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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  Second Subie in 4 Months! - 2011 Subaru Forester
  By htx3 - November 17 - 6:44 pm

  Awesome Car! Bought my wife a 2011 Forester Premium in July. Our first Subie. I loved it so much I went and bought a 2011 Forester for myself. Got the 2.5 X(base) 5 speed. I was a GM owner for a number of years. I am sold on Subaru! Solid reliable cars. I have no complaints!

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  Buy a radar detector - 2005 Subaru Legacy
  By slewis - November 17 - 9:30 am

  This car has it all. Comfort, safety, and fun. All wheel drive 250HP turbo is unbelievable. I test drove a WRX but realized it couldnt be the family car I needed. The Legacy GT was the answer. I test drove 330s, TL, TSX, 9-3, A-4. Nothing comes close to the fun of the Legacy. The all wheel drive along with the power is an unbeatable combination. Youve got to test drive it to understand.

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  I love my new outback - 2017 Subaru Outback
  By John Cavanagh - November 15 - 8:38 pm

  Love the outback. Hot car.

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  Great value, smart looks. - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By Over the Hill - November 15 - 8:23 pm

  I researched for months and test drove 6 cars before finally settling on the Outback. My previous car was a Honda mini-van, which I drove for 11 years. I was looking for good utility along with sedan comfort; I think this car delivers both. I almost purchased an 09 Outback in May, but the headrests were impossible to live with. The 2010 redesign has eliminated this issue, at least for me. This car delivers great value and I predict that it will be a huge hit for Subaru.

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  Excellent Car - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By JWR77 - November 15 - 2:00 am

  I do a lot of travelling with this car and currently have 90,000 miles on it. The car is fun to drive and up till now has been problem free. Also great in the snow.

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  Love my Baja - 2003 Subaru Baja
  By goatspeed - November 15 - 2:00 am

  I went to the Subaru dealership intending to buy an Imprezza WRX. The wife convinced me to try a Baja that day too, and I went with the Baja. What a great ride! It is stable, grips corners, and hauls the lawn clippings to the compost. Yeah, I cant think of anything I really dislike about this vehicle. It gives you the features of a pickup. I make 28mpg on long trips. It snowed last week, and the thing is a TANK in the snow. Couldnt be happier.

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  Wagons Rule - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By Kindnugs - November 15 - 2:00 am

  -This car rocks. It has good handling, and a fast motor. It has All wheel drive, and it has cargo space. -So far I have put 1,000 miles on the car, and it has been a pleasure. It NEEDS BETTER TIRES but other than that it is a blast in stock form, plus it can haul a little cargo. Mileage depends heavily on how hard you drive it. -A good reference for this car is WRXfanatics.com, a forum site where you can find anything you want to know. -However you will want to add things to car the second you buy it, because the expandability in every aspect is amazing. So set some money aside for mods and go buy a Rex!!!

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  Awesome ride a must own - 2005 Subaru Impreza
  By pimpin 2.5 - November 14 - 12:20 am

  We got it 2 days ago and I keep getting people coming up to me saying its a beautiful car! Fun to drive, plenty of power despite not having a turbo all in all for the price you cant go wrong.

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  2005 STi - 2005 Subaru Impreza
  By bob wilson - November 13 - 9:23 pm

  Awesome car! Definitely the best performance for anything under $50k. Can match or beat most cars of any price range in any type of performance. It drives and handles amazingly. The AWD truly puts the 300 hp to the streets. Awesome turbo power through the full spectrum of rpms. Its aggressive exterior is eye catching and turns plenty of heads. Its boy-racer style aggressive looks truly inspired me. It truly is an amazingly awesome sport compact car.

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  Sleeper Wagon - 2006 Subaru Impreza
  By D - November 13 - 5:26 pm

  Ive waited a few months to review this car as I thought my initial enthusiasm might diminish. But, it hasnt! I still look forward to driving my car everyday. This vehicle has the perfect mix, with the practicality of a wagon but the performance of a rally car. AWD is a major safety and performance point (Ill have a hard time ever going back to 2WD, if I ever do). I put in the STi short throw shifter and would absolutely insist on it for any WRX owners out there. Subaru roof rack allows for bike rack and Rocket Box, while cargo area kennels a large dog easily. Roof rack whistle was a problem on past Subarus, but they seem to have fixed the problem as I havent heard anything.