Subaru’s new Forester is already available in the UK and will be on American lots in no time. Until then, we look to Motor Trend, who took 2010 Forester for a ride. Equipped with a boxer diesel engine, the Forester shares “its bore centers with Subaru’s 3.0L gas six (to help reduce machining costs) but otherwise made mostly of unique parts. The twin-cam, four-cylinder mill displaces 2.0L, feeds off a common-rail fuel-delivery system, and breathes via 16 valves and a variable-nozzle turbo. Output is 145 hp at 3600 rpm but the engine makes a manly 258 lb-ft of torque at just 1800 rpm (compared with 226 lb-ft for the Forester’s 2.0L turbo gas engine).”

“Official EPA fuel economy figures of course aren’t yet available, but in Europe the Forester 2.0D is rated at an amazing 37 mpg city/highway combined. If you’re a driver who likes to pour on the miles, here’s your rig: With its 16.9-gallon fuel tank, the 2.0D has a range of more than 600 miles. Got a boat or a trailer? No problem. With the tank-like boxer-diesel, the Forester 2.0D can tow up to 4400 lb (compared with just 2400 lb for the gasoline-drinking, turbo 2.5L four in the Forester XT).”

Thanks to Motor Trend for the info! Be sure to check out the all new 2010 Subaru Forester at a dealer near you.

At first glimpse we were surprised and very happy that the Legacy Wagon is back in full force. But for those who enjoy an enclosed trunk fear not, the sedan version should also make an appearance. A 5-door wagon complete with floodlights, a sexy grill and headlights large enough to flood the infield at Yankee Stadium.

We enjoy this high-rising, beefy Forester-like sports wagon more than the low riding family style Legacy, pictured below. Either way, the supposed look of 2010’s Legacy from Subaru is about as sexy as an Australian car can get. We hope that Best Car Mag is good at predictions when it comes to automotive design. We’ll be looking out for the production photos later this year.

Subaru Exiga

EXIGA is Sixth Subaru

Subaru today confirmed the innovative and versatile EXIGA All-Wheel Drive wagon will join its Australian line-up later this year.

Unveiling a Japanese domestic-specification EXIGA at Melbourne International Motor Show, Subaru Managing Director, Nick Senior, said the six-seater family wagon will go on sale around November.

It will feature automatic transmission as standard and be powered by a normally aspirated four cylinder 2.5 litre horizontally opposed Boxer engine.

2010 Subaru Exiga

Mr Senior said: “The entry level EXIGA will include a DVD entertainment system as standard for second and third row seats.”

He confirmed EXIGA will also feature some yet-to-be revealed innovative technology.

“This will be very much a next generation Subaru vehicle and will, of course, focus on the safety, engineering integrity, durability and innovation for which we are renowned,” he said

EXIGA features a spacious cabin with sweeping dashboard, individual second row seats and a stow-away third row bench seat.

Yes, the steering wheel is properly placed

Mr Senior said the Japanese domestic specification model displayed at the Melbourne show varies from the Australian versions, but has the same exterior shape.

Australia will be the first export market for EXIGA.

Pricing will be announced at the November launch.

Subaru Impreza WRX

Subaru has been awarded countless off road certifications from year to year. It’s no wonder more teams are headed towards this auto maker for their rally car concepts. The Impreza WRX Sports Wagon accommodates snowy driving by having a wide frame base and powerful torque. All Wheel Drive capabilities and the optional 6-speed manual are a plus with this make of Subaru. The car company has a special presentation on their site, showing off their state of the art suspension and transmission technologies used in each vehicle.

Plymouth Acclaim/Dodge Spirit

Front Wheel Drive is second best to AWD – but when it comes to a power house like the old Dodge Spirit & Plymouth Acclaim sedans FWD can get away from a few snow mounds. It was easy to get out of a few frosty feet by just clearing the front end of your Acclaim. Start it, let it warm up and shift into drive – your Dodge engine and forward wheels will pull the vehicle right out of any snowbank. This blogger is speaking from years of personal experience.

VW Golf R32

Much like the Impreza, Volkswagen’s Golf/Rabbit comes with a wide array of drive trains and transmissions perfect for the snowy weather. It may look small and light weight, but don’t be fooled. This little rabbit can hop out of icy conditions with little effort.

Lincoln MKX

Lincoln may not produce the sexiest SUV’s, but the new MKX crossover handles more than sufficiently during winter months. MKX moves more like a large car instead of a small truck, a decent body weight helps tires form to the slushy ground, without sinking you down. And a powerful V6 under it’s hood doesn’t hurt.

