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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  this car is great - 2003 Subaru Legacy
  By rocco sesty - November 4 - 10:00 am

  this car is great

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  great car - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By ChrisG22 - November 4 - 10:00 am

  This is a great car. Ive owned an Acura Integra, Honda prelude, chevy cavalier, and this is BY FAR the best car I have ever driven. thats all.

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  snow mobile - 2004 Subaru Outback
  By slackersinc - November 4 - 10:00 am

  this car tackles and handles the mountain passes like no other. when the big 4x4s are in the ditch, u just cruise on by. went hunting in eastern wa. last winter. had to travel through 1 1/2 of snow with 3 drifts 5 mls. on a farm rd. no problem...i like this car!

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  Great Sports Wagon - 2004 Subaru Outback
  By cards - November 4 - 10:00 am

  This car also offers a great performance even with the base, 2.5 L engine. The performance can be further improved by installing the K & N high- flow air filter instead of the factory one. I found that the K&N filter significantly improves the low-end torque. I also noticed improved a/t performance (smoother operation), but not the fuel efficiency. The latter might be due to impressive 23/30mpg (city/highway) numbers, which I already had registered right after my Outback passed the 3K miles mark.

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  practical, fast and amazingly agile - 2002 Subaru Impreza
  By buckalau - November 1 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car after trying to decide between the Volkswagen GTI and WRX. But after online research and test drive there was no comparison. This car rocks! i can go to the snow with no worries and can haul around my junk with all the cargo space, and with a permanent grin on my face. The car is super quick and hangs the corners.

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  absolutely LOVE it! - 2003 Subaru Impreza
  By aburke - November 1 - 10:00 am

  This car is fantastic! I bought it a few days ago and Im in love. Its SO fun to drive and is very practical.

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  This is a Subaru? - 2005 Subaru Legacy
  By jen1972 - October 30 - 11:30 am

  Driving out to look at the Acura one more time and possibly sign papers on it, I passed the Subaru dealership. Im so glad I did because it was love at first sight. I drove the Legacy and the Acura was a distant memory. For much less money I got much more car. I wasnt expecting this much; after all, I owned a 91 Legacy and it was a very reliable but very basic car. This car is beautiful and a blast to drive. Has everything I want and more. All of which was standard equipment! 250 HP, ventilated heated leather seats, 6 CD changer, dual climate control, Sportshift, 17" low profile wheels, signal indicators on side mirrors, DRL, AWD, fuel usage and temp display. All this for around $26,000.

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  My first Subaru - 2017 Subaru Outback
  By anna dye - October 30 - 11:23 am

  I love my new Subaru!

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  Buy an 04, not newer body style - 2004 Subaru Outback
  By Happy - October 30 - 1:43 am

  If youre shopping for a used Subaru, buy an 04. Very dependable car, no trouble. Mine has more than 100K miles and getting 27 mpg. According to a local Subaru mechanic, 04 is the best year for Subarus. Run from the 05s. See my review for our 05 Outback XT under title "Money Pit". Its hard to believe the cars are from the same manufacturer. The 04 has been a perfect car and the 05 was a horribly expensive nightmare. Were keeping the 04 and plan to put another 100K miles on it.

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  best car made - 2004 Subaru Outback
  By kevin berlied - October 29 - 10:00 am

  once you go subaru you will always go subaru.there is no turning back.awd