Smoke-Free Wheels 245/35R19 Subaru Outback - $2000

2018 Subaru BRZ TS glorious Package, The tS version of the BRZ takes everything that’s nice regarding the bottom automotive and makes it glorious -- perhaps even too sensible, if you prefer flinging the stern around.

From our 1st drive:


New Subaru BRZ tS gets no additional power  however adds STI-tuned front and rear Sachs dampers and coil springs, new draw stiffeners that area unit

The recent change of the ruling political party here in Malaysia has some upcoming implications to the prices of cars here. Right now, in view of the impending changes to the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and return to the older Sales and Services Tax (SST) as promised by the new people in charge of the country, TC Subaru Sdn Bhd, who are the official distributors of Subaru in Malaysia has

The 2018 Subaru Crosstrek 2.0i Limited.

They tell us love is what makes a Subaru a Subaru, and who are we to argue?  But ruggedness, reliability, safety, value and an attitude that change for change's sake isn't such a good thing also are a big part of the Subaru DNA.  So when a Subaru model is all-new, that's big news.

We loved the last-gen Crosstrek, which was new for 2013.  We love the 2018 even more.

2018 Subaru Crosstrek 2.0i Limited.

The 2018 Subaru Crosstrek is built on Subaru's new global platform and sports a new design language.  Where the last-gen model was rounder and softer front and back,  the new one looks less like an Impreza hatch and more like its bigger brothers Forester and Outback (as well as what we've seen so far in pictures of the upcoming 2019 Ascent).

Changes under the hood, too...a revised two-liter, four-cylinder boxer with direct fuel injection now makes 152 horsepower, up slightly from the '13's 148.  And fuel economy improves slightly, from 25 city/33 highway to 27/33.  With a larger fuel tank (16.6 gallons to 15.9), the 2018 Crosstrek has the ability to cover a lot of interstate, city streets or backroads (paved or not) between fill-ups.

Also new is the Lineartronic Continuously Variable Transmission, which includes a manual mode and shift paddles.  Active torque vectoring is standard on all models.  It drives like it's on rails.  Hill descent control is standard and ground clearance remains the same as before at 8.7 inches.

2018 Subaru Crosstrek 2.0i Limited interior.

The interior is all-new, too, with a vastly improved multimedia system featuring both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as well as AM/FM, SiriusXM, Aha and Pandora.  The top-of-the-line Limited, which we drove, has leather-trimmed upholstery with contrast stitching, an automatic climate control system, a sound insulation windshield, a six-way power driver's seat, LED headlights which are steering-responsive, outside mirrors with integrated turn signals, keyless access with pushbutton start, blind spot detection with lane change assist and rear cross-traffic alert, power windows, locks and mirrors, a rear vision camera, roof rails and rear spoiler...all standard for $26,295. The base model  starts at $21,795 and the mid-range Premium model's base price is $22,595.

Our tester had only one option package, which bundles Subaru's EyeSight smart cruise control, navigation and an upgraded Harmon Kardon audio system for $3,445.   With $915 destination and delivery, the bottom line ended up at $30,655.   It would be hard to find a better blend of style, comfort, convenience and go-anywhere ability at that price.  The new 2018 Subaru Crosstrek is an absolute winner.

The 2017 Subaru BRZ.

I have long been a fan of the Subaru BRZ, nearly identical cousin to the Toyota 86.  Its driving dynamics and pure fun for the money make it one of the great cars of our time...the spiritual successor to the original 1970 Datsun 240Z. 

That affection may have been somewhat obscured in my review, a year and a half ago, of the 2016 Subaru BRZ Series.HyperBlue (yes, that was really its name), in which I praised the car and cursed the Starlink infotainment system, which was a source of constant frustration. Well, they worked the bugs out of the '17, at least in the head unit (the Starlink app is still getting brutal reviews at the app store, and we didn't even go there this time around).

2017 Subaru BRZ Limited.

2017 is a big year for the BRZ, bringing the first substantial changes since the model's introduction five years ago.   Revised, more aggressive styling, five more horsepower from the 2.0-liter boxer four, with more low and midrange torque than before, updated coil springs and dampers, a larger rear stabilizer bar, more reinforcements for the shock tower braces, the transmission cross-member plate and the wheel housings make the car much stiffer and as a result, improve the precision handling of an already very precise car.

2017 Subaru BRZ Limited interior.

Gas mileage remains a solid 21 city/29 highway and the price for the Limited is on the right side of 30 grand at $27,645.  That buys all the things we've been discussing as well as tire-pressure monitoring, an anti-theft alarm and immobilizer system, 17-inch alloy wheels, 215/45 R17 summer performance tires, automatic climate control with filtration, LED front fog lights, cruise control, tilt/telescoping steering, power locks, windows and mirrors, keyless access with pushbutton start, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter, Alcantara-trimmed upholstery and heated front seats and exterior mirrors. 

Our tester had only one option package, the performance package, which adds a Brembo performance braking system, SACHS front struts and rear shock absorbers and 17-inch high luster dark gray finish alloy wheels.  Toss in $820 destination and delivery charges and the bottom line is $29,660.  In this day and age, that's a bargain price for this level of pure driving fun.

The 2017 Subaru Impreza 2.0i Premium.

With hundreds of different vehicles currently available in the USA, it's staggering to realize that one car could probably fit the needs of a majority of drivers.  And even more staggering to realize that the car comes from what most people would consider a niche manufacturer.

But the truth is that for the way most people use their cars most of the time, the 2017 Subaru Impreza 2.0i Premium is pretty much what they need.

2017 Subaru Impreza 2.0i Premium.

The fundamentals are all there: Seating for five, 55.3 cubic feet of cargo space when the rear seats are folded down, solid fuel economy (EPA estimate 28 city/37 highway), all-weather safety thanks to Subaru's standard all-wheel drive and a strong set of standard features for a low price.

