id=“article-body” class=“row” section=“article-body”> (Image: w_x_fo_este_outback_b_z_which_is_ight_fo)

Today, is best known as the automaker that builds popular models like the and crossover SUVs, along with cars like the Legacy and . Well-regarded for their offbeat combination of boxer engines and all-wheel drive, the Japanese brand's popularity has been on the rise for many years.   As the 22nd-largest producer of new automobiles globally, Subaru is still something of a small company in the car business, but thanks in part to a longstanding partnership with , Subaru has been thriving in a consolidating and evolving industry where volume is king. (Image: w_x_fo_este_outback_b_z_which_is_ight_fo) Subaru has become best-known for crossover SUVs like this Forester.

Subaru Subaru through the years Like many other car companies, Subaru didn't actually start out building automobiles. The brand's parent, formerly known as Fuji Heavy Industries (), was actually born in 1915 as the Nakajima Aircraft Company, a company best-known for building airplanes during World War II. After the conflict ended, the company transitioned into a new entity, Fuji Sangyo Co., which produced gas-powered scooters, among other things.

It wasn't until the of 1954 that the company began building passenger cars. Only a very small number of 1500s were built, but early Subaru would go on to build a number of much more successful small cars and trucks, including the (which would become the first Subaru model sold in the US) and the . (Image: w_x_fo_este_outback_b_z_which_is_ight_fo)(Image: w_x_fo_este_outback_b_z_which_is_ight_fo) Subaru's first US model was this tiny, rear-engined 360. The brand has come come a long way.

Subaru

Fast-forward to today, and Subaru is well regarded as a builder of dependable sedans, sporty cars, and particularly, crossover sport utility vehicles. As one of the very first automakers to enthusiastically incorporate all-wheel drive into its passenger cars and embrace car-based SUV body styles, Subaru's offerings have both defined the modern automotive market and been well served by where it has headed.

As a brand, Subaru is also well known for its rally racing heritage and for the broad and inclusive nature of its advertising and marketing efforts, with a particular emphasis on , as well as outdoor enthusiasts and . The company's offerings are also well regarded for their practicality, durability and resale value.

If Subaru has a major blind spot, it's been its reluctance to embrace alternative fuels. In an industry hurtling headlong toward electrification, the automaker offers just one such model, the , a plug-in model with limited range and appeal. So far, though, that softness hasn't hurt the brand's growth.

So, which Subaru is right for you? Check out our buying guide below: