2014 Subaru Legacy 2.5i Sport on 2040-cars

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Consumer Reports says infotainment systems 'growing first-year reliability plague'

The Consumer Reports Annual Auto Reliability Survey (right) is out, and the top two spots look much the same as last year's list with Lexus and Toyota in first and second place, respectively. However, there are some major shakeups for 2014, with Acura plunging eight spots from third in 2013 to 11th this year, and Mazda replaces it on the lowest step of the podium. Honda and Audi round out the top five. This year's list includes six Japanese brands in the top 10, two Europeans, one America and one Korean.
Acura isn't the only one taking a tumble, though. Infiniti is the biggest loser this year by dropping 14 spots to 20th place. Other big losses come from Mercedes-Benz with an 11-place fall to 24th, and GMC, which declines 10 positions to 19th.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, it's not traditional mechanical bugs hauling down these automaker's reliability scores. Instead, pesky problems with infotainment systems are taking a series toll on the rankings. According to Consumer Reports, complaints about "in-car electronics" were the most grumbled about element in new cars. Problem areas included things like unresponsive touchscreens, issues pairing phones and multi-use controllers that refused to work right.

2015 Subaru Outback priced at $24,895*

Just a few weeks after announcing the pricing for the 2015 Legacy sedan, Subaru is getting ready to roll out the all-new 2015 Outback with a base price $24,895, plus an $850 destination charge. Like its platform-mate, the styling could be described as an evolution of the previous generation, but the company claims big changes underneath to improve comfort. It's scheduled to starting hitting dealers this summer.
The Outback continues to share most of its mechanical bits with the Legacy, including its engines. The 2.5-liter boxer-four-cylinder gets a touch more potent with 175 horsepower and 174 pound-feet of torque, and better fuel economy at 25 miles per gallon city, 33 highway and 28 combined. The 3.6-liter flat-six-engine has 256 hp and 247 lb-ft and also sees a marginal economy improvement at 20/27/22. All models now come standard with a CVT, and Subaru's Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive gets some improvements with standard Hill Descent Control, Hill Start Assist, Active Torque Vectoring and X-Mode, a system to increase traction when needed.
The base 2.5i trim goes for $25,745 (all prices after destination), up $425 from last year's CVT base model. It comes standard with a 6.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system with a USB port and AUX input. The 2.5i Premium trim retails at $27,845, but the upgrade nets buyers dual climate zones, a 10-way power driver's seat, leather-wrapped steering wheel, all-weather package and a 7-inch infotainment system. The 2.5i Limited costs $30,845 and includes leather upholstery, 18-inch wheels, a 12-speaker stereo, heated rear seats, lane change assist, rear cross traffic alert and a power tailgate. The top The 3.6R Limited trim is $33,845 and in addition to the bigger engine features HID low-beam headlights and stainless steel dual exhaust tips.

Refreshed 2015 Subaru Impreza priced from $18,195*

It was just a few weeks ago that Subaru unveiled its refreshed 2015 Impreza with refinements like a tweaked front fascia, upgraded infotainment system, standard rearview camera, slightly better fuel economy and other goodies. The Japanese automaker has finally decided to tell us what all of this new kit costs, and it actually hasn't increased too much over last year.
A base model 2015 Impreza 2.0i sets back buyers $18,195 for the four-door sedan or $18,695 for the five-door hatch (*not including $795 destination and delivery on all models). All of those prices are $300 more than the 2014 model year.
Moving up to the Premium trim requires $20,995 for the sedan or $21,495 for the five-door and adds 16-inch wheels, heated seats, heated mirrors and a windshield wiper de-icer. The Sport Premium pack, offered exclusively on the hatch, goes further with features like body-color side sills, 17-inch wheels, foglights, and more for $20,995 with the five-speed manual or $21,995 with the CVT.