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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  Good car for bad weather - 2003 Subaru Forester
  By Alex - March 26 - 4:36 am

  I bought this car with 65,000 miles on it, now it has 100,000. Nothing wrong with engine or transmission. Forester showed high safety standards on the wet and frozen roads. I like the way Subaru handles the road and ability to drive in the all kind of weather with reasonable gas efficiency for AWD. From other side, car is obviously underpowered. And it is kind of difficult to pass other cars on the highways, it just cant get speed fast enough. So, if you are looking for a safe and reliable vehicle without any fancy design or performance, then Forester will be a right choice.

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  Could have had a bigger car - 2006 Subaru Impreza
  By Jimmy Pelaez - March 24 - 10:46 pm

  We have been pleased with the experience at the dealer but after 550 miles we are finding out that the poor gas mileage for the size of the car is very poor. We have not been close to the mileage that is advertised. Barely get 16 to 18 MPG. My other SUV with a V8 gets the same mileage. Not happy with that.

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  Nice vehicle - 2005 Subaru Forester
  By COOL - March 22 - 9:10 am

  The AWD is great in the winter. Wife doesnt have to worry about putting the vehicle into 4WD like the Tahoe.

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  Dont get a 2006 5-speed manual - 2006 Subaru Forester
  By wlv - March 22 - 2:26 am

  Bought new 5-speed in Oct 05. Problems after 2 weeks. After "cold starting" vehicle and putting in gear, when clutch is pressed in, RPMs shoot up to 3000+. When clutch is released, RPMs go to around 1500. Press clutch in again, RPMs shoot back up. Can put car in 1st gear, and without pressing accelerator, car accelerates to about 20mph with RPMs climbing to 3000+. One time I kept clutch depressed to observe RPMs. RPMs went through a series of about 6 large damped oscillations over a period of 30- 45 seconds. Malfunction is very repeatable. Took car to 2 dealerships. Neither able to diagnose and repair. Safety concern ... so I am contacting the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

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  Turbo Wagon? Yeah baby! - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By Docthrock - March 21 - 3:33 pm

  This is a significant improvement over the 01 model. Ride, handling, performance, quietness, appointments, comfort all a big step up in quality and value. Subaru really put some thought into the redesign of the Outback. This car is not just a utilitarian vehicle (AWD & wagon) anymore, but a real contender with any car in its price range.

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  06 SE Outback Sport - 2006 Subaru Impreza
  By Erin - March 15 - 4:50 am

  I just traded in a 2.5 XT Forester for this 06 Outback Sport. I love the car. The Forester isnt truly a fair comparison due to size and HP differences. But overall, I am pleased with the Outback Sport. I love Subarus and probably will never drive anything else but they need to fix the seats in the Outback Sport, they are a little narrow (I am not large by any means but found them tight on long trips). I also had a whistling that occurred when I exceeded about 60 mph. I figured it was the roof rack (I added on a Yakima). That doesnt happen on other Subies that I know of.

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  suits MY style of driving - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By Dean Homan - March 14 - 6:46 am

  I own 2 Subarus. My #1 concern was RELIABILITY. I have 139,645 miles on this vehicle and not once has it left me stranded. I umpire college softball so it is important that I be there ON TIME. My Subaru operates the way I do, aggressive, no let up, always there on time. I love to drive this car ... especially during inclement weather. I have kept track of EVERY penny associated with the ownership of this vehicle. We are currently operating at just under 26 cents per mile.

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  A Good Car Made Better - 2018 Subaru Legacy
  By Spoolie - March 12 - 1:21 pm

  Took a 2018 Legacy Premium lease late August. Aside from a small software problem Subbru has promised a fix for soon, this is a much, much better car than the 2104, and quite a bit better than the 2011 we liked more than the 2014. Fixes: 1) much less tiring steering feel, 2) much quietier, especially the drivetrain & transmission 3) seating more comfortable, 4) ride/suspension vastly improved, and 5) a bunch of small but important interior feature/comfort changes. The most dramatic improvement was the highway mileage; our last trip at 74 mph on a pretty hilly NYS Thruway was 39+ mpg for the 250 miles - pretty good for a pretty good sized AWD car. That is about 33% better than the about 30 mpg for the 2014. City mileage is just a little better. To be redundant, Subaru made some very good and important changes.

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  Good Choice - 2008 Subaru Tribeca
  By Angela - March 12 - 2:00 am

  When the lease was up on our bmx x5, we chose the tribeca. The monthly bill was way less, a little over half of what we were paying for the BMW. All in all, weve been happy with this car. The small gas tank is a bit of a drag. The gas mileage isnt great. But from what I hear, it isnt terribly out of range for a comparable car. Would love a split rear hatch. The door is heavy and hard to pull down with one hand. Ive gotten stronger, though. Theres a bit of a leap when you first touch the gas pedal. Our lease is up in March, and I think well buy this car.

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  Fun to Drive, but not on long drives - 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek
  By bobjeeps - March 10 - 2:32 pm

  Very fun to drive, handles very well around corners, has a very good solid feeling. Easy to get in and out of and to park. Well laid out control panel. Love the looks of the car, I get allot of complements everywhere I go. Im getting about 26,27 mpg mix driving.