Subaru Vortex Reviews

June 30 is D-Day. The end of the financial year is the best time to buy a new car because there are always special deals in showrooms. As carmakers and dealers aim to clear their outdated stock, Toyota uses a June push to cement its showroom leadership. Some of the special deals are on cars that have done demonstrator duty, or were built in 2012, or are just not selling as well as expected. So they're not the tastiest fruit in the bowl.But there is great buying across the board as demand for new cars fuels one of the longest growth periods in motoring. The bottom line is that you can save money -- and lots of it. So here's a look at the June sales, with Carsguide's assessment of the best deals on wheels.CITROENThe new importer is pushing hard so the Aircross SUV starts at $31,990 drive-away front-wheel drive or $33,990 with AWD, a saving of $3800. There's $5000 off the C4 Seduction turbo diesel auto hatch at $25,990. Carsguide says: The Aircross isn't great, but the C4 discount is tasty.FORDThe death notice for the Falcon and Territory has not helped buyer confidence but a 2.9 per cent finance push on Fiesta and Focus still looks good. The superseded Kuga SUV from $31,990 drive-away is a $10,000 saving. You can save about $3000 on a 2012 Escape SUV from $27,990 drive-away.The Territory gets a $6500 tickle, the TX seven-seater at $38,490 drive-away (third-row seat usually costs $2500). The impressive Mondeo liftback starts at $29,990. Good buying on Falcons, thanks to the arrival of the VF Commodore, from $33,990 and better if you haggle.HOLDENAs the VF Commodore creates queues, the outgoing Z-Series starts at $34,990 with five years' warranty and roadside assist. That also applies to the SV6 at $35,990 and the Cruze SRi and SRi-V at $23,490 and $26,990. Last year's Barina CD hatches are $15,990 drive-away with a sunroof. The Colorado is $39,990. Hard to see past the excellent Cruze SRi.HONDAClipped prices and free on-roads. The City VTi sedan is $17,990 and the (slightly) more lavish VTi-L automatic version starts at $21,990. The bigger Civic sedan is being cleared from $21,990. Free auto on the Jazz VTi at $19,990. The Civic is worth a look at $2500 off.KIAFree on-roads, discounts and $1000 gift vouchers on many models. A five-door Rio S is about $3K off at $15,990 drive-away with a $500 gift card; the three-door Rio is $14,990 and the five-door Si is $18,990. Runout Cerato TD sedans start at $17,990 for the S, saving about $5000, the Si sedan is $23,990 and hatch at $17,990. All get a $1000 gift card. Cerato SLi and SLS have drive-away pricing but miss the gift card. All Optimas have free on-roads. A 2012-build Optima Platinum is $37,990, saving about $4000 with a $1000 gift card. Most Sportage SUVs include on-roads and a $1000 gift card. Carnival and superseded Rondo pricing is drive-away. The Sportage diesel and Optima are top-notch.MITSUBISHIThe manual Lancer gets an old-school value pack on the Special Action Model for $19,990 drive-away. The Mirage is $12,990 drive-away for the ES manual, with a $500 cash-back that also applies to the auto.Driveaway prices also for the compact ASX at $24,990 for the 2WD manual, the Outlander LS 2WD auto at $29,990, Pajero GLX-R auto at $54,990 or $59,990 for VRX. Both come plus $3000 cash-back, saving about $6000.The Triton ute is now tackling Great Wall from China at $19,990 drive-away for a GL single-cab 2WD with alloy tray, or add luxury for a GLX dual-cab 4WD diesel at $31,990 drive-away with $2000 cash-back, saving about $14,000. The utes look good at those prices.NISSANA 2.9 per cent finance package, with agreed value after three years, makes the Pulsar ST sedan look good at $49 a week or $19,990 drive-away. The X-Trail ST 2WD petrol manual cops a $4000 reduction to $25,990 drive-away, while the Navara RX 4WD dual-cab manual is cheaper than ever with a $9500 cut to $30,990 drive-away. The Pulsar sedan deal is attractive.OPELThere are drive-away deals across the range. The basic Corsa is down by about $2500 to $16,990 drive-away, the Astra is from $22,990 drive-away for the 1.4-litre turbo petrol hatch with three years of free servicing, saving about $5500. The top-line Insignia sedan is from $39,990 drive-away with heated leather seats. The Astra is easily best of this breed.PEUGEOTFree on-roads at Peugeot on most models but not the cool new 208. The 4008 SUV cops a $1500 saving from $29,990 drive-away and there are deals on the outgoing 4007. Nothing to see here.RENAULTA Koleos from $26,990 drive-away looks even better with