The all-new 2014 Subaru Forester was first introduced at the 2012 LA Auto Show and is the fourth-generation crossover. It made its launch here in the U.S. just recently and gets much more than just a mild refresh for the fourth-generation model. Subaru has given the crossover a complete redo both inside and out and we could see the differences as soon as we checked it out. The new Forester is built on a new platform but as before will be offered in two models, the Forester 2.5i and turbocharged Forester 2.0XT. This week we’ll be testing a 2.5i Touring model. We immediately noticed the changes on the exterior that has a longer wheelbase and lots of glass. The new model doesn’t look significantly different, but has updated styling inside and out.

Subaru made a number of important improvements on the new mid-size SUV and it competes in the highly competitive segment with the 2013 Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-5. One of the biggest changes comes in fuel mileage. The 2014 model jumps to the head of its segment in all-wheel drive fuel economy. This 2.5i Forester with the automatic CVT will achieve an EPA estimated fuel mileage rating of 24 mpg city / 32 mpg highway / 27 mpg combined. That’s a significant improvement over the outgoing model and will be a big draw with buyers.

2014 Forester offers more interior room

The 2014 Forester is built on a new platform featuring a longer wheelbase and vehicle length and width is increased. Rear-seat legroom now rivals many full-size SUVs where legroom is now 41.7 inches. With the 60/40 split rear seatbacks lowered, maximum rear cargo area room is now 74.7 cu. ft., which is among the best in class. Even with the higher ground clearance, we noticed the Forester is easy to get in and out of. Up front the cabin feels spacious, the controls are easy to use and storage is plentiful. One of the things this driver noticed is the large amount of glass and how easy it is to see out the front, sides and rear. It makes the Forester feel like a much larger vehicle from the inside.

Subaru is attracting a whole new buyer with the Forester who’s never purchased the brand before: those who lead active lifestyles. The 2014 version still comes standard with Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, a distinction from the competition that only come with front-wheel drive as standard and offer all-wheel drive as an extra-cost option. The fully independent suspension offers 8.7 inches of ground clearance and gives these active buyers the ability to venture off the pavement. For those of us in Colorado and the mountain states, this is a big draw and the reason Subaru sells more of their vehicles here than just about anywhere else in the U.S.

X Mode

Subaru is going after a new customer, and the new 2014 Forester will be purchased by people with active lifestyles. The 2014 Forester gets a new feature called X Mode that will allow owners in North America to go through more extreme conditions both on the road and off. Most SUV owners never take their vehicle off-road, but Subaru owners are a different breed and the X Mode gives the extra assist they will need for sporting fun. We tried the new feature and were impressed with how easy it is to engage.

We took it on some unpaved and slippery roads during a late spring Colorado snowstorm. Torque was distributed evenly to all four wheels and one or more wheels began to slip, but X Mode kept the Forester moving forward without losing traction in the mud and snow. With a flip of a switch, X Mode was engaged and will allow any driver regardless of skill level, to escape any extreme situation they may encounter. Families who buy the 2014 Forester who live in harsh climates will appreciate X Mode.

On dry roads, the 2.5i Touring model was easy to drive and handled well for a crossover. This is due to the 2.5-liter 170-horsepower four-cylinder Subaru Boxer engine that sits low in the chassis for stability. The engine came mated to the new Lineartronic continuously variable fuel-saving transmission (CVT) that didn’t feel like the typical CVT that winds up like a rubber band. The power was smooth and it had plenty of power for just about any driving situation we put it through.

Features and safety

The Forester 2.5i Touring ($29,995) comes with split-fold rear seat with three headrests, Bluetooth phone/streaming, tilt/telescoping steering wheel, and trip computer with outside temperature. This Touring spec ($2,400) brings navigation with smartphone and Aha integration, 440-watt harman/kardon sound system, dual-zone climate control and the Driver Assist/EyeSight option that employs a stereo camera (as opposed to radar) for adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning and collision-mitigation braking.

The Forester is one of the safest mid-size SUVs on the road and has earned the IIHS’s Top Safety Pick. This puts Subaru in rarified air as it is the only manufacturer with IIHS Top Safety Picks for all models for the fourth consecutive year.

Summary

For families looking for a mid-size crossover that will meet all their needs, the all-new 2014 Subaru Forester 2.5i Touring is a good choice. It features the best AWD fuel economy in the segment and will take those with active lifestyles anywhere they want to go. For those who will venture off-road or live in harsh climates, the Forester is the best choice in the segment. It features more cargo room than the previous generation and can be optioned with a number of new safety features.

See how much this car should cost you. Hint: It's not MSRP - get Free Price Quotes at Edmunds.com

Gas prices are steadily going up, and the government is not only making stricter emission standards but also making the manufacturers meet tougher average mpg figures for their lineup of cars to meet. What does all this mean?  The hybrids are invading!  This decade is all about skinnier, less grippy, fuel saving tires, electric engines, and alternative fuel.  

The leaps in performance are saved for the ultra rich, while one by one the high performance affordable sports cars fall by the wayside.

Well what if you’re just an evil hoonigan?  What if you’d rather not have a car that silently wafts by like a spring breeze?  What if you are such a mad man…that you’re unconcerned with the baby deer and family of rabbits who are apparently inhaling straight from your exhaust pipes and prefer something a little more…exciting?  Maybe you prefer the snarling turbo straight pipe street beasts of yesteryear; the type of ride that would make a Nissan Leaf wilt and blow a hole in the ozone with every up shift.  Let’s have a look back at the best tuners!  They may not meet the emission standards, and they may hurt the manufactures mpg average, but we love them anyway.  Tree huggers may disdain you for driving them and go-green hipsters deem them unnecessary…but the loud, sideways-sliding hoonigans get the warm fuzzies from driving these Top 5 Tuners:

#6. Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX

The Eclipse GSX disappeared after 1999, and there hasn’t been an AWD turbo eclipse since.  While this may not have been a king of the streets, it was still a quick car and put it’s minimal ponies down off the line well.  The 2.0L DOHC turbo engine was a great base for the car tuners as well.  Stock, it had an acceptable 210 hp out of the inline 4 engine and a limited slip diff.  It was almost an Evo “preview” for the states with the same 2.0L Inline 4 single turbo setup, 5-speed manual transmission, and similar AWD drive-train, however the Evo VIII had 271 hp stock.  Despite the slight under-steer issue, this is a great little tuner!

