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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  2008 and i have changed 8 - 10 headlights - 2008 Subaru Tribeca
  By lvilletribeca - November 23 - 1:06 am

  This car has the worst reliable headlights of any car I have ever owned. Every 6 months and they need changing. Gas mileage is not good and the care is noisy. On the positive side, other than brakes and headlights I have had low maintenance. I would think hard before i acquired another Subaru.

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  Awesome - 2007 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By Virginia - November 22 - 11:33 pm

  This is my second Subaru. I had a Ltd Legacy, over 100000 on it and traded it for a fuel efficient Honda Civic. My daughter now owns that with its 109,000 miles and many more to go. The Tribeca is my first sport luxury car. I drove 5 cars that day and once I drove the Tribeca, that was it, I couldnt go back to the others. I never want to rush somewhere, I just want to be in the car and mosey along. Do I mind a stoplight? Not at all. Just turn up the awesome speaker system. I sat in the third row... no problem for me, Im 55".

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  Great Midsize Wagon - 2007 Subaru Legacy
  By Bruce - November 22 - 11:06 pm

  Weve had this car about a month and have but about 1500 miles on it. On the NJ Turnpike it got about 31 MPG running at 70 mph and has been getting 22 in the city. Plenty of power, great handling, and practical layout. Much zippier and tighter on the road than the outback, plus better mileage. I bought this car for my wife to replace a minivan. We argue over who gets to drive it. My only gripes, only one power outlet on the dash area and that is inside the ash tray, so the tray must be open to power the radar detector. The porsche designed motor has plenty of power, but can be noisy at times. We have a large dog and she fits nicely in the back with three suit cases. Get one while you can.

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  Fun Drive - Great features - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By Ratpolfe - November 22 - 10:00 am

  I test drove and automatic first, No fun. Bought a manual, and had the time of my life. I did alot of research and poking around for these, and it only helped me buy this car faster than i normally would have.

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  mbg - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By mbg - November 22 - 10:00 am

  excellent car, fun to drive, powerful and stylish

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  I like - 2003 Subaru Forester
  By Ala - November 22 - 1:33 am

  My ex was an 86 Tarago GLI van that can get bogged on a football field, yet I was able to force it to go into 4WD territory mainly cos of the ground clearance. Subaru AWD is awesome, and the comfort level is a huge step for me in all respects. Being an 03 model the head gasket was done before I purchased it at 160K. Its is a manual with lo-range. Tearing off in lo-range there are no wheelies, just a rocket forward up a steep slope. Handling in the dirt or on the tar is impeccable. Anti-lok brakes are a welcome novelty. The 2.5 L boxer is edgy and free-revving making this a drivers vehicle. Handles like a well mannered car, better than the cars I drive. Love it

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  Street Legal Rally Car - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By hotprop - November 21 - 2:40 am

  Itll lope along in 6th at 50 mph. HIDs (height adjustable), DCCD, 6-speed tranny, I/C spray, adj. Tach (shift points), and 300 smoothly delivered horsepower. Idles nicely at 500 rpm, lopes along at 2000 rpm. Get it over 4000 rpm and that boxer just growls so nice it gives you goose bumps. The tires are excellent and give good performance, wet or dry, but do let them warm-up. Very responsive handling. Oh, did I mention the BRAKES. Seats four, large trunk, large glove box makes it a car you could live with day to day. You cant buy another car like this for any amount of money. Its a fantastic performance car!

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  Follow up from May, 2003 - 2003 Subaru Forester
  By tstodola - November 20 - 2:00 am

  I have had my 03 Forester for 7 months and 17,000 miles and am more pleased with it now then when I purchased it! It gets 24-25 mpg with varied driving. My wife has not wrested it away from me, but I think she would swap her Solara for the Forester if I offered. With all the crash test data on the car, and my experiences to date, The premium for Subaru is really worth it!

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  First car I loved long after buying it - 2008 Subaru Impreza
  By Dave - November 18 - 12:13 am

  Wanted AWD and comfort without a 3 series price. Found it in the Impreza. 130 mph without the turbo. 65 mph = 34.5 mpg. 80 mph = 27 mpg. Feels pinned to the road in the rain. Snow is manageable with the stock tires; rather have some snow tires. Premium sound system is ok. Audiophiles wont live with it for long. Durable interior. Im hoping for 200,000 miles and I think Ill get it.

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  Wipers!! - 2007 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By helpubirth - November 16 - 2:40 am

  Overall a good car. Not very roomy in back. 3rd row for small children only. Handling ability in snow is fantastic! However, I only have 2200 miles on this car, have had it in the dealer twice replacing the wiper blades and then replaced the whole wiper. The wipers DO NOT clear during snow. There is significant build up on the passenger side especially. To me totally defeats the purpose of having an AWD vehicle if you cant see when you drive the darn thing!!