Subaru Vortex Reviews

We're about to correct some false impressions: That the WRX has been totally invalidated because it now offers a sort of automatic transmission (again) and because it's a little bit bigger than before

After 17 straight years as a Carsguide Car of the Year judge, I was wondering what to expect as we assembled the 10 finalists for the 2013 awards.There are always a few surprises, things to learn and like and loathe, and the field is more varied and relevant this year than at any time in the past. We have baby cars, family cars, an old-school wagon, SUVs, even a new-age Benz, and the value is outstanding in every case.One of the early favourites is the last of the true Aussie cars, the VF Commodore. It looks a little out of place, so big and bland as a starting-price Evoque sedan, and is quickly put right into its place as we begin the 60-kilometre driving loops used to assess the various contenders. That place is the past.These days the Commodore is an all-rounder in a world of specialists, and that's why it - and the Ford Falcon - are heading into history. And why the Commodore cannot win a COTY crown in 2013.There was a time when big Fords and Holdens made all the sense in the world, as they could cover every base from commuter car and taxi work to a family fun runner, a working wagon, and even a hotrod sporty sedan. It was a one-size-fits-all solution, even if the tailoring was never an ideal fit.Now the world has arrived in Australia, with 60-plus brands all competing in the toughest new-car scene on the planet, and there are cars which do every job better than a Commodore or Falcon. It's bespoke tailoring at its best.We have the proof right in front of us as the COTY contenders run through the loops and hoops.If you want a classy new family car, the Mazda6 is better.If you want a roomy family wagon, the Kia Rondo is better.If you want a flexible runabout, the Subaru Forester is better.If you want maximum bang for your bucks, the Mercedes-Benz A200 is better.So the Commodore finishes in the middle of the pack and, despite our patriotism and support for carmaking in Australia, that's what it deserves. It's a good car, and easily the best car to wear a Holden or Commodore badge, but that's just not good enough in 2013.This reporter is on Twitter: @PaulWardGover 

The time is coming to give back our Outback and we're not looking forward to the prospect.

The Cross Sport Concept on their Tokyo stand looks like they've morphed their rear-wheel drive BRZ sports hero into a sharp sports wagon or shooting brake version. The higher-riding body's nose looks distinctly BRZ, but it flows back into a sleek roofline with sharply raked rear two-piece decklid under which is a wood-lined luggage floor. Subaru has said close to zilch about the Cross Sport except that it is a "combination of sport and utility" that measures 430cm (up 6cm on the BRZ). Watch the Cross Sport Concept at the Tokyo motor show video on our desktop site.  

The new styling is previewed on the Legacy Concept at the LA motor show and, even though it will be wound back from the brutish show car, everything points to a new direction for the Liberty in 2015. The next Liberty is expected to be bigger, with significantly better cabin quality and styling more like the Forester and Outback SUVs than the elegance of earlier Libertys. Subaru boss Nick Senior is not surprised Subaru chose the LA motor show, and not the Tokyo show that also opens this week, to preview the Liberty alongside the new WRX. "If you can crack it in California you can crack it anywhere," Senior says. "From a Subaru point of view, the US market is incredibly important (and is) recovering strongly. The company has hit our highest sales record of over 400,000 cars this year. California is the biggest regional market and arbiter of taste and style." Subaru has pushed the boundaries with the frontal treatment on the concept car, but it's the cabin - inspired by a smartphone - that is the biggest advance. It also has a coupe-style roofline, the current design trend for all sedans, but there are only four seats. Senior says not to read too much into the Legacy Concept, despite the importance of the coming Liberty replacement. The LA concept also celebrates the 25th anniversary of the car in 2014, even though the new model will not arrive for more than year.   _______________________________________  

Revealed at the LA motor show, the 2014 Subaru WRX has a smaller engine and will be available in sedan body only due to weak hatch sales.A turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder boxer engine with 199kW of power and 349Nm of torque will replace the current 2.5-litre engine. But the WRX STi will continue to have a 2.5-litre. There will be a choice of a six-speed manual or CVT transmission.Prices, specs and official performance data should be announced closer to the WRX's local arrival in March 2014.Watch the desktop version of the 2014 Subaru WRX video here. _______________________________________ 

Subaru debuted several cars at Tokyo and Los Angeles motor shows this week -- including their all-new hot hatch WRX -- with volumes of information to accompany them. Or at least, most of them. Ironically, the car about which we're most curious was unveiled with close to no information being revealed.The Cross Sport Concept on their Tokyo stand looks like they've morphed their rear-wheel drive BRZ sports hero into a sharp sports wagon or shooting brake version. The higher-riding body's nose looks distinctly BRZ, but it flows back into a sleek roofline with sharply raked rear two-piece decklid under which is a wood-lined luggage floor.Subaru has said close to zilch about the Cross Sport except that it is a "combination of sport and utility" that measures 430cm (up 6cm on the BRZ). Oh, and that they view it as "the next trend in urban SUVs". Comment from the unveiling is that it weighs in at 1250kg (the auto BRZ is 1238kg) and is riding on the BRZ's rear-wheel drive platform.That last part of the two-paragraph official information suggests that we're looking at a pointer to a future shooting brake-like model: a handsome, sporty three-door elongated hatch aimed at urban streets and likely to carry at least the choice of having a single driven axle rather than only Subaru's all-wheel drive system.This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott _______________________________________ 

