Automotive Einstein

The Subaru Outback is a great alternative to a sport-utility vehicle. Offering much better ride and handling than an average SUV plus standard all-wheel drive–which is usually an expensive option on utility vehicles–the Outback will do most of what a crossover can do on a lot less gas. The continuously variable transmission is maintenance-free for the life of the vehicle and uses a chain for greater durability instead of the industry-standard Kevlar belt. We recommend the 3.6-liter engine, because the Outback is a little on the heavy side and merging into traffic with the four-cylinder can be tense as the vehicle takes its time getting up to speed. Subaru is known for its safety features. Stability and traction control are standard across the Outback line. A backup camera is included with the power moonroof option group and displays the image in the rearview mirror, so the camera is available even if you decide to forgo the navigation system. If you do opt for the navigation package, an auto-dimming rearview mirror is one of the benefits. A variety of audio changes take place for 2012, with the optional system on Premium models being the most impressive–now you can tag your favorite tracks on iTunes right from the driver’s seat. As the Outback matures, it should appeal to many more potential buyers.

Like all Subarus, the Impreza comes with standard all-wheel drive. This used to be a penalty when it came to fuel economy ratings, but the 2012 Impreza has a new 2.0-liter horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine that’s rated at 27 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway when equipped with the continuously variable automatic transmission. The WRX and STI models continue to use turbocharged 2.5-liter engines that aren’t terribly efficient, but they more than make up for that with their exhilarating performance. Electric power steering is now standard on all Imprezas but the WRX and the STI. Thanks to a redesign, the Impreza is more stylish than the previous model, but we still prefer the aggressive look of an STI over that of the base car any day. The redesigned Impreza has all the typical safety appointments, better fuel economy, and a more luxurious interior, and yet Subaru has still managed to hold the line on pricing. The Impreza remains one of the best bargains on the market, but it doesn’t come across as a cheap car when you look at it or drive it. Increases in trunk capacity and rear-seat legroom are sure to please shoppers who found the old Impreza a bit cramped.

Subaru’s Forester is a bit of an unsung hero in the world of crossovers. Drivers looking for a basic vehicle with lots of safety equipment that holds the required gear for athletes or outdoor enthusiasts will be happy with a Forester. Subaru offers a variety of accessories to customize the Forester for tasks like carrying dogs in the cargo area or attaching skis, bikes, or luggage to the roof rails. Everything inside is durable and easy on the eyes, and the controls for the radio and ventilation system are controlled by buttons and knobs instead of the touch-screen interfaces some other utility vehicles rely on. If you like driving, be sure to check out the XT models and the 224-hp turbocharged engine that comes with them. The Forester isn’t as fast nor does it handle as well as Subaru’s own Impreza WRX and STI models, but it’s one of the few crossovers available with a turbocharged engine. Every Forester comes standard with all-wheel drive, which can be an expensive option on other vehicles. The main problem for the Forester is its archaic four-speed automatic transmission. Subaru seems to be rolling out its much more efficient continuously variable transmission as a replacement for the automatic across its portfolio, but the Forester hasn’t been upgraded yet. That four-speed transmission is part of the reason the Forester manages only 27 mpg on the highway in its most-fuel-efficient form and drops to 24 mpg on the highway if you opt for the turbo engine.

The Legacy is a hidden gem in the mid-size-sedan segment. New in 2010, the Legacy offers a class-leading ride and handling package along with standard all-wheel drive, which isn’t even an option on most of the Legacy’s mid-size competitors. The Legacy is available in a large range of models, from the basic 2.5i powered by a 170-hp horizontally opposed four-cylinder to the sporty 265-hp 2.5GT, which is outfitted with a turbocharged engine mated to a slick six-speed manual gearbox. Subaru also offers six-cylinder power in 3.6R models. The 3.6-liter six-cylinder makes slightly less power than the turbocharged 2.5-liter in the 2.5GT, but the six doesn’t require the use of premium fuel. Buyers who don’t want to deal with the manual transmission in the 2.5GT might instead enjoy the five-speed automatic transmission in the 3.6R. The automatic provides paddle shifters for those times when manual control of the transmission is beneficial. We like the Legacy and its wagon cousin, the Outback, and we greatly appreciate the increase in rear-seat legroom that came with the changes for 2010. Overall, the Legacy competes well with better-known mid-size cars such as the Honda Accord, the Volkswagen Passat, and the Toyota Camry. It’s worth a test drive, especially if all-wheel drive is on your wish list.

Pity the Tribeca. Subaru’s people mover debuted for the 2005 model year and has received very little attention since. For instance, the only change this year is a revised head-restraint design, and last year saw only a new shade of bronze paint. It seems as if Subaru has forgotten about this vehicle. However, the Tribeca, from the beginning, has been a highly capable, car-based crossover vehicle. It can tow up to 3500 pounds; its flowing, twin-cockpit interior is well designed; its modified Outback platform and hefty eighteen-inch wheels give it good on-road dynamics; and Subaru’s stalwart standard all-wheel-drive system is ready to tackle any terrain or road condition the driver may encounter. The Tribeca’s principal drawback when it was introduced was a lack of horsepower, but that has been addressed with a new, larger 3.6-liter engine that produces 256 hp. The only other negatives are that the third-row seats are suitable only for kids, and the fuel economy is dismal. We genuinely enjoy driving the Tribeca, but it’s an easy car to forget when we aren’t behind the wheel. It’s to Subaru’s credit that it continues to build the Tribeca, but the vehicle’s weak market presence does not bode well for its future.

A half century or so ago, the car market was blossoming with sports cars. These were generally simple machines that were often unreliable and impractical — and very often not particularly fast. They came with funny little names like MG and Triumph and Sunbeam and Alfa Romeo and Datsun, and their owners weren’t much concerned with zero to sixty. Or top speed. Or peak lateral acceleration. No, the cars had a simple task: to put a smile on your face.

Photo Gallery: First Drive: 2013 Subaru BRZ – Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: First Drive: 2013 Subaru BRZ – Automobile Magazine

Subaru has released another special-edition version of the Impreza WRX STI. Like the previous Impreza R205, the new S206 is a limited-run model with a range of engine and chassis upgrades. Just 300 copies of the S206 will be produced.

Photo Gallery: First Look: Subaru Impreza S206 – Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: First Look: Subaru Impreza S206 – Automobile Magazine