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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  Safety First - 2001 Subaru Forester
  By Paul Bordegaray - February 3 - 8:06 pm

  We traded in a new Civic when we decided we wanted a safer vehicle for our toddler. Our choice was validated the following winter when we were involved in a near head on crash. No one injured andthe car performed magnificently! And still does!

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  Safety First - 2001 Subaru Forester
  By Paul Bordegaray - February 3 - 1:26 pm

  We traded in a new Civic when we decided we wanted a safer vehicle for our toddler, Our choice was validated the following winter when we were involved in a near head on crash. No one injured - the car performed magnificently! And still does!

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  1st Subaru - 2009 Subaru Outback
  By Scott - January 30 - 5:30 pm

  In December I went about replacing my 2007 VW Passat wagon. I had a love-hate relationship with that car. Since it was winter, I was starting to get sick of not making it up my hill to my house. So I looked at the Outback. It had no trouble driving through ~10 inches of snow during my test dive. So I got one. It has been good, not great. Its not really fast, it handles pretty well and gets reasonable fuel economy for an AWD vehicle. AWD is great in the snow and the back holds lots of baby things. The HK stereo is pretty good, wish the audio controls on the steering wheel would control presets, and wish there was a sub control. Now that it is getting warmer, I am enjoying the large sunroof.

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  Going strong at 74,000 miles - 2002 Subaru Outback
  By Laura - January 29 - 12:43 pm

  Just started reading about all the bad reviews on the engine head gasket. We have 74,000 miles and have no engine issues so far! We have had minimal wind noise from the window, no big deal! Also brakes wore rather fast and dealer fixed before warranty end. We bought at 12,000 miles so not sure why this car was traded in! So far this is a great little car. Fair miles 21 around town/mixed and 26 on the highway. Awesome in the snow! We have the triple tread assurance tires. Awesome!! This car is great compared to an SUV except it is only a 4 seater. Very hard if not impossible to get more then 2 kids in the back unless you buy the radian carsets which are hard to install/narrow

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  Outback 2008 3.0 - 2008 Subaru Outback
  By Jose Alvarado - January 28 - 5:13 pm

  I owned a ML350 of very questionable quality and performance and two discoverys before. I pick an Outback looking for a smaller confortable car paying almost one third of the money I paid for the other cars. A big deal! Great off road and fast in road, a lot of space in a not-too-big car.

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  08 Outback sport - 2008 Subaru Impreza
  By rachel - January 27 - 2:06 pm

  I have had this car for two weeks. It is quite different than my last car (95 Toyota Camry), so its taken some getting used to. My only complaints are road noise on the highway, and uncomfortable headrests (they push your head forward). I like the way it looks and drives so far, but well see after the upcoming winter. Thats the reason why I bought a Subaru, for all the bad weather driving we do in New England.

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  Blown engine at 2600 - 2009 Subaru Outback
  By Skoalsnuff - January 25 - 8:00 pm

  Love the car, thats why having this motor issue is so painful. Driving down the freeway and I hear tapping that gets progressively worse. With no associated lights car just shuts down. Dealer says I have blown motor, come to find out that they are having problems with turbos doing so. Funny thing is everyone at Subaru acts like it hasnt happened at all. Getting new motor, but not feeling good about car. Read up, the turbos are lemons.

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  Reliable but uncomfortable - 2007 Subaru Legacy
  By wvfrontier - January 24 - 5:40 pm

  I drive quite a distance to work everyday and wanted a reliable economical car. I got both those things in my Subaru legacy but what I didnt get was any comfort. The seats in the legacy are the most uncomfortable hard seats I have ever set in. You cannot stand to sit in them for more then 15 min. which makes going for long drives in this car unbearable.

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  Its not just for kids! - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By HerbH - January 24 - 10:00 am

  Having owned Imprezas since 1996, I was expecting a faster, but no more refined, car in the WRX. Surprise! The WRX is much smoother and quieter than its less sporty predecessors. At first the controls felt too light, and the seat felt too hard, but after a long drive I feel quite fresh. The turbo lag is not very noticeable except at high altitude with the AC running. Then you need to coordinate clutch and throttle with finesse. Reports of lousy mileage are due to test drive behavior; Im averaging 23- 26, and I drive fast but efficiently. Coolest experience? Going up to Donner Pass (7,200 feet) at half throttle in fifth gear at 70-80mph.

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  Disappointing Reliability - 1998 Subaru Forester
  By QuintrKD - January 24 - 10:00 am

  I bought my 98 Forester with great enthusiasm. However, I had to replace wheel bearings on two separate occasions by 40,000 miles. I had to replace both oil seals by 75,000 on my Forester (and at the same mileage on my wifes 95 Legacy), which by my research seems to be a common and recurring problem. Finally, Ive been dealing lately with some pulsing and squeaky brakes, and the brake mechanics seem to be at a loss to find the problem. The reliability of my Forester dues not favorably compare to my experience with Toyota trucks, and Ill probably opt for a Toyota or Honda the next time around.