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2015 Subaru WRX priced from $26,295*, STI from $34,495*

As you read these words, we're putting together our full First Drive report on the 2015 Subaru WRX STI. And back in December, we were given our first shot behind the wheel of the wingless 2015 Subaru WRX. Both cars will launch at the same time, hitting dealers this spring, and Subaru has now confirmed that pricing will start at $26,295 for the standard WRX, and $34,495 for the hotter STI, with both models subject to a *$795 for destination fee.
On the WRX, that price gets you a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine good for 268 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, mated to a six-speed manual transmission. There are three trim levels available - base, Premium and Limited - the latter of which will retail for $28,495 and $29,995, respectively. Premium and Limited models are also available with a new continuously variable transmission (it isn't bad - seriously), and the two-pedal setup adds $1,200 to the sedan's bottom line. Premium models add things like heated seats and mirrors, a sunroof, foglamps and a rear spoiler. The high-zoot Limited trim adds leather seating, a power driver's seat and automatic LED headlamps.
And then there's the STI, which, at $34,495, carries the same base price as the previous model. Like the standard WRX, the STI is a sedan-only affair, but boasts extensive chassis and powertrain upgrades (stay tuned for our full drive report next week). Under the hood is a turbocharged, 2.5-liter boxer-four, producing 305 hp and 290 lb-ft of twist, mated exclusively to a six-speed manual transmission.

2014 Subaru Forester gets big nod of approval from Consumer Reports

While more and more buyers seem to be opting for the functionality of car-based crossover vehicles every day, it's rare that your read much in the way of passionate praise for one. And, while Consumer Reports doesn't exactly lavish written paeans on the Subaru Forester in its latest review - that's just not its style - it did give the CUV a remarkably high overall score.
Praising its excellent fuel economy, visibility, roomy interior and a whole lot more, the testing publication bestowed an overall score of 88 out of 100 on the Forester. That's a really excellent number for just about any vehicle, but it's also a top-of-the-class mark for the Forester's small CUV division. Just about the only major gripe was that of ride quality.
Most of the direct competitors to the Forester have earned CR marks in the mid-70s. The Honda CR-V is some 11 points behind, for instance, while the Toyota RAV4 and the Mazda CX-5 earn scores of 75 and 74, respectively.

Here's the story with the Chicken Tax

Quiz America's auto enthusiasts about the vehicles they most want to see in the US market, and for every one that doesn't respond with a French hot hatchback or some diesel-powered offering, there'd be at least three that ask for some small, imported pickup truck. That won't happen, though, and we have the Chicken Tax to thank. This damnable bit of legislation affixes a 25-percent tariff to any light truck not built in the United States. That's why Honda, Toyota and Nissan build all their trucks in the United States, and it's also why pickups like the foreign-built Volkswagen Amarok, shown above, or the long-rumored Mahindra pickup aren't offered here. Wired has the story on the roots of the Chicken Tax, including how one Japanese manufacturer got around it and even delivered a vehicle to one of our country's presidents. Head over and check it out.