The fourth-generation Subaru WRX has made its global debut in LA, severing the ties to its Impreza lineage and becoming an independent model that shares only a couple of body panels with the Impreza.It will be offered only as a sedan, with hatch sales not strong enough -- even here in the car's third-biggest market -- to warrant another five-door body. As we reported earlier this week, the current 2.5-litre engine has been ditched in favour of the WRX's first turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder boxer engine since 2005 -- although the WRX STi will continue to carry a 2.5-litre.The WRX also gets new transmissions and technology, and sleeker styling -- although, as predicted, far more conservative than the WRX concept from New York motor show earlier this year.The 2.0-litre mill is related to the one used in the Forester XT and Subaru BRZ, and for the WRX delivers 199kW of power at 5600rpm and 349Nm of torque between 2000-5200rpm – not a big lift on the current model's 195kW and 343Nm -- and peak power arrives 800rpm later. But manual transmission fans will applaud the addition of an extra cog to raise the count to six, although there may be some dissension over the automatic getting a continuously variable transmission, although Subaru says the CVT with it's Sports mode eight faux gears is more responsive and sports-oriented than the garden variety boxes.There were suggestions earlier this week from leaked information that there could be an acceleration penalty, with leaked figures reporting the new manual WRX getting to 100km/h in 5.6 seconds compared to the current 5.3, and the CVT auto in 6.1. However Subaru has not released official performance data, but is promising the new car will slice time off the outgoing model -- and be more efficient than the current 8.1L/100km fuel economy.The manual car's all-wheel drive will have a centre differential with 50:50 default torque split, while the auto gets Subaru's Variable Torque Distribution with 45:55 default front-to-rear split. The new WRX has better torsional rigidity, firmer suspension and bigger brakes and tyres (235/45 17-inch) plus faster-tuned electric power steering.The car is slightly longer and has a bigger wheelbase, with a promise of more rear and luggage space -- the latter enhanced by a split rear seatback. The cabin has been given an airier treatment with more glass, and gets a flat-bottomed sports steering wheel, large central screen -- and smaller one with boost data -- premium HarmanKardon nine-speaker audio, carbon-fibre look and red-stitched trim. On the safety list are seven airbags (including driver's kneebag) and reversing camera.Prices and local specification are yet to be confirmed, and more information will be available closer to March next year, when the WRX rolls into Australian showrooms with its new looks and smaller engine. Let the arguments begin...

Subaru has unveiled the prototype of its planned Levorg sports wagon at Tokyo motor show, with a sleek body, two engine choices and the next generation of Subaru's 'Eyesight' safety technology.The Levorg will offer the choice of a 125kW/250Nm 1.6-litre or 221kW/400Nm 2.0-litre boxer four-cylinder engines, mated to  continuously variable transmissions.The sports focus is played up in the chunky D-shaped steering wheel, blue backlit instruments and metallic and piano black finishes. The Levorg is set to go on sale late next year in Japan -- although with no plans to export to other markets -- but we will get future Subarus with the Levorg's technology.That includes the next-generation EyeSight driver assist system -- incorporating lane-keeping, brake light recognition, pre-collision reverse throttle and braking system that operates up to 50km/h, and adaptive cruise control -- plus an emergency stop signal.

A member of the 2013 Australia's Best Cars judging panel says motorists are spoilt for choice right now. Royal Automobile Club of Tasmania general manager of roadside and technical Darren Moody -- who sits on the panel with judges from motorist clubs around Australia -- says new car buyers have access to record low interest rates and are still getting great value for money, despite a recent dip in the value of the Australian dollar.He and the 11 other judges from around the country had been trying to make life even easier for buyers, testing 50 vehicles in 15 categories for the 2013 best car awards.The awards, run by the Australian Automobile Association, involved all the state auto clubs. In October Mr Moody and the other judges spent six days at the Australian Automobile Research Centre at Anglesea in Victoria testing all the vehicles.The judges' choice this year was the Mazda6 Touring, winner of the category for best medium car under $50,000. "It brings premium features to the category," Mr Moody said. There was no winner in the people mover category this year. AAA chief executive Andrew McKellar said it was the first time in the 13 years of the program that an award has been withheld."It's unfortunate that not one vehicle in that class meets the expectations of an Australia's Best Car," he said.Australia's Best Cars 2013Judges' choice: Mazda6 TouringBest light car: Renault Clio Expression TCe 120Best small car under $35,000: Hyundai i30 ActiveBest small car over $35,000: Audi A3 Sportback TFSI CoDBest medium car under $50,000: Mazda6 TouringBest medium car over $50,000: BMW 320iBest large car under $60,000: Holden Commodore VF SV6Best large car over $60,000: Lexus GS350 F SportBest people mover: Award withheldBest sports car under $50,000: Volkswagen Golf GTIBest sports car $50,000-$100,000: BMW M135iBest SUV under $45,000: Subaru Forester 2.5iBest SUV $45,000-$65,000: Hyundai Santa Fe Highlander CRDiBest Luxury SUV over $65,000: Volkswagen Touareg V6 TDIBest all-terrain 4WD under $100,000: Land Rover Discovery 4 TDV6Best 4x4 Dual Cab Ute: Ford Ranger XLRead the full story here.