Subaru Vortex Reviews

NEW - The WRX rally weapon inevitably comes to mind when you think of the Subaru Impreza, but the smallest member of the Subaru family is much more than that.If the WRX is the one young tearaways buy, the regular Imprezas are the ones bought by regular people. The new model that arrived in 2007 as a hatch only boasted all-wheel drive like all Subarus, and that’s what separates it from its rivals.Subaru made the smart move to all-wheel drive many years ago when it was struggling to find a place in the market, and has gone gang-busters ever since. Two body styles were offered; initially it was only a hatch in 2007 before a sedan arrived a year later.It was longer, higher and heavier than the previous model, with reasonable boot space. Power was provided by a 2.0-litre horizontally-opposed four-cylinder engine that had a little less power than the engine in the previous model, but more torque.In total it had 110 kW and 196 Nm, which was enough to get the job done without causing any excitement. In standard guise the Impreza came with a five-speed manual transmission with the option of a four-speed automatic, and the final drive was through all four wheels.On the road the Impreza showed the advantage of all-wheel drive in the poise and traction is had on all surfaces. It particularly came into its own on slick surfaces where other two-wheel drive cars struggled.There were three models offered before you got to the sporty ones like the WRX, these were the R, RX and RS. The RS had previously been a sporty model in earlier Imprezas, but was now a regular model with the same mechanical package as the rest of the regular range.NOWThe Impreza doesn't have any issues that need concern a used car buyer; the trade gives them its tick of approval. But one thing to be aware of is that, like all boxer engines, they use oil and you need to keep on top of it by regularly checking the oil and topping it up as needed.Don't leave it thinking that it will be right to leave it until the next service, because you might run it out of oil in the meantime and that could mean a big repair bill.It's important to check the oil level on any car under consideration for purchase, if down ask why. Some owners become less focussed on servicing once the warranty runs out, often skipping or delaying services and that can be where trouble starts, so be particularly attentive when inspecting a car when the warranty is up.SMITHY SAYSGood solid car that won't give trouble if it's properly serviced.Subaru Impreza - 2007-2010Price new: $26,490 to $31,490Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder petrol, 110 kW/196 NmTransmission: 5-speed manual, 4-speed automatic, AWDEconomy: 8.8 L/100 km, ULPBody: 4-door sedan, 5-door hatchbackVariants: R, RX, RSSafety: 5-star ANCAP

