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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  Snow eater - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By Deisel lover - October 18 - 5:56 pm

  Progress has been made. Still under powered but the cvt, hill brake, comfort added, mileage increased, interior enlargement all add up to a outstanding drive.This car is a great snow eater. There is no other car on the road that can compare. It tows well. In the past ten years Ive had six subarus, all various models. This is the best. On the road, mileage at 60/32, 70/30/31, and in the city 22.

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  Best in Snow, fun in sun - 2005 Subaru Legacy
  By DrM - October 18 - 4:13 am

  A survived a 40 mile commute during this last Ohio winter because of this car. Excellent handling in ice and snow. Sport shifting down much safer then braking on ice. It is nice to have the automatic with the option to shift manual. Now that the sun is out the sun roof is open. I love down shifting and zooming up steep hills.

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  subaru legacy - 2010 Subaru Legacy
  By choopie - October 18 - 1:26 am

  Leased the Premium w/auto. Getting 18 mpg city and as much as 35 highway. Great handling car. Little loud and transmission a little jittery but I can live with that. Only 500 miles on car thus far. Comfortable seats, nice amenities. Would recommend based on my limited experience with this car thus far.

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  After a month... - 2013 Subaru Outback
  By waskallywabbit - October 17 - 6:22 pm

  Like several others...Im a little disappointed in the mileage. My new Outback gets about 26 on my daily 27 mile (each way) commute. While that matches the "overall" mileage rating...I was hoping for better. My last vehicle, a Jeep Patriot, actually got its rated 27 mpg on that same commute. But the Outback is certainly more comfortable to drive. The steering takes a little getting used to...but only because its very tight and responsive. Before buying, I test drove everything in its class and its only real competition was the Forrester.

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  Auf wiedersehen VW! - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By behrcub77 - October 15 - 10:00 am

  Ride is absorbent and tight at the same time. Ive had three GTI VR6 VWs before this and always held off because of the 02-03 WRX styling. Now that I got a Blue Pearl WRX with the great 04 redesign...I think the only thing to make me reconsider would be an STi in a year or two!

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  5K miles so far - 2013 Subaru Outback
  By cdaoust - October 14 - 1:22 am

  Issues Mileage! Dont know how they got a 27/30 EPA rating but I give it 24/27 - upsetting. I read they toyed with tranny to get more oomph on 2013 perhaps resulting in mileage loss. Engine same but EPA would have to retest right? Yes am lead foot but have noticed that even in slower traffic I only get a little over 27 at best. Tranny noisy! listen while test drive - if it doesnt bother you then it wont later. Worst when engine cold. Steering bit odd coming from mazda 6 - I wandered all over lane at first (you can find many reports on net of this) but now its OK/better. Pros Suspension/drive very good on road, AWD, Comfortable/Spacious interior, Bluetooth, Roof rack

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  2.5i Hatch w/ Premium Package - 2008 Subaru Impreza
  By trekker23 - October 12 - 11:10 pm

  Picked up the 2008 Imp 2.5i just a few days ago. Not going to lie, at first I hated the new body style, however it grew on me (well everything except for the tail lights, hence the 8 on exterior styling). Still being in the break in period, I havent had the opportunity to really get on the engine, but I have high expectations. Very comfortable car. The seats are much better than my old Explorer. The car is about a million times more fun to drive as well. It handles very well, carving apart roads in West Virginia and still getting around 23 mpg in the city.

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  Safe, well handling vehicle - 2006 Subaru Forester
  By safetyminded - October 12 - 8:43 pm

  Have a 40 mile daily commute on hilly and winding back roads. Subaru performs well in all seasons. Effective fog lights in inclement weather.

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  Perfect for the enthusiast - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By Josh - October 12 - 2:56 pm

  If youre not a sports car enthusiast, do not even test drive one of these cars. However for those of us who enjoy a performance car that has everything you need and nothing you dont. This is the car you need to have. Who cares about the ride comfort? I dont know about you but I didnt buy this car to be a luxurious sunday driver. The power is always there, turbo lag? Not really much of a factor if you know what youre doing. If the gas mileage were better I would take this car everywhere.

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  Never owned non-domestic - 2009 Subaru Forester
  By John In Denver, CO - October 12 - 2:40 pm

  Im the guy that would never own a foreign car; things change. I drove several small suvs, looking for the right combination. My nephew finally convinced me to test drive a Subaru. Im now a convert. The Subaru Forester was by far the best buy for the money and the type of vehicle needed here in Colorado. It drives better and is quicker than the GM Equinox, plus it gets much better gas mileage. Plus, you can get the all-weather package for only $400 which includes heated seats, wiper deicers, and outside mirror defrosters. All- wheel drive is also standard, perfect for the snowy winters here. The other domestics felt like driving tanks compared to the Forester.