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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  What a really nice surprise - 2012 Subaru Outback
  By superhoncho69 - December 30 - 6:02 pm

  For starters its the first import Ive ever owned. We traded in a 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee with a 4.7 V8 that averaged 16.9 mpg no matter how easy you were on the gas pedal. It NEVER got stuck, but the mileage was backbreaking. The Jeep weighs 4700 lbs, and the Outback 3400 lbs, yet the ground clearance is nearly the same and acceleration with the 2.5 feels just as quick if not faster. Over 3 days of mixed driving were averaging 29 mpg with better handling and tangible money saved at the pump. Interior quality is good, sound insulation very good, with TLC this vehicle will last many years. Looking forward to the first blizzard of 2013!

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  Why I bought the 2008 Tribeca - 2008 Subaru Tribeca
  By bgk - December 30 - 3:20 am

  After talking to persons who own a Subaru I knew they were onto something. I test drove a few friends who own them and could feel the solidness of the vehicle. Since I dont buy new cars every few years (previously drove a 97 Blazer) I wanted to make sure this was the car for me. It is. Reading the reports on Subarus reliability also moved me into purchasing it. Size wise, its perfect. Not too big or small. Driving the Tribeca one can feel the responsiveness of it. A good, linear feel, like you are on rails, plus great stopping power. Good road feel too. Not too soft or harsh. Like Goldilocks porridge, just right! Plus quick acceleration when stomped on.

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  Drives like a car, roomy like an SUV - 2010 Subaru Forester
  By Gregg - December 29 - 5:33 am

  I would best describe the Forester as a "nice" automobile. It does everything well, but nothing outstanding (which is not a knock on it). It seats five, pulls a small trailer, can handle dirt roads and snow, usable large storage area, good visibility, good highway manners, etc. A very solid vehicle.

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  Brilliant service people. - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By Anonymous - December 29 - 12:30 am

  Well, to start I should mention I put reliability low because the service people are idiots. Brought the forester in for a checkup and oil change, comes back with 2L too much oil - we discovered after the engine blew. Car is good, interior is pretty nice although leather stretched quickly. Stereo pretty well stinks considering its premium - nice that it doesnt get scratchy at high volume, although its stupid that out of 40 knotches, its not reasonably loud until about 30. Also fuel economy is hardly a selling feature once owned, not good in city at all. I have a 310HP pickup that gets better mileage, although tank is 20L larger, still gets about 400-600km per tank, forester barely hits 400.

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  Bad Fuel Economy (19 MPG) - 2011 Subaru Forester
  By bandiao11 - December 26 - 7:02 am

  Generally OK, but bad fuel economy (average 19 MPG, mostly high way miles), manual claim 91 octane GAS, but Subaru website says 87 octane. All the instruments will be in red color during night while driving. Can not open trunk without remote. Inspection need to be handled specifically.

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  Needs to be bigger and stronger... - 2008 Subaru Outback
  By nek_md - December 19 - 10:59 pm

  We bought the Subie for its safety and reliability. I did not do my homework on the performance of the vehicle, nor on its interior space. The engine is adequate, but the 4AT is a lousy transmission. The car works too hard to find the right gear, and kick-downs are frequent and blatant when the engine is working hard. The rear seat was woefully inadequate for accommodating a standard infant seat without pushing the corresponding passenger seat up all the way. This led us to trade in the vehicle. The car was reliable while we had it. No complaints there. The paint quality was thin and there were rattles in the dash that shouldnt have been there for a young car.

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  10 months - 2006 Subaru Impreza
  By subisubi - December 19 - 9:26 am

  No real problems to date. The car handles really well in the snow. I live Mammoth lakes, CA, and we had over 600 inches of snow this past winter. Make sure there is extra weight when in winter conditions, because the car is pretty light. I got 31 mpg sometimes on roadtrips, and never less than 25 mpg.

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  Car Performance - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By Carl Tordonato - December 19 - 3:16 am

  The engine is very sluggish, with slight acceleration of the gas pedal the engine hesitates then the transmission shifts down as if the engine loses power. I am very disappointed with the performance.

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  The Pillow - 2017 Subaru Legacy
  By Howard Larkin - December 16 - 7:46 pm

  My wife traded in her 2005 Volvo S40 for this 2017 Subaru Legacy 2.5i mostly because the Volvo was getting too expensive to keep repairing -- Volvo parts are ridiculously expensive and the thing is so complicated they had to take the grill off to recharge the air conditioner. So the nice roomy layout under the Legacys hood is a welcome switch, or so my mechanic tells me. You can actually see and reach the spark plugs without disassembling half the engine. This is actually our third Subaru, the previous two being a 1996 Outback and a 2012 Forester which we still have. The Legacy doesnt handle quite as well as the Volvo but they are such different cars it is not really fair to compare them. However, the Legacy does feel very planted on cloverleaf freeway entry ramps and it is easy to change and hold a line. I give credit to the symmetrical all-wheel-drive, which sounds like advertising but it really does eliminate torque steer. Physics, I guess.The Legacy is much better at absorbing the massive potholes and bumps all over the streets in Chicago and suburbs, which destroyed the Volvos front end twice in 100,000 miles. The Subaru is at least a match for the Volvo in the rain and I am sure it will be much better in the snow as well. The Volvo was pretty good in snow for a front-wheel-drive car, but our other two Subarus were and are practically snowmobiles. This is a big reason why my wife chose the Subaru. based on previous experience with continuously variable transmissions, I was a little leery of this feature. However, the Legacys CVT is very responsive and the car moves right out when you need it to. On my wifes 35 mile commute of about half highway and half streets the Legacy is getting about 29 mpg, which is about five or six better than the Volvo got on the same trip. We havent taken any long road trips yet, but the dash says it hits 35 mpg on the freeway right after a fill up, and so far the dash mpg report has been pretty accurate, within about two percent of miles divided by gallons when we fill it up. The Legacy is much bigger inside than the Volvo, with a very comfortable back seat, though the Volvo had better seats. The lumbar cushion on the base Legacy are not adjustable, and tend to push me out a little farther than ideal on the bottom cushion, though this isnt a hug problem. Much, much better visibility out of the Legacy and the back up camera helps avoid backing into the garage wall. The Legacy is very solid and quiet, much more so than our 2012 Forester. Based on the excellent durability and reliability of our other two Subarus -- no repairs needed at all in 55,000 miles on the 2012 Forester, not even brake pads -- I am hoping this one wont need much work over the next 10 years or so.

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  GREAT SAV NOT SUV - 2004 Subaru Forester
  By TIMBO - December 14 - 2:00 am

  This is a great car . Subaru was the first out with all wheel drive and now look at all the other car mfg comming out with it. The ride is great,and just enought HP. Take it from me you dont need the turbo it takes the top grade of gas and who needs to pay another $0.25 a gallon.