In what may be a first, the Subaru BRZ sportscar can only be ordered online. Residents in the classiest suburbs of Toronto, Canada, got an unusual postcard recently. It featured their house with a new Porsche 911 in the drive.Not a dodgy bit of Photoshop, but a real picture taken by an advertising team that immediately turned it into a piece of highly personalised direct mail. The world's first instant direct mail, according to the agency.Although the operation was conducted from the back of a suspicious-looking white van and risked an encounter with over-zealous security, it was clearly a success.One-third of recipients booked themselves in for a 911 test drive with Pfaff Auto and the whole exercise was made into a video. Now this idea clearly has limitations but it's surprising no one has done it before. SOLD OUT ONLINEIt's not as though the technology is new. It's the same with the internet. Turns out ordering online works for books and all that stuff we used to buy from Gerry Harvey, but we're still reticent when it comes to new cars.Instead, we scour the web for reviews and specifications, and play with configurators. Then we head into showrooms to scare salespeople senseless by knowing more than they do. Examples of car-makers moving the entire transaction online are rare.So Subaru Australia, with its new BRZ sportscar, is a pioneer. When it went on sale in July, everything was handled via a special web program. All you needed was a credit card. Spokesman Dave Rowley believes it may be unique. “We did a search and the only place we found anything remotely similar was a dealer group in the UK selling one Ford model online,'' he says.Subaru decided to try it out when it realised that supply of the BRZ would be limited to just 201 for the rest of the year. That's fewer than two cars for each of its dealers, an impossible equation. Toyota, which launched its version here in June, has been bowled over by demand. The problem is even more acute for Subaru, with the Japanese factory making just one BRZ for every seven 86s.“We knew we were going to be extremely limited by supply because of worldwide demand for the car,” Rowley says. “Everywhere it's been launched it's been a huge hit. We knew we weren't going to have enough cars. We thought, how can we be fair to the entire network and customers? That's where the idea came from.”Subaru commissioned a local firm to write the online software. Rowley says Subaru was happy with the way it worked, although when it went live the site was overloaded. “There were some glitches because website traffic peaked at 50 times normal. But within a few hours it was working very smoothly. The average time to complete the contract process was 20 minutes.”Feedback has been positive, he says, and age was no bar to using the technology with at least one septuagenarian elbowing aside the gen Ys. Dealers are excluded from the order process but clip the ticket if nominated as the delivery venue. Some have even been lucky enough to get demonstrators, but the car has sold on its reputation.“It went absolutely through the roof and they have been steadily selling since,” Rowley says. The order bank now extends to March and the locals are sending begging letters to Japan.VALUESubaru kept it simple with limited options and one national driveaway price from $37,150, ironing out the state tax and insurance regimes. Three-years scheduled servicing is included, there's a facility for valuing trade-ins and an estimated delivery date.The options are limited: apart from a spare wheel cover you can add carpets, satnav and boot spoiler. Tick everything and you'll spend about $44k. And you'll need to buy a cover, for $175.TECHNOLOGYThe BRZ is an unusual Subaru because unlike every other Subaru sold here it lacks all-wheel drive, which has been a key point of difference for the brand. In traditional sportscar fashion it's rear-drive and the result of a joint development project with Toyota, which owns a stake in Subaru.The Toyota is called 86 and the two are virtually identical. They share compact dimensions, a Subaru flat four-cylinder engine with direct injection, modest mass and a reputation as a they-don't-build-'em-like-that-any-more enthusiast's sportscar.DESIGNIf you're in the queue, then I hardly need to spell out the BRZ's vital statistics. For everyone else, it's every bit as good as the 86. In fact, it's hard to tell them apart. From the outside little separates the twins, although the BRZ has different front and rear clips and the one I drove had terrific 17-inch alloys.Inside, some of the plastics are dud and buttons old-school. But the worst bit is the bodgy Bluetooth gizmo, a bit like the old number pad security systems fitted to WRXs. At least it works.However, the seats are good -- although even with the leather option there's more contrast stitching than leather -- and the rears fold for boot access. Cargo space is compromised by a full-size spare. So like the 86, the cabin is rudimentary but liveable.DRIVINGSome ingredients impressed differently. It was especially pleasing that the engine sounds better than I remember from the 86 -- looser and with a more appealing note. Which is odd since they're the same. It's also just as well because judging by the tyre roar, the cabin seems to lack soundproofing.The engine is more flexible than you expect, especially through the mid-range, and although it needs a few revs it's not as peaky as the output numbers suggest. As with the 86, the BRZ likes to be driven precisely and responds quickly to inputs.The slightest adjustment to the steering wheel or pedals and you feel the weight transfer slightly, as the chassis adjusts. It's light on its feet and has poise.But not all the ride comfort has been traded away. Over rough roads the bump absorption and damping would not disgrace something much more expensive. Subaru won't say if it will try online selling again. But it might. However, it would never do for Porsche.In the unlikely event that I find a postcard among the junk mail from a Porsche dealer, and the even more unlikely event I have the money to spend, I'll want to touch and feel and spend a long time poring over the lengthy options catalogue. And I'm sure Porsche would not want to discourage me from that.Subaru BRZPrice: from $37,150 (manual) to $39,730 (automatic)Warranty: 3 yearsEngine: 2.0-litre horizontal four-cylinder petrol, 147kW/205NmTransmission: six-speed manual or automatic, rear-wheel driveThirst: 7.8L/100Km, 181 g/km CO2

