2018 Subaru Crosstrek Revealed

Subaru debuted the 2018 Crosstrek at the Geneva International Motor Show this week. It retains everything Crosstrek buyers want and adds a few other goodies, too. Will Subaru drop the manual transmission option? Read more at Crankshaft Culture.

Snow Day Review: 2017 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport SEL AWC

We've driven the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport compact crossover a number of time including in 2011 and in 2013. Back then, they had the anemic 2.0-liter engine. The recently restyled 2017 we tested had the more powerful 2.4-liter mill. Oh, we also ended up putting AWD CUV to the test in a 40-year snow storm in Portland. However, that's not the whole story.

Read the full review over at Crankshaft Culture.

2018 Ford EcoSport Coming to the U.S.

Ford has finally decided to jump into the subcompact crossover craze, and it's doing so with the EcoSport. The little EcoSport has been sold in other parts of the world since 2004, but is finally coming stateside. In fact, we saw these in New Zealand and Australia and can confirm they are a great size—not too big.

Review: 2016 Volkswagen Golf R ... In The Snow

Why is there a Golf R in the snow in August? Because this piece was originally written in spring ... in Canada. - Andy

By Spencer Whitney - SCC Editorial Staff

There are very few compact cars that tick every box on this writer's wish list. When shopping for a new ride you might start out with several must-haves, but ultimately there's a lot of compromises that happen between walking on to the lot and actually signing the papers. Fast cars aren't always well made (Lancer Evo, we're looking at you) and sporty cars aren't always fast.

But every once in a while a vehicle comes along that seems to offer something special and unexpected, almost as if it was a side project that rogue engineers somehow slipped past the bean counters. Germany has consistently created incredibly powerful cars, unfortunately at a price point far beyond the average consumer. What if there was something out there for the rest of us, with enough power and flair to blow away everything else in its class?

Review: 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer SEL 2.4 AWC - Same as it Ever Was (Almost)

The more things change, the more they stay the same. This phase pretty much describes the latest Mitsubishi Lancer. For all intents and purposes, the Lancer really hasn’t changed all that much since its last semi-major refresh in 2008. Sure, there have been some minor styling changes, some tweaks, and refinements. However, it’s pretty much the same car as it was nearly a decade ago. This is unheard of in the hyper-competitive compact class, which is led by titans such as the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Ford Focus, and Nissan Sentra. They get regular refreshes, updates, and changes. But not the Lancer; it plods along the straight and narrow resisting change more than a republican at a Bernie Sanders rally. So how come the Lancer is able to hang on?

2016 Honda HR-V EX-L NAVI: The Introverted Subcompact CUV

The HR-V is a bit of an introvert. It's got AWD capability, it's comfortable, and it's solidly built. But it just doesn't say much. You're at the school dance and there's that guy/gal sitting down who is smart, moderately attractive, but just doesn't seem to have much of a personality—that's the HR-V.

To put it in more automotive terms, if the Jeep Renegade Trailhawk is on one side of the subcompact CUV spectrum (the extrovert and rugged off-road type), and the Mazda CX-3 Grand Touring is on the other side of the spectrum (a smooth, edgy on-road handler), the Honda HR-V is pretty much in the middle. In other words, it's not something you'd necessarily want to flog off the pavement, and isn't the one you'd want at the autocross. The HR-V, which is based on the subcompact Fit chassis, is essentially an AWD Fit—complete with Honda's Magic Seats—but with a softer suspension and more power. It is, perhaps, the Goldilocks of the group, which resides in the middle of the subcompact CUV personality spectrum.

The End of an Evolution: Driving the 2015 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MR

In 2003, Mitsubishi finally let the United States market have the Lancer Evolution, and 12 years later, Mitsubishi is doing away with it. No, it's not just leaving the U.S., it's leaving everywhere.

Review: 2015 Jeep Renegade Trailhawk

By Mercedes Lilienthal

We were really excited to test the 2015 Jeep Renegade Sport earlier this year, and got even more excited when we recently had the chance to review another one, this time, the top-of-the-line, off-road ready 2015 Renegade Trailhawk.

Wrapped in Anvil gray paint and boasting the MySky power retractable and removable roof (vs. the non-power version we had in the Sport), this optioned-up Trailhawk Jeep comes equipped with just about everything an off-road enthusiast would want (and need) for light to moderate off-pavement adventuring. This rig offers up skid plates galore, 0.8-inches more ground clearance than the Sport model (total of 8.7" if clearance), 17-inch aluminum wheels wrapped in 215/65R17 all-terrain tires, front and rear tow hooks, and a selectable Selec-Terrain AWD system with Rock Mode and 4WD Lock, which locks the center differential—a nice feature on AWD vehicles.

