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 Small SUV but Far From Perfect - 2010 Subaru Forester
  By Craig - September 18 - 5:40 pm

  This is my second Forester in the last 2 years. I traded in my first one after a year and a half because the X model (4 cylinder) did not have enough power for me. I upgraded to an XT turbo which is more my speed. If you are looking for any performance this is the way to go. I stayed with Subaru because they gave me a great trade in price. The XT in black suits my lifestyle, sporty & practical. The forester is great for active individuals & small families. It is an easy commuter, great visibility, easy to drive & park but it does need some improvements. The engine & transmission seem well built but the interior plastics are cheap, not the perceived Subaru ruggedness I was looking for.

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  Only had it for two weeks - 2010 Subaru Forester
  By Tall in midwest - September 18 - 9:43 am

  I bought the non-turbo limited; engine is satisfactory, my second Subaru, wanted the all wheel drive and legendary control on iffy roads. I needed all the extra legroom, the Subaru has 43.1, compared to 42.3 for CRV and 41.7 for Rav4. HOWEVER, the non-turbo model does not come with a telescoping steering wheel! This is crazy, because you cannot take full advantage of all the front legroom without a telescoping wheel, since if you do you wont be able to reach the wheel! I suppose its ok if youre an orangutan but normal humans, no way. Inexplicable, really, since the Turbo models come with it. Arm rest too far back, too low, and too hard. Mediocre sound system, even with 6CD changer.

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  Best car ever! - 2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek
  By Julie Jones - September 18 - 5:00 am

  This is my 14th car. My second Subaru. I just traded in my 2005 Forester for a Crosstrek. I dont understand the comment about the audio speakers. My Forester had a VERY upgraded Jensen system and the factory Crosstrek speakers beat that to infinity. I love everything about this car. I chose the Crosstrek because Subaru keeps making the models larger. The new Forester is the same size as the old Outback. The new Outback is a behemoth to me. Anyway . . .the interior is great, the ammenities are great, the styling is great. My only two downs are: the turning radius is a bit less and the visibility is a bit less (the Forester had virtually NO blind spots). I highly recomment this car. Highly.

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  BIG Sub - 2009 Subaru Outback
  By SCHATS - September 18 - 4:56 am

  Love the car, have 12,000 miles, gas mileage has been better than expected. Would like a bit more power. Just finished a vacation traveling from Pittsburgh to Maine, 2500 miles averaged 28 MPG carrying quite a bit of camping equipment. The car always looks clean, shines beautifully, even with dust on it.

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  Good quality, have yet to see full potential - 2013 Subaru Legacy
  By be_sydney - September 17 - 9:42 pm

  I chose this car because when I bought it I lived in a city with harsh winters and I needed a reliable, AWD option. I researched for over a year and decided to go with the Legacy over an SUV because of the gas mileage and the reliability of the Subaru name. The size of the cabin is great, and I can fit 4 large adults in here comfortably. The biggest problem I have had with this car is the gas mileage. At this point, I have driven it 4200 miles and have had an oil change and am still not getting above 21.9 miles to the gallon. I drive the freeway to work everyday and should be getting at least 28 combined. Even on a highway trip of 1200 miles, the best mileage I got was 29 MPG.

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  Not for people with long legs / big feet - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By Mitch - September 17 - 8:30 am

  Im 511" with 33" inseam and size 11.5 shoes. My drivers shoe get stuck under the dash if I wear dress shoes. The steering wheel is too far away when I have the seat back almost all the way. The front seats are too small, hard and narrow with bolsters that are too hard. The back seat is too hard with no thigh support. Back seat passengers cannot put their feet under the seats which compounds the problem of little legroom. The front passenger cannot stretch out their legs/feet if they have long legs or put them under the dash because the ductwork blocks it. Front maplights do not come on when you open the door...only the back lights do. Windows painfully slow.

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  A lot of car for the money! - 2009 Subaru Outback
  By chasen84 - September 16 - 11:06 pm

  I live in Colorado where snow is an issue, so I needed a car with AWD. This car has excellent build quality. I previously owned a 3-series BMW and this car is comparable in many ways. The transmission is as good as the BMW, as is the ride quality. Though nothing handles like a BMW IMO, this comes close. You wont win many drag races with the 2.5, but it is adequate and fun. If I hadnt gotten so many tickets in college and therefore cost so much to insure, I wouldve gotten the turbo, I think. Overall this is a lot of car for the money. The seats are softer than my BMW, but not as soft as the Volvo I test drove. I prefer softer seats when given the choice.

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  Great Car Skip the Automatic - 2005 Subaru Legacy
  By nlap90 - September 16 - 7:17 am

  Love the lines and the style of the car, bought mine used with 70,000 miles on it. First few hours i owned it the transmission sensors failed... fine cars have issues sometimes. later on started to notice electrical issues with the lighting dimming on its own or the radio controls not working when you hit the buttons. in the past year , i have replaced the turbo, the ac condensor because it seized and shredded all the belts and tore through the electrical, the transmission had to be rebuilt, and now the wheel bearings are going.... I must have gotten a lemon.... Love the car other than these issues. about to trade it in. Stay away from the turbo Automatics they have major issues!!!

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  Like it, but could be better - 2007 Subaru Outback
  By Russ - September 15 - 6:53 pm

  Overall, I like the car. Mileage has been just under 27 MPG mixed driving on 3 tanks. I gave up a 1990 Volvo 240 wagon for this and I do miss the Volvo. Seating position and visibility were better in the Volvo. Performance is adequate, especially for the naturally aspirated 4-cyl. Considering the all wheel drive and ground clearance, the mileage is pretty good. Hopefully it will improve with break-in. I liked the looks of the 2007 grille much better than the new 08, so I grabbed it while I could. Havent had it long enough to really rate reliability, so it gets an 8 rating there.

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  Excellent Mid-Sized Car - 2010 Subaru Legacy
  By CM - September 14 - 6:50 pm

  As soon as I heard about the redesign of the Legacy for 2010, I was intrigued. Many things were upgraded in this model year besides the interior space. The CVT works like a dream- very smooth acceleration (I am used to listening to the gears to know about how fast I am going, and this has been a bit of a change for me), and brings the rpms to around 2000 when cruising. The electronic parking brake is interesting (fine with me as I rarely use one anyway), but the hill holder feature is amazing. I wish I had something like that when I was learning to drive a stick. The paddle shifters are fun, and the controls on the wheel are great.