Subaru's largest passenger car, the Liberty, has a well-deserved reputation for toughness and reliability with Australian buyers. The Subaru Outback is an interesting variant on the Liberty station wagon. On the market since 1996 it is intended as a halfway step between a conventional station wagon and a dedicated 4WD.In its earlier models Subaru Outback had a tougher appearance than the standard wagon because of the additional protective plastic facings on the doors. These were discontinued with the new generation of 2003 to give the vehicle a more upmarket air, though there are many Subaru advocates who preferred the tougher look of the original.Since 1995 only all-wheel drive Liberty models have been sold in Australia, prior to then there were also front-wheel drive versions, even by 1995 these were comparatively rare because buyers had already sussed out the advantages of driving all four wheels.Unusually for Japanese cars, Libertys and Outbacks, indeed all Subarus, are popular with country drivers as well as those from metro areas. Libertys and Outbacks are much loved by snow skiers because their permanent all-wheel drive system makes them safer and more capable in slippery conditions than a 2WD vehicle.Subaru Liberty first arrived in this country in 1989 and struck a chord with local buyers almost immediately. These older models are generally getting long in the tooth so may be near the end of their lives. You’re probably better off avoiding them.Liberty is sold as a four-door sedan and a five-door station wagon, with a much larger percentage of wagons being sold than in other models in the mid-size class. The combination of the traction of all-wheel drive and the practicality of a wagon rear end is a strong one.The engines have a flat ‘boxer’ layout to lower the centre of gravity for improved road holding. Engine capacities in the four-cylinder models are 2.0, 2.2 and 2.5 litres. The 2.0 actually has more performance than the 2.2 being a later design.Flat-six engines began with a 3.0-litre unit in the Outback and later the Liberty range, its capacity increased to 3.6 litres in September 2009. Subaru calls the flat-six engines the H6 - ‘H’ for horizontally opposed, but most owners tend to retain the use of flat-six or boxer for it.There are a couple of high-performance Subaru Liberty variants. The Liberty RS has a 2.0-litre turbocharged unit and was introduced here in 1992. It was on sale for less than two years, when it was upstaged by the smaller and lighter Subaru Impreza WRX, a car that went on to be a huge success.The Liberty B4 sports machine has a twin-turbo 2.0-litre. It first came here in August 2001 but was somewhat of a disappointment in Australia because the engine had to be significantly detuned from the one offered on the Japanese market to run on our lower-octane petrol.These Subarus are reasonably easy to work on and most routine jobs can be carried out by an experienced home mechanic. However, safety items and most areas of the high-performance variants are best left to the professionals.Spare parts prices are about average for a car in this class. The Subaru dealer network, though relatively small, works efficiently. Because of Subarus’ popularity in country areas there are dealers in comparatively remote areas.Insurance charges on all but the turbocharged high-performance Liberty RS and Liberty B4 are moderate. The turbo models can be really expensive to cover, especially if you are a young and/or inexperienced driver. Living in a high-risk area further increases charges. Be sure to get a quote before falling in love with a turbo Liberty as premiums can be scary.Look over the interior trim and carpets for signs of damage, though they usually hold up well to all but the most outrageous of treatment. Mud or a real buildup of dust may indicate a lot of time spent of the beaten track.Check out the luggage area for signs of harsh treatment caused by carrying big and/or sharp loads. Have a look underneath a car, particularly the Outback, for signs of damage through it coming into contact with the ground. Some owners really do treat them as though they are ‘real’ 4WDs.The undersides of the bumpers, especially on their corners, are usually the first to suffer. Be sure the engine starts quickly and immediately idles smoothly no matter how cold the conditions. The sixes are naturally smoother than the fours, but the latter should be pretty good as well. Manual gearboxes should be quiet in operation and gearchanges should be smooth and light. Automatics which tend to hunt up and down the gears, or which are slow to go into gear, could be due for an overhaul. Rust is not common in Subarus, but if one has been badly repaired after a crash it may get into the metal. Call in a professional inspector if there’s the slightest doubt.

Atkinson drove for the Subaru factory team in the WRC from 2004-08 and is currently leading the Asia Pacfic Rally in a Skoda.He will now contest the remaining five rounds of the WRC as the number one driver for Mini, starting in Germany next weekend."I love the tarmac so it's great to know that three of the remaining five events are on the sealed surface and I hope to take full advantage of my past experiences of the remaining rallies this year," said Atkinson whose best WRC finishes were second places in Mexico and Argentina in 2008.Atkinson, 32, has six podium finishes and 41 stage wins from 69 WRC starts. He won the Queensland Rally round of the Asia-Pacific series in May and came second in Malaysia last month to extend his lead to a massive 45 points.He only needs a top-three finish in the next round in Japan next month to claim his first international rallying title without even having to contest the final round in China in October.

