Known for boxer engines, all-wheel-drive, and rugged wagons, Subaru maintains a quirky appeal and popularity among its fans.
When you’re in the market for a decent car with a reputation for reliability, picking the best Subaru has become more challenging. For nearly 70 years, the innovative brand continues to add to its stable of popular vehicles.
Its ever-expanding lineup ensures that there is likely a make of vehicle to suit most any discerning car buyer’s interests.
From Subaru’s BRZ, a two-door coupe, and the Legacy, which provides the full sedan treatment, to the sporty four-door action of the WRX, Subaru has a solid lineup of vehicles.
Plus, there is also the wagons, crossovers, and SUVs that really helped build the brand. The Outback, Impreza, Forester, Crosstrek, and Ascent are all worth a look and maybe a test drive. But first a bit of history of the Subaru brand’s reliability and innovations.
Subaru’s History of Automotive Innovation
Subaru began its life as Fuji Heavy Industries, a Japanese conglomerate best known for building aircraft during World War II. Mechanically, Subarus are known for using boxer engine layouts and all-wheel-drive.
The 360 was the first Subaru available to the American market, in 1968. It was powered by a two-stroke engine and arrived in 1968. It was too light to meet U.S. safety standards and sold for $1,290, which at the time was $300 less than a VW Beetle. It was also 1,000 pounds lighter.
In 1970, Subaru developed the FF-1, which featured front-wheel drive and was the first Subaru to have the horizontally-opposed “boxer” engine. The subcompact was offered as a coupe or a sedan. In 1973, Subaru rolled out the Leone series, which was marketed simply as either a DL or GL model regardless of body style.
Two years later, the company introduced its first station wagon with all-wheel drive – the DL/GL. It was an automotive milestone, as the first mass-production 4WD passenger car. It spawned keen consumer interest in 4WD and AWD cars and crossovers.
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, the Subaru line evolved with the introduction of sporty coupe models: the XT in 1986 and the SVX in 1992. The Legacy model, a clear move upscale for the brand, was introduced in 1989.
In 1995, in response to the growing trend for SUVs, Subaru of America launched the Outback, dubbed the “World’s First Sport Utility Wagon.” Supported by a marketing campaign using Crocodile Dundee actor, Paul Hogan, the Outback model helped Subaru sales in the U.S. recover from a previous six-year slump.
The introduction of the WRX to the U.S. in 2002 revived attention in the brand. That same year, Subaru developed the Baja model, an open bed pick-up, based on the Legacy.
From 2007, Subaru vehicles grew in size to better reflect American car buyers’ tastes. The Subaru Crosstrek and BRZ were also added to the lineup.
Focusing advertising on safety, reliability, versatility, and performance, Subaru sales in the 10 years from 2007 to 2017 have risen consecutively from below 200,000 to over 600,000 vehicles per year, according to reports from Subaru Corporation.
In March 2021, Subaru reported Q1 sales of 160,426 vehicles, which was a 23% increase over the previous year and the best first-quarter sales in the company’s history.
Also that year, Kelley Blue Book Brand Image Awards named Subaru the Most Trusted Brand for the seventh consecutive year, Best Overall Brand for the second consecutive year, as well as KBB’s Best Performance Brand for the second consecutive year.
Subaru Legacy
Subaru has been building Legacies since 1989. It was available as a sedan or a wagon complete with the boxer engine and all-wheel-drive. It was the original platform for the brand-defining Outback and was designed to compete against the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry.
The first generation lasted till 1993. The second went till 1999. In the fifth generation (2009-2014), the Sedan B4 was available with diesel power.
The Legacy midsize sedan received revised styling and significant upgrades to comfort, safety, and multimedia capability for the 2018 model year.
The 2018 Subaru Legacy was available in a 2.5i model with an efficient and responsive 175-hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder Boxer engine, or, as the Legacy 3.6R with a 256-hp 3.6-liter six-cylinder Boxer engine.
In 2019, Subaru introduced the EyeSight Driver Assist Technology as standard equipment across all Legacy trim levels. Previously available as an option on most trim levels, the EyeSight tech includes Adaptive Cruise Control, Pre-Collision Braking, Lane Departure Warning, and Lane Keep Assist.
The Legacy also featured interior enhancements for 2019, with the 2.5i base model gaining an overhead console light and dual front center console USB ports. Also that year, the Subaru Legacy won Kelley Blue Book’s 2019 Best Resale Value Award.
Subaru’s flagship sedan is currently in its eighth generation. The 2021 Legacy sedan received new standard safety features, including Steering Responsive LED headlights.