You can kind of think of the GSX as the Evo’s kid brother.  The world might not have room for a new turbo AWD Mitsubishi but I would like to see what kind of sports coupe they could come up with to revive the GSX name.

#5. Subaru STi Coupe

Yes, it’s another AWD turbo coupe from Japan.  The coupe body style Impreza vanished after the turn of the century and sadly has never returned.  By the time the STi made it across the pond it was only available in a 4dr body style, however Subaru did give us a little taste of their street rally car ways with the Impreza 2.5 RS.  There was one thing that was terrible about this car however.  It drew quite a bit of attention to itself as it strongly resembled the turbo model, but only eeked out 165 hp compared to the real deal which was boosted to 276 hp…making the 2.5 seem rather horseless.

The 22B body also looked better than the newer Imprezas, something about the compact 2 door look channeled an R34 GTR. This car didn’t suffer from the excessive understeer that plagued the next Impreza either.  I think it would be great to see them revive the coupe, and bring back a shorter wheelbase STi.  The flat 4 turbo combined with a more nimble chassis would make something worthy of home made Gymkhana videos…I’m talking to you Subaru!  We want to hoon, so give us the backroad boxer that destroys the Evo.

#4.  S2000

Honda has completely shunned their sporting ways and gone all soft on us.  What’s up with that?  The S2K was an absolute street legend!  The Civic Si just isn’t going to cut the mustard…I’m just telling you there is NOTHING exciting or good or fun about FWD, and that’s a fact.  You won’t impress your friends by understeering into a curb, or torque steering into the neighbor’s tree.  Also everyone who does reverse donuts need to be punched in the face, honestly.

For some reason when Honda decides to do an affordable RWD sports car, good things occur.  Just look at the NSX or as you can see above these words, the quite agile, quite fast S2000.  They got 237 hp out of a 2.2L non-turbo I4 DOHC.

So naturally every ricer bolted a turbo onto it to.  The car was also extremely savvy when it came to corners, so for a very affordable price you already had a great stock platform for tuners to build on.  With the resurrection of the NSX upon us, it would be great to see a 2014 S2k although it’s doubtful.  Maybe offer a hardtop this time around so people don’t have to go out and buy one for themselves.  The point, however, is that when Honda actually tries, their donuts make me go nuts.

#3.  Mazda RX-7

Okay let’s not sugar coat this…the RX-7 and RX-8 were a pain in the ass to run on a frequent basis.  Everyone knows they weren’t a daily car, and the rotary engine is about a fussy as they come.  But the hard core RX-7 was a labor of love.

The standard twin turbo system boosted it up to 255 hp…not bad for the early 90′s!  The 50/50 weight distribution made it a bit of a handful under braking, but if we can learn anything from the Viper that means it is easy to kick the arse out, which equals loads of tire squealing fun.

I think it’s also one of the best looking cars ever made, and it sits very low to the ground.  Then Mazda killed the RX name by coming out with the RX-8, which was soft, under-powered, and terrible with fuel consumption.  I can verify that as a previous owner.  The rotary was known for these problems and that’s why it became popular for engine swaps.  If you put a LS1 V8 you would actually improve the fuel economy and have the insane grip and lightness!  2JZ engine swaps became very popular as well (for those of you that don’t know, a 2JZ is a Supra engine).  Mazda needs to bring the RX back with the same simple beautiful looks, only this time with a range of inline 6 cyl engines…from non-turbo to twin turbo.

#2. Nissan 240SX

When you think of drifting, and then type it into youtube because you’re bored at work, almost every video features a Nissan 240SX.  This car goes has gone through about three phases, S13, S14, the Kouki, and finally the S15 which we didn’t get to the States.  That’s the beauty pictured above.  The 240SX came into life entering the 90′s with a 5-speed manual and I4 140 hp engine.  It was eventually given 155 hp in ’91.  In ’95, the S14 made its debut with improved styling (ditching the pop-up head lamps) but remained at only 155 hp.  However the wheelbase was 2″ longer, it had a wider stance, and lost 80 lbs.  In 1997 the exterior changed but the chassis was still the same.  The headlamps looked a little meaner along with the grill and side skirts.  The body style from 97′ to 98′ was referred to as the “Kouki”.  When the S15 slid onto the scene it had an I4 with a turbo that boosted it up to 250hp!  Sadly this car never came to the States, and by 2002 it went out of production.

These cars had ample room in the engine bay to install mods and do engine swaps, and with the RWD platform the possibilities were almost endless!  2JZ, and GT-R engine swaps were very popular.  Also upgrading the 4 cylinder block with a turbo was very common.  While Nissan has the Z series coupes, and the GT-R on the market right now there isn’t much room for another performance line.  What they should do is bring the Silvia back under the Skyline name and have a series of trim levels leading up to Godzilla.  For instance start with the Skyline.  Just a RWD non-turbo inline 4 with a 5-speed and say…250 hp.  Have the same car with a turbo 6-speed for the next step up and give it 300 hp and that would be the Skyline R.  The last trim level before the GT-R would be the Skyline GT, and this would be AWD!  Also put a 3.7 but without turbos.  Tune it to put out the Nismo Z 350 hp and call it a day.  There you go Nissan!  I have it all laid out here, now just go and do it!

#1. Toyota Mark IV Supra

The Mark IV Supra is the king of tuners that has fallen by the wayside.  After the Celica Supra (1982-1986) and the Mark III (1986-1992) the 93′ Supra made a rather choice return sporting a new sexy look.  It was curvaceous and had quite a nice ass.  Like having a hot girl with you out on the town, you just want to be seen with this car! Especially when it’s done right with some aftermarket magic (the car, not the girl.)

