984, progressed from GL Wagons with 4WD to LL Bean Wagons with AWD. They are the most reliable well built cars I have ever dealt with. I have friends with Lexus, Mercedes, BMW, just name it. The LL Bean in my book surpasses them all.

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  Great little SUV, most everything in one - 2008 Subaru Forester
  By Rickshift - January 5 - 9:50 pm

  I have 500 miles on my new Forester, so far I love it! Good power, 25 MPG mixed driving before break-in period, quick & sure handling and that hill holder function is seamless when I use it. The clutch and shift are hands down the smoothest Ive ever driven, pleasant, easy manual to drive.The ride is comfy, heated seats are nice, the moon roof is awesome, stereo wth 6 CD is nice. The ride over washboard pavement is just a little hard but it floats over RR tracks with comfort and control and takes corners and clover leafs like a bear. Its an undercover sports car dressed up like a little SUV, winter ready. The PZEV rating is a nice plus for global non warming. Will rerate 5K,10K.