interest-free finance. The Megane hatch is from $22,990 drive-away with finance pegged at 1.9 per cent. The slow-selling Fluence and Latitude sedans are available with 2.9 per cent finance. The Megane CC convertible goes from $43,990 including on-roads. The sporty Clio RS is from $34,990 drive-away and the hotrod Megane RS has 2.9 per cent finance.Commercial deals start with the short-wheelbase Kangoo petrol manual with dual sliding doors from $20,990 drive-away, moving up to the Trafic short-wheelbase manual for $29,990 and the long-wheelbase manual for $32,990, while the Master large van starts from $46,990 drive-away. There's a five-year/200,000km warranty on all light commercials ordered in June. Hard to argue against a $3000 bonus on the Koleos but stocks are tight.SUBARUDrive-away pricing -- for savings of $3000 to $4000 -- is the bait, with Impreza pricing from $23,990 (excluding the WRX, of course). The Tribeca from $54,990 now includes on-roads but you need to visit a dealer to get the full story. Nothing outstanding.SUZUKIThe front-drive SX4 gets a Navigator pack with voice-controlled 6.6-inch satnav with Bluetooth for $19,990 drive-away for the manual and $21,990 auto. That also applies to the 2WD auto Grand Vitara at $29,990 drive-away, including reversing camera and satnav with Bluetooth. The Alto GL manual also gets satnav for $11,990 drive-away for the manual, with the Swift GL manual at $17,490 drive-away including cruise control and Bluetooth. The Grand Vitara is a polished piece.TOYOTAThere's 2.9 per cent finance on Aurion and Camry with the Camry Altise looking best at $29,990 drive-away. Other drive-away deals include $15,990 for the Yaris YR five-door, $21,490 for the Corolla Ascent automatic, $39,990 for the Kluger KX-R 2WD five-seater, $60,990 for the Prado GXL turbo diesel auto and $39,990 for the HiLux SR 4WD dual-cab ute. The right time for the cabbies' new favourite, the frugal hybrid Camry.VOLKSWAGENDrive-away pricing on passenger cars and zero finance on commercials. The Polo is $16,990 on-road, the Jetta is down to $25,990 and the Passat $36,690. The Polo is Carsguide's 2010 COTY.VOLVOFuel and servicing for three years or 60,000km plus roadside assistance. There are conditions -- with a pre-paid BP card based on 15,000km a year and $1.50 a-litre pricing -- and the latest V40 hatch is excluded. Clever twist on bargaining but a pity it doesn't apply to the V40.Paul Gover's 10 COMMANDMENTSYou must still do your homework. You must still check the fine print. You must still be prepared to haggle and compromise.But do it right, crunching the numbers and running right to the dealer's deadline, and you can drive away in something special at a special price.The starting point is all the deals, from sticker specials to cheap finance and steak knife-style free extras, being offered by most of the 60-plus brands in showrooms today.If something you want is on special, go for it. But check that the car was built in 2013, and is not a geriatric old-timer from 2012, and ensure your target is exactly what you want - not a stripped-out stocker, perhaps missing an automatic gearbox - that will cost thousands to get the way you want it.Once you lock down a target, don't think the advertised special is the end of the deal. You also need to negotiate for a better price on delivery and on-road costs, and avoid the trap of buying over-priced extras such as paint and upholstery protection, window tinting and extra-long warranties.No-one can expect to go into the ring with a showroom professional and expect to win, because buyers only get a new car occasionally and sales staff are dealing every day. But, by concentrating on the real bottom line - the changeover price - and being prepared to compromise, you can come out ahead.The best tips are the simplest. Run as close as you can to June 30 to sign the deal and get the car, because dealers are all aiming for targets that can mean tens of thousands in bonus money from headquarters. Also be prepared to take a car they have in stock, even if it's not your favourite colour, because dealers are aiming to clear everything they have on the lot.And have your finance in place before you arrive, especially if you're taking up a special deal, because that makes things quicker and you'll also be spared any hassle and potential extra costs.Watch out for 2012 cars because the warranty clock has already been running, don't forget that a big discount today will also mean less at changeover time, and remember that a demonstrator car could have had a hard life already. 