The MKIV made its silver screen debut in The Fast and the Furious (2001) which solidified it as street racer royalty.  The base had a 3.0L I6 that had an exciting  220 hp transferred to the rear wheels.  However there was a twin turbo model…which whirred 320 hp from the 2JZ inline 6 to the rear tires, and not only did this make the car a legendary drifter, but the engine itself became one of the most popular engines for swapping into other tuners.  You would frequently find these in Silvias, or RX-7s and RX-8s.  Sadly they quit production for the exports in 1998 and finally ceased all Japanese production in 2002 due to emission standards.  When you see a Mark IV drive by…you look…because they are somewhat rare, hard to find, and special.  The Supra  has an epic presence like a Skyline GT-R!  It’s one of the big boys.

Screw emission standards, bring it back and make it better than ever!  Make an affordable R35 challenger, for a price tag closer to 50K and you have another legend on your hands, Toyota.

In a recent article I wrote about the Cadillac CTS and Cadillac Twin-Turbo V-6 engine, I explained the 21^st century automotive marketplace is a place to expect unusual combinations. A few decades ago, conceiving a partnership between Japanese auto companies Toyota and Subaru would not create a splendid set of sports cars.

From Subaru, the BRZ presented a refreshing taste of affordable, fun-to-drive motoring. The new attitude in Subaru created by the 2013 BRZ has already spawned creations for production cars including the XV Crosstrek. A stunning WRX Concept first shown to the world at the New York International Auto Show only stokes anticipation of what Subaru has next in store. The Japanese automaker is catching everyone off-guard this April 1^st with news of a new version of their sports car coming to marketplace.

In a radical evolution of the platform, Subaru will produce and sell a twin-turbocharged diesel/electric hybrid convertible BRZ. The turbocharged hybrid Subaru BRZ drop-top will also be fitted with an all-wheel drive system. “Having just launched the current model to widespread critical acclaim, we are tired of fighting off the constant speculation about what’s “next” and so we are just giving in and delivering all the speculation in one vehicle.”, said a Subaru spokesperson. Classified by Subaru as the AWD Turbo Convertible two-seater Diesel Hybrid BRZ, the new car will be hand built at the Japanese auto company’s Brigadoon facility.

As to why Subaru pledged to start producing such a vehicle this April 1^st, the auto company stated it was due to “continued media and internet speculation”. However, there might be other motivating factors for Subaru to begin building a BRZ in such a fashion. Maybe the turbocharged diesel hybrid powerplant is also a swift reaction to the 54.5 miles per gallon target set as the 2025 CAFE standard by the United States government. Another reason for producing the BRZ in such a configuration could be the growing diesel supercar class. Audi has recently made a twin-turbocharged TDI engined SQ5 crossover for the European market. In addition, the Trident Iceni supercar has the potential of becoming a real game-changer powered by a General Motors sourced Turbodiesel powerplant.

The Subaru AWD Turbo Convertible two-seater Diesel Hybrid BRZ is planned for sale starting in 2015. Noseeum black will be the only colour choice available for the Subaru sport cars.

Summing up the announcement, what Subaru has presented us was clearly an April Fools’ Day joke (or a very off-colour way to celebrate Easter Monday). If the name Subaru AWD Turbo Convertible two-seater Diesel Hybrid BRZ didn’t give the joke away right off the bat, be aware of the fact there is no other mention anywhere that Subaru even has a Brigadoon facility. Another clue is the “Happy April 1^st” phrase strategically placed at the end of the news release. Subaru must think automotive writers can be easily duped into publishing any news they provide. Oh what; I’ve just published this story. Well played!

Information and photo source: Chris Nagy, Subaru of America

Subaru has a knack for building the best cars for the money. As any motoring enthusiast would know, the WRX STi is a legend, and many would argue the ultimate car. The perfect combination of daily driver and track monster, it is the perfect year round bulldog of the road. Having the monopoly on AWD daily drivers, Subaru now has decided to prove their muscle in the world of sporty RWD coupes, a group that is growing smaller every year with the influx of mpg-craving hatchbacks and crossover SUVs. The question is how does it match up?

Competition

Many of these weekend street sprinters have fallen by the wayside over the years. The Supra went extinct in the ’90s, Honda dropped the S2000 and the working man’s supercar NSX a few years ago, and the Silvia called it quits after being one of the most popular tuner cars in history. Its closest rival and last of the rotary-powered sports cars, the Mazda RX-8, tucked its tail and ran before the BRZ even showed up to the party. So what’s left?

Nissan: With the recent resurgence of “Godzilla” (GTR), Nissan decided to revamp the Z series. After some track and field days the Z is back and better than ever as the 370 takes over the reigns. The 350Z had the horsepower to rival the E46 M3 at 287, and the absolutely revolutionary styling way ahead of its time! However it wasn’t very nimble on its feet, making it more of a Japanese pony car. The 370Z has the same bold fiery looks, it’s revved up to 332 hp, and it knows what a corner looks like.

At a base price of just over $33,000 you get all of that plus a 6-speed manual gearbox. However the optional extras add up quickly, and by the time it has the Nismo package you are looking at an extra 10k. So the Nissan trumps the 4 cyl 200hp boxer BRZ in power, and possibly looks. Price goes to the Subaru, with a base model starting out at $25,495. The top trim model is just $27,495 with fog lights, spoiler, and leather seats! It also has back seats if necessary to squeeze 4 people into, 2 more than the flashy 370z. I can attest to the fact is has boatloads of torque as well! As you shift up through the 6 speed manual gear box, it never seems to run out of it. It makes a great use of the 151 ft lbs of torque.

However, if we are going to compare the BRZ to the Zs, I think it is best if we wait until they release the turbocharged, estimated 250hp “STi” version, and be looking out for that in 2014 lineup. With those looks how could you pick anything else?

Now let’s have a look at the only real comparison left on the market to the current 2013 BRZ.

