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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  great turbo - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By michael - December 15 - 11:43 am

  This is a terrific car much more responsive than the 6 cylinder. Wanted to get the Limited, but am too tall for the sunroof. Why does a nice interior require a sunroof? Great handling for a car with this much ground clearance. Good job, Subaru.

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  Rally Inspired Fun - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By NLR350Z - December 15 - 10:00 am

  This car will probably be the funnest car to drive becuase of its power and stability.It will out run any car in the $30,000 range, no other car can touch this one in that range period.

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  Intial Review, I love my new Suby! - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By rhayes - December 15 - 10:00 am

  Just bought this car, will follow up review in about 10,000 miles for an update. After a long and frustrating search, someone suggested this car, and its perfect for me! Young and sporty, reliable, and has plenty of room (was trying to get away from SUVS). All wheel drive will be great in Michigan!

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  So far so good - 2007 Subaru Outback
  By DUG7714 - December 14 - 9:43 pm

  Traded my Grand Cherokee for this. Much better driver, obviously. Power is similar but handling is a world better. 20 MPG on the first tank - about equal city, highway driving in the DC area. Expect that to improve a bit. Takes a while for turbo to kick in, but I had been driving in Intelligent mode a lot. After a weekend trip into the western PA mountains, my mileage seems to be improving. The seats were comfortable and the ride was great - hwy and city. I usually stop at least once on the 3 hour ride, but didnt feel the need to. Switched to Sport mode for most driving and have been enjoying the Sportshift manual. Also shopped BMW 328xi, Audi,Volvo,Saab. BMW came close, but too much $$.

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  My Subaru - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By taj - December 14 - 4:03 am

  I leased this SUV in October. The interior is something from a spaceship. All my friends are in awe of my Subaru. When I first drove the car home no one knew what it was and people were honking at me amazed it was a Subaru. Needless to say Ive seen many since that day and I dont blame them. This is a fun car with great handling and control. Snow? What snow? The radio pumps good sound and the touch screen navigation is the easiest Ive ever used. My wife loves the heated seats and my daughter is kept under control with her favorite movies playing from the built in 9 inch screen. And I can listen to my music because of the wireless earphones. Bottom line is I love this car and you would to.

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  Great Car!!! - 2011 Subaru Impreza
  By eyean27 - December 12 - 8:52 pm

  I was in the market for a new car and couldnt be happier with my decision. Considered Accord Coup V6, Evo Ralliart, GTI, and Mazda 3. I was very impressed with the performance of the WRX. Quick acceleration and great handling!! The interior cabin is quite spacious considering its a compact car. I was hoping for better gas mileage but thats due to a heavy foot! Im avg 20 in town and about 28 highway.

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  Love My 2006 Forester Premium - 2006 Subaru Forester
  By Kathy - December 12 - 5:53 pm

  Im very, very, happy with this vehicle. Great handling and no problems with the snowy backroads of upstate NY due to AWD. Getting about 23 MPH on average - more would be be nice. Armrest/cup holder setup leaves a lot to be desired. Replaced the tires and added tint to the windows straight away. Love sunroof and CD changer. MP3 outlet would be a nice touch. Hate that seat belt chime - would like to turn off while just sitting with the car in park. Excellent crash test reviews - love the side curtain airbag feature. Would buy this car again in a heartbeat.Wish there was a closer dealer. A great deal for the money - holds its resale value well. Overall very satisfied. Highly recommended!

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  Its about love - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By tarsier - December 11 - 4:10 am

  I could have paid less for my Forester if I had been more patient but its about love and the extras I might have added for the same price were not terribly interesting or involved trade offs (standard, turbo) I wasnt willing to make. I have no problem with stereo volume but the plastic/felt interior, goofy high chrome exterior trim, engine high speed rev and blind spots exist. I am not thrilled with the armrest, but my dog likes it and I have issues with the ipod integration kit. But thats it, other issues are more industry-wide technology-style issues than Subarus fault. 15,000 miles, 6 major road-trips from the snow to the desert and its still all about love.

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  I dont miss my truck - 2006 Subaru Legacy
  By Reece - December 11 - 12:00 am

  I bought the car as a lease return with 16k miles, here I am 6 months later and the car is just shy of 30k miles. This car is amazing on snow and ice, drove it from Seattle to Denver and on to Texas in the middle of the winter, handled the Rockies like a champ. I went 470 miles on a single tank of gas, and a total of 2200 miles in 3 days. The seats are supportive and the car is amazing to handle, I can always tell what its going to do next. Im sad to say my car got a little personal with a silverado at 35 mph, and he won, but the passenger cabin remained intact and I walked away with a bruised ego. An amazingly safe vehicle.

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  Fun to drive, premium gas a problem - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By Deep - December 10 - 2:33 pm

  After driving a 1990 Legacy, I switched to 2006 Tribeca. Now that I think of it, I have both Subies in their 1st year of mfg. It is fun to drive. So far driven 6000 miles. Pretty comfortable in long drive. Although not suitable for off-road driving, it is very nice ride on rough roads. Took it on a 500 mile drive recently. Only concern is its use of premium gas and also the pick up of the engine. It takes some time and the engine revs up with a lot of noise. But they are changing it in 08 models with a better engine.