The current Subaru WRX STI is a beast: powerful, capable, but something less than pretty. Despite its ungainly looks, it has made fans out of us and out of a large chunk of the populace. But it's due for replacement soon.So we took the opportunity to spend the better part of a week with the car in Ireland and on the Isle of Man as a sort of send-off. We're glad we did.Even in the five-door STI, which skips the massive wing of the sedan, there's no mistaking what you're driving, either from the curbside or from behind the wheel. The STI cuts an iconic figure like nothing else in its price segment--and it performs like nothing else, too.DRIVINGWhether over the bumpy, often broken, insanely narrow, recessed roads of the Isle of Man or the comparatively wider, smoother roads of Ireland, the STI's rally-bred suspension proved its mettle, absorbing the worst of the hits and smoothing out the smaller irregularities.The strong engine, six-speed manual gearbox, and scrappy all-wheel drive system provided the go and the grip to fly down the paved pathways at speeds that should really never be seen outside of a competitive rally--like, say, the Manx Rally. Or, say, setting the four-wheeled record around the Isle of Man's Snaefell Mountain Course, where the TT is run.But despite the almost unflappable adaptability, we did find a few faults to gripe about--faults we hope will be fixed in the upcoming re-design of the car.Turbo lag, the worst of our gripes, was quite noticeable. Perhaps more noticeable than it would be on our wider, more open roads, or most of Europe for that matter, the turbo lag at lower speeds, in lower gears (1st-3rd), was ever-present and rather annoying at times, occasionally requiring a wait of nearly two seconds from throttle application to response.While the WRX STI is a fairly large hatchback from the outside, on the inside, passenger room is at a bit of a premium, both in the front and the rear--doubly so if you're trying to stick a trio or foursome of six-footers inside. Can more legroom be dug out of the car's interior without extending the exterior to gargantuan proportions for the next STI? We certainly hope so.And, ultimately, the STI has continually proved itself to be a bit thirsty (13.8/10.2 L/100km city/highway), even considering its performance level. While sending extra fuel through the 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder Boxer engine might help preserve its longevity at its rated 221kW output, it also eats into the owner's wallet.These faults - or, perhaps, compromises - are by no means deal-breakers, however. For the money the STI is still an incredible combination of utility and performance, essentially unmatched by anything else on the road, despite being about six years old.Whether launching from a stop with boost-assisted, all-wheel drive pace or rocketing along a treacherous back road, the the STI is a willing and faithful companion. It's also a tremendous amount of fun.VERDICTWe just hope the next generation of STI keeps that magic, whatever else changes. For now, however, we say goodbye to the STI. Fare thee well, little rally-inspired buddy. We hope to find you again one day, perhaps at a bargain in a used car lot. Subaru WRX STIPrice: from $59,990 as testedEngine: 2.5-litre turbocharged four cylinder,  221kW/ 350NmTransmission: 6 speed manual / 5 speed automatic, AWDThirst: 10.5 litres/100km, 243 g/km CO2Body: four-door sedan or five-speed hatch www.motorauthority.com 

Friday we drove into the city to meet friends. Saturday we drove to the mountains to meet kangaroos. The Subaru Outback was just at home in the blue gum forests as it was in the concrete jungle. A manageable size and a very capable drive, the Outback fits into nearly any lifestyle.PRICE AND EQUIPMENTThe 2.0-litre diesel CVT Premium Outback starts at $45,490. It comes with symmetrical AWD, Subaru’s Vehicle Dynamics Control system, paddle shifters, electronic parking brake, rear view reverse camera, dual-zone climate control with rear vents, anti-dust filter, leather steering wheel, voice command recognition, 17-inch alloy wheels, full size spare, wheel-mounted audio, Bluetooth, and cruise, roof rails, 12-volt power jacks, and a seven-inch touch screen, to name a few.If you don’t need a lot of extra features, the non-premium diesel will save some cash, you’ll just have to live without the electric sunroof, leather-trim seats, and eight-way power driver seat with dual memory function.TECHNOLOGYThe 2.0-litre Outback has a turbo-charged horizontally opposed boxer diesel engine, producing 110kW@3,600 rpm and 350Nm@1800-2400. The Lineartronic CVT