Hyundai: The Genesis crashed onto the scene in 2009, but was unfortunately marketed to the wrong crowd, and had the Hyundai name stamped on it. There were too many comparisons against the new Camaro for it to be taken seriously in the import world. You don’t see many people driving these, and that’s because everyone was still buying the better looking RX-8’s with the Mazda motorsports pedigree.

Reputation aside let’s have a look at how the stats stack up against the Subaru. It also follows the new trend of a 4cyl engine in the front and the power at the back. However this is an inline 4 compared to the Subaru’s reputable boxer engine. The Genesis has a party piece with its base model, and that is a turbocharger! This bumps the HP up to an impressive 274. At just over $24k you have the 2.0 I4 turbo, a 6-speed gearbox, and back seats. On paper it looks like a much better deal than the Subaru, but then again, the looks are horrendous.

The interior of the Genesis is simplistic and dull and sets the mood of a Honda Accord. The exterior is no better. It looks like the Tiburon out grew its own clothes, and that goofy smile is not very intimidating. There is something to be said for beauty in form following function. Hyundai should let the stylists go home at lunch next time. Also by the time you jump to the top trim so you can be taken seriously, you’ve gone over $33k. That’s 370Z money, and I’d like to meet the person who would choose the new kid in school Genesis over Nissan’s backyard brawler.

So compared to the competitors the BRZ holds its own, with affordable pricing, great styling, and good performance from its small power plant.

Performance, Pedigree, and Styling

When I first saw BRZ, I immediately noticed was who they had in their sights. It reminded me all too much of the RX-8 (which I owned at the time)…until I went for a drive. This was before its release, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. It was surprisingly comfortably and roomy, and rode well. Then you put your foot down and it springs to action. Around corners, you just point the nose where you want it to go, give it power and the tail slides out in the most perfect way. As the Subaru rep and I went drifting through an intersection I couldn’t believe how controlled and smooth it was! The handling is superb. It will do 0-60 in just over 7 seconds, and from what I’ve seen can get to 150mph in the real world. That coupled with 22cty/30hwy mpg, what more could you ask for?

The styling is fantastic inside and out, not too much, but it isn’t too simple or dull either. It is taken seriously, but still is fun. With Scion making the twin FR-S you also have a few different looks to choose from.

It also comes from a line performance pedigree, one of which is the Corolla GT-S, and it’s big brother the Supra. Test drive one for yourself; I guarantee you will be pleasantly surprised.

So here it is: the verdict. I can really only sum it up this way. When driving in a friend’s BRZ a couple months ago, we both came to a realization. The nimble, agile handling, affordable price, perfect torque, sufficient power, good gas mileage, and reliability tipped us off. There is a reason Mazda ducked out right before this showed up. The BRZ is everything that the RX-8 should have been.

See how much this car should cost you. Hint: It's not MSRP - get Free Price Quotes at Edmunds.com

Transitioning through the first week of 2013, many of us have made resolutions devoted to improvement or to experiencing new places. This week, Japanese auto brand Subaru is taking a trek into Las Vegas to take part in the experience of the Consumer Electronics Show (CES). The 2013 CES will be the first time Subaru will occupy their own floor space at the sizable collection of new technology and electronic solutions. Accomplishing the feat of traveling to a new locale, Subaru’s stride for improvement comes with their own comprehensive vehicle technology designed to enhance the cabins of future vehicles.

Shining a bright light on some of the most progressive, technological aspects of in-car electronics, Subaru is revealing STARLINK at the 2013 CES. STARLINK is branded as a collection of Subaru infotainment products designed to be powerful yet affordable. The STARLINK brand will prominently be encompassed in Subaru’s touchscreen system. Offering navigation information, STARLINK will also feature speedy and smooth smartphone integration.

A major highlight to the roll-out of Subaru’s STARLINK suite is Internet entertainment made possible from Aha by HARMAN. Providing an assorted variety of Internet radio stations, newsfeeds and even audio books, Aha can also relay information vital to driving such as custom weather. All data utilized by the driver or user is saved in cloud storage (a virtual hard drive that can be accessed in the vehicle or through the Aha smartphone app). Subaru states that Aha by HARMAN is only one of what is intended to be a growing bundle of connectivity solutions STARLINK will furnish owners.

Collectively, Subaru advertises their addition of STARLINK and related technology as an all-around enhancement to the ownership experience. Fuji Heavy Industries Deputy General Manager Akio Takai explained that Subaru’s STARLINK needed to be a “value-added” array of vehicles features. “Our STARLINK connectivity strategy builds on the Subaru heritage of fun-to-drive vehicles that are recognized for best-in-class safety and durability.” said Takai.

After the 2013 CES, the wait for Subaru’s STARLINK brand of technology will be short. The inclusion of Aha is already slated for the 2014 model year Subaru Forester on all navigation-equipped vehicles as well as current Legacy and Outback. Impreza, BRZ sports car and XV Crosstrek being produced for the 2014 model year will also become benefactors of STARLINK during the summer.

Information and photo source: Harman International, Subaru of America

Even during the most difficult days of the economic crisis, Subaru sales remained strong. The brand has seen significant increases in demand, prompting it to add more manufacturing capability.

Over the years, Subaru has developed a very loyal following, particularly with its Forrester and Outback models (the Outback is practically the official car of the northern West Coast states). Along with this rugged image, Subaru has also made a mark with its rally-inspired WRX and WRX STI offerings.

It is with this background that Subaru launched the BRZ sports car. In the beginning, there were a lot of questions about how buyers would take to the new car, as it is unlike anything Subaru has ever made before. That led Subaru to release very conservative production targets for the first year. In case anyone wondered though, the results are coming in and the car is a hit. This is proving to be the case over at Scion as well. It would be interesting to compare buyer demographics for the two cars, but we digress.

