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 Outback i limited - 2008 Subaru Outback
  By experiences1 - August 18 - 8:56 pm

  2008 outback we bought new when our 1998 outback head gaskets failed at 135000 miles. We were unsure if another Subaru was in our future but after driving other alternatives we returned to this manufacturer. Very stable sure footed in even the worst conditions and very easy to drive. We are impressed with the design and body integrety.

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  Most comfortable of the small SUVs - 2014 Subaru Forester
  By misprof - August 16 - 9:17 pm

  I test drove all of the small SUVs on the market and the Forester was far and away the most comfortable for me. I am 6 5" and 225lbs and none of the other ones had anywhere near as comfortable a driving position. The visibility is great due to the big windows, especially in the back where the competition seems to have all put large pillars in the way. It is quieter than the Highlander that it replaced and I have been getting a combined 27 MPG commuting and as much as 32 on highway travel.

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  Fun and stylish with flaws - 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek
  By kydriver4 - August 16 - 8:22 pm

  Fun to drive XV Crosstrek with smooth shifting manual. Needs 6th gear badly! Revs are way too high above about 65 mph. Needs about 40 to 50 hp, then it would be even more fun. But the looks alone sold me.

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  Awsome - 2003 Subaru Baja
  By Dr Car - August 15 - 10:00 am

  Best Truck as far as fun goes

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  Nice to drive - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By Dave - August 14 - 11:43 pm

  Driving is fun again; while I liked this Limited in the show room it has been a delight to drive. In the snow it was a dream, smooth and very much in control. The power ports are well placed. One surprise that was unexpected is that you can leave an interior drivers spot light on by accident and find the battery dead in the morning. No auto shut off as all of my past cars. I would love to say I have all the power I need with the 4 but not always without really downshifting to get things moving. I would have picked the 6 or turbo but the higher priced gas is needed. Rear door too narrow at times. The family loves it and it never gets to rest in the driveway 15K in 6 months.

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  Great value - 2005 Subaru Legacy
  By ultimate driver - August 14 - 3:33 am

  After driving BMWs, Corvettes and Audis, I needed something that would drive well in all weather conditions, including snow and ice, and yet give me good performance with superior reliability and that was also fun to drive. The Legacy GT wagon with the turbo and 5 speed short throw stick is all of the above and then some. I highly recommend it, and at the price, there simply isnt anything else that comes even close. GREAT car.

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  Fun for the whole Family - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By Herzart - August 12 - 5:23 am

  Traded in our 2005 Liberty and took a chance on Subaru Forester. Great room and space for me and my family and seems to have more room than the Liberty in some spots. Ride is comfortable. Steering and acceleration is quick and sporty. Test drove many compact SUVs. CRV was weak, Rav 4 was noisy and the Forester seemed to be the right fit and finish and less expensive. Panoramic moonroof in compact SUV! Only one in its class to offer it. My wife loves the drive.

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  Great performance but needs improvements - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By ARefaat - August 9 - 7:36 am

  While I really love the performance.. (incomparable handling and steering, 4 speed transmission really helpful on mountains and have no problems at high speeds) the bumpy ride and the bad interior built quality keeps me from enjoying the drive of this great performance. compared to any other small SUV or even mid sedan Ive been in the ride of this car is very bumpy the car shakes constantly... also the quality of putting the interior together is not the best and this shows as annoying rattling noises, also even with putting the driver seat at highest position the seat is still sitting low which is not a very comfortable thing neither

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  2008 Outback Is Frustrating - 2008 Subaru Outback
  By Bill R - August 6 - 8:33 pm

  We traded in a 2004 Outback for a 2008,and have been disappointed by poor mileage, need for premium gas, and the worst nav system logic ever invented (partly designed by lawyers, I assume!). The nav system wont even let the passenger set a new destination while underway, it has such inane logic. The seat heater controls require you to look down at the aft end of the center console, a major distraction.

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  Good Value - 2005 Subaru Forester
  By Jeferty - August 6 - 10:00 am

  You get a lot for your money with this car. In my price range, with my height, I narrowed the search down to the Subaru and the Nissan Altima. The Forester won hands down with a more solid build, better features, and tons of cargo room.