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PROFILESExpert reviews, test results, and survey data on the most important new cars,

SUVs, minivans, and trucks on the market—plus overviews on all 36 brands

How to Read the Profiles Charts

d Recommended Vehicles To earn this check mark, vehicles must perform well in our testing, have average or better reliabil-ity, and perform adequately if included in safety tests by gov-ernment and insurance-industry crash-test facilities.

Overall Score is a comprehensive scorethat incorporates road-

test performance, predicted reliabil-ity, owner satisfaction, and safety. A range of numbers signifies that

multiple versions of the vehicle or powertrains were tested.

Price is the manufacturer’s sug-gested retail price for the vehicle, without options or destination charges. An “E” indicates an esti-mated price.

Road-Test Score shows how the vehicle performed in our 50 objective and subjective tests. A range of numbers means we tested multiple powertrains or versions.

Reliability is our forecast of how well a model is likely to hold up, de-rived from our Annual Auto Survey.

Owner Satisfaction also comes from our Annual Auto Survey, where we ask subscribers whether they would definitely buy or lease their current vehicle again. A top score 5 indicates that 80 percent or more would do so. The lowest

score 1 indicates that fewer than 50 percent would do so.

MPG is CR’s overall fuel consump-tion, based on city and highway driving, for the vehicles we’ve tested recently. A range of numbers signi-fies that we tested multiple power-trains or versions.

Untested or To Be Tested models do not have overall or road-test scores, or fuel consumption data. An asterisk (*) means rating is based on limited data.

OVERALL SCORE

84

5 4 3 2 1 Better Worse

CONSUMERREPORTS.ORG

April 2016

SUBARUThis Japanese automaker has been synonymous with unpretentious, practical, and affordable all-wheel-drive cars. Subarus have done well in our testing, thanks to roomy interiors, easy access, great visibility, intuitive controls, good fuel economy, and a comfortable ride. Most models have recently gotten a contemporary infotainment system that’s easy to use. Another welcome feature is the EyeSight suite of high-tech safety features. Most Subaru models fare well in our owner satisfaction and reliability surveys.

PRICE $25,395-$28,495

ROAD-TEST SCORE 79

OVERALL SCORE

74

Subaru BRZDeveloped with Toyota, Subaru’s first rear-wheel-drive sports car features a2.0-liter four-cylinder with

a choice of a six-speed manual or automatic. Handling is super-responsive, with cornering precision that makes the BRZ fun to drive. The car turns in promptly, with almost no body lean. The steering is quick and well-weighted. At its limits, the BRZ “pushes” in corners more than its mechanical sibling, the Scion FR-S. That difference makes it more forgiving but slightly less rewarding. The ride is also a bit more jittery than in the FR-S. The cabin is relatively plain, with well-bolstered sport seats, but the ride and elevated noise can be taxing. Reliability of the BRZ has improved to average.

Reliability 3 Satisfaction 3 MPG 30

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Profiles

PRICE $22,395-$33,795

ROAD-TEST SCORE 85

OVERALL SCORE

83

Subaru ForesterSmall SUVs don’t get more practical than the Ratings- topping Forester. Its positives include large

windows, big doors, an excellent driving position, and unusually spacious rear seating. In our tests, the 2.5-liter four-cylinder and CVT averaged a near-class-leading 26 mpg overall. The ride is supple and handling is very secure, though not sporty. Engine noise is pronounced at times. Controls are very simple, and the infotainment and connectivity systems have finally been updated with an easy-to-use touch screen. Midtrim Foresters bring a lot of content for the money. The optional X-Mode gives the car some off-road ability. A backup camera is standard. The optional EyeSight system includes lane-departure warning and front-collision warning.