automatic gearbox provides smooth gear changes, but you can swap to manual mode and use the paddle shifters for more control.Official fuel combined is 6.5 litres per/100km. Our drive to the mountains and back found 7.2 litres per/100km combined.DESIGNExternally the Outback is stylish for an SUV, but it doesn’t turn a lot of heads...well maybe a few, but that could just be from the ungainly bonnet scoop.The dash is well presented, though the climate control buttons would work better as dials. The seven-inch touch screen and satnav are easy to use, and wheel-mounted audio, cruise, Bluetooth, and voice command give you plenty of control.With leather-trim seats the interior looks suave, though the seat back nets look cheap compared to the rest of the vehicle. The driver is well supported in the eight-way power seat with dual memory function, and the comfortable rear seats easily fold down to a 60/40 split, extending the boot space from 490 litres, to an impressive 1,690 litres.SAFETYThe Outback comes with a five-star ANCAP safety rating, and Subaru’s Vehicle Dynamics Control system which includes ESC, ABS, EBD, TCS, TCS Limited Slip Device, and Brake Assist. Seven SRS airbags, a ring-shaped passenger safety cell, and whiplash reduction seats further your safety, while the rear view reverse camera ensures you don’t accidently back over Skippy.DRIVINGThe Outback is all about the option to explore and we honestly enjoyed it. A steady and safe ride during our mountain adventure, it provided enough comfort inside that friends teased us for being pampered at the campsite.Kids will enjoy gazing out of the sunroof, and with symmetrical AWD, they’ll focus more on the scenery, than any bumps in the road. The Outback is manoeuvrable in the city, cruises on the motorway, and though there’s a bit of sway on gravel, it handles well through dirt and mud. Ground clearance is 213mm – not enough to get you over serious tracks, but plenty of clearance for weekend expeditions.Though we wish there were a few more perks with the Premium model (heated seats would have been appreciated in the chilly mountains, but we’re just being picky), it is a sturdy all-round vehicle ready to hit the trails and cruise around the city.VERDICTThe Outback has plenty of space for families, enough off road capabilities for the average adventurer, and solid drivability.

From pirate treasure map to automobile designation, the letter ‘X’ marks the spot of something excitingly special. This is never truer than with the Forester XT, Subaru’s new high-performance mid-size SUV.A best-seller since pioneering the high-performance SUV class in 1997, the latest Forester XT shows off an array of new features, technology and styling to stir Forester fans new and old.At first, I had my doubts about the XT – a 2.0-litre petrol engine, albeit turbocharged, mated with a continuously variable transmission. Not the recipe for sprightly performance I thought.How wrong can you be? New engine and transmission technology from Subaru manufacturer Fuji Heavy Industries has shifted the Forester performance up into what is almost a segment of its own.TECHNOLOGYThe 2.0-litre horizontally opposed Boxer motor makes use of direct petrol injection to pump out 177 kW of power at 5600 rpm and 350 Nm of torque between 2400 and 3600 rpm, a 4.7 per cent power gain and 9.4 torque increase over its predecessor.This is accompanied by a 19 per cent gain in fuel efficiency and 20.6 per cent improvement in emissions. Towing ability has also gone up by 12.5 per cent to 1800 kg for a trailer with brakes.The engine is hooked up to a Lineartronic continuously variable transmission with six preset speeds when required. And Subaru’s symmetrical all-wheel drive system.DESIGNOn the outside, the Forester XT has gone from an amenable compact all-wheel drive wagon 16 years ago to a mid-size SUV with substantial street presence from its bulked-up body.Not that aerodynamics have suffered, with efficiency improved by 11 per cent over the previous unit, producing a co-efficient of drag of 0.33, thanks to such refinements as a guard underneath the engine bay and a rear spoiler.Of further help is Forester’s narrower rear and lightweight aluminium bonnet, while the rear bumper corners were designed for aerodynamic efficiency, together with large underbody covers, including mudguards and air flaps.A gripe with previous Foresters has been the limited vision from the driver’s seat because of its lack of height. Seats in the new XT have got over that. Set higher, together with the A-pillar shifted 200 mm further forward, taking the windscreen further from front-seat