Autoblog

Subaru a historic two-timer as Outback wins Motor Trend SUV of the Year award

Chris Paukert — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 10:00:00 EST

2010 Subaru Outback - Click above for high-res image gallery

Subaru is a historic two-timer. For the second year in a row, the Japanese company has claimed Motor Trend magazine's coveted Golden Calipers for its SUV of the Year award - the first time any automaker has managed to do so. The company's new-for-2010 Outback has evidently picked up where last year's Forester left off, and we understand why - it's a dynamite all-around package.

The lifted Legacy did face some stiff competition, including vehicles we've enjoyed driving recently - players like the Audi Q5, Volvo XC60, Lincoln MKT, and Mercedes-Benz GLK. But from where we sit, the Subie's most formidable opposition for the award were all premium priced offerings, and the Outback is a more affordable jack-of-all-trades with few compromises - especially now that Subaru's engineers have seen fit to let out the back seat a bit. In any case, you can check out the official press release after the jump or read our review of the Outback by clicking here.

Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Subaru Outback

[Source: Motor Trend]

Continue reading Subaru a historic two-timer as Outback wins Motor Trend SUV of the Year award

Subaru a historic two-timer as Outback wins Motor Trend SUV of the Year award originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 Oct 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Motor Trend announces SUV of the Year contenders

Chris Shunk — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 10:28:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Marketing/Advertising, Crossover

Motor Trend Sport/Utility of the Year nominees - Click above to view high-res gallery

When Motor Trend picks its favorite sport utility vehicle, the winner will have bragging rights for an entire year. And we'll know all about it, because the victorious company behind the winning crossover or SUV will shout it from the rooftops (and in print, TV and web advertisements) about their shiny golden award. We can argue all day long about whether many of the nominees can be legitimately be considered sport/utlility vehicles, but either way, this year, there are 11 vehicles up for consideration, with pedigrees ranging from a single traditional body-on-frame SUV to a brace of competent and efficient family haulers and richly appointed luxury crossovers.

As Motor Trend Editor-in-Chief Angus McKenzie points out on the magazine's blog, there is only one traditional SUV on the list, and it takes the size and shape of the Toyota 4Runner. The rest of the vehicles are crossovers, with seven of the 11 candidates sporting luxury badging, three coming from General Motors and one stablemate to last year's SUV of the year, the Subaru Outback. When choosing the SUV of the year, MT says it looks at packaging, presentation and intended function, along with obvious criteria like aesthetics and performance. Hit the jump to look over the candidates for the award, click below to check out our high-res gallery, or head over to Motor Trend for more details.

Gallery: 2009 Motor Trend SUV of the Year

[Source: Motor Trend]

Continue reading Motor Trend announces SUV of the Year contenders

Motor Trend announces SUV of the Year contenders originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Oct 2009 10:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Subaru's Lafayette Indiana plant produces three millionth car

Chris Shunk — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 16:40:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Plants/Manufacturing, Subaru

2010 Subaru Outback - Click above for high-res image gallery

There's cause for celebration in Lafayette, Indiana, and it's not because the Colts are 3-0. The Indianapolis Star reports that Subaru has built its three millionth American made vehicle at its Lafayette facility; a silver Outback 2.5i. Over 9,000 workers were involved in reaching the production milestone, and nearly 3,500 workers are currently employed at the facility.

Subaru needed a longish 20 years to achieve its latest production milestone, and even then it got a hand from Toyota, since the Camry is currently being built there. Subaru's only U.S. plant had a peak production output of 216,198 back in 1998, but sagging auto sales has conspired to cut production down to an expected 158,000 this year in spite of the fact that the all-wheel drive Japanese automaker has perhaps its best lineup ever and some of the strongest sales figures industry-wide. Production could increase in the short term, though, as Cash for Clunkers has drained Subaru inventory down to 16 days worth of cars and crossovers, down from its typical 60-70 day supply. Subaru sold a record 28,863 vehicles in August.

