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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  Eye sight needs an eye check!! - 2017 Subaru Outback
  By FABNY - June 3 - 11:18 pm

  Right turning vehicles even in another lane cause crash avoidance braking if adaptive cruise is active. High beam assist very erratic. When decreasing speed using cruise control it applies brakes to slow down instead of doing a gradual slow down. Cant even allow passenger to use navigation when moving

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  2014 Subaru Forester 2.0XT - 2014 Subaru Forester
  By groksurf - May 30 - 2:11 pm

  Lots to like about this vehicle if you do 50-50 street/highway driving and off-road mountain and desert roads of moderate difficulty from time-to-time. I wish it came with all-terrain tires rather than the stock Bridgestones. There are only 2, maybe 3 tires that will fit this vehicles 18 inch rims with oversized front disk brakes. Ive done the research and I think the Yokahama Geolander A-T-S is still the only all-terrain contender that will fit without troubles with the brakes or sidewalls. Gas mileage has averaged 23 mpg with about 70% highway and 30% streets, conservative accelerator and brakes.

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  Small But Good... Could I Have Another? - 2008 Subaru Legacy
  By Vinny - May 30 - 10:30 am

  I was hoping to get a nicer car but with gas prices exceeding $4 a gallon I didnt want to be getting 17 mpg so I leased this Subaru Legacy for 2 years at an excellent rate. It gives me an average of 31.2 mpg overall and it has decent kick for a 4 cyl. I also own a 2003 Forrester but is noisy on the highway, this car is solid, very little road noise. I only got the VDC because thats all there was, I mainly turn it off. The leather is nice and along with the wood trim, it makes the car feel much more than $26k. The only complaint is that its a bit small. Wishing I bought it so I dont have to worry about mileage, much better then expected :D

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  Super Compromise - 2007 Subaru Forester
  By BrettRobi - May 29 - 12:20 am

  The Forester XT is a great compromise between practical and fun to drive. It has all the practicality of a Subaru with AWD, lots of room to haul stuff and the Subaru reputation, plus with the turbocharged engine it is a blast to drive. The Forester is a bit outdated in terms of electronic features, no navigation or trip computer, the windows and moonroof require the key to be on and other little niceties are missing. But a super car overall.

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  Cure for the Corolla - 2010 Subaru Impreza
  By GTP_Kent - May 28 - 9:00 pm

  Time will tell on many of the subjects of this review (build quality, reliability, etc). Engine, 4 Wheel Independent Suspension, Steering, Handling, all of the above are great in this car. Utility with the hatchback is great. Grip with the AWD is incredible under any conditions (wet, uneven surfaces, poorly kept roads, etc). The 4speed auto isnt great but the manual shift mode takes care of that with ease. Exterior appearance is subdued but handsome. Interior looks are good and materials are great for occupants who are damage prone. Great all around car with few draw backs.

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  i like this car - 2005 Subaru Legacy
  By j jersey - May 28 - 12:56 pm

  i have own the car for 1mth now and enjoy it very much.it fun to drive and its practical. the fuel economy is poor (but i knew bout it) and the cd player is not mp3 compatible and it climate control isnt the best but not not worst. the turbo engine is powerful enough to cause other drivers to do a double take and electron shift was a pleasant surprise. will try to give a 1yr review also to keep people inform

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  Great (if not ugly) car! - 2001 Subaru Forester
  By kaylynn42 - May 26 - 10:00 am

  Has been very reliable. Gets decent fuel economy. Definitely needs a V6 (Gonna get killed merging on the freeway one of these days!) Holds a lot of gear for camping and shopping. Could use a little more towing power. Cupholders not in the best spot. Seat warmers are awesome. Heater and A/C do wonderfully. LOVE the huge moonroof. Nice, smooth ride. Does great in the snow/ice. I feel very comfortable in its ability without feeling overly confident and cocky. Wish for more of a color choice on the S Premium than just the monoscheme red, white, black or silver.

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  Forester 04 XS Premium - 2004 Subaru Forester
  By mcbit - May 22 - 7:40 am

  Love the versatility of the vehicle. Like handling, but lacking power IMO. Passing other vehicles is often a challenge, which is my major concern. And, turbo is much more expensive to drive. Maintenance is on the expensive side. Sunroof doesnt open/close properly. Dealership was unable to determine exact cause after 1 hr inspection. Another mechanic found trickling current in the power circuit suspecting a failing diode in the alternator. Dealership tested and said that it is okay. Suspicious. Dont take vehicle to the dealership anymore. Central console plastic is easy to scratch. Rattles inside are annoying. Overall, good vehicle.

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  Phone volume - 2018 Subaru Crosstrek
  By Victoria Curtis Davis - May 19 - 10:57 am

  All the new models car play have a problem with the incoming phone volume. It will not hold your settings I put it all the way down to zero and when a call comes in it sersnit back to 10 and its so Loud I have a heart attack nearly driving. This has got to be fixed. Every time I get in my car I have to fix the volume setting to zero. It will not hold your settings. This is SO ANNOYING. They are suppose to be trying to fix the problem and then correct mine. I was told it is in every Crosstrek 2018 models the new car play. I cannot believe something so simple and they did not catch the problem before selling these cars. Other than that I love the car I get 37 MPG !!!

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  Like It!! - 2008 Subaru Tribeca
  By Judy from Syosset - May 18 - 5:43 pm

  This is my first Subaru; my last lease was a Toyota Highlander. When I turned it in, the new ones were huge and very expensive. So far, Ive liked this car; its comfortable and has been reliable, except that Ive had some issues with the tires...one a nail picked up and another tire had a rim that was coming away..Very strange. The big downsides for me are: the gas mileage, no automatic hatch opener and its very hard for a short person to close the hatch. Overall, though, I would consider leasing another one, particularly if some of these flaws were corrected.