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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  My New Little "Lurch" - 2016 Subaru Forester
  By Susan - November 16 - 3:08 pm

  Weve always owned Honda...for the majority of our marriage. The Subaru was a new purchase, we dont lease, now that we are done with totting kids around and dont need the Mother van. Ive found most features disappointing or annoying on the 2016 Forester. The Accelerator pedal is so small, it makes my 52"frame tired after driving 45 minutes. The carpet is so cheap, the blonde hair in our family makes the black carpet look forever dirty. The "fuel release" lever is on the floor vs. the vertical floor board near the break pedal, so its always dirty. I hate the "LURCH in the accelerator. I hate the beeping of the seat belt warning @ 3 miles an hour, so you cant move your car from one spot in your garage to another with buckling up. I hate the change box, you cant plug in your phone with spilling the change. I hate theres no place for a womans purse...and if you throw it onto the passengers seat, you have to "buckle it in" because 3-5 pounds sets off the alarm to buckle. I regret NOT BUYING a HONDA even though I got the Subaru because I did not want all the silly bells and whistles the CR-V offered.

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  Overpriced. Needs a LOT of Expensive Repairs! - 2012 Subaru Outback
  By bob - November 9 - 10:07 am

  Our 2012 has needed a new transmission with under 65,000 miles, new head gaskets, and a new timing belt. Altogether, we have paid well over $10,000 in repairs. It also go through oil very fast, the tires and brake pads wear out quickly, and the transmission fluid costs more than $300 per bottle!

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  nice car, poor audio system - 2012 Subaru Outback
  By jefre - November 2 - 1:12 pm

  bought this 2012 v-6 limited in october. provides good accelaration but body "roll" is significant and scary. the dash buttons are tiny and confusing to the eye. heater fan is so noisy. i had a subi in the 90s and liked it very much but it wasnt refined and poor sound system. i bought this w top of the line HK sound system which subi has promoted its excellance. well, its totally mediocre. i drive an hour each way to work and like a bit of music. its hard on the ear. also the ipod-usb has very limited function while you are driving. so if your on the highway you need stop the car to change artist or song etc. i just traded it in for a 4runner. im so happy now!

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  Looked too good to be true - 2006 Subaru Legacy
  By Mike - October 24 - 7:26 am

  Here are the problems I had with the car: * Water in the passenger side foot well * Interior paint scratching easy * Electrical problems (lights were flickering) * Failed sensors * Engine died.

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  Disappointment - 2016 Subaru Outback
  By Tom - October 21 - 2:03 pm

  I have had this car for 14 months and it has been in the shop more times than I can remember. A basic list of features that dont work: Navigation interface, starlink interface, USB functionality, to finish off the tech cateagory the touch screen is very slow and glitchy. Eyesight system dumps a sever amount of braking power way too fast while on cruise control, which shifts down completely if the cameras dont work. The liftgate will jam and refuse to open even with no cargo making contact. I could go on an on about what all is wrong with this vehicle mechanically. Hose lines are getting wrapped around small motors around the car, the AC has was completely rebuilt week 3 and now requires full replacement and recharge. I have chewed through 3 batteries and Subaru cant find a power drain. I am getting rid of this vehicle asap before i am injured in operation. The recalls have been extensive and at no end, received another yesterday.

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  Poor Design - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By Forester - October 21 - 1:20 am

  The headrests on this vehicle are designed so that they push the drivers head down and forward. This causes a number of people to have severe headaches and back pain after an average commute. In addition, there are NO cupholders in this vehicle. Subaru does not want a Subaru owner to drink fluids while they drive the vehicle... this according to Subaru corporate. The transmission is tough to get into reverse about 30% of the time. Experience with other makes and models indicates that transmissions that are difficult to put into reverse when new, are maintenance headaches later on. Engine runs a little rough after only 4000 miles.

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  0 for 2 With My Subaru - 2004 Subaru Forester
  By Dougie Henson - October 10 - 11:46 am

  This was my 2nd Subaru and it will surely be my last. I should have known better after our 93 Legacy wagon broke 2 timing belts, blew a head gasket, and needed both front wheel drive axles replaced-all before 36,000 miles. Nevertheless, I traded it on a new 04 Forester 2.5X because it was the best deal we could get. Never again! The right front wheel well liner came loose and fell out before 10,000 miles. The transmission began to give us trouble at 15,000 miles. The whole car vibrated while turning even though we faithfully had it serviced & the tires rebalanced and rotated every 3,000 miles at the dealers. The windows leaked and whistled in the wind whenever you exceeded 35 MPH. Junk!!!

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  Oil consumption - piece of junk! BEWARE - 2012 Subaru Impreza
  By markmine - October 2 - 11:42 am

  I purchased this car new and it was never abused. This is my first Subaru and the awd was appealing. This car is Very disappointing! Around 14k miles the car started burning approx 1 quart of oil every 1000 miles. Subaru said this is normal! I think the new 2.0 engine has problems. The car also sounded like it had a bad wheel bearing, the dealer said the sound is the cvt transmission and again normal. The stereo system is horrible! The build quality is really bad and at 19k miles the car is rattling and gas mileage dropped to 26 mpg. Dont make the same mistake I made, buy a Honda or Toyota and stay away from Subaru!

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  Head Gaskets, Catalytic Converters - 2002 Subaru Outback
  By a20366 - September 29 - 4:56 am

  This is the worst car that we have ever owned. We have replaced the head gaskets, catalytic converters and constantly have brake problems - primarily warped rotors. They say we need new valves now. We have taken care of this car and we have 130,000 on it. Subaru obviously has problems which they refuse to stand behind. We would never buy another one and just hope we can sell this one.

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  Made A Bad Choice - 2001 Subaru Forester
  By RichardM - September 25 - 2:00 am

  Happy with my Subaru???? Not a chance. 2001 Forester, 38,000 miles and I get a check engine light. OK, probably just a loose gas cap, NO. Take it to the dealer and guess what, blown head gasket, ruined O2 sensors, ruined cats. What gives here? I though these were the best of breed for these kinds of cars. Im really upset, disappointed. I have a habit of buying multiple copies of a car if I like it and was just test driving an H6 Outback last weekend. Forester will be traded for a Hyundai Santa Fe, Ill be buying the XG350 for myself. Pretty sad these Subarus.