The Selec-Terrain system is pretty slick. It allows the driver to manually change the handling for different types of terrain and weather. Snow, sand, mud, and rock settings help the vehicle navigate tricky turf. Simply turn the knob to the desired setting and motor on. The mode you're in will display between the tachometer and speedometer on the dashboard, too. Add to that a host of safety features like a bunch of front and side-mounted airbags, four-wheel disc brakes with ABS, electronic stability and roll mitigation control, hill start and descent control, and all-speed traction control; you are pretty prepped for outdoor fun.

Is the Mongrel the Craziest Car on eBay?

If you're like me, you like to see cars and trucks that are not your run-of-the mill rides. I love finding the crazy stuff on craigslist, Autotrader, and eBay. In fact, one of the best places I've found the most out-there rides is eBay's "Other Makes" in their Cars & Trucks section. From Bricklins to Zaps, if it doesn't fit into a mainstream category, you'll likely find it for sale here. There's modern, there's vintage, there are race cars and industrial vehicles. Looking for a LADA? Maybe a Moskvitch? Yep, they're both here.

But what took the cake in this category this week is the Mongrel. According to the description, this is a one-of-a-kind "military recon concept car." It's an electric hybrid which uses a 1.9-liter Volkswagen TDI engine as a generator in case the batteries get low. It's four-wheel drive, has four 100 kW permanent-magnet electric motors, and coilover magneto-rheological controlled shocks with programmable controller. Oh and yes, the seller has bullet-proof body panels in case you were wondering. And is it me, or does that cab look like it came off of a 1997–2004 Dodge Dakota?

Ford Focus RS Drift Mode

By Scott Huntington

Chances are, if you're a gearhead, you were the type of kid who played video games like Burnout and Need for Speed. And obviously, the best part about those games was drifting your car around hairpin turns.

Now, with a dynamite car like the Ford Focus RS coming to America (sometime in spring 2016, that is), people like you should be excited. Why?

Well, besides the fact that it's just plain awesome—and we'll get to those details later—the RS will feature a "drift mode." So whether you're a seasoned track racer or a wannabe gymkhana expert, you'll feel like you're playing a real version of your video game.

Review: 2015 Jeep Renegade Sport

By Andy Lilienthal

If there are two automotive trends that Americans are obsessed with, it is Jeeps and crossovers, but nary the two shall meet, right? As someone who works in the off-road industry (as my full time gig), I can tell you most Wrangler owners don’t want to have anything to do with the Renegade. “It’s not a real Jeep,” they’ll say. Let’s get this straight: The Renegade will never be a Wrangler; it was never supposed to be. However, the more Renegades Jeep can sell, the more likely it is the company will continue to finance the uber-niche Wrangler. OK, well I’m glad I got that off my chest.

To me, the Renegade is one of those vehicles I've been looking forward to since I heard rumors of a “baby Jeep” a couple years ago. We immediately thought it’d be a Fiat Panda. Then we figured it’d just be an all-wheel drive Fiat 500L. Well, it’s neither. Its larger than the European Panda and more capable (and better looking) than the 500L. Jeep did a great job designing this little rig, which is sold in a host of countries around the world, not just North America. And I’ll tell you this: It’s likely going to be a huge success.

Despite the Jeep brand having an image almost as American as the Statue of Liberty, the Renegade is actually made in Italy. (Hey, the Statue of Liberty was made in France.) It’s manufactured on the same line as both the dowdy (albeit super practical) Fiat 500L and the Fiat 500X, which is essentially a mechanical twin of the Renegade. Think of it this way: The Renegade wears blue jeans; the 500X wears khakis. They’re both pants, but with different looks.

Nearly all of the Renegade’s attention in the media has been focused on its Trailhawk trim level, which offers up most of the off-road goodies. Our tester, however, was the entry level Sport trim, although it was equipped with the optional SOHC 2.4-liter Tigershark engine and nine-speed ZF transmission that’s standard on the Trailhawk. Yes, the Renegade is available with the 1.4-liter MultiAir turbo engine and a six-speed manual in Sport guise, but our tester had the more powerful mill. This Sport model comes in either front- or all-wheel drive; our tester turned all four wheels.

