Subaru Forester is Consumer Reports’ Top Small SUV
Consumer Reports (CR) has named a new champion in its small SUV category: the 2014 Subaru Forester. The extensively redesigned Forester earned an impressive road-test score of 88 points (out of a possible 100), besting last year’s model by eight points and trouncing the previous leader, the Honda CR-V, by 11 points.
According to Consumer Reports, what makes this accomplishment even more impressive is that this popular category has seen most sales leaders introduce new models, such as the Ford Escape and Toyota RAV4, or updates to existing ones, like the Mazda CX-5. Despite the competition that won’t rest, Subaru has stood out from the rest of the class.
The redesign focused on the fundamentals with space-efficient design, large windows, and big square doors. As a result, testers at Consumer Reports found that it is the easiest to access and has the best view out of almost any vehicle recently tested. It also has one of the roomiest rear seats in its class, with ample head and leg room.
In its tests, Consumer Reports registered 26 mpg overall and 35 mpg on the highway, and noted: “While the CVT is an annoyance in many other vehicles, it’s largely unobtrusive in the Forester. Ratio changes are quick and responsive and engine noise is only noticeable during hard acceleration.” “If you’re looking for a small SUV that’s very functional and fuel-efficient, the Forester is hard to beat,” Jake Fisher, director of auto testing at Consumer Reports, said in an e- mailed statement.
The model purchased for testing by Consumer Reports was the Forester 2.5i Premium. According to CR, the model proved to be “a good value that included heated front seats, a large sunroof, backup camera, and power driver’s seat. Because above-average reliability is anticipated based on [their] analysis, it is a CR recommend.”
Check out the full report in the magazine’s July issue.
2014 Subaru Forester Earns New IIHS 2013 Top Safety Pick+ Rating
Subaru of America, Inc. was proud to announce that the all-new 2014 Forester has received a Top Safety Pick+ (TSP+) award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Out of 13 small SUVs, the 2014 Subaru Forester is the only one to achieve an overall rating of ‘good’ in the test. Plus, the Forester was the first vehicle to ace every aspect of the challenging small overlap front crash test. Back in 2003, when the IIHS first started testing small SUVs for side protection, the Subaru model topped its competition and was one of only two vehicles to earn good ratings.
“With the redesigned Forester, Subaru’s engineers set out to do well in our new test, and they succeeded,” says Joe Nolan, the Institute’s vice president for vehicle research. “This is exactly how we hoped manufacturers would respond to improve protection for people in these kinds o serious frontal crashes.”
Subaru is the only manufacturer with 2013 IIHS Top Safety Pick for all models and the only brand with IIHS Top Safety Pics for all models for four years in a row (2010-2013). The 2014 Forester is the third Subaru to earn the TSP+ award where the 2013 Subaru Legacy and Subaru Outback (built after August 2012) both received recognition by the institute in late-2012.
“Safety is one of our brand tenets and so we are extremely proud to have earned a TSP+ rating for Forester and a third Top Safety Pick + rating for our brand,” said Thomas J. Doll, president and chief operating officer, Subaru of America, Inc. “The Forester is the most award winning small SUV in America and now we have another designation for this venerable vehicle.”
Watch the following video from the IIHS, where Mr. Nolan explains the small overlap crash test and watch how the 2014 Subaru Forester performs.
2013 Subaru BRZ Named An Automobile Magazine All-Star
Automobile Magazine calls it the golden age of sports car. They have denounced the notion by critics that sports cars are dead, defining a sports car as simply a car that could be used for competition on the track as well as everyday use on the road. In this year’s list of All-Stars, Automobile Magazine has named the 2013 Subaru BRZ as part of it’s all-star round up in the sports car category.
So what qualifies a vehicle for an All-Star award? It’s simple, according to Automobile Magazine. It has to be a car or truck on sale in the U.S. at the time of their fall testing exercises. Judges bring no score sheets but merely an open mind and a desire to give credit to the best and most significant vehicles. This year, sixteen editors and contributors voted for some twenty-five brands and fourty-four models but only eleven vehicles made the final cut and had their names forever engraved on the 2013 All-Star trophy.
