2018 Subaru Forester 2.5i on 2040-cars

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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.

Subaru mulling three-row utility, upscale versions of existing models

Subaru was one of few automakers whose sales actually picked up during the recent recession. But now that auto sales are back on track (and expected to hit pre-recession numbers this year), Subaru is trying to come up with new products to fill voids in its current lineup. Wards Auto had a chance to talk to Subaru's director-product manager Ken Lin, who indicated that the automaker is planning to introduce new models this year that will help it attract new buyers without alienating current ones.
The biggest void, of course, is a competitive three-row crossover, a role the Tribeca does not fill in one a very popular segment. Lin said that while there's no current plan to kill off the Tribeca, Subaru is looking at creating a larger three-row CUV with more interior space. In addition to to something big, Subaru is getting ready to bring its customers more luxury with new touring models, but does not anticipate going toe-to-toe with Mercedes-Benz or BMW.
By the end of this year, Subaru will be introducing a new hybrid model, although we don't yet know on which model it will be based. What we do seem to know is that the car will get its power from a nickel metal hydride battery rather than a more modern lithium-ion pack for the sake of simplicity. Finally, Lin mentioned a new product being brought into the sports car segment, but while the article takes this as a hint toward a possible BRZ Turbo, it could also be a reference to the next generation of the WRX and WRX STI.

Subaru teases all-new Legacy ahead of Chicago debut

Following the debut of the Legacy Concept at the 2013 Los Angeles Auto Show, it appears Subaru is now ready to show us the real thing. The Japanese automaker has just confirmed that a production-spec Legacy sedan will officially bow at next week's Chicago Auto Show.
All we have to work with right now is the teaser image you see above, as well as some general overview-type stuff from Subaru in regards to its new model. According to the company's press blast, the next Legacy "is a midsize sports sedan which offers enhanced driveability and functionality while achieving a design required for a flagship model with a quality feel." In other words, it's a brand-new Legacy.
The Legacy Concept was a decidedly attractive thing, combining coupe-like styling elements and a new design that sort of reminds us of a Buick Regal GS. Of course, Subaru has a storied history of creating excellent-looking concept cars, only to later unveil very watered-down production versions, so we fully expect its new midsize sedan to be quite a bit more boring than the show car we saw in LA. Let's hope we're wrong.