Subaru Vortex Reviews

New-car sales hit the brakes in August, the biggest decline since the Global Financial Crisis.

Derek Ogden road tests and reviews the Subaru WRX STI, with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.

Subaru Impreza is a small-medium car imported from Japan and one that has a well-deserved reputation for long life and high resale ratings. Subarus in general give the feeling they are designed by people who are more interested in engineering and driving than in marketing and over-the-top styling. Ride and handling

Updated2015 Subaru BRZ poised to offer improved comfort and style.

Liberty wagon and Exiga to join Tribeca among discontinued models ahead of 2015 Liberty and Outback arrivals.Subaru is now fighting to refill the gaps left by the demise of the Tribeca, the likely end of the Exiga and the news that the 2015 Liberty range won't include a wagon.Subaru Australia spokesman David Rowley says "there is no 2015 Liberty wagon. That will be taken up by the Outback''.Subaru isn't alone in reducing its exposure to the wagon market. Toyota dropped the Camry wagon, there's no Nissan Altima wagon and Holden's Malibu is available only as a sedan.These manufacturers have pushed wagon buyers onto their SUV models. For Subaru, that will mean Liberty wagon buyers will have to go to the Outback – a car that doesn't arrive in its new version until early in 2015.Though not official, Subaru appears to be waving off the Liberty-based Exiga, the last remaining Subaru with seven seats after the demise earlier of the Tribeca. The Exiga departs because it's on the old Liberty platform.The new Liberty is here as a sedan-only model in December. The withdrawal of three wagons from its range will impact further on dwindling Subaru sales.Subaru Liberty sales are down 62 per cent in the year to June compared with 2013. Outback sales are 1325 in the six-month period, a slip of 35 per cent, but are still more than double those of the 593 sedans and wagons of the Liberty range.Subaru Australia spokesman David Rowley says declining sales of Liberty are attributable to the model's run out before the new model in December."Stock is getting short,"he says. But while Subaru Australia has put its hand up for the Levorg wagon – an Impreza-based wagon first shown in 2013 as a concept and now on sale in Japan – it still has no positive answer from Japan."Nick (Senior, Subaru Australia managing director) continues talking to Japan about a business case for Levorg but there is no decision yet,"Mr Rowley says. Levorg, commonly called the "WRX wagon"and available in Japan as a turbocharged 125kW/250Nm 1.6 or 221kW/400Nm 2-litre, slots in above the XV and under the Liberty/Outback.Mr Rowley says Levorg was always intended to be a Japan-only model but because it shares Australia's right-hand drive configuration – and because of the demise of up to three wagons on our market – it is of interest here.However, it's unlikely to arrive in time to fill the gap left by the departing Liberty wagon and the run-out Outback. The 2015 Outback is not due until early 2015.Subaru gave the current Outback a makeover late in 2013. It included a return to the plastic side-cladding and more rugged nose last used when the model was launched in 2009.The 2015 Liberty and Outback models will debut a new generation of Subaru's Eyesight radar-camera collision avoidance technology.