Subaru Outback
Originally, the Subaru Outback was a trim package that could be added to a Legacy wagon. But in 1995, it became a full-fledged, two-tone vehicle that was still mostly Legacy.
In 1996, it got a beefier suspension and a bigger four-cylinder engine and was featured in a car commercial with Paul Hogan. The Outback has gotten bigger and more powerful over the years.
The 2013 Outback featured a restyled front end, with new headlights, grille, front bumper, and fog lights. The 2.5i models debuted a new double-overhead-cam 2.5-liter FB series Boxer engine for increased performance and fuel efficiency.
The new engine produced 173 hp and 174 lb.-ft. of torque, compared to 170 hp and 170 lb.-ft. with the previous engine. The new engine produced greater low-end torque across a broad speed range, making the 2013 Outback 2.5i models feel more responsive in everyday driving.
The all-new 2015 Outback offered a roomier interior and the highest fuel efficiency in the model’s then 20-year history. The original Outback established a template for many competitive crossover models that followed, and the 2015 Outback further strengthened the melding of passenger-car and SUV attributes.
The 2015 Outback included newly standard X-Mode, Hill Descent Control, and Hill Start Assist to help navigate rough roads and steep inclines.
The 2018 Subaru Outback featured revised front and rear styling and significant upgrades to comfort, safety, and multimedia capability. Many new engineering and design details throughout the 2018 Outback enhanced the vehicle’s versatility.
The 2018 Subaru Outback boasted the most interior room in the SUV market: a total of 108.1 cu. ft., plus 35.5 cu. ft. of space behind the rear seats and 73.3 cu. ft. with the standard 60/40-split fold-down rear seat.
In early 2021, Subaru of America debuted the most rugged and capable Outback in the auto manufacturer’s history: the 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness.
It features a standard 2.4-liter turbocharged Subaru Boxer engine, advanced dual function X-Mode, elevated 9.5-inch ground clearance, standard front skid plate, all-terrain tires, upgraded suspension, and Subaru’s Symmetrical all-wheel drive.
Outback: Recalls to Consider
The 2015 model year of the Outback has racked up five recalls stemming from engine to windshield wiper issues.
However, it’s 2013 model year to research carefully, noting that it has 13 recalls on record.
Subaru Impreza
Back in the 1970s, Subaru moved into a rally car circuit. They ran a souped-up version of a Legacy that began turning heads and winning races by the late 1980s.
In 1988, the company established Subaru Tecnica International (STI) as an in-house performance shop, similar to Mercedes and AMG. STI now markets the S209 (a four-door sports sedan), a WRX, and a BRZ.
In 1992, Subaru launched the Impreza as a boxer-powered, front-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive sedan or wagon. The Outback Sport came out at the same time and was built on the same platform. Early model Imprezas were available with the WRX package, which was named after the World Rally Cross.
The package included turbocharged engines and stiffer suspensions. In the third generation, the Imprezas equipped with WRX packages were just called WRXs. In 2007, WRXs got the STI treatment and became its own brand.
The Impreza also serves as the origin for the Crosstrek, a proper crossover that was launched in 2011 as the XV. It was conceived as a successor to the Outback Sport. It’s now in its third generation and is available as a hybrid.
Subaru of America introduced the fourth-generation 2012 Impreza four-door and five-door compact models with bolder, more dynamic designs and an all-new powertrain.
The 2012 Impreza models offered a 36% improvement in EPA combined fuel economy over the previous versions, along with increased room, greater agility, high-line trim levels, and higher-grade interior materials.
For 2020, all Impreza models came standard with EyeSight Driver Assist Technology. Also new for 2020 was the available Rear Seat Reminder, which is designed to help prevent child and/or pet entrapment.
The Impreza exterior received an updated front bumper cover and grille design, and the rear combination light design was refined for five-door models. Ocean Blue Pearl was added to the color palette.
The 2020 Impreza comes standard with legendary Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive and a 2.0-liter four-cylinder Subaru Boxer engine with direct fuel injection that produces 152-horsepower and 145 lb.-ft. of torque.
For 2021, the Subaru Impreza’s Premium trim added an SI-Drive performance management system that allows the driver to maximize engine performance and efficiency.
With two selectable drive modes, the character of the power unit changes, giving the driver the freedom to customize the performance characteristics to match driving conditions or their personal driving preference.
Subaru Forester
The Subaru Forester came into being in 1997 and was originally available as a gas or diesel-powered compact crossover. It is also built on the Impreza platform and was positioned to fill the void left by the Outback Sport. The Forester got the STI treatment in 2004 but was only available in Japan.
