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:

• 

  Thank god for Subaru - 2005 Subaru Impreza
  By scooby101 - January 23 - 10:00 am

  I definitely am enjoying this car. I sold my acura for this car. It is awesome to drive, handles great in street driving. You can definitely dig in to any cornern and feel safe. It has enough power even with the 160 hp version. Smooth shifting, instant response, no delay w\non turbo. So as a daily driver or out for some fun this car can do both.

• 

  best car on the road... , for me anyway - 2005 Subaru Impreza
  By jimbosSTi - January 23 - 10:00 am

  This car handles like a dream. Does very well in the ice and snow of Wyoming and Nebraska, it never leaves you guessing. Definately recommend to people looking for a fun fast compact.

• 

  2005 Subaru Forester L.L. Bean - 2005 Subaru Forester
  By DAnderson - January 23 - 10:00 am

  Peppy little thing. Great excelleration and fun to drive. Glad they added more colours for 2005 and changed the color of the interior. I feel I got great value for my money and paid $60 under invoice. Everyone I talk to, who has owned a Subaru, raves about the minimal maintenance.

• 

  its a subaru thing , u wouldnt understand. - 2016 Subaru Legacy
  By mark - January 23 - 2:24 am

  This is my second subaru. i love this car. Is it as fast as camry or honda, NO. Is it as luxurious as an Audi or BMW, NO. If you are comparing this to other cars in its class you probably wont get it because there are no other cars in its class. I live in the northwest where there is a ton of snow and super slick roads mixed in with mountain passes. Subarus AWD system outperforms all of them. HANDS DOWN. For traction and safety is a slam dunk. throw in comfort , value, and a redesigned interior.*****

• 

  Never expected to like it so much - 2014 Subaru Outback
  By todrit - January 21 - 8:47 am

  I have had my subaru Outback fro two months and I honestly never thought I would like it so much. I went for it mainly for the value and comfort. it really is a fun car to drive and has great gas mileage. I never even concidered a Subaru, my wife talked me into looking at them. the only issue i have found is that the control for the radio are a bit hard to reach while your driving and the sound system is just OK.

• 

  First Subaru - 2018 Subaru Crosstrek
  By Bill - January 19 - 7:32 pm

  Great car

• 

  Best new compact truck - 2003 Subaru Baja
  By pbranda906 - January 19 - 2:00 am

  This is a great alternative to expensive large trucks.If you are a Home Depot goer this is all you need. It feels and rides like a car and has the room you need for those big items you buy you just cant get in a car.

• 

  I dont have a catchy title - 2016 Subaru Legacy
  By Steve B. - January 18 - 3:43 pm

  The car is fantastic. The only thing I wish it had is ventilated seats, and maybe a heated steering wheel. Its quick enough for me, but I would have expected a little more out of the 6 cylinder engine.

• 

  To drive a B9 is to want a B9! - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By John Giambalvo - January 17 - 10:33 pm

  I happened upon the B9 while out driving other vehicles in its class. It was the fifth drive in less than a week. After about twenty seconds, I knew this was a superior ride to all of the previous ones. In the three weeks since taking it home, it has only reinforced my decision. I wait for the chances to drive it. I cant wait for snow to come. Its obvious that Subaru knows AWD given the incredible popularity of the Outback. The B9 is an utterly new level of Subaru. The cockpit is even fun to just be sitting in. I warn you, if you take for a test drive, you will want to take it home.

• 

  Great ride - 2008 Subaru Impreza
  By MikeyEv - January 17 - 7:56 pm

  I bought this car in February of 2008. Im not a big fan of the 4dr, but I do love my 5dr wagon. I had a great buying experience and I got a great deal. I love the way the car drives. Great all-around ride and suspension. Lots of power. It has very little turbo lag. Its great on hills. With the seats folded down, there is a lot of space. The car is very practical, reliable, and mostly importantly fun.