The Unofficial Car of the Pacific Northwest
If you visit Vermont, Colorado, or Oregon, you will notice something immediately: every third car is a Subaru. Why? Because Subaru offers a specific promise that resonates with Americans who live in "real weather." They don't treat All-Wheel Drive as a luxury option; they treat it as a necessity. Almost every car they build (except the rear-drive BRZ) sends power to all four wheels, all the time.
Subaru owners are arguably the most loyal demographic in the industry. They are hikers, skiers, and dog owners. Subaru knows thisâthatâs why their commercials feature golden retrievers driving cars rather than specs about horsepower.
The Boxer Engine: The Heart of the Pleaides
Open the hood of a Subaru, and you see something different. The engine sits low and flat. This is the Boxer engine (horizontally opposed pistons).
Only Subaru and Porsche use this layout extensively. The advantage? It lowers the car's center of gravity. This means that even a tall Subaru Forester handles with less body roll than its competitors. It also provides a distinctive, rhythmic exhaust rumbleâthe famous "Subie Rumble"âthat enthusiasts adore.
Symmetrical AWD: Not All Systems Are Equal
Most SUVs use "slip-and-grip" systems (Front-Wheel Drive until the wheels spin, then power is sent back). Subaru uses Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive. The drivetrain is laid out in a perfectly straight line down the center of the car. Power flows constantly to all four wheels. This provides superior balance and traction in snow and mud. It is widely considered the best AWD system in the mass market.
The Rally Legend: WRX and STI
Subaru earned its cool factor on the gravel stages of the World Rally Championship. In the 90s, with a blue paint job and gold wheels, Colin McRae turned the Impreza WRX into an icon.
The WRX STI became the street-legal version of that race car. With a giant rear wing, a hood scoop big enough to swallow a pigeon, and a turbocharger, it was the dream car for a generation of gamers and gearheads. While the STI is currently on hiatus, the WRX remains the benchmark for affordable AWD performance.
The Outback: The Anti-SUV
In the 90s, when everyone started buying SUVs, Subaru took a Legacy station wagon, lifted the suspension, added some plastic body cladding, and called it the Outback. It was a stroke of genius. It offered the ground clearance of a truck with the driving dynamics of a car. It practically invented the modern crossover segment.
Buying Advice: The Head Gasket Elephant
We have to talk about it. If you are buying a used Subaru from roughly 1998 to 2012 (specifically with the 2.5L EJ25 naturally aspirated engine), you need to ask one question: "Have the head gaskets been replaced?"
These engines had a design flaw where the head gasket would degrade, causing oil and coolant to mix or leak. It is a costly repair ($1,500+). The good news? Once it's fixed with an updated multi-layer steel gasket, the car will run forever. Modern Subarus (FB series engines) generally do not have this problem, but they do use CVTs (transmissions) that prefer gentle driving over drag racing.
A Subaru is a tool for adventure. It isn't flashy, but when a blizzard hits and the luxury cars are stuck in the driveway, the Subaru is the one making the grocery run.