The 2022 Subaru WRX: First Images Released

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The new 2022 Subaru WRX is finally on its way. The brand has just released the image below, giving us a taste of the latest iteration of the rally icon. Once again, Subaru seems to be departing from the design language of past models and looking more towards their concept renderings for inspiration. Happily, it would appear that the brand has stayed as faithful to the concept as regulations will allow.

The 2022 Subaru WRX looks just like the concept

2022 Subaru WRX | Subaru

Let’s talk about what we can see in the image, and a little bit about what we can’t. First, the hood. It seems Subaru will be keeping the iconic hood scoop intake for the latest iteration of the perennial street rally car. Moreover, it looks just like the scoop on the concept. Good thing, too, as the concept is a striking thing to look at. We can only hope that the wider hood intake will mean more power for the 2022 Subaru WRX.

As for the actual shape of the car, it’s hard to tell. However, there are a few things that can quickly be picked out. Namely the shape of the rear third of the vehicle. Take a look at the concept below, then back at the real thing, what little of it you can see. Notice the way that the roof drops off more drastically. Likely, this means that the Japanese marque had to curtail some of the body lines on the production car, for one reason or another.

How much will be left on the cutting room floor?

The WRX concept at its debut in 2020
The WRX concept | Thorsten Wagner via Getty Images

In all likelihood, this won’t be the only thing left on the cutting room floor. Remember Toyota’s FT1 concept? A concept car is a completely unbridled thing, with designers being given carte blanche. Automakers often have to include or exclude design elements to comply with the litany of regulations for fuel efficiency and crash standards. While information from Subaru on the new ‘Rex is scarce, it’s safe to assume the new car won’t be a carbon copy.

For example, those high-waisted doors almost certainly won’t be making it to the new 2022 Subaru WRX. Certain regulations in both the EU and the U.S state that the bodywork of a vehicle cannot protrude past a certain point on the vehicle. Therefore, it’s likely the production model will be a little more narrow than what you see here. Those fancy Aston Martin-esque door handles likely won’t make it either, given the cost to produce something like that.

When we can expect the STI variant

A blue 2020 Subaru WRX STI
The current WRX STI | Marco Destefanis via Getty Images

As for the even more hotly anticipated STI variant of the 2022 Subaru WRX, it’s hard to say when we’ll see it. The new ‘Rex is set to be debuted later this year. Thankfully, if history is to repeat itself, we won’t have to wait long. Historically, the STI makes an appearance shortly after the WRX does. The two models are inextricably linked, and it’ll be great to see what Subie has done for this latest iteration of the world’s most iconic rally car for the street.

RELATED: Skip the SUV: You Need a Subaru Outback for Only $15,000

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BMW Throws Innovative Model Under Bus: Stops US Sales

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Love it or hate it the BMW i3 was and is an innovative vehicle. Besides it being the first all-electric car to come out of Leipzig, Germany, it had other unique features. The structure was a combo of carbon fiber with aluminum bonded to it. When we think of carbon fiber in vehicles we think of only exotics, not the kooky BMW i3. 

The BMW i3 was kooky-cool but flawed

2020 BMW i3 | BMW

It’s also quirky but in a good way. When it debuted in 2013 it was still a time when hybrids and electrics needed to stand out. We have since moved away from that idea. But the design of the i3 reinforced that tenet of EVs in the day.

Now, BMW announced it will stop selling the i3 in the US this week. Though improvements in range and functions found their way into it the i3 had some built-in problems that kept it from possibly selling better. Not that it sold terribly-at least not in the beginning. 

The i3 was compromised out of the gate. Its biggest flaw had nothing to do with the car itself. It was priced at a fairly high $41,350 for the base model. Though not in the same league, a 2013 Nissan Leaf S had a list price of $28,800. 

The i3 had range issues that BMW only half-addressed

2020 BMW i3 in blue and black
2020 BMW i3 | BMW

Then there was the range. Initially, you could only get 80 miles of range if you took it easy. That is limiting, though as a city car with a home charger it was more than enough. In 2017 BMW upped the range to 113 miles, but you wouldn’t consider using the i3 for long trips. It just wasn’t that kind of EV.

Over the last couple of years, BMW seemed to have given up on the i3. Though receiving a minor facelift in 2017 and that range increase, not much else has changed. And no new iteration of the i3 was in the cards. BMW was making it clear it would explore other EV avenues. 

The i3 saw its best-selling year in 2015 with 11,024 sold. Since then it has been a slow decrease, then the floor dropped out of i3 sales. Just a hair over 1,000 found buyers last year. For 2021, only 340 have sold so far. Had it made it through 2022 it would have been a full decade of sameness.

The i3 will be sold in Europe in 2022, but not the US

2020 BMW i3 side view
2020 BMW i3 | BMW

And it will see production in 2022, just not in the US. But that will be its final year as BMW looks to its iX SUV, i4 sedan, and iX3, which we won’t see in the US. Plus, these won’t be viewed as entry-level products. The i4 will start at $55,400, and the iX SUV will see prices start at $83,200. 

But the i3 was a noble, interesting-if flawed effort. At least here in SoCal, we see them everywhere. They’re as common as a Prius or Leaf anecdotally. We’ll miss seeing the kooky cool i3.

RELATED: BMW’s i3 Is Fun, Quirky, and Pretty Damn Expensive

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Porsche Cars Consumer Reports Gave the ‘Never Buy’ Label

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Consumer Reports has a list of the worst used cars available for sale with responses from the owners of luxury Porsche vehicles. These vehicles have worse-than-average reliability based on the scores provided during the CR Annual Auto Survey. What Porsche vehicles do Consumer Reports avoiding?