The Subaru XV has created quite a stir in the market since being introduced, it’s aggressively striking -- but is the beauty only skin deep? Some would argue this is an ugly car, but during our test drive more people expressed a love for the design and colour than loathed it – although apparently there is no middle ground.The tangerine orange is bright and garish, like most Lamborghinis, but that’s where the similarities end. It’s a hatchback on steroids, almost like a mini X6, but more bulldog WRX and a little less BMW.The interior is dark and functional. Being the L model, it has the black cloth interior with no heated seats, but it does have the full multi-function display unit and a comprehensive easy to use in-dash satellite and audio system, while the dual zone air-conditioning works very well.Boot space is a challenge if you have young kids and a pram/stroller of any “normal” size - definitely try before you buy.  Having said that, the boot height is perfect for loading, compared with most SUVs which require an extra lift and push to get the pram in.  If you are planning on taking the mountain bikes touring, best get a tow bar or roof rack. There is plenty of headroom in the rear for kids but I would be a little concerned for anyone taller than 6’ in the front seats – with a 5’ 9” frame, my head was almost touching the roof.Thankfully, none of the safety features were tested first hand, but just in case, it comes fully equipped with airbags in every conceivable corner and gets the full 5-star ANCAP crash rating. The rear reverse camera is clear, useful and unobtrusive.The Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC) system works beautifully. Our driveway is awfully steep and twisty, challenging and overwhelming the finest of 4WDs, yet even with two opposing wheels in clear air, the XV simply selected the right mode and floated up the drive - impressive. The ABS proved to be a bit overzealous, kicking in when gently braking from tarmac to gravel and juddering the brakes unnecessarily.For the eco-friendly, the XV certainly packs plenty of features.  The multi-function LCD unit displays every conceivable measure; economy, VDC status, trip measurement, temperature, clock and many others.  The XV excels with fuel economy, I struggled to exceed 10 L/100km even with excessive spirited driving and frequent manual override. The in-dash satnav and audio system is wonderfully effective and high quality, providing a welcome relief and audio shield from the hideous engine and transmission noise. The only really annoying feature of this car is the engine Automatic Stop Start.  Every time you stop at a red light -which is every second block in Sydney- the engine shuts down.The real issue is when it starts up again, the whole car shakes for a split second and that irritating noise returns. Without doubt, I would permanently disable this feature.  I had a little trepidation about the 110kW engine output. The XV drove easily through city traffic, the automatic CVT transmission being smooth and slick between shifts -- almost unnoticeable. But as soon as it was on open road, that all changed. The CVT gearbox disappointed, struggling to cope with fluid driving conditions with open roads and tight bends proving too challenging, regularly switching gears at inappropriate moments and taking too long to respond. The moment -- and with it the corner -- had gone.After many days trying several different driving modes and styles, I settled on the best way to get the most out of the CVT.  Leave it in “Drive” mode and simply use the flappy paddle to “downshift” a couple of times before the bend, the CVT switches to manual mode (for five seconds) and provides engine braking, then accelerate as normal out of the bend, after which CVT switches back to drive mode. Works perfectly!The chassis is impressively capable for a crossover firmly planted to the road, even when I turned off the Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system and deliberately unsettled it on wet, twisty and bumpy country lanes. The tyres are a low enough profile to provide excellent grip as well as comfort and low noise.But something was missing – the wail of a tuned engine!  At best the XV sounded like a muted diesel with extra transmission whines. It’s moments like these you remember how important the soundtrack is as background music to a car’s dynamics.

