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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  Disappointed with Forester - 2016 Subaru Forester
  By John Barrer - March 16 - 4:13 am

  Stiff and awkward. poor visibility out back sides. small cargo area.

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  Some good but wheel bearings a killer!!! - 1998 Subaru Forester
  By s cristaldi - March 9 - 5:10 pm

  The car was purchased new. Has good features like paint/body quality. However have needed to replace wheel bearings almost every year. This is a 350 to 400 expense. Every year! Subaru has refused to take responsibility for this obvious engineering defect. So, be very careful purchasing a Subaru they will not back their products. Will never buy another Subaru. Too afraid of excessive costs.

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  in the shop - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By mdski - March 6 - 6:53 pm

  I have had this car less than one year and it has been in the shop for more than 15 days. Subaru does not seem to have the ability to manufacture a quality performance vehicle. The inside is third rate also.

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  No Subarus in the future for me - 2003 Subaru Outback
  By TG - February 26 - 6:10 pm

  Within 48K I have lost my AC, redone the Brakes, lost the radio, small plastic hooks and knobs break off easily and finally the Head Gasket failed. Bad Subaru! the HGs have been failing on these cars since 1976 (my 1st Subaru) after many misleading discussions with Sales/mechanics we decided to give them another chance. FAIL. dont buy a Subaru w/o looking up their reviews/complaints first.For a car with this many features you would not think that this CRITICAL part would be so consistently overlooked.

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  Wheel Shake - 2010 Subaru Legacy
  By Mike - February 21 - 6:23 am

  Update on the 2010 Legacy with wheel shake and constant correction needed to keep the car straight. Weeks later and the dealer has advised me that other 2010 Legacy owners are coming into the dealer with the same wheel shake and highway drift problem but that Subaru Corp has not found the fix. Im in the process of seeking legal recourse to return the car. For those owners who dont have this problem consider yourself lucky. For potential buyers consider this car with caution and be warned that the test car did not have the problem.

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  Boring - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By Mari - February 14 - 11:16 pm

  I enjoyed my SUV at first, but Ive experienced numerous quirks the past year. My tire pressure light flashes off and on, regardless of the actual tire pressure. Ive gotten to feel like every drive I make will end up with a flat tire, Im getting paranoid. Even if the AC/Heat is off, I still feel air coming in from the outside. The radio volume goes up and down when it wants to. The seatbelt buzz is annoying, especially when I have to "buckle up" library books and the such.The door locks have been repaired and replaced 3 times. Any one else out there having these same problems or is it just my car???

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  50,000 km and a huge bill - 2003 Subaru Forester
  By kloc - February 6 - 7:52 am

  Our 2003 Forester has been maintained by our dealer since purchased new in late 2002. From day 1 it has had a coolant leak, a fact that has been pointed out to the dealer at every scheduled service. The dealer, of course, could not find the source of the coolant lead until after the warranty expired, whereupon we were told that the head gaskets were leaking and the car had developed piston slap to the point where driving the car was ill-advised. The master tech told me that Subaru has told dealers to ignore the problem until the warranty expires. Last Subaru I will ever purchase; this was our 7th.

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  Great Snow vehicle but MAN the Oil leaks... - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By junkyard2 - February 1 - 5:30 am

  This is my third Subaru and it will be my last. Pros: Fantastic AWD System, will flat out go in the snow ! Good gas mileage for a AWD, 27.5 highway, 23 city Easy to work on. Heated Windshield Cons: Cheap interior, Sub Standard factory Stereo System, Head Gasket leaks ! All 3 of my Outbacks have had head gasket issues, once they start leaking, they drip on the exhaust and the oil vapors come right in the fresh air ducts. If you buy one you WILL be eventually be putting head gaskets on it. At 120K miles, my steering rack is leaking oil bad, one head gasket is leaking and the cat converters are shot ($1860 at Subaru) I have a neighbor with a 2011 Outback that has oil leaks, BEWARE !

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  What a change! - 2017 Subaru Legacy
  By RynNewEngland - December 20 - 9:26 pm

  I recently purchased the 2017 3.6r last summer. We opted for the 3.6 because I felt the 2.5 just didnt have enough pep not to mention I have always enjoyed a 6. We actually decided to purchase the legacy after we owned a brand new rogue that was a lemon a 2015 SL which was fully loaded that had NOTHING but problems. We live in New England so AWD is a must here. I did look at the Accord and Toyota. We usually dont look in this class of cars but we have two little ones and felt we needed something that can take a kick and keep on ticking. Normally, I would be looking at a 330ix or a Q60 or an Audi A4 or A6 but I have to admit. This car past my expectation. The CVT ( yes a CVT!) is actually not bad at all When I got in it had me fooled for an entire few minutes. Dont get me wrong I prefer a nice 6 speed over a CVT any day but the extra gas increase and reliability is great. The car handles great (get rid of the factory tires) I purchased some nice summer/performance tires and winter tires as needed. The ONLY issue I have come across is that the car makes a rattle under the hood ( the hood mounting pad) and the air defrosting isnt that great in cold weather (20dg) and the rear window top part does NOT defrost at all its actually just the digital antenna. In the snow the car is a beast. Throw it in "manualmatic" and turn off the traction control and enjoy the paddle shifters and have fun because the car will kick all 4 tires easily! A great car and we look forward to many years with it. We went fully loaded and I have to say the eyesight is decent I have had other eye sights years ago 2006 M35 had it along with adaptive cruise control which is nice. I would have NEVER purchased an older legacy as the interior was horrible but the redesign is clean fresh and modern . We travel daily dirt roads, interstate (80 MPH) and bumpy New England back roads with frost heaves (look it up) and this car handles all of them without a single issue. The car handles the bumps without a single issue.

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  Whats so Great? - 2003 Subaru Forester
  By Mikemitros - December 14 - 10:00 am

  I do not understand why this car receives such rave reviews.The interior is cramped and uncomfortable. The controls are too small and difficult to operate.Especially the cruise control, you must take your eyes off the road for an excessive period of time to turn it on.The air onditioning and defrostis inadequate.The engine has an annoying loud metallic tapping sound for the first ten minutes after started.Poor acceleration with the automatic transmission.Check engine light comes on frequently. Uncomfortable arm rest. Cup holders that block the instrumentation.