2015 Subaru XV Crosstrek Special Edition

By Andy Lilienthal

Bananas. Taxicabs. Nacho cheese. These were all descriptors for the 2015 Subaru XV Crosstrek Special Edition we drove recently. Not all cars can pull off such a vibrant hue, but the compact Crosstrek rocks it. Then again, the car is also available in a very bright orange shade, and it pulls that color off, too. By the way, in the Japanese market this screaming yellow color is called Pop Star. Konnichiwa!

Review: 2015 Subaru Impreza Sport Limited

By Andy Lilienthal

The Impreza is a people’s car. There’s a model for nearly everyone, whether it’s a base 2.0i model, which can still be had with hubcaps; an up-level Premium or Limited model; the lifted XV Crosstrek and XV Crosstrek Hybrid; the super-fast WRX sedan (don’t dare call it an Impreza anymore, however); the Sport Premium and this model: The Sport Limited, which is the top-of-the-line model, complete with sporty side skirts, leather, all of Subaru’s latest tech, and more. After three model years, Subaru is adding some new bits to keep its popular AWD wonder wagon fresh.

Note the front fascia on the 2014 Impreza Sport (white) vs. the 2015 Impreza Sport (Dark Gray).

On the outside, the '15 Impreza’s most notable changes come at the front fascia, which has a different bumper, grille, and headlights than '12–'14 versions. Note the comparison above. You'll see the chrome bits on the '15 Impreza. Frankly, I think I prefer the earlier front end, but the revision isn't bad. I, however, am not a big fan of chrome on modern cars. The exterior mirrors also now feature turn signals, by the way. Subaru says the styling changes were done so it more closely resembles the larger Legacy. Other than this, you’d be hard pressed to tell the difference between a pre-'14 and a '15.

Inside, however, there are some notable and welcomed changes. Most apparent is the new 7.0 infotainment system which is heaps better than the older version. The large, vibrant touchscreen features all the latest tech and includes an easy-to-use and wonderfully functional navigation system with bright, brilliant maps. Plus, the stereo is now quite good. Previous models didn’t seem to get loud enough; this one is plenty loud. All trims levels now get a rear-view camera, and this Sport Limited trim gets Subaru’s EyeSight tech, which uses cameras mounted in the top-center of the windshield for lane departure, pre-collision, and adaptive cruise control (you can note them in the first photo). There’s also now a color LCD screen in the gauge cluster for various bits of info, such as fuel economy.

The interior remains comfortable, but the heated leather front seats feel flat and have about as much bolstering as a padded lawn chair. Our tester also came with Bluetooth, push-button start, and an optional $2,795 power moon roof.

Another thing that hasn’t changed is the 2.0-liter  boxer four-cylinder engine that churns out 148 hp and 145 ft/lbs of toque. The only available transmission on the Sport Limited is the CVT, which is, of course, mated to Subaru’s symmetrical all-wheel-drive system. This engine/transmission combo makes the car feel heavy and a bit lumbering upon acceleration. Also, and more concerning, was the fact that when I put the car into drive from reverse, there was a moment of hesitation before it’d begin forward progress. I don’t remember previous CVT-equipped Imprezas doing this, so perhaps it was just our tester. This wasn’t an isolated incident, either; it happened every time. Full-throttle acceleration yields a lot of noise and not too much scoot. This car could benefit from another 20 horsepower. And in fact, the Subaru XV Crosstrek Hybrid, which we reviewed last year, provided that extra oomph (160 hp vs. 148 hp; 163 ft/lbs vs 145 ft/lbs of torque) this car has. Cornering is full of grip, as expected, thanks to the AWD and 17-inch wheels and tires. I also found the car to have quite a bit of road noise despite added enhancements to quiet the cabin. I blame the 50-series tires.

In terms of fuel economy, the car is still rated at a very respectable 27 city, 36 highway, and 31 combined MPG. Our week with the car returned nearly 29 MPG in mixed use—good for an AWD vehicle.

Whether you’re looking for an AWD vehicle or not, the Impreza is a solid compact car choice no matter which way you look at it. Yes, I’d like more power, more seat bolstering, and a bit quitter cabin, but despite these shortcomings, the Impreza has a lot going for it. Our loaded test model came in at a reasonable $26,885 including destination. While a co-worker pointed out you could get a much faster, sportier WRX for that amount, you don't get leather and some of the other luxury goods you get on the Sport Limited (at least not for that price). You also don't get one other thing: a hatchback.

