Was reading the current Motor Trend, and see that they tested a lot of SUVs, but neglected to include the Lexus RX? And, guess who do they award the SUV OF THE YEAR, to: Subaru.


http://www.motortrend.com/oftheyear/...ar_contenders/

 

The RX was not eligible for the competition because it's not new or substantially revised for 2014.

 

OH... OK, wasn't aware that they all had to be new. Lots of new SUVs for 2014 as there were a bunch they tested.

Acura MDX
Buick Encore
BMW X1
Dodge Durango
Jeep Grand Cherokee
Hyundai Santa Fe
Kia Sorento
Land Rover Range Rover
Mini Cooper S Paceman
Mitsubishi Outlander
Subaru Forester
Toyota RAV4

 

Correct. The last time the RX was new or substantially revised was 2010. Here's that comparison:

2010 Motor Trend Sport/Utility Of The Year: The Contenders

 

Thanks for that. Good read. Subaru "won" that year, too.

Here are the winners according to Motor Trend back to 1999. The 300 RX did win an early award.

http://www.motortrend.com/oftheyear/...s/viewall.html

 

"Motor Trend"??
Are they still in business?

 

Wow! You're driving a Subaru! ( i haven't heard that. have you?)
I'm not saying subaru is bad, i like their Symmetrical AWD.
But i won't buy one unless it's a 4th or 5th car.

Future buyers should be careful with car magazines, where most of the writers are car enthusiasts.
You won't be doing 0-60 everyday. You won't be hugging corners everytime.

 

That's very true but I have a grin on my face every time I jump in my Bimmer .

 

Then you will have to explain how Subaru won as they are definitely not going to win any drag races nor any handling competitions.

As for the brand, they are definitely an acquired taste. Still, for a small family starting out they can be the perfect purchase. They are almost always at the top of any crash test and recent changes have made their MPG numbers a bit more respectable though at the sacrifice of some performance. The Forester and the Outback would probably be the only two I would consider. Their cars, with the possible exception of the BRZ, just do not do anything for me. The biggest downside for me is that as a small brand, much the same for Mazda as well, is that there are too few dealerships around such that if you need service it can be a haul (or be hauled) for you to get any work done.

 

There is one Lexus dealer and two Subaru dealers here in Albuquerque.

Subaru has had major problems with steering wheel shaking and even steering shafts coming apart in the Outback.. Not sure about other models. I was considering buying an Outback back around 2010, but decided against it when I read about the steering problems they were having, I believe from about 2010 to present.

http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?id=9110931

http://www.edmunds.com/subaru/outbac...1116&sub=wagon

 

They fixed that in 2013 during a mid cycle refresh. The 2013 (and 2014) is a pretty solid ride. But I agree with you, no way would I touch a 2010-2012.

As for dealer support, that's going to depend a lot on where you live. I imagine in most areas you'll find as many Subaru or Mazda dealers as you will Lexus, Mercedes, Audi, or BMW. When I go to replace my Altima, I'll strongly consider a Subaru. Having a dealer here in town is a plus. Both Nissan and Lexus are about 20-30 minutes away.


Posted from ClubLexus.com App for Android

 

San Diego and all of its suburbs have many Lexus dealerships(our new 35 million dollar one the best) BUT only one Subaru dealership somewhere in San Diego. With so many other brands offering AWD, no use buying an orphan brand like Subaru.

 

Here in Grand Junction, we actually do have a Subaru dealer, but no dealers or dedicated repair shops for Mazda, Lexus, Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Infiniti, Land Rover, VW or Acura. Closest dealers for most of these brands are across the mountains in Denver, 250 miles away. Our Toyota dealer can fix most Lexus vehicles.

Personally, I avoid Subarus like the plague--just don't like the designs, especially the engines. But that's just me.

 

Which means you do not care for Porsche engines for the most part either. Flat is as flat does.