Balance is the key to victory in the Subaru Outback won the 2010 Motor Trend Sport / Utility of the Year award in 2010. And for 2011 and 2012, very little has changed.

Outback shines like a crossover SUV with versatility, but without any of the SUV sanctions. Subaru was able to a large and well suited interior combines with exceptional ground clearance, comfortable on the road, tough off-road capability, healthy performance and fuel economy in a big package.

Under the hood, which she manages with just four-and six-cylinder options, largely due to the relatively light 3700-pound curb weight. This also makes the big Outback driving, despite his height. On the way, it's smooth and quiet, and provides all-weather and off-road confidence that is unparalleled in its segment.

Inside, the Outback ergonomically suited to satisfying control and comfort, and there are many safety features, in 2011, Subaru had a IIHS Top Safety Pick.

Body: Crossover SUV

Engines: 2.5-liter flat-4, 3.6-liter flat-6

Transmissions: six-speed manual, five-speed automatic, continuously variable automatic transmission

Models: 2.5i, 2.5i Limited, 2.5i Premium, 3.6 R, 3.6 R Limited, 3.6 R Premium

It is "stay the course" for the 2012 Outback, the most popular model Subarus. After a redesign for 2010, the only changes for the new model are audio enhancements, and Bluetooth buttons on the wheel of the premium models.

Subaru is generally not considered a "premium" manufacturer, but the Outback, the Legacy with which it is based, is Subaru's premium offerings. It looks like a big car, but for some, the Outback is an attractive long car with handsome grille, flared fenders and sporty wagon design.

Inside, the Outback has all the usual bells and whistles of an entry-level luxury car, such as available leather and heated seats, an infotainment and navigation audio system and six airbags as standard. It also has a large payload.

The Outback 2.5i, Limited and Premium all share the same 170 horsepower 2.5-liter flat-4 engine while the 3.6 R Limited and premium area of ​​the new 256 horsepower 3.6-liter flat-6 engine . Subaru's Symmetrical All come with the automaker's All-Wheel-Drive, assistance in the performance and safety in all weather conditions, but the Outback of the suspension and brakes are more urban than sporty.

The Outback is available and optional safety features include electronic brake force distribution, four-wheel anti-lock brakes (ABS), seat mounted airbags, curtain first and second row overhead airbags, airbag occupancy sensor, traction control and AWD.

2.5i: 21-22 mpg highway mpg city/27-29

2.5i Limited: 22 mpg city/29 mpg highway

2.5i Premium: 19-22 mpg highway mpg city/27-29

3.6 R: 18 mpg city/25 mpg highway

3.6 R Limited: 18 mpg city/25 mpg highway

3.6 R Premium: 18 mpg city/25 mpg highway

2.5i Wagon

Sticker Price: $24,295

2.5i Limited Wagon

Sticker Price: $28,695

2.5i Premium Wagon

Sticker Price: $25,795

3.6R Limited Wagon

Sticker Price: $31,695

3.6R Premium Wagon

Sticker Price: $29,495

3.6R Wagon

Sticker Price: $28,295

The Legacy is Subaru's midsize sedan semi-premium, sporty and sophisticated offering than the smaller, entry-level Impreza. The current Legacy model made its debut in 2010, and little has changed since then. That's hardly a bad thing if the current model is a well-rounded, solid medium choice.

Each Legacy offers all-wheel-drive system Subaru, Subaru defining characteristic. But the automaker is also known for its flat-style motors, which have a lower center of gravity for better handling to offer. The Legacy lineup is powered by three engines and three transmission options, depending on your sports or economy driving intentions.

The base engine is a 2.5-liter flat-4, and with Subaru's CVT can be up to 31 mpg highway. For the spirited driver, the 2.5-liter turbocharged flat-4 makes gobs of power, but is only equipped with a manual gearbox. Subaru's 3.6-liter flat-6 engine will cost more money and makes less power than the turbo engine, but both the turbo and six-cylinder, 25 mpg highway rate.

Inside, passengers will enjoy a carefully planned interior, plenty of head and knee room, and a big trunk. The center console is tasteful modern, Subaru offers a voice-activated navigation, a rear view camera and a powerful Harman Kardon sound system.

While the Legacy has standard all-wheel drive, Subaru has a different sized sedan that does not cause or falls behind in the segment.

