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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  Great car until it hit 100k miles - 2002 Subaru Outback
  By bartemaeus - November 28 - 11:00 am

  Up until the 100k mark, the car was flawless. But after that it went downhill. The transmission leaked and cost $2k to fix, the belt broke at least twice, belt pulleys had to be replaced twice, and the A/C compressor died. That was the final straw and we traded it in. I had hoped I would get a few more thousand miles out of the car. It was still a great car to drive, smooth on the highway, and never got stuck in snow.

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  very mod friendly - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By malelee21 - November 28 - 10:00 am

  $3000 will make stock WRX into a 300hp (230whp) beast. Turboback exhaust and engine management system will yield amazing 50-60whp gain (dyno proven). I have 300hp stage 2 WRX and it has similar trap speed as STi. I am quite happy with it and it has been rock solid. With added power, it has never failed to start up or give any problem.

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  subarus are bad cars!!! - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By jeff n - November 24 - 2:00 am

  This car is a fun to drive car, but the quality of the car is lacking. I will never buy another subaru. I could get a better quality car from matchbox...

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  fun car to drive - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By Kai - November 19 - 10:00 am

  very fun even my car is automative, easy car to drive, good handeling except raining day.

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  One month, 2500 miles - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By steve - November 17 - 9:33 am

  This is my third Subaru. Have had 05 Outback 2.5 and 06 Tribeca. My biggest complaint -- regulating the heat is virtually impossible! I dont like a lot of heat coming out but you either get none, or way too much. I also do not like the materials used in the interior, I am sure they will show wear and tare shortly. The seats are fine, I am talking more about the trim on door panels, etc. The center console is not the greatest either. Actual MPG since I purchased vehicle 24.2, per computer 24.4. I hope when vehicle broken in it will improve somewhat. Exterior is great, lots of room on inside. One more thing, cabin could be a little quieter. Too noisy on the highway.

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  New To Subaru - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By Camrytimes2 - November 16 - 12:53 pm

  Decided to buy a Subaru after owning 3 Hondas and 3 Toyotas. Moved to the top of a very steep "second gear up" hill 2 years ago and wanted AWD. Have had the Forester for 2 months and the quality seems to be quite good. Snow season passed prior to purchase, but have driven my sisters 2007 Forester in the snow and it was a transcendent experience. Handles well in corners and on highway. Highway MPG is about 28. Engine isnt a powerhouse during hill-climbing around town, but no complaint here with such good MPG figures.

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  My 3rd Subaru, with more to come! - 2003 Subaru Outback
  By urabus - November 14 - 10:00 am

  Im more into function, than form. This car is the best Ive owned. AWD is great ALL the time, not just in snow. Safety rating is comparable to Volvo, for thousands less. My wife drives our 96 O/B with 130k...still as good as it was when we bought it 6 years ago. I cant imagine driving anything else.

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  WRX four years on - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By super_haggis - November 13 - 1:00 pm

  Reviewed this car back when it was 6 months old. Thought Id add a long term review. Mechanically reliable. Suspension, steering and engine all as good as the day I bought it. Interior proved to be weak. Developed a rattle in the hatchback 1 year on that the dealer never was able to fix. Rear seat covers had to be replaced under warranty after 2 years due to fraying. Various interior dash rattles have appeared over the years. Basically all due to poor quality interior materials. Fender guards cracked after 3 years and were replaced under warranty. 4 years and the clear coat started to peel from the hood scoop. Given the long term interior wear and rattles. Not sure if I would buy another.

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  A well made SUV that deserves attention - 2008 Subaru Tribeca
  By Handsome36 - November 10 - 11:50 am

  After much debate on TribecaÂ’s 3rd row comfort, I bought the 2008 Tribeca. It is smooth, wonderfully stable and deserves to be compared with lux utes. It costs $7-8k less than the Acura and 10k less than Volvo and BMW but more reliable than either. Very nice touches with ambient lighting, puddle lights (optional), etc. It has very smooth engine and its dynamic stability control really works (unlike the one I had in my minivan), most effective AWD system of many out these and absorbs bumps very well. Very little road noise too.

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  Great Practical Vehicle - 2006 Subaru Forester
  By spartikus - November 8 - 12:22 pm

  I bought this vehicle with 76000 miles on it. It runs and drives like a new one! The AWD feature is amazing in the snow and on ice. The interior is a little cheap, but its not bad. It is a perfect car for us as we have one infant whose carseat sits in the middle of the rear seat. The boxer motors are bulletproof and as far as people saying it is like a rollercoaster.....its an AWD vehicle. There is going to be an obvious deceleration when going through gears. There is more friction to keep power to all wheels. I would highly recommend this vehicle.