Reliability 4 Satisfaction 5 MPG 26

PRICE $18,295-$23,595

ROAD-TEST SCORE 76-79

OVERALL SCORE

77-79

Subaru ImprezaThe well-rounded Impreza is among our top-scoring compact sedans. The ride is very absorbent and

controlled. Handling is responsive and secure. Acceleration is adequate, and fuel economy of 27 mpg overall for the sedan is excellent given the standard AWD. The hatchback gets 26 mpg overall and has a handy-sized cargo area. A freshening improved isolation from road and wind noise. The infotainment system has been updated and now includes a handy touch screen. The interior is spacious for the class, controls are straightforward, and visibility is good. Crash-test results are excellent, and Subaru’s EyeSight suite of advanced safety gear is available. A redesign comes in late 2016.

Reliability 5 Satisfaction 3 MPG 26-27

PRICE $21,745-$29,945

ROAD-TEST SCORE 89

OVERALL SCORE

83

Subaru LegacyThe Legacy is one of the roomier, quieter, and more refined midsized sedans—attributes that help it

become one of our top-scoring vehicles in the class. Its ride is better than some luxury cars, and handling is sound and secure. The 2.5-liter four-cylinder is no rocket, but it gets the job done and returns 26 mpg overall. A stronger, quieter 3.6-liter six-cylinder is also available. The unobtrusive CVT behaves much like a conventional automatic. The infotainment system include an easy-to-use touch screen with Internet radio and Bluetooth. A rear camera is standard. Advanced safety gear like blind-spot monitoring and the EyeSight safety suite, including forward-collision warning with automatic braking, is optional.

Reliability 4 Satisfaction 5 MPG 26

PRICE $24,995-$33,395

ROAD-TEST SCORE 82-85

OVERALL SCORE

80-81

Subaru OutbackThis Outback wagon is roomy, refined, and utterly devoid of flash. It rides very comfortably, with secure

handling. The 2.5-liter four-cylinder returns 24 mpg overall, and the unobtrusive continuously variable transmission operates more like a conventional automatic. Opting for the 3.6-liter six-cylinder makes the car quicker and quieter but gives up 2 mpg. The controls are all easy-to-use, including the touch-screen infotainment system. A rear camera is standard. Optional advanced safety gear includes blind-spot monitoring and Subaru’s EyeSight safety suite, which adds forward-collision warning with automatic braking. Crash-test results are impressive.

Reliability 4 Satisfaction 5 MPG 22-24

PRICE $26,595-$39,995

ROAD-TEST SCORE 75

OVERALL SCORE

70

Subaru WRX/STiWith its blistering acceleration and tenacious cornering grip, the WRX is built for the enthusiast

driver. A six-speed manual is standard, but a CVT is offered. Power is abundant and handling is nimble, but the ride is very stiff and choppy, and the stiff-feeling shifter and abrupt clutch engagement make the WRX frustrating as a daily driver. The higher-performance WRX STi has transmission and suspension differences along with a stronger 305-hp engine. New for 2016 is Subaru’s Eyesight assistance package, which includes lane-keep assist, pre-collision braking, and lane-departure warning. Blind-spot detection and rear cross-traffic alert are also available. First-year reliability of the redesign has been average.

Reliability 3 Satisfaction 5 MPG 26

PRICE $21,595-$25,095

ROAD-TEST SCORE 74

OVERALL SCORE

75-76

Subaru CrosstrekThe Crosstrek is a small quasi-SUV version of the Impreza hatchback, with a raised ride height that gives

it enough clearance to slosh through deeply rutted roads. It may appeal to those people who live at the end of a dirt road and don’t want anything big and bulky. The cabin is rather noisy, the ride is stiff, and the 148-hp, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine occasionally has to work hard, but fuel economy is a gratifying 26 mpg. The costlier Hybrid barely improves on that, at 28 mpg. At least the Hybrid is a little quieter and sounds less strained. Either way, the regular Impreza hatch may be a better choice: It’s quieter, quicker, cheaper, and better riding.

Reliability 5 Satisfaction 4 MPG 26-28

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