Subaru can’t get enough of the car – literally. Subaru of America Chief Operating Officer Tom Doll says “We have been sold out of the car since it was introduced….we are selling all the BRZs we can get.” On that note, Automotive News reports that Subaru will be getting an additional 2000 units of production over the next four months. It may not seem like much but Subaru of America has received just 500 BRZs a month since its April on-sale date in the United States. With excellent reliability, a great price and extremely fun rear-wheel drive platform, the Subaru BRZ and Scion FR-S stand alone in the market. So the question now turns to what is next for the BRZ. There are a lot of possibilities. We would really like to see a high-performance model. BRZ STI anyone?

The much anticipated all-new 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek officially arrived in showrooms in late September and the new crossover is already a hit with buyers. Sales in Japan have already more than quadrupled the Japanese automakers initial sales goals. The XV, as it’s known around the globe, was expected to be popular with buyers, but it looks like it’s going to be a bigger hit than expected. Subaru hasn’t released U.S. sales figures, but we would imagine the new crossover is having similar success here in North America.

XV Crosstrek comes in two models

The new XV Crosstrek is available in two models. The Premium model will start at $22,790 and comes with a Lineartronic CVT, Power moonroof, Touch-screen navigation system, including 6.1-in. LCD screen, voice-activated controls, single-disc CD player, iPod control capability, iTunes tagging, USB port, SMS messaging capability, XM Satellite Radio and XM NavTraffic.

The Limited version starts at $25,245 and adds automatic climate control system, auto on/off headlights, AM/FM stereo with HD Radio, plus 4.3-in. LCD display screen, iTunes tagging and rear vision camera, leather-trimmed upholstery, rear seat armrest with dual cupholders and upgraded instrumentation. Optional on the Limited is a navigation system and moonroof package.

The most fuel-efficient all-wheel-drive

One of the reason buyers are flocking to Subaru showrooms is because Subaru says the XV Crosstrek is “the most fuel-efficient all-wheel-drive crossover utility in America.” The 2013 Crosstrek gets a best-in-class 25/33 city/highway mpg when equipped with the CVT automatic. This manual transmission tester gets 23/30 mpg city/highway. That’s certainly good for the cute-ute, but real-world driving could yield less than spectacular results. As with any vehicle, it all depends how heavy the driver is on the gas.

All XV Crosstrek’s will feature Subaru’s legendary Symmetrical all-wheel-drive and are powered by a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter four-cylinder boxer engine producing 148 horsepower and 145 lb. ft. of torque.

XV Crosstrek already receiving awards

The all new crossover has already received two awards since September. The XV was awarded the IIHS 2012 Top Safety Pick, and Subaru is the only manufacturer with 2012 IIHS Top Safety Picks for its entire lineup. This is the third year running that Subaru has the distinction of earning the top safety pick from IIHS for every model in its lineup.

Subaru also announced that the XV Crosstrek, along with the Impreza 4-door Sedan and Sport 5-door series, have each won the “Good Design Award 2012″ from the Japan Industrial Design Promotion (JDP). The XV is already receiving much praise and it’s only been in showrooms for two months.

A comfortable and functional cabin

The Subaru XV Crosstrek cabin is comfortable and fairy roomy. The standard cloth upholstery is durable and breathes well in the heat. For those who will take the XV off-road, the fabric will be perfect and easy to keep clean after a day on the trail. There are plenty of soft-touch surfaces for comfort, and lower panels are plastic and also designed for easy cleaning and scuff resistant for off-road use.  Heated front seats, heated exterior mirrors and windshield wiper/de-icer are standard on every XV.

The rear seats offer plenty off legroom and all XV crossovers have seatbacks that fold nearly flat without having to remove the headrest. The rear area offers 22 cubic feet of cargo volume behind the back seat and 52 if  it’s folded down. The XV Crosstrek has increased ground clearance and makes for ease of entry and exit from the front and rear doors.

The Subaru XV Crosstrek drives like a car

Even though the new Subaru XV Crosstrek is taller than the Impreza Outback that it effectively replaces, it rides like a car and you wouldn’t know it comes with an expanded capability chassis with 8.7 inches of ground clearance. The 17-inch alloy wheels, larger front brakes, larger fuel tank and special black wheel arch and rocker panel cladding are all additional features that make the new XV unique. The new features give the new crossover a “go-anywhere” attitude.

The new XV is built more for fuel-mileage than power, and the 148-hp 2-liter boxer engine felt a bit underpowered. Although it was being tested here in Colorado at altitude. Most drivers will find the power is adequate, but the XV is certainly not going to win any races. The high-revving 2.0-liter engine has good power as long as you keep the RPMs up. With the five-speed manual transmission, we found that the lower gears were often needed to keep the XV moving. A six-speed manual would be a benefit but would add considerably to the price. Look for Subaru to eventually add a turbo option, which would make the new XV a lot more fun to drive.

XV Already popular with buyers

Compact crossover utility vehicles are among the fastest growing segments in the industry and Subaru is counting on attracting a younger demographic with its go-anywhere active lifestyle attitude. It’s already a big hit here in Colorado and is well-suited for winter climates. The new crossover already has a big appeal because of its fuel-efficiency and its ability to go anywhere. The price is competitive, and looks like Subaru has come up with another winner to go along with the new BRZ and Impreza sedan.

Buyers can go online and check out all the features and options and build their own XV Crosstrek. Subaru has launched an all-new 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek Dynamic Brochure. It’s loaded with interactive tools and videos.

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Just in time for Halloween, Subaru just unveiled their latest special edition of the WRX and WRX STI at the 2012 SEMA Show – the “Orange and Black” Editions. Oh c’mon Subie, you couldn’t come up with anything better than “Orange and Black”? I mean I’m no marketing guy, but even “Halloween Edition” or “Spooky Edition” would have been more creative. Eh, whatever.

Regardless, the Subaru WRX STI happens to be one of my favorite cars of all time, so any time I see a special edition on this car, I get excited. Having a special edition for Halloween – my favorite holiday – makes all that much cooler.

Now, as most of the factory-offered special editions you’re going to see at SEMA this year, this is more of an appearance package. There isn’t anything changed mechanically about the car. Not that it really needs it; the WRX has 265hp and the STI, 305hp, although seeing that turbo boosted a bit wouldn’t hurt.