THE BASICS: 2015 Subaru Impreza Sport Limited
MSRP As Tested:	$26,885
Engine:	2.0-liter flat four cylinder
Transmission:	CVT
Horsepower:	148
Torque:	145 lbs/ft
Curb Weight:	3,131lbs.
Wheelbase:	104.1"
Overall Length:	174"
Suspension:	F: Struts w/lower L-arm; stabilizer bar R: Double Wishbone
Brakes:	F: Disc w/ABS R: Disc w/ABS
Wheels:	17" alloy
Tires:	205/50R17
Range & MPG:	27 city, 36 highway, 31 combined

Your STI Fighter is Here: Ford Focus RS

By Andy Lilienthal

Ladies and Gentlemen, Ford has released photos and some info about its upcoming Ford Focus RS. Images are nice and big, so feel free to click and download!

This beast will have a 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine making more than 315 horsepower and will be mated to a six-speed manual transmission. It will have all-wheel drive and torque-vectoring control allowing up to 70% of the power to be put to the rear wheels. The RS will ride on 235/35R19 Michelin tires. It will likely be awesome.

If I am Subaru, I am now going to carefully plan my next move, since the 305 hp WRX STI is right in the RS's crosshairs.  Full press release below.

The Subcompact Crossover Segment Heating Up

The 2015 Honda HR-V will be based on the Honda Fit chassis.

For years we've been told Americans don't like small cars and they don't like hatchbacks. We do know they like all-wheel/four-wheel drive and crossovers, however. So what happens when manufacturers take small hatchbacks, give them AWD, and call them a crossover? You get the quickly growing subcompact crossover segment.

This isn't the first time small 4WD vehicles have been sold in the U.S., however. The 1980s offered vehicles such as the Dodge Colt Vista, the 4WD Toyota Tercel, the Nissan Stanza Wagon, and of course, the Subaru Justy. In the 1990s we saw the Mitsubishi Expo LRV/Eagle Summit Wagon/Plymouth Colt Vista trio and the Nissan Axxes. Things became more mainstream with the advent of the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, and the Subaru Impreza. Over the years, many of these vehicles got bigger, heavier, and their personality changed. It wasn't until 2007 when Suzuki came out with the SX4 that the subcompact crossover segment reappeared on buyers' radar—although not many buyers opted for the Suzuki, and the entire brand—SX4 and all—left the U.S. market in 2013.

The 2015 Chevrolet Trax is based on the Chevrolet Sonic platform.

Now, the small AWD car market is beginning to really heat up and many automakers are offering (or will be offering) small hatchbacks with AWD as an option. This includes:

• Buick Encore
• Chevrolet Trax
• Fiat 500X
• Honda HR-V
• Jeep Renegade
• MINI Countryman ALL4
• Nissan Juke

Allegedly, Mazda will debut a CX-3 in the not-so-distance future; there are rumblings of a small, AWD Hyundai (iX25?); and chatter that Kia's Soul will soon be able to turn all of its wheels.

I'm excited that this segment is getting bigger. We loved the size of our 2010 and 2011 Suzuki SX4; it was that just-right size, and the fact that we could get it with AWD and a manual transmission was icing on the cake. Hopefully this latest crop of vehicles will at least have a shift-it-yourself option. Regardless, this segment is definitely on the rise, and I would expect other manufacturers to hop on on this subcompact bandwagon as well.

The upcoming Fiat 500X

The MINI Paceman Adventure: Off-Highway Contender or Dirt Road Pretender?

MINI released this little concept this week: The MINI Paceman Adventure. It basically takes the two-door Paceman All4, removes the back half, and makes it into a pickup. There's all-terrain tires, a roof-rack, and even an intake snorkel for, according to MINI, a "challenging river crossing." In addition, there's a modified suspension to help soak up the extra bumps off the highway, more ground clearance, auxiliary lighting, and the spare tire up on the roof.

At first, I thought this was pretty cool. I'm a big fan of adventure vehicles—cars and trucks that let you "get out" a bit farther than most people. I like the color and the wheel/tire combo. But then I got to thinking about it.

The idea of the Paceman Adventure is great: A go-anywhere go-more places AWD MINI with a pickup bed and some add-ons that make it look like it's ready for a cross-continent expedition. However, from a practicality standpoint, it would'e made much more sense to simply take a regular Paceman, remove the rear seats, and give it the "Adventure" treatment. I mean really: What are you going to do with that bed? You can hardly put anything in it, and what you could put in it is going to get wet if it rains. Many people that are into the adventure lifestyle are also into the gear. The MINI has some gear bolted on, but where are you going to put your tent, stove, cooler, and backpack?