Right off the bat, during the fall drives, judges felt that the Subaru BRZ would be exactly the type of sports car that will have quite an influence on the industry. For starters, the BRZ comes with a price that that won’t break the bank. Editors and contributors agreed that simple affordability is an essential ingredient to sports car success. At a starting price of $26,265, the BRZ has a longer list of standard options than a BMW 128i. And for the BRZ Limited, which has all the options, its sticker price is merely $28,265.
With an overall length of 166.7 inches on a 101.2-inch wheelbase and weighing 2776 pounds in the Limited trim with a manual transmission, the BRZ has enough space and functionality for four occupants including their stuff. Drivers claim that the feel of driving the BRZ on the track is reminiscent of a Miata-style, energized spirit. The 200 horsepower, 2.0-liter Subaru boxer four-cylinder responds eagerly at low rpm and quick work with the short-throw linkage of the six-speed manual transmission powers the vehicle to ever increasing speeds. Drivers claim that the BRZ steering is much like an all-wheel drive Subaru Impreza WRX which makes the BRZ safe and controllable for most drivers.
Judges felt that the 2013 Subaru BRZ’s combination of affordability and fun driving experience make it an overall winner, particularly in the sports car segment. Interested in experiencing the Subaru BRZ in person. Visit Subaru Pacific today and we’ll gladly help you find a car that best suites your needs.
Subaru Customer Loyalty Soars to Number 3 on KBB.com Survey
According to kbb.com’s Shopper Loyalty survey for Q1 2013, Subaru steadily climbed to the No. 3 position, to be among the top three brands for the first time since 2009.
“As current Subaru owners prepare to off-load their current vehicle, it is easy to reconsider the brand as it offers a diverse lineup, including models that not only appeal to the everyday shopper like the all-new 2014 Forester, but also a sportier option like the BRZ,” said Akshay Anand, Kelley Blue Book Insights analyst. “With Subaru‘s first-ever hybrid vehicle arriving at dealerships in Q4 2013, the 2014 XV Crosstrek Hybrid is expected to help the brand retain even more shoppers as its portfolio expands into hybrid technology.”
Kelley Blue Book Market Intelligence examines shopper loyalty while consumers are still in the shopping phase. For this analysis, shopper loyalty is defined as owners of the brand who are currently shopping the same brand for their next new vehicle. This includes data from consumers who view a trade-in page or private party page, in addition to a new-car page on Kelley Blue Book’s KBB.com.
Subaru Launch Control Episode 2 Sees Team at 2013 Sno*Drift Rally
In the second episode (part 1 of 2) released last week, the Subaru Rally Team USA reunites in Michigan for 2013 Sno*Drift Rally. This is the first rally of the Rally America season and takes place in Montmorency County. The one-off ice and snow event has been described as beyond treacherous and provides a unique challenge to the team.
The team will be competing agains the best and drivers David Higgins and Craig Drew will be pushed to the limit on this course that proves to be far more difficult than anybody had anticipated.
Subaru ‘Launch Control’ Follows Rally Teams Prepping for 2013 Race Season
Subaru of America Inc. has released the first episode of “Launch Control”, a bi-weekly web video series that chronicles Subaru Rally Team USA and the Subaru PUMA RallyCross Team as they prepare for and compete in a fast-paced 2013 race season spanning the globe. With a mix of in-car video, car prep and driver interviews, “Launch Control” is the story of two teams, everything it takes to win and everything that gets in the way.
In the debut episode of “Launch Control,” Subaru Rally Team USA driver and defending Rally America Champion David Higgins is training for the upcoming season at his home in Wales, UK, while the crew at Vermont Sports Car, the Subaru technical partner managing both teams, is hard at work in the shop preparing the 2013 Subaru WRX STI team cars for a the season ahead.
Check out the video below:
2015 Subaru WRX/WRX STI Spied at the ‘Ring
A camouflaged Subaru prototype was spotted taking laps around the Nürburgring track. A closer look at some of the telltale elements suggest that this may in fact be a prototype for either a non-WRX, sporty Impreza, or a thinly disguised and production-ready next-gen WRX or WRX STI. Many fans hope it is the final option, as it appears to combine a standard Impreza sedan body with fascias of the recently unveiled Subaru WRX concept.