Now I’ll be the first to admit – Pumpkin Orange, or as they call it Tangerine Orange, isn’t the best looking color on the WRX/STI. But out of all the colors in which you can get a WRX, World Rally Blue is, in my opinion, the only non-boring color available, so any other options are more than welcome.

The “Orange and Black” Edition WRX and STI, as you can see comes with a very Halloween-y color scheme; the Tangerine Orange paint contrasts with the special Jet Black wheels, black front fender badging, black body graphics, and black side mirrors.

Inside, both the WRX and WRX STI get a dark interior with orange stitching on the seats, doors, and shift boot, along with orange-lined floor mats. Check out the picture above – they’ve done it up pretty well, I think the orange contrast looks really good.

This special edition run is quite limited – they’re only making 200 WRXs and 100 WRX STIs, so if you do like the look of it, I’d suggest heading down to your dealer and putting your name down.

I think the WRX STI is one of the best bang-for-your-buck performance cars on the market right now. Subaru has perfected their AWD system, and the application of their turbocharged 305 hp Boxer engine, tight six-speed manual, and standard features like Multi-Mode Driver Controlled Center Differential (DCCD,) Subaru Intelligent Drive (SI-DRIVE,) and Multi-Mode Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC) – if you can figure out how to use them all – really make the car special.

Check out the gallery below for a crapload of more pictures of this special edition. What do you think, do you like the orange and black color scheme, or would you stick with one of the factory colors?

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For the 2013 model year, the Legacy gets a number of updates like redesigned front styling with new grille, headlights and bumper cover. Underneath, the midsize sedan gets chassis enhancements for a smoother, quieter ride and improved agility. And the new Legacy  features a new driver-assist system that adds an extra level of safety never offered on the Japanese sedan before.

This 2013 Subaru Legacy 3.6R Limited tester ($28,895) came with a number of optional features. The Audio/navigation sytsem ($3,940) offered in Limited trim lines features 7-in. LCD touch screen, voice activated controls, rear vision camera, SiriusXM NavTraffic (with 4-month free trial subscription) and harmon/kardon premium audio. Limited models add a few features not found on the base model. They include a electro-luminescent instrument cluster and 3.5-in. LCD color display, and a center console rear seat A/C duct outlet.

First ever “EyeSight Driver-Assist” system for Legacy

But the big news for the 2013 Subaru Legacy, however, is a newly optional “EyeSight Driver-Assist” system. The available EyeSight driver-assist system includes Pre-Collision Braking; Pedestrian Detection; Lane Departure and Sway Warning and Adaptive Cruise Control. Systems like this are usually found on cars from the premium brand automakers. The new system uses a unique stereo camera design developed by Subaru to provide a detection angle wider than that of radar-based systems.

The EyeSight system can identify vehicles, obstacles, traffic lanes, and other objects and alerts the driver to avoid a collision. At speeds below 19 mph, the system can even detect pedestrians that could be in the cars path. Subaru says under certain circumstances, EyeSight is able to bring the car to a complete stop. At speeds above 19 mph, the system applies the brakes when an object is detected if it senses the driver is not taking proper evasive action.

The Lane Departure and Sway Warning feature that is included in the new EyeSight system can detect if the car begins to wander outside the intended lane without a turn signal being used, or if the car begins to drift within the travel lane. Both systems worked as advertised and will keep a driver who is not alert, from getting into trouble.

Another safety feature include with EyeSight, is the Adaptive Cruise Control system that is intended for freeway use. The system maintains a driver-selected distance from the vehicle in front, braking and/or accelerating the car as needed to maintain a safe traveling distance.

The Adaptive Cruise Control is operational from 1-87 mph and can brake the vehicle to a complete stop when it senses trouble ahead. The system works well for maintaining distance from the vehicle ahead in “stop and go” freeway traffic. The EyeSight system will also alert the driver of changes in a cars direction ahead and cuts the throttle if the accelerator pedal continues to be pushed.

Retuned Suspension and exclusive AWD system on the 3.6R

Subaru has added a number of suspension enhancements to the new 2013 Legacy. The body structure has been strengthened and stiffened to ensure a quieter ride and improved handling characteristics. Body roll has been reduced by an amazing 40 percent due to Subaru engineers increasing the diameter of the double-wishbone rear suspension’s sway bar and also increasing the spring and damper rates and bushing stiffness.

The 2013 Legacy 3.6R features the Variable Torque Distribution (VTD) AWD system with a five-speed electronic automatic transmission. This exclusive system is only available on the 3.6R models. The unique VTD system can send more power to the rear wheels when needed for optimal handling and performance,   and it can continuously adjust power distribution in response to driving and road conditions.

The 2013 Legacy 3.6R is powered by a 3.6-liter flat six-cylinder boxer aluminum engine and remains unchanged from the 2012 model. The engine produces 256 horsepower and 247 lb.-ft. of torque. The five-speed automatic transmission comes with paddle shifters for more spirited driving. The 2013 Legacy 3.6R gets 18/25 city/highway using regular unleaded fuel.

Limited offers increased comfort inside

The Limited models feature perforated leather upholstery, dual zone automatic climate control, the display-type harman/kardon premium audio package, rear A/C duct, electro-luminescent gauges, and a 4-way power front passenger seat. There is 103 cu. ft. of passenger space and 14.7 cu. ft. of cargo area in the trunk  and is among best-in-class for the midsize sedan segment.

Overall, the 2013 Legacy 3.6R Limited is a premium model sedan that features the best all-wheel-drive system available. And with the new suspension enhancements, it’s even more of a driver’s car. Add in the new EyeSight system, and you have one of the safest all-wheel-drive vehicles on the road.

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Safety, style, and function have always been elements of the Subaru lineup of vehicles, from the classic Brat to the modern WRX STI.  Never conforming to conventional tastes in design, Subaru has always pushed the element to bring unique shapes to the road, providing rides that will never be bland and boring.  The redesigned 2012 Impreza is no different, hitting the road with a great new look and equally great functions to match.