occupants, there’s more of a command position for the driver, while the blind spot is reduced by one degree.PRICE AND EQUIPMENTPrices start from $30,990 for the Forester 2.0i manual. ‘Kid connectivity’ is well covered by USB, iPod and Bluetooth offering optimum vocal effect, richer bass tones by adding harmonics and a sound restorer that adds to the digital sound sources that get lost in music when compressed for iPod and MP3.Forester 2.0 XT also includes reversing camera, electric sunroof, dual zone air-conditioning, multi-function display, 18-inch alloy wheels and silver roof rails, and is priced from $43,490 plus on-road costs.SAFETYPutting occupants at ease is vehicle dynamic stability control which constantly checks vehicle behavior, including the anti-lock brakes, engine and limited-slip differential via the traction control system.VDC can use the engine and brakes to prevent side slip and achieve a high degree of stability and can be turned off allowing engine control and torque reduction to be cancelled when driving on snow and muddy surfaces.DRIVINGThe rush from zero to 100km/h can be done in an impressive 7.5 seconds. The test car pleasantly surprised with no ‘slipping-clutch whine’ as with some CVTs, just a constant hum from the engine.All Forester XTs are fitted with Subaru Intelligent-Drive (SI-Drive) which serves up engine and automatic transmission characteristics to suit various driving styles, preferences and conditions.At the push of a button, one of three modes can be chosen: ‘Intelligent’ increases engine output more gradually for a smoother eco-friendly drive. It also makes for easier handling on snowy and slippery surfaces. Intelligent mode automatically activates on engine start-up.In ‘Sport’ the engine accelerates in a linear fashion and long trips are ideal in this mode. Sport uses the engine to maximum potential, with a sensation of powerful acceleration. It makes use of an eight-speed gear pattern.Each mode gives the driver the opportunity to experience a ‘different’ vehicle, from sedate to sporty, without having to apologise to passengers for a rough ride or dodgy handling.To really get into it, however, the driver can add his or her own input. Using the steering wheel-mounted paddle shifts makes for a satisfying experience for those who want to do it their way, while passengers remain comfortable taking advantage of the extra elbow and shoulder room.There should be no squabbling over cabin storage which is plentiful and versatile, as is the easily accessed rear cargo area which can take 422 litres of gear with rear seat back up and 1457 litres with it folded.MODEL RANGEForester 2.0i manual $30,990Forester 2.5i auto $32,990Forester 2.0i-L manual $33,490Forester 2.5i-L auto $35,990Forester 2.5i-S auto $43,990Forester 2.0 D manual $35,490Forester 2.0 D-L manual $37,490Forester 2.0 D-S manual $43,990Forester 2.0 XT auto $43,490Forester 2.0 XT Premium auto $50,490Subaru Forester XTPrice: from $43,490Warranty: 3 years, unlimited kilometresEngine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder, 177 kW/350 NmTransmission: CVT, AWDTare mass: 1607 kgTurning circle: 10.6 m kerb to kerbTowing: 750 kg (unbraked); 1800 kg (braked)Fuel tank capacity: 60 litresCargo capacity: 422 litres (rear seat back up), 1457 litres (rear seat back folded)0-100 km/h: 7.5 secThirst: 7.0 litres / 100km; 197 g of CO2 per kilometre (combined cycle)

A new BRZ S has been added to pump up the sports car line, tapping the STI genes from Subaru's go-faster division in Japan. The pack puts another $7995 on the bottom line for a BRZ - which currently stands at $37,150 - but Subaru is expecting a sellout success with the new deal, which is the first change to the company's radical sales plan - one model, online orders only - to step its car away from the near-identical Toyota 86. The S pack combines 11 individual items from STI's BRZ catalogue into a single deal, with the upgrading work done as cars land in Australia from Japan. “We've had a lot of interest from day one in individualising the BRZ. The STI accessories allow that,” Nick Senior, managing director of Subaru Australia, tells Carsguide. He admits there is nothing to make the car quicker, which is why it does not carry an STI badge. “There has to be a performance upgrade for a car to be called an STI. Like the WRX.” But Senior says the S pack is intended to tap the demand for extra personality on the BRZ and add some spark after the first flush of Australian sales. “There is an obvious benefit now if people buy the whole package, which costs $7995,” he says. “Buyers can still get the individual parts but