Another obvious sign is the giant rear wing, which shares a design with wings found on past WRX STI models including the current 2013 version. There is also a slightly toned-down version of the aggressive rear diffuser seen on the WRX concept as well as wheels that almost completely fill out the arches. Other influences by the WRX concept include the almost-identical hexagonal grille, trapezoidal lower intakes, and LED-encircled hexagonal headlights. Other changes include LED taillights and a hood scoop.
Most can only speculate at what’s under the hood. We will bring you more news when the significantly re-engineered sedan makes its debut at the next Tokyo Motor Show this winter.
Subaru Discusses WRX Concept Design at NY Auto Show
The unveiling of the Subaru WRX Concept received a lot of attention at the New York International Auto Show. Osamu Namba, general manager of design for Subaru, took the time to discuss the the styling and design of the WRX concept.
Namba explains many of the car’s design elements including the more aggressive facelift with the low and wide hexagonal grille and hawk-eye headlights. A coupe-like profile accentuated by a carbon fiber roof hints at the speed and agility of the WRX concept, Namba says; and around back, the hexagonal shape returns on the sharp edge of the trunk and the wide taillights again hint at stability and low center of gravity.
If you like the WRX Concept as much as we did, watch the video below and let us know what you think.
Subaru Pacific Recognized as Subaru Eco-Friendly Dealer
Subaru of America, Inc. has been a strong advocate for the environment. Not only do they pride themselves in selling high-quality vehicles, they have implemented key measures, from the dealership to manufacturing, to help protect the world we live in. One example is the Subaru Eco-Friendly Dealer Program that sees Subaru dealers reduce their carbon footprint on a daily basis.
Subaru Pacific is the only dealership in California to receive the Subaru Eco-Friendly award. The dealership has reached Eco-Friendly Dealer status by meeting five key areas in successful sustainability:
Energy Efficiency Our dealership reduced energy consumption by installing devices such as occupancy sensors, compact florescent light bulbs and programmable thermostats. Water Conservation Our dealership reduced water consumption by installing low flow faucet & toilets and water efficient landscaping. Recycling By recycling material such as paper, metal, cardboard and plastic, our dealership helps divert massive amounts of material from landfills. Waste Management Our dealership ensures proper disposal of waste material including oil, coolant, batteries and tires. Community Involvement Caring about the environment extends beyond the dealership. We are involved in community programs focused on preserving and protecting the environment. Teamwork For our dealership to achieve Subaru Eco-Friendly Dealer status, we organized an environmental team comprised of individuals from each department. The team planned and implemented the necessary changes and upgrades to our facility.On April 18th, 2013, Subaru of America, Inc. will be on site at the dealership to present the award. Look for an upcoming post with pictures from the day.
Subaru Unveils 2014 XV Crosstrek Hybrid in New York
by Zach McDonald | hybridcars.com
We’ve known for some time that Subaru’s first hybrid offering was headed to market for 2014—the only question was which existing model it would be built around. The carmaker did an admirable job keeping that secret until last week, when it unveiled the XV Crosstrek Hybrid at the 2013 New York International Auto Show.
The car is a more efficient, more powerful version of Subaru’s popular XV Crosstrek, which debuted last year and is a crossover based upon the Impreza sedan platform. The non-hybrid XV already boasts impressive efficiency on its own—25 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway—and while Subaru has yet to announce official numbers for the hybrid, it’s said to net a mild improvement of about 10 percent in overall fuel economy.
So why bother with building a mild hybrid version of the XV Crosstrek? The answer lies in the crossover’s blend of improved performance and fuel economy. Rather than thinking about the Crosstrek Hybrid as a strictly green upgrade over the standard XV, think of it as replacing a 2.5-liter performance version of the car. The Crosstrek Hybrid’s 13.4-horsepower electric motor improves acceleration and torque without necessitating a larger engine, and even provides sufficient power to drive the car on its own at speeds up to 25 mph.
The car fares significantly better in the city than its non-hybrid brethren, making it far more suited for use as an every day grocery hauler in addition to a weekend getaway finder. Oh, and it just so happens that the XV Hybrid will be the most fuel-efficient all-wheel-drive crossover on the market when it comes out later this year, besting the Lexus 450h by about 2 mpg in overall fuel economy.
Pricing for the 2014 XV Crosstrek Hybrid hasn’t yet been announced, but Subaru plans to begin making deliveries of the car in the fourth quarter of 2013.