The new Impreza has grown up from the designs that are often associated with younger generations of drivers, but not so much to lose their unique touch.  From the smooth curves of the roofline to the aggressively cornered front and rear ends, the Impreza has a look of being able to take on any road challenge that lay in its path.  From the base level up to the WRX STI, the new Impreza is a well-rounded ride that will feel perfect for many different consumers, from the daily driver to rally enthusiast.

But the styling alone will not be a closing deal with this new ride, and with such a colorful heritage in driving history, there is no way this Impreza would be bland and boring on the road.  The vehicle tested was fitted with the base level 2.0i, not a powerhouse by any means, but good enough to get A to B with no issues.  0 to 60 was just under 10 seconds, about the same rate as a modern Prius, but that is because it is hauling around the famous all-wheel drive system.  The base Impreza might be a bit slower to 60, but it does so in a solid manner that doesn’t get in the way of the driving experience.

This modestly powered ride features quite a bag of features when it comes to other elements, including a well appointed interior, solid build, and a comfortably ride even on some of the worst maintained roads in the area.  For a highway cruiser, the horizontally opposed engine is quite good, quiet enough to allow for easy conversations but still providing that unique driving noise that is synonymous with Subaru.

As mentioned, the interior of the Impreza is well appointed, with an ergonomically aligned dash with easy to use navigation and comfort controls.  The steering wheel had most the controls for interactive driving available, and was easy to get used to after a short while.  For its class, the Impreza has ample room in the front, but a minimal level in the rear that felt a bit underwhelming for an adult.  With minimal features in the back, including air and adjustable backrest, it almost feels as if the Impreza was designed only for front seat riders in mind.  While not a big downfall for the ride, when compared to other cars in its class, it’s lacking.

This new Impreza stands to be an improvement over previous years, especially in features available and styling.  In keeping with Subaru tradition, it is a very solid ride that leaves little to the imagination about the safety features built in.  But with a few key features missing the standard set by competitors, including power and passenger comforts, it might be a tough sale at the basic level for many buyers.  The ride and build quality are there, but priced out with all the standard features found in other rides, it is a few grand extra coming out of the buyer’s pocket.  The big hope is that the drivers look past that price and realize they would be buying a car that will never be confused with another.

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We’ve talked to our local Scion dealer, and they have seen a very high level of interest in the FR-S. In fact, there is two red ones out in front right now, and they are both already spoken for. Each time we drive by, people are standing around them taking a look.

All this floor traffic is much-welcomed, and it isn’t just a development limited to our local dealer. According to The New York Times, both the Scion FR-S and its Subaru BRZ twin are flying off dealer lots across the country. So much so in fact that they are the the fastest-selling cars in the industry right now.

The BRZ sits on the lot for four days, with the FR-S close behind at five days. For a lot of enthusiasts, these cars are a big deal. For years now, they have been endlessly covered (Toyabaru, etc). That kind of coverage always translate into actual sales though, so we were eager to see how these cars were going to be received. So far, the initial impressions are good – and they are surpassing the expectations of their builders. Demand right now far outstrips supply.

Subaru planned to sell just 6,000 BRZ coupes this year, a very conservative number. FR-S is a bit above that, with a planned 10,000. In Japan, BRZ demand was four times what Subaru planned. Next year, Scion plans to sell 20,000 units, a figure that seems just about right to us. The genius of the free market is that generally (there are exceptions), if you’ve got a good product it is going to sell well. To enthusiasts, cars aren’t commodities though – they are far more of an emotional decision. The sparse, handling-focused nature of these two cars is something that people are responding to. Hopefully a positive response will cause Toyota to green light more enthusiast-focused projects in the future.

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To us enthusiasts, the shining star of Subaru’s lineup is the Impreza WRX. It has a lot of staunch fans, and there’s always strong debate between the WRX and Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution camps.

While we quite sure what is going on with the Evolution, Subaru is fully committed to the WRX. In fact, for the next-generation model it will play an even bigger role in the lineup than ever. Crazily enough, the WRX has always took the subpar Impreza and turned it into something special.

Next time around though, it will get more individuality, dropping the Impreza tag from its name. The current WRX is based on the previous Impreza – WRX didn’t get redesigned at the same time as the rest of the line. This is the beginning step of the separation plan. Now comes some surprising news about the car’s future. Motor Trend reports that we’ve already gotten a good look at the WRX – at least year’s Tokyo Auto Show in the form of the Advanced Tourer Concept.

None of us expected that, and MT says they didn’t either. To be honest, Advanced Tourer is far from where we think the WRX should be. Subaru apparently disagrees though, as the next-gen model is expected to be more “mature.” Mature?! The WRX has never been mature. According to MT, the WRX will get a boost in size as well, along with much more aggressive styling. If this is true (which we aren’t certain about), we are uncertain about the WRX’s future. The Advanced Tourer Concept is too big and long to be a WRX, which is a car whose appeal was in its rally-like nature. So far we’ve heard some “out there” things about the WRX – it is getting an electric turbocharger, becoming a large grand tourer. We’ll have to see what comes of it.

An electric turbocharger? What is this, Popular Science? Apparently not. The Sydney Morning Herald has the skinny on the next-generation Subaru WRX. Next time around, Subaru is expected to put even more of a focus on the beloved WRX, ditching the Impreza name and separating them more visually.

“Our understanding is that [WRX] will be completely distinctive from the current Impreza, it will look considerably different,” says David Rowley, spokesman for Subaru Australia. We’re down with that. WRX is coming later in Impreza’s life cycle this time, meaning they’ll have had more time to make significant changes.

“I think it’s fair to say they’ll be looking at a whole raft of technical refinements on WRX because by the time we see it, it will be some years old in terms of the maturity of Impreza so inevitably there will be some very significant technical changes and innovations.” says Rowley.

