Comments on: In Detroit, Subaru Makes Annual Promise of a Future Hybrid

By: vamoose

vamoose — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 15:26:53 +0000

In fairness to Subaru, it is far more difficult for a company of this size to do the R&D needed for a completely new model than Toyota, Honda, Nissan or Ford. Outside the snow states, they don’t sell a lot of cars! They already have a successful diesel in Europe. It would need to be adapted to meet US emmission standards, but this would be a lot cheaper than a new hybrid design. I also like the relative simplicity and lower cost of a diesel vs. hybrid.

By: Hybrid Cars - USA

Hybrid Cars - USA — Sat, 02 Jul 2011 23:30:29 +0000

Would, this kind of road test information would boost buyers confidence?

By: Francesca Grifo

Francesca Grifo — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 06:15:00 +0000

Very soon I will have to part with my beloved aging Outback. For me it is the size, the reliability, the sturdiness, the clearance and the fact that I can fit me, my spouse, two teenage boys and a dog more than the all wheel drive. Still no hybrid with decent gas mileage that fits us all. Oh and we do love our Prius – but the hatchback is too low for our black lab to be comfortable back there and as my boys are still growing – I fear the Prius back seat may not contain them for long either!

By: Richard Poor

Richard Poor — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 17:34:05 +0000

It may very well be Hyundai will have the first best PHEV SUV and maybe AWD and diesel electric!

By: Richard Poor

Richard Poor — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 17:31:21 +0000

I have been campaigning in vain for years for a plug in hybrid electric Subaru AWD Forester. Combine the boxer diesel with electric motor for the rear wheels and eliminate the fluid AWD box to make room for batteries. Goofy for Subaru to not do this. Prius when pushed is lousy.
Having driven everything from a 4 spd 1969 GTO with studded snow tires to a 2002 Subaru Forester, a 2WD Chevy Silverado and a 4WD Toyota Tacoma in ice and snow on hills, here are my opinions:
snow tires make a difference
studs or chains make a bigger difference
without studs or chains, 4WD Tacoma wins
AWD Subaru is a close second and more versatile...

By: Dom

Dom — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 13:52:16 +0000

Come on Subaru, forget hybrids… bring the new boxer diesel you were promising us!! That’s a Subaru I would buy.

By: FamilyGuy

FamilyGuy — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 12:43:05 +0000

I’ll be the first to admit that the AWD comes in handy about 1% of the time and is just fun to drive the other 99% of the time (3-4 snow storms a year?, that’s just 1%). I’ll tell you what, my Subaru has never gotten stuck getting into or out of the driveway that hasn’t been shovel and has been plowed in by the street plows. That car goes right through it every time. We’ve had an Altima Hybrid (which I love, too, but for different reasons) and it’s gotten stuck twice in the two years that we’ve owned it. Aside from the AWD, the fact that it’s a wagon is huge. Not many wagons to choose from and I’m happy to Subaru still offers them, or rather used to. Now the new Outbacks aren’t wagons anymore, they are SUV’s and I’m not going there.

Nonetheless, I know that I can do better then the low 20′s MPG in my next family car. The trade off will be it won’t be as fun to drive.

By: David B

David B — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 11:01:47 +0000

What a doofus Doll is. Are you telling me that gas will stay under $3.00 a gallon this year? It is predicted to jump as high as $5.00 dollars by the end of next year. With more Chinese and Indians, two of the largest populate d countries, buying more cars gas will go up no doubt. It just sounds like he is playing the cover my rear game. Subaru deserves what they get in lost market share, you do not do it for brand share growth, but mindshare and work out the kinks on your first generation hybrid. VW and Subaru need to get their act together.

By: David B

David B — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 10:59:45 +0000

By: Subie Smoked a Dooby

Subie Smoked a Dooby — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 02:02:37 +0000

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY SUBARU!

I can't wait for next years "Hybrid in 2014" announcement.

"In Detroit, Subaru Makes Annual Promise of a Future Hybrid"