there is a benefit if they take the lot.” The STI parts have only become available in the past month and the S pack runs from front and rear spoilers to a suspension tower bar and coil springs, 17-inch STI alloys and a rear diffuser to a manual shift kit with Duracon knob and a push-button start switch. Senior says the STI parts are produced in Japan before being shipped to Australia. They cannot be fitted in Japan because there is no capacity at the factory, which also builds the Toyota 86 and is running at full speed. “There would be extra costs and complications if the work was done in Japan, including shipping to an additional compound with those transport costs. So we are doing it as a port fit here. “At the end of the day it's better to do it here. The quality, either here or there, would be the same.” Senior expects up to 10 per cent of BRZ buyers to go for the S pack, although it could go higher. “What we're finding is that the BRZ has an attractive entry price and people are looking at personalising their car.” He does not expect the S to create any extra demand for the BRZ, which is currently rated at a four-month wait time at the online site created for all local orders. “It's actually about three months at the moment. It got out to 14 months at one stage,” says Senior. But there is good news with the wait falling steadily and supplies improving from Japan. “We are coming off our best-ever sales for BRZ, which was 187 in May. We also did 129 in April. “So we have been able to eat into that order bank significantly. The factory has been able to supply us with more cars and that's helping.” This reporter is on Twitter: @paulwardgover  

Toyota RAV4 Cruiser and Subaru Forester XT go head-to-head in this comparative review. 

The edgy WRX Concept car revealed at the New York auto show last month has landed in Australia, although the details of its visit are still unclear.It is definitely headed for public showings but Subaru Australia refuses to reveal its plan for the car following the cancellation of the Australian International Motor Show in June.The WRX was originally booked for a down under visit to star at the show in Melbourne and is spotted this week being unloaded at the Melbourne docks. The timing of its arrival suggests it was shipped from the USA as soon as the show closed in the Big Apple.Its local destination is unclear, although the Japanese brand's flagship dealership - Subaru Interactive@Docklands, in the Victorian capital - has just been given a major facelift.It could easily host the WRX Concept for the coming month, although visits to Sydney and Brisbane are also likely to spread the message on the renewal and revival of Subaru's turbocharged, all-wheel drive signature car."No comment," is the trademark answer to Carsguide from the managing director of Subaru Australia, Nick Senior, to any and all questions on the WRX Concept's visit.However, Subaru admits it is looking at alternatives to traditional motor shows and - unlike most of its showroom rivals - is prepared to pay to test the reaction to new ideas. Most brands are looking closely at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in Britain, where cars are driven in front of a sellout audience on a closed hill climb course.The WRX Concept will only be a static display, however, as the NYC standout does not have a finished cabin or proper running gear.Any showing is likely to re-ignite Australian speculation about the new WRX, which has also been caught testing with heavy camouflage at the Nurburgring test course in Germany.There is no question that the car will be quick and confident, but there are doubts about the final styling and how closely it will reflect the work on the WRX Concept. There has been widespread condemnation of the Nurburgring test car, even though the New York WRX was praised for its edgy looks and an overdue move away from the basic four-door bodywork of Subaru's mainstream Impreza.This reporter is on Twitter @paulwardgover

