2006 Subaru Impreza Outback Sport Wagon Awd Auto 67k Mi Texas Direct Auto on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Lexus, Mazda and Subaru top Consumer Reports Brand Report Cards

A revised methodology in devising its annual Car Brand Report Cards has seen Consumer Reports award Lexus its top overall ranking for 2013. For the first time ever, the institute broke out individual brands from their larger corporate umbrellas, meaning car makers like Lexus and Scion were judged independently from parent company Toyota. That strategy worked out well for Lexus, as the luxury brand earned a top report card score of 79 for the 2013 model year.
The institute has recommended every one of the Lexus models it has tested to date, and said that the company's products won out thanks to "a foundation of plush and very reliable vehicles."
Meanwhile, Mazda and Subaru tied for the second-highest scoring report cars, with scores of 76. Subaru earned praised for sporting models like the BRZ, which CR testers apparently had a lot of fun driving (naturally), while the Mazda products were lauded for their blend of practicality, sportiness and efficiency. Both of the Japanese brands offered good handling, fuel economy and versatility, said Consumer Reports.

Subaru prices limited edition Hyper Blue models

In the market for a new Subaru BRZ or WRX STI but aren't interested in World Rally Blue or any of the other shades on offer? Prefer your car look like a very loud, boxer-powered smurf? Then get in line for one of the limited-edition Hyper Blue models. We've covered these two before, but now, Subaru has released the pricing details on the rare models. All 500, manual-only Hyper Blue BRZs will be sold for $28,845, or just $655 more than the 2016 BRZ Limited 6MT. If you prefer more power and an extra set of doors, the 700 special-edition STI demands $39,790, which is $4,300 more than the base STI, but $1,000 less than the range-topping Limited model. In addition to their paint, the Hyper Blue models add black alloy wheels – 17-inchers for the BRZ and 18-inch BBS-branded hoops for the STI – black badges, and black wing mirrors. In the case of the BRZ, the cabin even gets Hyper Blue accents throughout the cabin, including contrast stitching on the seats, shift boot, and emergency brake handle. Read on for the full press release from Subaru detailing the pricing and equipment options. SUBARU ANNOUNCES PRICING ON LIMITED EDITION 2016 SERIES.HYPERBLUE BRZ AND WRX STI MODELS Production limited to 700 WRX STI & 500 BRZ BRZ receives upgraded SUBARU STARLINK® Multimedia Rear Vision Camera now standard on BRZ Exclusive Hyper Blue exterior paint and interior trims Cherry Hill, N.J. - Subaru of America, Inc. has announced pricing on 2016 Series.HyperBlue limited edition BRZ and WRX STI models. Production is limited to 700 WRX STI and 500 BRZ cars for the United States. Vehicles arrive in retail locations this fall. The $38,995 Series.HyperBlue WRX STI brings exclusive Hyper Blue stitching to the standard Alcantara® seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel, manual transmission shifter boot, and console as well as carpeted floor mats with the traditional Cherry Red STI logo. The Series.HyperBlue WRX STI wears 18-inch BBS® Black Alloy wheels and black exterior badging as well as exterior mirrors. SUBARU STARLINK 7.0" Multimedia Navigation System comes standard on this trim with 9 Harman/Kardon® speakers and 440-watt amplifier. Powered by a 305-horsepower 2.5-liter turbocharged/intercooled BOXER engine, the WRX STI helped to pioneer the sport compact segment with a rally-bred drivetrain and Multi-Mode Driver Controlled Center Differential (DCCD) and Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive.

WRX Concept styling may transfer to production Impreza, next WRX

Remember the original concept that previewed the latest generation Subaru WRX? If not, then just look above for a gallery of photos following its debut at the 2013 New York Auto Show. We loved it, and thus, were sort of disappointed when we first saw the less-aggressive production model.
It's not that the production 2015 WRX is ugly, per se. It just doesn't have the gaping grille, four-door coupe lines or squinting headlights that give the concept so much verve. But as it turns out, Subaru might have realized that it was on the right track with the more assertive styling. Rumors coming out of Australia suggest that the shape could form the basis for the next-generation Impreza, and next WRX, along with a major platform shift.
Subaru chief designer Mamoru Ishii tells Motoring that that the next-generation car will ditch the rather utilitarian current design in favor of something more exciting. Like the WRX concept, the design will start wide at the bottom for an aggressive stance and taper up to the roof. That styling would likely get even more aggressive for the next 'Rex.