2014 Subaru Xv Crosstrek 2.0i Limited on 2040-cars

Auto blog

2023 Japan Mobility Show Editors' Picks

No, it's no longer called the Tokyo Motor Show, but the Japan Mobility Show is still in Tokyo and it still has to do with motors. In fact, with the rise of EVs, it's more of a motor show than ever before. And there were an astounding number of motors (and engines) to see, or at least concepts that hypothetically have them. Truly, we haven't seen a turnout this amazing since before the pandemic.  As such, the 2023 Japan Mobility Show featured plenty of machines that could, and did, snag points from our editors. And yet, even with the massive field, one car, unequivocally, stole our hearts. Read on to see our favorites.   Toyota Land Cruiser Se concept View 4 Photos 5. (Tie) Toyota Land Cruiser Se  While this concept is not quite the off-roader that the Land Cruiser is known to be, a street-focused electric SUV seems like a fine fit for the Toyota portfolio. It's hard to imagine we won't see an electric Land Cruiser come to production one day, filling out that as-yet underrepresented three-row EV segment. Give us an even more rugged version, and we'll be happy — Senior Editor, Green, John Beltz Snyder   Subaru Sport Mobility Concept View 7 Photos 5. (Tie) Subaru Sport Mobility I'm still waiting for a fun, electric sport coupe, and as much as I enjoy the likes of the rear-drive BRZ, I could have some serious fun in something like this all-wheel-drive Subaru Sport Mobility year round. I could fill that hole in my heart left by my '04 WRX. — Senior Editor, Green, John Beltz Snyder   Toyota EPU concept View 4 Photos 4. Toyota EPU You know what I like? Useful, funky little vehicles. The Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz fit that bill well, and it seems a lot of other people like them, too, based on demand. You know what I also like? EVs. You know what combines those two things? The Toyota EPU. Assuming it was priced fairly reasonably (well below $40,000 is what I'm thinking), I would seriously be looking at getting one. I also seriously hope that Toyota's seriously looking at launching this, because it seems like a seriously great package. Seriously. — News Editor Joel Stocksdale   Mitsubishi D:X Concept View 8 Photos 3. Mitsubishi D:X Concept We sure do wish Mitsubishi sold the Delica here in the United States. We've long been fans of the van, which initially was sold in rear-wheel-drive form but adopted four-wheel drive in the early 1980s, and judging by the numbers we see imported to the States, we're not the only ones.

2018 Subaru Legacy starts at $23,055, Outback at $26,810

The midsize Subaru Legacy and Outback get a host of new updates for 2018. Both models get revised styling inside and out. Additionally, both models get some new standard features and revised suspension with the promise of improved ride and handling. As always, both come standard with all-wheel drive. The refreshed 2018 Subaru Legacy starts at $23,055 while a 2018 Subaru Outback will set you back at least $26,810, a bump of under $300 versus the outgoing models. Of course, both cars can be loaded up with a host of features and equipment. There are two engines available for each model, a 175 horsepower 2.5-liter flat four and a 256 horsepower 3.6-liter flat six. In the US, the only available transmission is a respectable but uninspiring CVT. Stepping up to the bigger engine isn't cheap. The top of the line Legacy 3.6R Limited starts at $32,805. The Outback 3.6R Limited starts at $36,310. There's a $39,605 Outback 3.6R Touring on top of that. Standard features on the base model are few, but moving up the range allows shoppers to add a number of features like Subaru's EyeSight safety suite, an 8-inch infotainment system, heated seats, mirrors, and windshield wipers, Bluetooth audio, LED lighting, and more. As the Outback is essentially a lifted Legacy wagon, standard features and trim levels generally mirror each other. Despite the rise of the crossover, the midsize sedan segment is still hugely popular and extremely cutthroat. The refreshed Legacy is right in the mix with the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Chevy Malibu, and the like with just hundreds of dollars separating the cars. The Outback is a bit harder to compare, as it's not quite a wagon but not quite a crossover. It's more expensive than most two-row crossovers like the Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-5, but offers more interior and cargo space. If you don't need a third row, the Outback undercuts models like the Chevrolet Traverse, Honda Pilot, Nissan Pathfinder, and Dodge Durango. Both the 2018 Subaru Legacy and Outback should go on sale later this year. Related Video: News Source: Subaru Subaru Crossover Wagon Sedan

Subaru recalls more cars, slashes guidance as cheating issue widens

By Naomi Tajitsu TOKYO — Subaru Corp said it would recall more vehicles sold in the Japan domestic market on new cases of inspection cheating, and cautioned that rising recall costs would lop off about a quarter from its annual profit forecast. Shares in Subaru, already reeling from a series of recalls for issues ranging from faulty components to inspection do-overs, fell 5 percent to a four-year low on Monday after news of the fresh recalls and the bleak outlook. The company, the smallest among Japan's major automakers, said it would recall around 100,000 vehicles, including its popular Impreza sedan, after discovering that final tests for components including brakes were not conducted properly. Vehicles sold overseas will not be affected. "It's unforgivable that these inspection-related issues are continuing," CEO Tomomi Nakamura said at a briefing, while repeatedly adding that the latest recall would be the last related to testing misconduct. The automaker expects to incur 6.5 billion yen ($57 million) in costs related to the latest recall. This, along with other quality-linked issues, is expected to push down Subaru's operating profit to 220 billion yen in the year to March 2019. It had previously forecast a 300 billion yen profit. Subaru posted a surprise operating loss of 25 billion yen for the three months ended September, its first time in the red for a quarter since 2009 and missing a mean forecast for a 68.46 billion yen profit from 10 analysts polled by Refinitiv. Recall-related costs were the main driver of the loss, while global sales fell 6 percent over the quarter due to weak demand in the United States — its biggest market, where overall demand has cooled since record-high sales in 2016. (Click here for an interactive version of this chart) Engine recall Last month, Subaru nearly halved its first-half operating profit view, citing higher quality-related costs. It later announced a global recall of around 400,000 vehicles, including its Forester SUV and Impreza sedan, to fix a design flaw in the engines' valve springs. That came on the heels of another series of recalls stemming from revelations last year that uncertified workers had been submitting final inspection reports for vehicles sold in Japan. That had also led to a recall of about 400,000 cars. Recalls are common in the auto industry, and automakers regularly put funds aside to pay for them.