Small SUVs are the auto equivalent of smartphones: you have to be seen with one. Those who haven’t already caught on are rushing to buy (or build) light and compact crossovers. In Australia, couples and families hold the view that SUVs represent the “best of both worlds”.With fuel economy and comfort to rival a small car; the space to carry furniture or friends and a high ride height for the “command” seating; SUVs are a multi-purpose lifestyle accessory. It’s just a case of which design suits that lifestyle.THE CARSExcluding the all-paw Forester, the rest of the fleet are front-wheel drive models. All are entry level automatic or continuously variable transmission versions. And all sold more than 1000 cars last month, making them as mainstream as a Toyota Camry.THIRSTSkyActiv technology gives the Mazda CX-5 the lead in the weekly fuel costs at around $26.33. That’s more than $8.50 cheaper than the dearest vehicle here, Hyundai’s iX35. It is small change over a week but adds up to more than $425 a year being siphoned out of the wallet/purse, so it’s worth considering.SERVICINGCaps off to the capped-price carmakers. Online disclosure means it is easy to see how much servicing of a Toyota or Hyundai will be. As yet, Honda doesn’t have the option of capped price servicing, while Subaru and Mazda want vehicle identification before they’ll quote the costs. Hyundai heads this pack with one yearly visit to the dealer that will cost $259.DEPRECIATIONBuying a new car is an investment in emotion, not practicality. The best-performing of this group - the Mazda, Subaru and Honda - will be worth just 54 per cent of its new price value in three years, according to Glass’s Guide. The Hyundai and Toyota will have halved in value over that period.MISCGovernment charges vary by state; check with your local authority for registration on a specific vehicle. The capped price servicing won’t cover items subject to wear in the normal course of their life, such as tyres, windscreen wipers and brake pads.*Fuel costs based on April national average of 142.6c for 91 ULP and 15,000km travelled annually.Mazda CX-5 FWD Fuel use @ 6.4L/100km = $1368.96 p/a = $4106.88 over 3 yrsCost $29,880. Residual value after 3 yrs 54 per centServicing: $394 first yr; $1745 over 3 yrs/60,000kmToyota RAV4 CVTFuel use @ 7.4L/100km = $1582.86 p/a = $4748.50 over 3 yrsCost $30,990. Residual value after 3 yrs 50 per centServicing: $340/yr; $1020 over 3 yrs/60,000kmHyundai ix35 ActiveFuel use @ 8.5L/100km = $1818.15 p/a = $5454.45 over 3 yrsCost $28,990. Residual value after 3 yrs 50 per centServicing: $259/yr; $777 over 3 yrs/45,000kmSubaru Forester 2.5iFuel use @ 8.1L/100km = $1732.59 p/a = $5197.77 over 3 yrsCost $32,990. Residual value after 3 yrs 54 per centServicing: $542.72 first yr; $1983.70 over 3 yrs/75,000kmHonda CR-V VTiFuel use @ 7.7L/100km = $1647.03 p/a = $4941.09 over 3 yrsCost $31,790. Residual value after 3 yrs 54 per centServicing: $483.64 first yr; $1450.92 over 3 yrs/60,000km 

Few carmakers have thought as laterally as Subaru has over the years.NEWThere was the switch to all-wheel drive, there was also the Outback wagon. The idea of a high-riding all-wheel drive wagon with limited offroad capability has always seemed a good one, after all few people really want to do any serious bush-bashing, they just like the high driving position afforded by a jacked-up wagon.With the Outback you could have a regular wagon with a high ride height that gives you the road view you want without going all the way to a road clogging SUV. The Outback has grown over the years as most cars tend to do, but it's still a reasonable size for the suburban crawl.As with earlier Outbacks, the new model in 2009 was heavily allied to the Liberty. The main differences to its lower riding model mate was its high ride height and some extra body cladding to protect it from the bumps and scrapes that inevitably come with a bush life, and there were some new bumpers to add to the differentiation.The Outback sat 70 mm higher than the Liberty, which gave it 13 mm more ground clearance, the secret to going beyond the black top. Along with the Liberty the Outback was longer and wider than the previous model, and it had a longer wheelbase.With its increased dimensions came increased interior space, particularly for rear seat passengers. Subaru offered three engines in the new model, including an economical 2.5-litre four, a zippy 3.6-litre six, and a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel fuel-miser.Those opting for the turbo-diesel engine were lumped with a six-speed manual gearbox, those going for the 2.5i petrol engine had the choice of the six-speed manual or a CVT, while those who chose the 3.6 got a five-speed automatic.Drive was, of course, through all four wheels all the time. Local tweaking of the suspension resulted in a flatter, more reassuring ride through corners and over undulating roads. One downside in a vehicle allegedly designed with the bush in mind was the temporary spare tyre.NOWLike all Subarus the Outback is generally well built and durable, but that doesn't mean it can't have issues as the kays accumulate. The Outback has been the subject of three recalls.The first was to address a potential leak from a hose related to