Body Style: Sedan

Engines: 2.5-liter flat-4, 2.5-liter turbocharged flat-4, 3.6-liter flat-6

Transmissions: six-speed manual, five-speed automatic, continuously variable transmission

Models: 2.5i, 2.5i Premium, 2.5i Limited, 2.5GT Limited, 3.6R, 3.6R Premium, 3.6R Limited

Legacy is expected to be a few new colors, but also enhanced audio and interior to receive.

The Legacy was designed in 2010. With large wheel arches, prominent chrome grille, headlights and high-arched, it's not the prettiest midsizer, but it can be sporty, unique, or refined, depending on your taste.

The Legacy is the dimensions and clever interior packaging provide adequate usable space, and the cabin materials and overall build quality is very good.

Enthusiasts will opt for the 2.5GT Limited, with its 265 hp turbocharged flat-four, six-speed gearbox, sports suspension and revised. The transmission is awkward and the brakes are not very confident, but it's so comfortable on windy mountain road as it is in the fast lane. The rest of the lineup lacks performance, but has control over all wheel drive Subaru, that's favorite in the rain and snow climates.

Safety

The Legacy has four-wheel electronic anti-lock brakes (ABS) with brake assist, electronic stability control, two front airbags, seat mounted airbags, curtain first and second row overhead airbags, airbag occupancy sensor, traction control, and the all-wheel drive. The Legacy was an IIHS Top Safety Pick for 2010 and 2011, and expected again for 2012.

2.5 GT: 18 mpg city/25 mpg highway

2.5i: 19-23 mpg highway mpg city/27-31

3.6R: 18 mpg city/25 mpg highway

For many Americans, the Impreza is associated with two three-letter abbreviations: the high-powered, rally-inspired WRX and STI. These models are loosely based on the Impreza, but for 2012, the performance variations to break up. This leaves the Subaru Impreza again function as entry-level sedan.

While the WRX STi 2011 and remains on the old platform, the 2012 Impreza's have a completely new chassis, engine, continuously variable transmission (CVT), and suspension. To improve fuel efficiency, nixed the Subaru 2.5-liter engine in favor of a smaller 2.0-liter flat-4. It makes less energy and has a smaller fuel tank, but with weight savings, the new Impreza is just as fast, and it gets 30 percent better mileage and the same range as the 2011 model.

The Impreza is still the only all-wheel-drive car in its class, and now it is the most fuel-efficient all-wheel drive car in America. But this grill is not a gimmick. The new Impreza has improved steering feel, safety equipment and interior and stylish, sporty design while maintaining price.

Body styles: sedan, hatchback

Engine: 2.0-liter flat-4

Transmission: CVT, five-speed manual

Models: 2.0i, 2.0i Limited, 2.0i Sport Limited, 2.0i Premium

Everything about the 2012 Impreza's new: 2.0-liter flat four-cylinder engine, suspension, smaller fuel tank, but 30 percent increase in fuel mileage, power steering, CVT, knee airbag for driver and tons of interior infotainment functions.

The Impreza has been completely redesigned for 2012, and now that it is separate from the WRX / STi, it has its own fresh styling cues. Although the external dimensions are similar to the 2011 model, the new Impreza's nose and tail protrude so far from the wheels, making it the more impressed. The front end and grille are sporty, like the new Legacy, and there are beautiful arches framing 16 -, 17 - and 18-inch wheels.

While the external dimensions are similar to 2011, the new Impreza is actually more interior room - including a larger rear seat room and trunk volume. Subaru also upped the quality of the materials in the cabin, and made a lot of connectivity and infotainment features by default. On Limited and Sport models, a 4.3-inch LCD screen, HD Radio and iTunes switch covers. For Premium models, a six-speaker audio system with Bluetooth and a USB port, but also iPod functionality.

Dimensions for the 2012 Subaru Impreza are similar to the 2011 model, but the Subaru has a new suspension and a smaller engine - but it also has less weight. These changes positively affect fuel mileage, and Subaru says the new model is just as fast as the previous model, meaning that it is not very fast. But with a new electric power steering and familiar all-wheel drive, it's still a great handling car.

Subaru has not released any information on the new Impreza, but the 2011 model was a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS, and the 2012 model has a new knee airbag and whiplash protection front seats.

EPA Fuel Economy

2.0 CVT: 27 mpg city/36 mpg highway

2.0 5MT: 25 mpg city/34 mpg highway

Sticker Price: $17,495

Sticker Price: $18,995

Sticker Price: $22,095

Sticker Price: $21,595

Sticker Price: $20,295

Sticker Price: $19,795

Sticker Price: $22,395

Sticker Price: $19,595