2015 Subaru Forester 2.0xt Touring on 2040-cars

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2020 Subaru Ascent: An update in a minor key

With the Subaru Ascent, Volkswagen Atlas, and Kia Telluride recently joining the field, the three-row SUV segment is as competitive as ever, so value is key to attracting buyers. For 2020, Subaru is keeping the Ascent's pricing the same but is adding a few new tricks. Albeit minor tricks, but new tricks nonetheless. The most notable addition to the Ascent range is Rear Seat Reminder. Every 2020 Ascent will come standard with the increasingly common technology, which alerts the driver to check the rear seat for a pup, a child or both. The system operates not by sensors, but on the recognition of specific scenarios. If the SUV is started within 30 minutes of a rear door being opened and closed, it will go off. If the rear doors are opened and closed when the Ascent is running but stationary, it will go off. If the vehicle is turned off and on within 30 minutes and the rear doors stay closed, it will go off. If the Ascent registers any of these conditions, the driver will be notified with a noise and a warning message once the vehicle is turned off. Subaru offers the Ascent in four different trim levels: Base, Premium, Limited and Touring. For the 2020 model year, Premium, Limited and Touring trims will come equipped with "one-touch interior illumination on/off controls." The Touring trim also adds new power-folding side mirrors with integrated turn signals. Despite the minor upgrades, Subaru is maintaining the same pricing for the 2020 Ascent as the 2019 model. The Base trim starts at $33,005, the Premium trim starts at $35,405, the Limited trim starts at $40,355, and the loaded Touring trim starts at $46,055. As mentioned in our review, the Subaru Ascent is a solid, though not the best, option in the three-row game. It's offered in seven- or eight-passenger configurations, has 8.7 inches of ground clearance, is rated to tow 5,000 pounds, comes standard with Subaru's symmetrical all-wheel drive, and is powered by a 260-horsepower turbocharged Boxer engine that makes 277 pound-feet of torque. The 2020 update makes it a tiny bit better.

Hyundai, Genesis, Subaru warn their dealers about markups

Six weeks ago, word got out that Ford's VP of sales for the U.S. and Canada wrote one of those "It has come to our attention..." e-mails to the automaker's dealer body. The VP's problem was dealers trying to get reservation deposits for the Ford F-150 Lightning well above the official $100 fee. The tomfoolery resulted in interactions "with customers in a manner that is negatively impacting customer satisfaction and damaging to the Ford Motor Company brand and Dealer Body reputation." Two weeks later, GM told its dealers to cut out the reservation gaming and the markups on the 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06, banditry that's been going on for two years. Two weeks ago, Ford was back at it, this time about markups on the Bronco. Last week, Asian automakers swept into the melee, with Hyundai and Genesis, Subaru, and Infiniti writing letters to their dealers to deliver some variant of, "Stop pissing off the customers." Automotive News reported an SVP at Hyundai Motor America and the COO at Genesis Motor North America sent letters to their dealers expressing disappointment at "certain pricing practices which, if left unchecked, will have a negative impact on the health of our brand." One of the practices mentioned was dealer markups, another was the bait-and-switch, with dealers advertising one price then charging a higher price once the customer showed up at the lot. The letters acknowledged that dealers are separate companies to the automakers and have the right to set their own prices. The automakers cannot interfere with that; their leverage is distributing allocations and perks such as advertising support and financial incentives. So, like a movie boss letting the protagonist go on a technicality, the brands wrote, "we cannot stand idly by watching the actions of the aforementioned dealers undo all the efforts we collectively have put into making these brands what they are today." Jalopnik got tipped to a letter Subaru of America CEO Thomas Doll sent to that brand's dealers. Doll's polite yet insistent tone was the result of a letter a loyal Subaru owner sent to the automaker's VP of Customer Advocacy. In the market for a third brand-new Forester, the owner said they encountered a "tax" labeled a "Low Inventory Surcharge" of as much as $6,000, putting the Forester out of reach.

New York Auto Show Special with the Ram REV, Kia EV9 and more | Autoblog Podcast #775

In this episode of the Autoblog Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Greg Migliore is joined by Road Test Editor Zac Palmer. They start off with what it was like to be at the New York Auto Show, then provide analysis on all the big reveals. The big reveals touched on include the 2025 Ram REV, 2024 Kia EV9, Genesis GV80 Coupe Concept, 2024 Hyundai Kona variants, 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness and 2024 Jeep Wrangler. They also touch briefly on some non-NY news with a refresh of the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class. Lastly, the two discuss the cars they've been driving, including the 2023 Mercedes-AMG EQE and our long-term Toyota Sienna minivan. Autoblog Podcast # 775 Get The Podcast Apple Podcasts – Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes Spotify – Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast on Spotify RSS – Add the Autoblog Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator MP3 – Download the MP3 directly Rundown NY Auto Show 2025 Ram 1500 REV packs 650 horsepower, up to 500 miles of range Kia EV9 targets 300 miles of range, U.S. production at NY Auto Show Genesis GV80 Coupe Concept is coming to reality 2024 Hyundai Kona Electric and gas variants revealed with full specs at NY Auto Show 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness takes the hatchback to literal new heights 2024 Jeep Wrangler reveals more tech, refinement — and a cheaper 4xe News 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class gets a light update What we're driving 2023 Mercedes-AMG EQE Long-term 2023 Toyota Sienna Feedback Email – Podcast@Autoblog.com Review the show on Apple Podcasts Autoblog is now live on your smart speakers and voice assistants with the audio Autoblog Daily Digest. Say “Hey Google, play the news from Autoblog” or "Alexa, open Autoblog" to get your favorite car website in audio form every day. A narrator will take you through the biggest stories or break down one of our comprehensive test drives. Related video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. 2025 Ram 1500 REV packs 650 horsepower, up to 500 miles of range