the CVT transmission, the second was the fix a wiring fault that affected the operation of all systems related to the steering column, the cruise, sound system, paddle shifts etc., and the last was related to a production fault that somehow meant some six-speed manual gearboxes escaped from the factory with a vital oil supply hole left undrilled.Check that these have been done, it should be indicated in the owner's manual. If not check with your nearest Subaru dealer.When checking an Outback prior to purchase, one that is equipped with the CVT transmission, it's important to conduct a thorough test drive to look for possible glitches in the way it drives. Look for stumbles, hesitations and shuddering.Otherwise check for a service record to ensure the factory recommended servicing has been carried out.SMITHY SAYSGood on road and off, without the bulk of a regular SUV the Outback is a standout.Subaru Outback - 2009Price new: $40,490 to $55,990Engines: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo-diesel, 110 kW/350 Nm; 2.5-litre 4-cylinder, 123 kW/229 Nm; 3.6-litre 6-cylinder, 191 kW/350 NmTransmissions: 6-speed manual, CVT, 5-speed autoEconomy: 6.4 L/100 km (2.0TD), 8.4 L/100 km (2.5), 10.3 L/100 km (3.6)Body: 4-door wagonVariants: 2.0D, 2.5i, 3.6RSafety: 5-star ANCAP

This heavily disguised Subaru prototype has been spotted lapping the Nurburgring in Germany and has raised far more questions than it answers. It's definitely more clunky looking than the edgy WRX concept car unveiled recently at the New York auto show, and the mis-mash of body bits -- and even an STI rear wing -- raise some doubts about its relationship to the final WRX production car that will be ready for the road later this year. It's also hard to balance Subaru's claims that the new WRX moves away from a body shared with the four-door Impreza against the sedan-like look of the test car. But Subaru Australia is already planning for the arrival of the new WRX and company boss, Nick Senior, makes one promise. “The critical component of the WRX – and it has been since day one – is that it provides an exhilarating drive. That was and always has been in the brief and we’ve never failed to deliver on that,” he tells Carsguide after seeing the WRX production car at Fuji Heavy Industries in Japan. Senior is unusually guarded on the look of the upcoming hero, and the car lapping the Nurburgring. “FHI’s intention has always been to differentiate new-generation WRX from Impreza, and the new generation car will reflect that intention,” he says. “As with any new interpretation of an iconic product, it must continue to appeal to those that contributed to the success. For us, that means a vehicle that will continue to resonate with the more than 25,000 passionate and enthusiastic customers. Our core.” Senior continues his riddles with his assessment of the new car's role. “It is important that we grow our customer base and appeal to a broader audience,” he says. “The new generation WRX and STI tick both those boxes. I cannot imagine any of the current owners being disappointed. I do imagine it appealing to more.” But the Carparazzi crew that caught the Subaru in Germany is strong on their interpretation of the new look. “The styling of the car isn’t as dramatic as what we saw on the New York concept, although there are clear similarities between the two, particularly in regards to the lights and elements such as the fender vents, grille and the aforementioned diffuser. If you squint a little there's even a resemblance to the legendary WRX models of the 1990s,” Carparazzi. “Sadly, the production version gets a conventional sedan body with a taller roof and narrower fenders than that found on the concept, and its side mirrors are mounted to the doors instead of on the A-pillar. Finally, the lower air intakes are also much smaller than those on the concept.” But there is some hope for WRX tragics. “Look a little closer and there are some elements that suggest that this may in fact be a prototype for the even more extreme STI version of the new 2014 WRX. The most obvious sign is the giant rear wing, which shares a design with wings found on past WRX STI models including the current 2013 one. There’s also a slightly toned-down version of the aggressive rear diffuser we saw on the WRX concept as well as wheels that almost completely fill out their arches.” Senior tells Carsguide that Subaru is maintaining absolute security on the WRX until it is ready to go public with the production car, but admits there is already plenty of interest in early deliveries in 2014. This reporter is on Twitter: @paulwardgover