The name Subaru is the Japanese name for the six sided star constellation which we call Pleiades.

Brief History of Subaru

Subaru vehicles are built by Fuji Heavy Industries of Japan. The first Subaru automobile, a minicab was introduced in 1958. The little vehicle was highly successful in Japan because of it's low cost and operating cost. In 1968, the Subaru 360 was introduced into the United States, but the vehicle proved to be too small and was replaced by the ff-1 series. The ff-1 as it was known, was a 1.1 liter engine vehicle. Models included a two door, a four door sedan and a station wagon. All models, as they do today, featured a horizontally opposed (flat) water cooled engine and independent suspension at all four wheels. Engine size has increased over the years from 1100 cc to 1800 cc. A four wheel drive unit, a five speed manual transmission.

From the one model of the late sixties, to the restyled models of the 80's. Subaru has increased it's sales in the US market until it is now ranked in the top upper ten of all imported vehicles.

Four Models of Subarus

The Forester is a popular top pick in the small SUV class. This is a car-based SUV/wagon -SUV class. The car-based SUV/wagon rides compliantly and handles well, with good steering feel. Braking is very good. The engine provides adequate acceleration, and the optional automatic transmission shifts responsively. Standard all-wheel drive helps in slippery road conditions and in moderate off-road driving. The front seats are firm and well-shaped, and the rear has been improved slightly. The square cargo space is very usable. The 2.5 X is an excellent value at around $22,000. Crash-test results are impressive. A 210-hp turbo model is available.

The Baja is a car-based pickup truck, sort of a successor to the old Brat. The Baja is a Legacy from the cabin forward and a pickup truck aft of the rear seats. It can accommodate only four people, limiting it's family appeal. The rear seats fold down, exposing a pass-through to the open cargo bed. Like the Legacy, it rides comfortably and feels agile with precise steering. Acceleration is not brisk with the standard engine. A 210-hp turbo charged model is also available. Reliability has improved to above average.

The Tribeca is loosely based on the Legacy/Outback platform. This car-based SUV is Subaru's first that is not a raised wagon. It competes directly with the Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander. A five-passenger model and a seven-passenger one are also available. The latter comes with a 50/50-split third-row seat. The Tribeca, which goes on sale in May, will come standard with a 250-hp, 3,0-liter horizontally opposed six-cylinder engine; head-protection air bags; electronic stability control; and all-wheel drive. A rear DVD entertainment system and navigation system will be optional.

The Impreza serves up a supple ride and well-balanced handling, particularly

The top pick WRX/WRX STi. The WRX's turbo charged 227-hp engine provides quick and effortless acceleration, especially at mid-rpm, and it's well-tuned suspension offers agility with a compliant ride. The RS sedan, wagon, and Outback Sport make do with a 2.5-liter, 165-hp engine. The wagon's cargo volume is small. The Outback Sport rides stiffly and doesn't handle as well as other Imprezas. A score of "Good" in an IIHS offset-crash test is a plus. The ferocious and quick 300-hp WRX STi is a performance bargain.