If you transport children from A to B, Monday to Friday, you maintain an air of sensible auto ownership - but with these $40K sedans you can still have a weekend solo drive.Check for a pulse. If there's still a gentle thump-thump present, that's a good start. Does it rise and fall with the engine revs and surge with centrifugal force in corners?That makes you a driver, someone who enjoys a ribbon of road and the challenge of smooth, spirited progress. But now practicalities may take precedence and gone are the days of punting a two-seater sports car along inclines and hairpins. Still, the opportunity arises occasionally for taking the long way with only one seat belt in use - yours.For the school run or Saturday sport, a sedan is the bare minimum requirement for getting the offspring to their destination. The same vehicle can also be used - if equipped appropriately - for a solo drive just to clear the driver's mind. But which $40K four-door is going to get both jobs done?1. Skoda Octavia RS 162TSI DSG - see other reviews Weekday - Still dwelling under the $40,000 mark, the Skoda Octavia RS is a $38,790 proposition in its automatic petrol form and it's the only one here with standard satnav, part of the intuitive touchscreen-controlled infotainment.The Czech brand's contestant also has a spacious cabin, if not quite as wide as that of the Holden. There's still plenty of space for five and the boot expands to 568L with the split-fold function - it's enormous.Sadly it misses out on a reversing camera but gets front and rear parking sensors with a clever info-graphic, based on the front wheel angle, to predict the car's path. Daily duties are a little less comfortable in the conservatively styled Skoda - ride quality is a touch firmer than the Holden, though not to the point of discomfort.The Czech ups the airbag count to nine, adding two rear side airbags. It also has rain-sensing wipers and automatic xenon headlights for well-lit night driving.Weekend - Just because the front wheels do all the work, it doesn't mean the Skoda handles like a demented dog on lino - the VW Group's drivetrain boffins have applied electronic trickery to keep traction and torque steer in check and make the most of the engine's outputs in the bends.It's enthusiastic in cornering, with the 2.0-litre turbo four producing a useful 162kW and 350Nm (well-spread for flexibility across the rev range) but it needs 98 RON fuel to generate those numbers. Thankfully, it only drinks at a claimed rate of 6.6L/100km, helped by the least kerb weight and only marred by a touchy brake pedal.Price: from $38,790 (auto adds $2300) Warranty: 3 years/unlimited km Capped servicing: 6 years/90,000km, total $2994 Service interval: 12 months/15,000km Resale: 45 per cent Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl, 162kW/350Nm Transmission: 6-speed DSG; FWD Thirst: 6.6L/100km, on test 9.9L, 154g/km CO2 Tank 50L Dimensions: 4.7m (L), 1.8m (W), 1.5m (H) Weight: 1417kg  2. Subaru WRX CVT - see other reviewsWeekday - Subaru has returned its WRX to sedan form and with constantly variable transmission it comes to $40,990, just breaching our nominal price barrier. The six-speed manual is fine on the right road but for daily drudgery the CVT is a much smoother option.The Subaru's ride quality is the least suitable here for the patchwork of bitumen masquerading as main roads. If you don't mind being an extrovert then the WRX is a contender - LED headlights, body skirts and bonnet scoops make it stand out a little more than the other two.The cabin has more room than you'd expect from a first glance at the exterior, only really falling short of the others in rear headroom and the absence of rear vents. Bootspace is the smallest but not restrictive at 460L, and the Subaru also can expand on that with the 60-40 split rear backrests.The Sube gets the safety benefit of all-wheel drive, reversing camera (but no sensors), seven airbags (the usual six plus one for the driver's knees). The dearer Premium variant adds dusk-sensing lights, rain-sensing wipers and satnav.Weekend - Here's where the WRX comes firing back into contention - clever AWD and the tied-down chassis generate stupendous grip and drive out of corners, exploiting the turbo flat-four's 197kW and 350Nm. That's Commodore V6 outputs with 158kg less weight, with all that torque spread over a more useful band. The Subaru claims a combined-cycle thirst of 8.6L/100km.The CVT can smoothly marshal all that urge or the driver can switch to 'S#" (Sport Sharp) mode and use the paddles to change gears. The eight-speed auto is much sharper than previous auto efforts in the WRX - it lives up to its heritage as a very quick point-to-point car.Price: from $40,990 (CVT adds $2000) Warranty: 3 years/unlimited km Capped servicing: No Service interval: 6 months/12,500km Resale: 55 per cent Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl boxer, 197kW/350Nm Transmission: CVT; AWD Thirst: 8.6L/100km, on test 12.5L, 199g/km CO2 Tank 60L Dimensions: 4.6m (L), 1.8m (W), 1.5m (H) Weight: 1527kg 3. Holden VF Commodore SV6 auto - see other reviewsWeekday - The cheapest of this trio is also the largest - Adelaide's own VF Commodore SV6, which at $38,690 for a six-speed automatic model is plenty of metal for the money. Completing the daily grind in the Holden is an easy task - its cavernous cabin easily takes five occupants, with enough space in every direction to maintain comfort on the commute.It's not the biggest boot of this trio at 496L and can't be expanded by way of split-folding rear seats but it takes a fair load of baggage. The SV6 even has an auto start function, which has its advantages on a cold morning to fire up the dual-zone climate control, with rear vents.The V6 and conventional auto drivetrain lopes through metro mundanities. Parking sensors front and rear team with a reversing camera to assist in tight city parking. Thick windscreen pillars take some getting used to at T-junctions.Weekend - The big Aussie sedan shrinks around the driver once the other seats are unoccupied - the 3.6-litre V6 isn't the most orchestral of powerplants but power and torque - 210kW and 350Nm - suffice to get it hustling.It covers ground quickly and easily, with a light but direct connection to the front wheels and suspension that works in the bends without breaking bones - or the bank, given a claimed thirst of 9.0L/100km. The sport mode in the transmission works well enough and there is the option of a manual change for the driver, who will get accustomed to the high-set brake pedal.Price: from $38,690 Warranty: 3 years/100,000km Capped servicing: 3 years/60,000km $185 Service interval: 9 months/15,000km Resale: 41 per cent Engine: 3.6-litre V6, 210kW/350Nm Transmission: 6-speed auto; RWD Thirst: 9L/100km, on test 13.4L, 216g/km CO2 Tank 71L Dimension: 5m (L), 1.9m (W), 1.5m (H) Weight: 1685kg VERDICTThe SV6 is by no means a bad beast. A Commodore means lots of car for the money. It is light on its feet yet still has a big-car feel without feeling like a barge in the bends.Subaru's WRX is a headkicker when fired up in anger - outrageous grunt for the asking price, with a much-improved auto option and that grip - and the super-firm road manner is the sole failing.My two minions for the day choose the Skoda as the car they'd pinch if all keys were on the table and it's hard to argue with that conclusion.It lacks the width of the Commodore and the outright grip and grunt of the Subaru, nor is it as overt as the other two in the looks department. The cheeky Czech has plenty of space, pace and poise and can be driven with purpose.Common kit - All three have: Five-star ANCAP safety rating, Bluetooth phone and audio link, USB inputs, cloth trim, leather-wrapped steering wheel with ancillary controls, direct fuel injection, trip computer, power windows and mirrors and climate control, space-saver spare (Skoda and Subaru)What's unique - Skoda Octavia Front-drive, turbocharged four-cylinder, twin-clutch automated manual gearbox, satnav, tyre pressure monitor, heated mirrors Holden Commodore SV6 Rear-drive, V6, conventional automatic transmission, remote start, app-based smartphone-compatible MyLinkSubaru WRX All-wheel drive, turbocharged flat four-cylinder, continuously variable automatic