Subaru chose to mimic its rivals when it revamped the Forester in 2008. It did so by making it bigger and taller while at the same time making it look more like an SUV.NEWIn doing so it made its SUV roomier inside, more refined and better equipped. The final result was that it was 75 mm longer, 60 mm wider, 110 mm taller and rode on a wheelbase that was 90 mm longer than the previous model.All of that meant it was roomier inside and had more space in the boot. The looks also changed, the new model boasting a smoother, more curved shape than the older, boxier model, and it rode 20 mm higher, which helped it fit in with the preconceived ideas of what an SUV should look like.What it didn't change was the boxer engine it used and the use of constant all-wheel drive, the latter in contrast to most of the Forester's rivals that continued to be front-wheel drive, except when the going gets slippery and the drive is then sent to the rear wheels as well.The 2.5-litre naturally-breathing horizontally-opposed 'boxer' engine was tweaked to give 5kW more power and 3Nm more power and torque respectively, not much it has to be said, but for more there was also the choice of a turbocharged version that gave quite a decent boost in performance for those who feel they need more.Subaru offered a choice of 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmissions, the latter with the ability to be shifted by the driver. Subaru claimed the new model was more fuel-efficient, which was fine, although the numbers they quoted weren't all that great.But it was right on the money in terms of safety with a maximum 5-star ANCAP rating on the back of front, side and curtain airbags, ABS braking and stability control across all models. The model line-up began with the X and climbed to the turbocharged XT Premium at the top of the tree.NOWSubarus are generally well regarded by owners and that's certainly the message we get at Carsguide where few are moved to complain about their cars. The trade similarly gives them a tick of approval for their reliability and durability.About the only thing that crops up when we ask about Subarus in general, including the Forester is their tendency to consume oil. It's not something that is likely to cause a problem, but it is something that owners need to be conscious of and make sure they check the engine oil regularly, and top it up when needed.Forgetting to do it, or simply ignoring it, can lead to expensive repairs. When test driving an auto Forester observe for clean shifting and engagement of gears. It's a regular automatic and in many respects nicer to drive than the CVT transmissions most of its rivals now use. Check for a service record, nothing kills a car faster than a lack of servicing, and the Forster is no different to any other car in that respect.SMITHY SAYSBigger and better than the previous model, it ticks the family boxes.Subaru Forester 2008-2010Price new: $30,490 to $44,990Engine: 2.5-litre 4-cylinder, 126 kW/229 Nm; 2.5-litre turbocharged 4-  cylinder, 169 kW/320 Nm.Transmission: 5-speed manual, 4-speed auto, AWDEconomy: 9.3 L/100 km (2.5), 10.5 L/100 kmBody: 4-door wagonVariants: X, XS, XS Premium, XT, XT PremiumSafety: 5-star ANCAPCOMING UPDo you own a Toyota Yaris? If so tell us what you think of it by sending your comments to Graham Smith at grah.smith@bigpond.com or Carsguide, PO Box 4245, Sydney, NSW, 2010. 

A combination of high demand and low supply has already made the Toyota 86 or Subaru BRZ rare with a 18-month waiting list for customers.

Nissan X-Trail and Subaru Forester go head-to-head in this comparative review.

No matter how schmick the car looks, though, at this sort of money there are probably one or two expensive time bombs lurking within it.

The addition -- coming as part of the Exiga’s mid-life revision – puts another possie in the middle of the second row, taking the original six-seater up a notch.The passenger in the new spot gets a proper three-point lap-sash seatbelt – the absence of which was the reason Subaru did not offer the seven-seat option when the Exiga first arrived three years ago.There are now also three sets of child-seat anchor points in the middle row. Other changes to the Liberty Exiga include a new door mirror design on all models and new 17-in alloy wheels for the Premium spec versions.The price remains at current levels, starting from $37,990 for the 123kW/229NM 2.5-litre Liberty Exiga 2.5i and from $42,490 for the Premium spec that adds features such as leather, foglights and window tinting.“Liberty Exiga will now appeal to even more families that need the option of a seventh seat, in addition to the significant cargo volume it offers for load carrying, with the seats down in a variety of combinations,” Subaru Australia managing director Nick Senior says. 

...but the car is a star in this trailer.