I am a fan of giving cars the "rough-road" treatment, a term I first heard on Expedition Portal. (Think Subaru XV Crosstrek. Think Jeep Renegade.) Think regular vehicle with more ground clearance and a bit more capability. I think MINI could've made a legitimate case with the Paceman Adventure if they had just kept it as a mini SUV-like vehicle instead of a pickup configuration.

While I do have to give MINI credit for stepping outside of its smallish box, I think that the MINI Paceman Adventure is more of a pretender than a contender. It's a bunch of bolt-ons, a useless bed, and a few visual differences that try to make this MINI look like a mountain man, when in reality it ends up looking more like a poser that's just left REI.

Review: 2015 Subaru WRX STI Launch Edition

When Subaru refreshed its Impreza for 2013, the thought on every Subaru enthusiasts mind was “What will the WRX be like?” We all knew it’d eventually have to transition from the previous body style, but what were the details? When the redesigned WRX debuted, we found out it would only come in sedan form and it’d have a new 2.0-liter turbocharged boxer four-cylinder engine. The new WRX is rather bland looking, but by all accounts, it drives exceptionally—great news for enthusiasts. So then the next reasonable car-enthusiast question was, “What will the STI be like?” Will it be more aggressive looking? How much more power will it make? Will it still have the staple giant wing and available gold wheels? Answers to this would be Yes, 305, and yes.

It’s easy to recognize the 2015 STI vs. the standard 2015 WRX. For starters, there’s the huge-ass spoiler and the available 18” BBS wheels for starter. Those wheels are gold on the Launch Edition STI, which is limited to 1,000 units. Even if you don’t opt for the Launch Edition, all STI models get more aggressive, flared fenders, quad-tipped exhaust system, LED headlamps, and a few other unique exterior styling cues. The look really does take the car from mild to wild, and the gold wheels look great, especially when paired with that classic WR Blue Pearl hue. While I don’t think it’s correct to call the car handsome, per se, I do think the appearance is attractive, so long as you’re into the look. It’s very Japanese, very boy-racer, quite rally-car-esque, and most certainly in-your-face. I haven’t driven a car that elicited this much attention in a long time (not since the Scion FR-S). I literally had other people in WRXs pull up alongside me on the Interstate and hoot, holler, and ogle at the car as they drove past. After work one day, I arrived at the car to find the owner of a 2008 STI taking pictures of this car. However, not everyone likes it. I also had a WRX owner go past me and give me the proverbial “thumbs down.”

Review: 2013 Nissan Juke NISMO

The NISMO (NISsan MOtorsports) name has been around since 1984. The tuner has been heavily involved in racing over the years, and has also offered tuning parts for a variety of Nissans. Turnkey NISMO cars first started with a Skyline GT-R in Japan in the early 2000s. In 2002, the Sentra Spec V ended up with an available NISMO variant, as did the 350Z, and other vehicles. These cars had all kinds of different parts. From suspension and engine changes, to seats and spoilers, the NISMO-equipped Nissans add more spice to the driving experience. For 2013 we saw the introduction of two new NISMO vehicles: The 370Z and, of all things, the Juke crossover. The Juke has been out for a few years now but is still as polarizing as it was when it first came out. People either love the looks or detest them.

Review: 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport AWC

We last drove the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport back in the summer of 2011. We liked it size, its shape, the panoramic roof, and amazing Rockford Fosgate sound system. It lacked power and wasn’t the most exciting to drive. But man, that sound system was amazing.

Not a ton has changed for the 2013 model. It still looks good (I love the Laguna Blue paint), it still has the panoramic roof, and still has the amazing stereo. In fact, while the Outlander Sport is perfectly good transportation, I prefer to think of it as one of the best AWD mobile sound systems out there.

In the Driveway: 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport

In the the driveway this week is the all-wheel drive 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport compact crossover. Upon first impression, I still like the looks, I'm more fond of that bright blue color than I thought I'd be, and the Rockford Fosgate stereo must still be the loudest OEM system known to man—and it sounds amazing. The 2.0-liter engine feels anemic, and it's mated to a CVT with paddle shifters, which actually work very well. Nearly the entire roof on this guy is glass, too.

More later; stay tuned.