Subaru joins other manufacturers in offering a capped price service planThe best after-sales back-up in Australia is provided by Ferrari, which throws a seven-year free service package in with every new car it delivers Down Under.Of course, you're still going to be spending at least $459,295 for the privilege, even if the keys to a shiny new Ferrari California headline the deal.There are plenty of cheaper alternatives if you're after some certainty on the service side, as all but one of the top 10 brands in May have capped-price service plans.The only holdout is Mercedes-Benz but it has two excuses - it hit the top 10 for the first time last month and it has a range of packages it sells with its cars, starting with a $2499 Silver three-year service deal for the junior models.The other late starter on the capped-price front is Subaru, which finally succumbed to the competitive pressures - and, most likely, pressure from buyers - to expand its after-sales support.But, like so many things Subaru has done over the years (as in its early adoption of the ANCAP road safety program) it's gone a step further. Instead of providing the service safety net for the length of its new-car warranty, which means three years, it's extending its support for the life of it cars. It's also backdated its capped-price deal to cars from 2006."This program is designed to give customers transparency around scheduled service costs. It means they can make better, informed choices on how they service their Subarus," says Nick Senior, managing director of Subaru Australia."Basically, capped-price servicing sets the maximum price participating Subaru retailers will charge for each standard scheduled service on applicable vehicles." Subaru is also introducing a free Health Check and Chat for the first month after a new-car delivery, he says. It will be a check-over and a chance for the owner to get answers from a factory-trained service adviser.And that's the really important thing about such deals. No two are exactly the same and it's important to also look into the fine print and conditions, particularly on service intervals.Most companies go for 12-monthly service intervals, or 15,000km of driving, but Mazda is like Subaru with a whole-of-life deal and Ford and Kia both have seven-year packages.Honda, Mazda and Nissan have six-month service intervals. The prices also vary by brands and service requirements, so you need to total the costs across the whole period of the package.And there are some that cut short of the really big service work, such as the essential replacement of the timing belt.Senior reinforces the point as he talks-up the overdue change at Subaru. "When considering these programs, be sure that you are comparing apples with apples," he says.

Derek Ogden road tests and reviews the 2014 Subaru WRX.

Murray Hubbard road tests and reviews the Subaru WRX STI, with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.