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 All Around - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By james - November 27 - 9:46 am

  I was attracted to the Outback Limited 2.5 with the CVT because the design and engineering are very well integrated. The horizontally opposed 4 cylinder engine mated with the continuously variable transmission work harmoniously to give the symmetrical all wheel drive a stable grip on most surfaces. Paddle shifters are great. I got the Outback to travel between upstate NYs snows and New York City. I like to get out on some less than smooth back roads and a lot of NY city roads are as rough as back roads; the Outback takes it all and delivers a fine ride. I got the car loaded with everything except the moon roof and the GPS. The interior is luxurious without being over the top.

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  This Wagon Hauls More than Groceries... - 2005 Subaru Legacy
  By Adam - November 27 - 12:03 am

  Picked the car up in Dec. 05 as a new 05 model, The dealer was more than enthusiastic to unload the car (last years model) and now I am more than enthusiastic to drive the car like it was meant to be driven. Power from the turbo-4 is more seamless than any turbo Ive driven before. The engine is almost too quiet -- Ive stalled it a couple of times because I cant hear the engine. As for fuel economy concerns, they are simply a matter of right foot activity. Lay off the accelerator, and it will give you 30mpg plus in highway driving. But wheres the fun in that?

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  Love this car! - 2006 Subaru Outback
  By honhi96825 - November 26 - 8:00 pm

  I traded in a 1999 Forester for this car and I love it! I looked at the 2006 Foresters and found the seats to be too uncomfortable. This Outback is much more comfortable, with better features (side curtain airbags, dual A/C control) than the LL Bean Forester. The clutch and shifting is much smoother than my 1999 car. Having power in the armrest allows me to use my iPod my more than ever before (I keep the adapter plugged in all the time). Overall, Im happy with the purchase.

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  Very pleased - 2010 Subaru Forester
  By drg - November 26 - 7:43 pm

  Greatly enjoy this vehicle. The ride is fun - responsive, sure-footed, firm yet comfortable. Enough acceleration - good gas mileage. Very practical for both day to day activities and the 4 trips Ive already taken in it.

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  Love it! - 2009 Subaru Outback
  By Jack Mietus - November 26 - 6:08 pm

  We loved our Subaru Outback!

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  Smooth - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By Arrow - November 26 - 8:30 am

  Researched for months searching for the best value family vehicle. Compared the typical contenders. Subaru dealer asked me to try the Outback? Why not? SOLD! $2,000 more than a Forester gets $10,000 more car. Continuously Variable Transmission is smooth, Interior is higher end, and solid driving feel drives like a luxury automobile! LOVE IT!

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  Saved Our Lives - 2017 Subaru Outback
  By DF - November 26 - 6:37 am

  In December of 2015, we leased a 2016 Outback. In eight months, from December 2015 through August 2016, we drove the car just over 19,000 miles of Idaho and Nevada roads. On a late August night, just before midnight, driving through central Idaho at at 65 miles per hour, we hit a 500 pound Elk. The Subaru was totaled. The front end was completely demolished. The total damage was in excess of $25,000.00. The passenger cabin was untouched. My wife and I walked away from the wreck with nothing other than sore muscles. Two days later, we drove out of the Subaru dealer with our newly purchased 2017 Subaru Outback. Our Subaru Outback is the best car we have ever owned.

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  Engine Blew at 107,000 - 2012 Subaru Outback
  By Jody Miller - November 24 - 8:57 pm

  Car is just 3 years old, all highway driving. Followed maintenance schedule, last service for timing belt, 105,000 requested to do diagnostic testing and check engine carefully for my friend same car and year transmission went. One month later no signs or warning, when driving, dash board lights came on, pulled over and within 5 minutes the coolant poorer out, had towed and told that engine, radiator, valves, engine shot. needs a total rebuilt. Have a compliant in with Subura , told that this happen, not often, but car millage over warranty. How many people even have their car paid off by 3 years, costly repair, wish I could just get rid of the car, not great for resale either. Will see if Subrura pulls through and helps?!

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  Right sized - 2011 Subaru Outback
  By marionman1973 - November 23 - 4:12 pm

  My wife and I are the proud new owners of a 2011 Outback Limited 3.6R. We got it three weeks ago because we were expecting. Baby boy was born last week. We came down to two choices: The Ford Explorer and the Outback. After several test drives in each my wife picked the one I was hoping for. The Explorer was a little to big and while the My Ford touch interface is cool all I could see was something that would break in a year. We live in a city so while you want a good size vehicle you have to be aware that it can be a problem when looking for a place to park and when you trying to get through traffic. It has significantly more room than the other crossovers. Very Happy so far.

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  Exactly what I need - 2015 Subaru Forester
  By bbq4 - November 23 - 3:36 pm

  I keep seeing reviews of this car, saying that it is too spartan. To be honest, I only need that and nothing more. There are things that regardless of money, you simply cant find anywhere else aside from the Forester and those things are: easily the best visibility of any vehicule Ive ever driven; best AWD system, best fuel economy for an AWD compact SUV, best safety rating in its class, among the most spacious compact SUV, having among the biggest panoramic sunroof. For those reasons alone, Im extremely happy with my purchase! Honestly, I dont want to pay more for a name or for gadgets that would not make a difference if theres a snowstorm outside and that I needed to go somwhere.