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Which Subaru for you? Comparing the 2020 Subaru Outback and Forester

The Subaru Forester and Outback have served similar purposes for years now — hauling families and their gear somewhat off the beaten path to indulge in their favorite outdoor activities — but each goes about it a little differently. Broadly speaking, one is more of a wagon (Outback) and the other an SUV (Forester), but it's certainly more than that. They're also pretty similar in plenty of ways, too. So, while comparisons between cars of different brands are more commonplace, we know there are plenty of shoppers who are in fact comparing this pair of Subaru crossovers. This one's for them.  Subaru updated its Forester crossover for the 2019 model year, and the Outback was renewed a year later for 2020. They donÂ’t look a lot different than their previous generations, but both are far superior to their predecessors in a number of ways. Both the Forester and Outback benefit from the same new Subaru global platform, which has meant a big step up in ride refinement, noise and handling, and there have been improvements in technology and materials as well. WeÂ’ve put many miles on both vehicles, and have opined about them in digital ink and podcast formats multiple times. WeÂ’ve gotten to know our 2019 Forester long-term loaner quite well (there were only minor feature availability changes for 2020), and we had the opportunity to compare it to the 2020 Outback when we had them both in our fleet at the same time. Powertrain The Forester has only one powertrain option: a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter flat-four engine connected to a continuously variable transmission (CVT). It produces 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, which feels adequate for the Forester, but there are still some times when we wish the Forester offered a turbocharged engine as it did in the past for better passing power. It returns 26 mpg in the city, 33 mpg on the highway and 29 combined. The Outback comes standard with the same 2.5-liter engine, even down to its output and fuel economy. However, in the slightly larger and heavier Outback, this powertrain feels more sluggish — especially after you try the other available Outback powertrain. The XT versions of the Outback use a turbocharged flat-four displacing 2.4 liters, good for a much meatier 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque. The tradeoff is a fuel economy sacrifice of 3 mpg, which is not a lot, considering what you get in return. In the course of a year, the EPA estimates you'd only spend an extra $100 in gas.

Subaru pairs with Liberty Mutual for built-in driving monitor app

A new app for Subaru's Starlink infotainment will give owners easy access to Liberty Mutual's RightTrack usage-based insurance program later in the year, and those that take part will be able to save up to 30 percent off their bill. Users will also get nearly realtime feedback about their driving that could make them safer behind the wheel. "RightTrack is designed to benefit drivers," Jeff Wright, vice president of usage-based insurance at Liberty Mutual, said to Autoblog. The program monitors a participating driver's behavior and looks for factors like hard acceleration or deceleration, the number of miles driven, and a journey's time of day. Users then receive a report after a trip on their smartphone or the infotainment screen about these events behind the wheel. Everyone gets a five-percent discount just for signing up for the usage-based insurance, but after 90 days the safest drivers can get the maximum discount. Liberty Mutual also doesn't increase RightTrack client's insurance rates. "This partnership combines Liberty Mutual's extensive experience and reach in usage-based insurance with Subaru and Clarion's cutting-edge connected car technology to bring RightTrack savings to consumers in new ways," Hamid Mirza, auto product manager at Liberty Mutual Insurance, said in the announcement. A 2015 study indicated that 27 percent of older drivers had privacy concerns about usage-based insurance programs, but younger people had a growing willingness to try them. The industry says that showing clients how they drive can make them safer because folks realize what they're doing wrong. Plus, many people are attracted to the potential monthly savings. The RightTrack app should be available in late spring on any Subaru with the Starlink infotainment system, company spokesman Anthony Landamia told Autoblog. Liberty Mutual plans eventually to update the software to support other helpful features like severe weather alerts, accident scene assistance, and roadside assistance. Liberty Mutual Insurance and Subaru Introduce New Technology to Promote Safe Driving and Savings on Auto Insurance RightTrack® in-vehicle app powered by Clarion Smart Access™ features new innovation in usage-based insurance for SUBARU STARLINK™ Cloud app suite BOSTON – January 4, 2016 – From commuting to work to shuttling the kids, how safe of a driver are you?

Subaru broke its own Isle of Man record with a 550-hp WRX STI

Well, they did it. Subaru of America, Prodrive, and driver Mark Higgins set out to break their own record on the Isle of Man's Snaefell Mountain Course, and the attempt was a success. Higgins covered the 37-mile course in the 2016 WRX STI Time Attack car in 17 minutes, 35 seconds. That's an average speed of 128.73 mph. Average. In a car. Higgins set the previous record, 19:26 at 116.47 mph, in a more-stock STI. He and Subaru of America have been bringing cars to the site of the motorcycle race for years now, setting automotive records as all along, but this one is going to be pretty tough to top. Subaru Prodrive Isle of Man View 4 Photos It comes pretty close to the overall lap record for the course, which was set over the weekend by Michael Dunlop. The rider set a 16-minute, 58.254-second lap in the RST Superbike TT, averaging about 133 mph. The fact the Subaru comes so close to the best bike time is pretty amazing. This year's Isle of Man TT weekend was marked by the deaths of two riders. Fatalities are a regular occurrence at the historic race around the island, but it continues to be held year after year with hundreds of participants. Related Video: Featured Gallery 2016 Subaru WRX STI Time Attack Isle of Man View 22 Photos Motorsports Subaru