What is most interesting is the possibility of an electric turbocharger. The current car has always made its impressive power outputs thanks to a turbocharger hooked up to Subaru’s flat-four boxer engine. The system would function by harnessing heat from the exhaust in order to generate electricity that would power the turbo. Is there actually enough exhaust pressure to do that?

It seems doubtful, but that is something the engineers will have to figure out. Advantages would be removing plumbing under the hood, increasing efficiency and reducing turbo lag. Motor Trend reports that Subaru first got a patent on the electric turbo back in 2007. Judging by its patent, Subaru seems like the only one really exploring this right now. The concept sounds very interesting; it would certainly be a tech showpiece. Do we expect it to actually make its way to the production WRX though? Not exactly, but we’ve been wrong before.

While Subaru is a derivative of Japan’s Fiji Heavy Industries, two of the auto brand’s most popular vehicles for the United States are built in Indiana. In the 2011 calendar year, the Subaru Outback was the highest-selling product in the United Stats line-up for the Japanese branded auto company. The Outback and Legacy model sales together account for nearly 68 percent of the vehicles Subaru sold last year making the pair important to the company’s success in the North America. Set for a first revealing to the US public at the 2012 New York International Auto Show, the Legacy sedan and Outback wagon will be a drastically refined presentation of Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive.

Two new look vehicle, the 2013 model year versions of the Legacy and Outback signifies an avenue of charge as Subaru continues to stride more as a premium vehicle brand in North America. New front-end styling on both cars incorporates a reorganized front end including a grille design derived from a Hybrid Tourer concept shown last year. In addition to the refreshments made to exterior, the 2013 Subaru Legacy and Outback models are equipped with a slew of high-technology enhancements.

Powering the base level 2013 Legacy and Outback vehicles, Subaru replaces the previous single overhead cam 2.5 liter Boxer engine with a more efficient double overhead cam powerplant layout. Providing three extra horsepower over the previous engine, the new 2.5 liter boxer-style engine now produces 173 horsepower through a broader driving range. Fitted with the improved 2.5 liter Boxer engine, the 2013 Subaru Legacy, fuel economy is projected towards the 32 mile per gallon range through highway driving with an average travel of 27 miles on a gallon of gasoline. Combined city and highway fuel economy falls by only a single mile per gallon when included with the Outback model. The 2.5 liter engine on the Subaru Legacy and Outback models will be coupled to what is said to be the automaker’s second-generation Lineartronic CVT (continuously variable transmission). Providing a six-speed manual driving mode, Subaru’s new Lineartronic CVT should feature improved mechanical response.

A more powerful 3.6 liter 6-cylinder Boxer engine is a carryover from the previous model year allowing up to 256 horsepower to be supplied through the all-wheel drive system found standard on all 2013 Subaru Legacy and Outback. 2013 model year Subaru Legacy and Outback models outfitted with the 3.6 liter engine will feature a conventional automatic transmission with five speeds. The major disappointment with the newly introduced line of Subaru vehicles is the exclusion of performance-suited, turbocharged Legacy 2.5 GT for 2013.

An improved ride is promised with the 2013 model year mid-sized Subaru cars. Said to be smoother than the predecessor vehicles, the new Legacy and Outback are also engineered to handle more proficiently using its all-wheel drive system. Suspension changes to the 2013 Subaru Legacy provides up to 40 percent less body roll than the 2012 model year model. Providing a more comfortable ride for both Subaru Legacy and Outback cars in 2013, the revised vehicles are also meant to exploit greater driving control.

Inside, Subaru’s latest halo technology is available on the new Outback and Legacy models providing an uncompromised array of anti-collision gadgets. Called the EyeSight driver-assist system, the technology uses wide-covering stereo camera for adaptive cruise control, lane departure and sway warning, pedestrian detection as well as pre-collision braking. EyeSight will be optional on the 2013 Legacy and 2013 Outback for what Subaru claims to be an affordable price in the United States.

Aside from the vast safety enhancements available inside of the 2013 Subaru Legacy and Outback, the more occupant-friendly interiors of both vehicles will feature upgraded amenities through base, Premium as well as the top-grade Limited trim levels. Standard equipment on 2013 Subaru Legacy and Outback models includes Bluetooth connectivity as well as 60/40 split rear seats. Upgrades available in 2013 include 10-way power driver’s seat, power moonroof, dual-zone automatic climate control and harman/kardon premium audio package.

Set to premiere in the Big Apple, Subaru’s 2013 model year Outback and Legacy rekindles the magic created by the original Subaru Outback premiering at the 1994 edition of the New York International Auto Show.

Information source: Subaru of America
Photo source: PRNewsFoto/Subaru of America, Inc.

Automakers are consistently fretting about losing Generation Y, and they’re turning their attention to reaching us. We think a lot of that lack of interest among Gen Y has to do with economic factors. Things like unemployment and gas prices have a strong impact. Driving your own car has become an increasingly frivolous expense for some. Beyond that though, automakers need to make vehicles we are interested in. Thankfully, we’ve seen a lot more of that lately.

The Subaru BR-Z/Scion FR-S/Toyota FT-86 is a car both companies hope will reach younger buyers and enthusiasts alike. What enthusiasts want and what the general public wants to buy aren’t always the same thing however. Hence things we pan sometimes do very well and things we advocate for…..not so much. We can think of a few examples of this.

Given all the hype in automotive circles, the success of this trio of cars will be very interesting to watch. According to Automotive News, early returns seem to indicate a high level of interest here in the here and around the world. In Japan, the Subaru BR-Z went on sale on February 3rd. Since then, the company reports that it has sold 3,551 BR-Zs.

That might not seem like much, but Subaru has forecasted just 450 units a month sales in Japan. For the United States, the figure is slightly more, at 500. Both figures seem to be easily reachable. The fact that the car is doing so well in Japan though is an encouraging development. Subaru’s data reports that sales to buyers under 40 years old represent 60 percent of the total figure. Buyers are opting for the six-speed manual versus the automatic by a similar margin. The BR-Z goes on sale in the U.S on April 20th. Subaru hopes the car will post similarly impressive numbers when it arrives here.