Subaru Outback

Subaru Outback (along with Forester) rounds off our Best in Snow list. Outback brought off-roading to the parkways and city streets of suburban USA – without having to opt for a full sized sport utility vehicle. Outback’s All Wheel Drive, like the Impreza, along with powerful torque boosts from its engine make it a darling of ice covered roads.

Dishonorable mention – Worst Snow Driving Cars

Nissan Altima (Gen II: 1998 – 2001)

Nisan’s older Altima’s were less than sensational in slippery weather. The flimsy steering and light weight made it quite difficult to manage during large amounts of precipitation. This generation of Altima’s has minimal pick-up, leaving you to dig its entire chassis out before leaving your driveway.

Dodge Neon

Dodge’s Spirit may be higher up on the list of great snow cars, but their Neon brings the Chrysler owned company back to the bottom. Poor handling, cheap manufacturing and light weight make this vehicle a nightmare to drive in general, let alone while the sky is falling.

Built upon Subaru’s rally car heritage, the Impreza WRX STI is a vehicle for those who want to be a part of a brotherhood of speed and performance. When you are part of the Fraternity of STI, you feel like you’re tearing up the track – without all the homoerotic paddling, binge drinking and carrying of various veritable products stuffed into dark areas of the body.

So what can you expect from the all new Subaru Impreza? Under the hood, you’ll find a 305 horse power 2.5-liter DOHC turbocharged Subaru Boxer engine – this gives the driver 90 lb-ft of torque at 4400 RPM’s. Not bad, not bad at all. Impreza gets about 24-25 miles to  the gallon, and is accompanied by a high-performance braking system and STI high-performance-tuned exhaust with stainless-steel outlets.

STI-designed instruments can be found inside the vehicle, along with aluminum gauge trim, a center-mounted tachometer with red-line warning and audible indicator, So if you are about to burst the engine Impreza will surely let you know. Expect cloth or leather (depending on your budget) front bucket seats to improve your highway or back road racer experience. With a starting price of $33,000-34,000 be sure to get in line and test drive one today.

Subaru is known to provide its customers quality vehicles with standard all-wheel-drive and the smooth operating boxer engine. With the 2008 Tribeca luxury crossover SUV, Subaru brings you these plus a whole lot more. Get ready for a ride in the “Top Safety Pick” of automobiles.

Fans of the Tribeca will be pleased to know that the inadequately received polarizing three-point grille has been removed from the 2008 design. Other changes to outer surface of the vehicle include a more compact set of headlights, a revised rear section and larger side view mirrors for increased visibility. The updated Tribeca has a fresh, new look that will get any car enthusiast excited.

On the inside of the vessel, there is no room for disappointment, only for you. You have the option for a 50/50-split fold down third row, which bumps the five-person occupancy to seven. The second row adjusters have been tampered with to allow easier movement and access to the third row. Subaru added some nice technologies to this SUV including a navigation system, rear backup camera assist, a backseat DVD entertainment arrangement and more. Six standard airbags keep the five or seven occupants safe, and they include the frontal airbags, side-impact airbags and side curtain airbags. Other safety features worth noting include the electronic stability system, the traction control and the antilock brakes.

For a smooth and satisfying ride with the luxuries of an SUV, the 2008 Tribeca is the way to go.

The Outback, one of Subaru’s mid-size vehicles, is looking good for the New Year. With a large array of trim levels and either a sedan or a wagon body in each trim to choose from, the selecting pool is rather large.

Many of the luxury features from last years models have become standard on many of the trim level models this year; this includes electroluminescent gauges. The SI-Drive system—allowing the driver to select one of three preset levels of vehicle response—has controls sitting on the new tilt/telescoping steering wheel. Other features the Outback has to offer include various power functions and remote keyless entry. The luxurious L.L.Bean Edition model brings heated leather upholstery, a navigation system and more to the table. As far as safety goes, the confines of the Outback vessel have got you covered. You have the standard frontal airbags, side-impact airbags, side curtain airbags, and all-disc antilock brakes all as standard. Higher-level models include a convenient electronic stability system for added support to the vehicle handling.

The base Outlook is equipped with a 2.5-liter horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine that generates 175 horsepower. The powered up version of this engine sits in the 2.5 XT model, and it generates 243 horsepower. The L.L.Bean model gets another horizontally opposed six-cylinder 3.0-liter engine capable of 245 horsepower. The base engine receives either a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic transmission with overdrive; the powered up versions are teamed with a five-speed automatic transmission. In addition, as with all Subaru models, standard all-wheel drive is included.