Gallery: 2010 Subaru Outback

[Source: Indianapolis Star]

REPORT: Subaru's Lafayette Indiana plant produces three millionth car originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Sep 2009 16:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Subaru Legacy and Outback, Dodge Avenger and Chrysler Sebring new IIHS Top Safety Picks

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 18:29:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Wagon, Safety, Crossover, Chrysler, Dodge, Subaru

Four 2010 model year vehicles have just been awarded Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety: Subaru's Outback and Legacy, the Dodge Avenger and Chrysler's Sebring. Top Safety Picks are given to those vehicles that come equipped with electronic stability control and receive front, side, and rear crash test ratings of 'Good' in IIHS testing.

The Legacy has boasted a 'Good' rating for a few years now, while the all-new Outback takes the cake on its first try. The Sebring and Avenger continue their runs of 'Good' form in their current generations.

[Source: IIHS]

Subaru Legacy and Outback, Dodge Avenger and Chrysler Sebring new IIHS Top Safety Picks originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Aug 2009 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First Drive: 2010 Subaru Outback has something for everyone

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 11:56:00 EST

Filed under: Wagon, Crossover, Subaru, First Drive, Off-Road

2010 Subaru Outback - Click above for high-res image gallery

Before there was such a thing as a CUV, there was a jacked-up four-wheel drive wagon called the Subaru Legacy. A few special editions later, the Legacy Outback edition birthed the stand-alone Subaru Outback in 1995. The precedent was set, establishing the wagon as polymath, master of numerous disciplines: durability, capability, wide range, ease of use and maintenance on-road and off. The styling, however - well, you weren't really buying a Subaru for its styling. Autoblog went to Montana to drive the fourth-generation 2010 Subaru Outback, and all we needed was one look to realize there's finally a Subaru for the rest of us. Then we drove it, and it just got better. Follow the jump to find out why.

Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Subaru Outback

Continue reading First Drive: 2010 Subaru Outback has something for everyone

First Drive: 2010 Subaru Outback has something for everyone originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 29 Jul 2009 11:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Subaru Outback fuel economy figures released, hits 29 MPG

Dan Roth — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 10:29:00 EST

Filed under: Wagon, Green, Subaru

2010 Subaru Outback - Click above for high-res image gallery

Subaru's new-for-2010 Outback ought to silence a few critics who contend that all-wheel drive sucks up too much fuel to be a worthwhile purchase for most consumers. According to the Japanese automaker, the tip-toe all-weather wagon has studied up for the EPA test, netting 29 miles-per-gallon on the highway. That's smaller front-driver territory from many automakers, albeit with a big dash of Subaru load-lugging capacity.

The good table manners are delivered by the combination of the new Lineartronic CVT and 170 horsepower 2.5 liter boxer four. Subaru's EPA numbers for the 2010 Outback are tops for such a roomy wagon, besting the typical SUV competitors, as well as the higher-end AWD wagons offered by Audi and Volvo. The $23,000 price of entry is attractive, too, although given our recent experience with the 2010 Legacy upon which it is based, we don't imagine it being a terribly spirited drive when so-configured. Even still, for all those bloviators who keep calling for a good-sized wagon that returns reasonable fuel economy for a sensible price, here's your ~~car~~ ~~wagon~~ thing. Official press release after the jump.

Gallery: 2010 Subaru Outback

[Source: Subaru]

Continue reading Subaru Outback fuel economy figures released, hits 29 MPG

Subaru Outback fuel economy figures released, hits 29 MPG originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Jul 2009 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rendered Speculation: New York-bound 2010 Subaru Legacy

Damon Lavrinc — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 19:58:00 EST

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Sedan, Wagon, Rendered Speculation

2010 Subaru Legacy - Rendered - Click above for a gallery

Following up on our earlier story about the 2010 Subaru Legacy's ~~impending~~ rumored debut at the New York Auto Show, a handful of renderings have surfaced from a variety of sources giving us a glimpse of what we might see in the Big Apple.

Many of you have voiced some (ahem) minor displeasure with the Legacy concept's new nose, and although these images aren't official, they won't do much to curb your criticisms. While we're evenly split on how well the new fascia will make the transition from concept to production, here's hoping that the blistered wheel arches and taut rear end make the migration from the drawing board to the dealerships.

Gallery: 2010 Subaru Legacy/Outback Renderings

[Source: NASIOC via InsideLine]

Rendered Speculation: New York-bound 2010 Subaru Legacy originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 11 Mar 2009 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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