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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  Repeat buyer - 2016 Subaru Outback
  By John Kocialski - October 19 - 8:44 am

  Nothing... Just buy it...... Great

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  Happy owner so far - 2017 Subaru Outback
  By LV - October 19 - 6:29 am

  Acceleration feels a little sluggish, but it is enough, if you press the pedal like you mean it. The car is very comfortable and fun to drive because of the great handling. Fuel economy is excellent for the size of the car. I dont like the exterior look too much, especially the roof rack rails, but thats not a surprise. Interior is great. One (small) disappointment is that the USB charging ports delivers very little current, probably under 1A, which is too little for the latest smartphones.

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  Not Bad At All - 2007 Subaru Forester
  By ATC - October 17 - 4:13 pm

  Im only 52"... not a lot of cars out there that can provide me with much needed comfort for visibility... But the Forester has changed it all. It is a joy to drive at all the times but up to a 45 degree up hill to the high way from a complete stop. I have the most joy driving through the severe snow storms!!! Unbelievable control in 6" snow! LOVE IT!

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  Good stable quality car - 2004 Subaru Forester
  By A Boston Driver - October 17 - 10:00 am

  Well, the vehicle is great it feels very stable when you drive, it responds quickly, the brakes respond well, the manueverability is very good. In terms of snowy weather, you have to try to spin out or fishtail, it will spin out and/or fishtail but you really have to push it. My mother drives a Mercedes ML500 2004 and when she stepped in my car she loved the feeling of it and she felt safe in the car. I have the lowest model, but i believe the highest model is quite a car, leather interior and the dealership said the top of the line Forrester beats the Impreza WRX in the quarter mile or was it the STI (for some reason i doubt the claim).

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  subaru forester - 2001 Subaru Forester
  By vielka - October 17 - 10:00 am

  currently has 80000 miles starting to become a little jerky overall, its a good reliable car

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  Subaru should start making wagons again - 2017 Subaru Forester
  By Mark - October 16 - 9:26 pm

  Too bad Subaru doesnt make wagons anymore. I had a 2004 Forester XT that was so much fun to drive. Subaru got bitten by the SUV bug in a big way, quite the shame. I now drive a BMW 328 sport wagon, and the Forester dwarfs my car in the parking lot. Even the Outback seems fat and ungainly. Subaru should get back to what made them attractive in the first place- 4WD and wagons.

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  OK but I expect more - 2004 Subaru Outback
  By jasn - October 16 - 8:30 am

  I purchased this after owning a Acura, Honda & Toyota - comparatively, the performance responsiveness is lacking in the Outback & it guzzles premium gas. Brakes and AC had to be replaced already & the much-vaunted AWD doesnt seem to make much difference on the snow covered roads of Canada - still slip & slide all over. I would definitely not buy another... back to Honda or Toyota for me.

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  Solid, Fun to Drive - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By Ringer - October 16 - 3:10 am

  I picked up the new Outback during an intense Northern Ohio blizzard!! It was love at first drive. Handles great with the AWD; Solid feel; Very roomy back seat for kids, plus plenty of cargo space. I get lots of positive comments on the Outback from friends, as well as strangers! CVT took some getting-used-to, but like the salesman said, "it just goes!" Not a rocket by any means, but it seems to help on fuel. Mileage has been pretty good at around 26 mpg in the city.

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  Pleasantly surprised with first Subaru - 2016 Subaru Forester
  By T - October 14 - 11:47 pm

  The acceleration and handling is excellent. When I drive it it feels very stable and sure around obstacles. It is also surprisingly roomy inside.

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  Scooby Doo = my new Subie-Roo! - 2010 Subaru Impreza
  By Thadman - October 14 - 9:10 pm

  I was giggling like a little boy after test-driving my WRX at the dealership. Id tested the 2.5i Premium and was disappointed by the performance. Then I drove Scooby. Oh. My. God. Love at first drive. Stupid fast. I shouldnt be allowed to have a car this fast. Scooby loves curves too, eats em up. Im taking it to the track (never been before) in a couple of weeks. I go to sleep every night dreaming of my upcoming track day. So fast, my wife complains if I hit the gas. My Dad said it was "almost scary" after I took him for a spin (pretty sure he meant the car, not my driving ;)). Best car for my money!