The 2008 Outback drives like a dream, and the flexibility you have when selecting your model make this mid-size wonder from Subaru definitely worth looking over.

Subaru has their hands into the mid-size sedan market with the Subaru Legacy, a valued edition to the class. With the Legacy sporting Subaru’s trademark quality, including standard all-wheel drive, you can expect this sedan to please the palate of any purchaser.

The 2008 Legacy comes in over five different trim levels that all offer the same core technology, with some extra treats as the models go up in level. All trim levels receive a revamped grille with a winged crossbar, improved fog lights, chrome styling on some light borders, turning-signals on the side mirrors and even more. The interior cabin gets a host of new goodies for the delight of drivers and passengers alike. The SI-Drive Performance Management System allows you to switch between different “modes” of engine performance, depending on the type of ride you desire. Additional features include power windows, power locks, cruise control and further useful technologies. Higher models get leather upholstery, seat heaters, dual-zone automatic climate controls, while the highest model includes a Subaru navigation system.

Safety isn’t sacrificed for all of this convenience. Side-impact airbags and side-curtain airbags complement the frontal airbags, as well as four-wheel-disc antilock brakes. Just as safety isn’t sacrificed, the strength of this sedan holds its own as well. A standard 2.5-liter horizontally opposed 4-cylinder engine is standard on Legacies, and it pairs with either a four automatic or five-speed manual transmission, both with overdrive. A powered up version of this engine that is capable of 243 horsepower is used in higher trim levels, and this uses a five-speed either automatic or manual transmission. The next level up is equipped with a six-cylinder 3.0-liter engine that produces 245 horsepower. This engine teams with a five-speed automatic. With the SI-Drive and such a vast choice of engines, you have the choice for gas mileage or better acceleration and performance.

The 2008 Legacy really shines, and it delivers a great ride with some great dexterity and versatility.

The compact car market is taken aback by the presence of Subaru’s contribution, the Impreza. This smooth and sporty model returns in 2008 wearing a new look and with plenty of trim levels to choose from.

Both the sedan and hatchback body style feature fully framed windows, upgraded wheels and rims, new styling details and more. The highest level Outback Sport trim is unique because it features a two-tone experience on the sides of the outer chassis. The inside is as spectacular as the outside. The center console holds a navigation system and the steering wheel can control various features various controls for functions of the vehicle. More features are available, especially on the Outback-Sport model. Dual-mode heated front seats and other luxurious technologies keep the occupants happy. Also inside you’ll find six airbags, an electronic stability system, antilock brakes and more!

The power source is what makes this compact wonder propel. Base models get a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine; the WRX model gets a turbocharged version of this that brings the 170 horsepower to 224. The Outback Sport model gets a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 170 horsepower as well. The models gat a standard five-speed manual transmission and a four-speed automatic transmission with a manual-shift mode as an option. Outback Sport models with manual transmissions receive incline start assist, disallowing backward rolling on an incline.

This car drives great, no matter what model you choose. The variety of engines and transmissions allow it to suit the style of any driver and all of the choices shine on the open road. The 2008 year brings only good things to the Subaru Impreza.

The Forester is the Subaru compact SUV of their line-up. The Forester has received “Best Small SUV” three years in a row because it provides the roominess of a conventional SUV while driving with the performance and ease of a smaller model car. The Forester truly is “SUV tough, Car Easy.”

The exterior design of the Forester has undergone some noteworthy revamps for 2008. New wheels, body-colored roof option, sleek lines and more molds into an aesthetically pleasing sensation. The interior matches the quality of the exterior. The 60/40-split folding rear seat allows the Forester to hold up to five people. For 2008, the Forester gets a supped up audio system with multiple speakers and a subwoofer for optimal the delight of passengers. Higher models get power features, climate control, heated seats and some detailing extras as a standard feature to the impressive line-up of gear.

The 2008 Forester features a 2.5-liter horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine nets a respectable 173 horsepower and teams with a five-speed manual transmission with overdrive. A higher-powered engine is available that can boost that up to 224 horsepower. The 2.5 X L.L.Bean Edition gets a four-speed automatic transmission, which is an option for the other available models.

Safety is taken care of for the 2008 Forester. Occupants are protected with both dual-stage frontal airbags and side-impact airbags. Other defense features you’ll find include antilock brakes, an ABS system with electronic brake-force distribution, a Hill Holder clutch that aids on inclines and Subaru’s Variable Torque Distribution. What this does is tap into electronic systems to optimize the allocation between the front and rear wheels.

The Forester is definitely worth a look for buyers looking for a 2008 model.