Let's talk features first: A Starlink six-speaker multimedia system with a 6.5-inch color touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as integrated Aha and Pandora, Bluetooth for phone and music streaming.  A continuously variable transmission with a seven-speed manual shift mode, tire pressure monitoring, two-stage heated front seats, heated exterior mirrors and a windshield wiper de-icer.  Illuminated power window switches, keyless entry, a rear suspension stabilizer bar, roof rails, the Starlink Safety Plus package and a sound insulation windshield.

The price?  $21,695. 

2017 Subaru Impreza 2.0i Premium interior.

Our tester had optional EyeSight driver assist technology (adaptive cruise control, automatic pre-collision braking, lane departure and sway warning, lane keep assist, blind spot detection with lane change assist and rear cross-traffic alert) as well as a power moonroof and steering-responsive fog lights.  So add $2,395.

Fold in $820 destination and delivery charges and the bottom line came to a cheap-these-days, reasonable-by-any-standard, screaming-deal-for-what-you-get $24,910.   And what you get is a  full-featured, nice-driving, everythingyouneedmobile. 

That's the kind of formula that back in the day, would have sold millions of cars. 

All New 2017 Subaru Outback 3.6R performance and price, This isn’t how I’d build my Subaru Outback: The three.6R has too much power up front, not enough stopping power to go around and an enormous sticker price to prime it all off.I’m feeling some dejavu here -- something concerning the in suspense, hard-to-modulate throttle, periodically annoying natural philosophy and brakes that feel like

Full disclosure, I have a like-dislike relationship with Subaru. I was really impressed when the WRX STi was a SCCA T2 national champion in ’05 and ’06. And Subaru has stayed with the smart decision of standard all-wheel drive and the low center-of-gravity layout of the boxer engine which are definite pluses for safety and handling. A distinctive exhaust note is another aspect of their uniqueness.

The WRX is rated at 268hp at 5,800rpm but the CVT (continuously variable transmission), I mean “Sport Lineartronic Automatic”, helps for a quick spool-up of 258 lb-ft of torque at a low 2,000rpm. The WRX is EPA rated at 17mpg city, 23mpg highway and has an MSRP of $31,990. It features an all-new 4th generation of Subaru’s all-wheel drive system.

The STI is rated at 305hp at 6,000rpm and 290 lb-ft of torque at 4,000rpm. It is also EPA rated at 17mpg city and 23mpg highway but the MSRP is $35,290. The STI has quicker steering than the WRX, and features a 3-stage power train management system of which the center differential is part of. The STI also features an exclusive inverted strut front suspension and Brembo brakes among other upgrades.

When the CVT was announced in the WRX, I thought, “Wow, there goes the worst idea in performance cars.” Turns out it’s a fun little car! It’s a blast to drive on tight, twisty roads, has great response off the line and pulls nicely at extra-legal speeds. Now I’m not sure if the fanboys, and let’s face it, Subaru has a lot of fanboys, emphasis on the “boy”; will put those ridiculous mudflaps
on a CVT equipped model. And it is unlikely they will remove the boy-racer horrendous rear wing on the STI. New rule, if your car has a big wing, it better run deep 12s or lap MRLS with a 1:40 or better. And of course the sandpaper quality headliner was not a favorite in years past.

Having appreciated a CVT in a Nissan Maxima V-6, I still found it annoying with the drone of part throttle acceleration and the weird hanging at redline during full throttle. However, in the nimble Subaru it seems to aid in reducing the effect of turbo lag. It also meant great full-throttle starts while simultaneously turning shift-free and not losing traction with the AWD. I could definitely see driving this car every day with those dynamics.

Other considerations are present for daily use though. Slightly booming exhaust penetrates the cabin of the WRX, although it is rather airy with great outward visibility. The seats are quite comfortable but the controls and layout definitely reflect a more economical design. The layout works but it is tough to justify a purchase north of $30k without a lot of artistic and material merit. What may be a considered a clever move or really dopey, the WRX now heavily borrows the front end styling elements of the possibly discontinued Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution.

Getting in the STI at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca with another 200lb+ passenger immediately re-classed the car as being small. The STI had good turn-in, however at the cornering limit, it was neutral but very greasy, seemingly way too early and very disconcerting. It also felt noticeably slower than the Mitsubishi Evolution driven the same day.

While the EPA mileage ratings are absolutely dismal compared to, well, everything else, the Subaru WRX/STI is in an interesting niche, widely considered a drivers car and a motorsports and reliability reputation. However for $30-$35k a used BMW 335i, Porsche Cayman or Corvette offer more attractive alternatives unless four doors or all-wheel drive is desired. Unfortunately the better choice for a driver’s car, the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution may be headed for extinction, it still leaves the Subaru to battle some tough competition, new and used.

The Subaru XV has been named ‘SUV of the Year’ by 4x4 Magazine ahead of rivals from Audi, Kia, Mazda, Nissan and Volkswagen.


Judges were impressed by the compact crossover's fuel economy, enjoyable driving characteristics and ground clearance.

Subaru’s customer service package called Everything Taken Care of (ETCo), apparently helped tip the balance in the Subaru’s favour.

Commenting on the XV’s victory, Nigel Fryatt, Editor, 4x4 Magazine, said: “The SUV class in 4x4 Magazine’s 4x4 of the Year test is one of the most competitive. The Subaru XV was an interesting new arrival in that class, which did much to impress judges.

The Subaru XV range is available in 1.6 petrol manual or CVT, 2.0 petrol manual or CVT and 2.0D manual options.

Prices start from £21,295 OTR.

Related Links:

Subaru website.