After a major mid-cycle revision for the 2011 model year that included an all-new engine and numerous other upgrades, the Subaru Forester entered the 2012 model year with a new optional navigation system featuring enhanced connectivity features.
In addition, all Forester models for 2012 now featured a standard height-adjustable front passenger seat.
The Forester was offered in six models for 2012: naturally aspirated 2.5X in base, Premium, Limited, and new Touring trim lines, and turbocharged 2.5XT in Premium and Touring trim lines.
For the 2016 model year, Subaru of America further strengthened the outstanding safety credentials of the Forester by adding new Subaru Starlink safety and security features.
The new technologies employed connected services to SOS Emergency Assistance, Automatic Collision Notification, and Stolen Vehicle Recovery Service.
By 2020, the Forester model line was now equipped with the award-winning Subaru EyeSight Driver Assist Technology and new Lane Centering function as standard.
The fifth-generation SUV offered the most space, capability, and features in its 23-year history. The 2020 Subaru Forester was offered in five trim levels: Base, Premium, Sport, Limited, and Touring.
New for 2021, the Premium edition of the Forester comes with keyless access with push-button start and fog lights as standard equipment.
Subaru BRZ
The BRZ was a joint effort between Subaru and Toyota that came to market in 2012. Renowned for its ultra-low center of gravity and precision handling, it offered the standard four-cylinder boxer engine and for a change of pace, rear-wheel-drive. The same car was badged as a Toyota GT 86 and a Scion FR-S.
In 2013, the automaker introduced the all-new rear-wheel-drive Subaru BRZ sports car to its award-winning line of passenger cars, crossovers, and SUVs. Subaru developed the rear-wheel-drive BRZ with the fundamentals of sports car design in mind: low vehicle weight, a very low center of gravity, and precision steering.
The comprehensively revised BRZ for 2017 featured rear-drive improved handling, increased performance, and more aggressive styling. These enhancements reinforced the company’s mission of offering enthusiasts a pure sports car driving experience.
When equipped with the standard 6-speed manual transmission, the 2017 Subaru BRZ featured a revised 2.0-liter four-cylinder Boxer engine, now with 205 hp and 156 lb.-ft. peak torque, vs. 200 hp and 151 lb.-ft. for the carryover engine used with the optional six-speed automatic transmission.
The revised engine delivered more low-end and midrange torque than before, and, combined with the new 4.30:1 axle ratio (vs. 4.10 before) in the Torsen limited-slip differential, delivered quicker acceleration and enhanced responsiveness.
The updated 2020 BRZ is is offered in two trim levels (Limited and tS) and is powered by a 205 hp, 2.0-liter Subaru Boxer engine, six-speed close-ratio manual transmission, and Torsen limited-slip differential.
The list of standard features includes keyless access with push-button start, dual-zone automatic climate control, LED headlights, rear vision camera, dual USB ports, and power door locks, side mirrors, and windows.
Subaru Ascent
The Ascent is Subaru’s version of a full-size, three-row, SUV and was rolled out in 2018. It replaced the Tribeca and is designed to compete with all the other full-size SUVs on the market with prices starting in the low $30s.
Subaru debuted the all-new 2019 Ascent as a three-row SUV–the biggest Subaru ever built–that was designed with a spacious interior, flexible seating options, and a host of new safety and in-vehicle technologies.
The SUV was built on an extended version of the Subaru Global Platform with extensive use of high-strength steel.
In 2020, Subaru announced that its 2021 Ascent SUV was named a 2020 Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
Best All-around Subaru
When it comes to deciding on what is the best of the best in Subaru’s lineup of vehicles, we feel that the 2009 Subaru Legacy is the best all-around Subaru.
Not only can you still find a clean model with less than 100,000 miles for under $10,000, but thanks to standard safety features like ABS brakes, AWD, and side-curtain airbags, the final year of the fourth-gen Legacy is a great option for a teen with a fresh driver’s permit.
While there were 13 recalls for the 2009 model year, they mostly stem from the Takata airbag recalls you’ve likely heard so much about. While that might sound alarming at first, these are handled free of charge by the manufacturer.
Regardless, be sure to check the VIN of any vehicle before you buy it to make sure no recalls are still pending.
You might find a bad review about the 2009 Legacy if you try, but more than likely you’ll be too busy reading through the masses of positive remarks on sites like Edmunds, KBB, as well as our own database here at Vehicle History where it holds 4.23-stars out of five across 61 reviews.
Photos: Subaru