Porsche Consumer Reports cars to avoid: 2014, 2016 Porsche Cayenne

The Porsche Cars Consumer Reports Gave the ‘Never Buy’ Label | Isa Foltin/Getty Images for Porsche AG & Porsche Design

The 2014 Porsche Cayenne received a score of one out of five for reliability. On the flip side, the owner satisfaction score was four out of five. Why doesn’t Consumer Reports recommend the Cayenne? There were many issues with the transmission minor and drive system. One owner had the differential fail at just over 100,000 miles, which was a high out-of-pocket cost.

On the bright side, one owner offered an anecdotal reason to look for a Certified Pre-Owned vehicle. Since the 2014 Porsche Cayenne was purchased Certified Pre-Owned, it offered extra coverage for a transfer case issue. A few owners described the same issue.

What were some of the highlights of the 2014 Cayenne? The SUV was sporty, agile, and had a “meticulous interior fit and finish,” CR noted. And while it might be obvious, this Porsche as much fun as it is family-ready with a real back seat.

The 2016 Porsche Cayenne had similar complaints about unreliability and transmission issues. One issue related to the brake pedal dislodging was noted in a recall. This poses a huge risk for drivers.

Worst used cars? 2015-2016 Porsche Macan

The 2015 Porsche Macan received a score of one out of five for reliability. The owner satisfaction score was four out of five, just like the Cayenne. 2015 and 2016 were not great years for reliability, though the reliability score did go up a bit in 2017. Some of the owner-reported issues were related to the engine minor, engine cooling, and transmission major.

Consumer Reports ranked the 2015 Porsche Macan seventh out of nine similar luxury SUVs. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has seven recalls for the Macan. The recalls are for the fuel system, airbags, and hydraulic service brakes. There was a fuel leak in the fuel system, which increased the risk of a fire.

There are better luxury SUV options out there

These years of the Porsche Macan and Cayenne might be vehicles that are worth skipping over. The Porsche Cayenne made its way to being one of the brand’s best-selling vehicles, which doesn’t happen without good reason. These happen to be an off-year for the luxury brand. In the end, Consumer Reports still had a lot of positive things to say about the Macan, too.

In fact, the Macan was called “the most thrilling SUVs we’ve tested; it feels like a good sports sedan” by Consumer Reports. For those who liked this year but wanted an upgrade, the Macan S offers a turbocharged V6. It also offered a high towing capacity and payload for such a small SUV.

When it came down to it, Porsche still won Consumer Reports heart eventually. Just don’t buy a 2014, 2016 Porsche Cayenne, or 2015-2016 Porsche Macan without good reason.

RELATED: Is the Porsche 911 Worthy of the Supercar Distinction?

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What Is Volvo R-Design, and Why Should You Care?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Automakers give consumers seemingly endless options when buying a vehicle. That’s because the more extras available, the more upgrades a shopper can buy. Most car companies also sell models in several trim levels, and Volvo is no different. In fact, the Swedish manufacturer offers the top-trim R-Design with plenty of features and power. Volvo’s main goal with R-Design is to get consumers interested in upgrading to spend more money.

But will it work? Here’s what you should know about R-Design.

What exactly is Volvo R-Design?

The R-Design package is a “sporty design concept,” and the models that carry the label are “meant to recapture the thrill of driving,” Volvo of Austin explains.

Upgrading to an R-Design trim not only gives the vehicle a sportier look but also improves performance, so it’s not just an aesthetic makeover. The benefits can be seen in the exterior and interior, so it’s a trim that can give the entire vehicle a new look compared to the standard model.

Features of the R-Design trim

Going with the R-Design trim gives the exterior more attractive styling, including a frameless grille, finned rear diffuser, upgraded front and rear fascia, and a specialized tailpipe. The retooling reduces the drag coefficient, providing better handling, a more responsive driving experience overall, and better fuel efficiency.

The R-Design sport chassis also boasts improvements. It has firmer rear dampers, making the ride stiffer, but you’ll notice a more balanced driving feel with firmer front bushings.

In the cabin, R-Design ups the comfort level with sport seats. And shoppers can choose perforated leather seating and leather-clad steering wheel.

Additionally, the R-Design comes with features that give the vehicle a high-end look, such as exclusive badging and detailing.

Volvo models that offer this top trim

This premium trim isn’t available on all Volvo models. But you can choose from several vehicles if you’d like to upgrade to the look and feel of R-Design.

If you’re looking for a sedan, you’ll find S60 and S90 R-Design trims. The Volvo V60 and V90 are options if you want a wagon. And if you’re in the market for an SUV, the R-Design trim is available with the XC40, XC60, and XC90. 

R-Design versus other Volvo trims

News24 compares the trim options Volvo offers. The entry-level model is the Momentum. Even as the most affordable option, the Momentum provides drivers with a luxury feel in terms of design, style, comfort, and performance. Depending upon the model you choose, you can still get leather upholstery or aluminum decor inlays with the Momentum trim.

Moving up in price, the next level of trim is the Inscription, which makes the vehicle more elegant and luxurious than the Momentum. Options at this trim level include power driver and passenger seats with memory settings. You can also choose 19-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels.

And if you want the best combination of sporty and luxurious in a Volvo vehicle, the R-Design is the trim for you. But be prepared to open your wallet: R-Design trims can cost thousands more than the base models, Edmunds shows.

RELATED: The Major Problem With the 2021 Volvo V90 R-Design Is That It’s Not Practical

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