The Subaru Forester emerged triumphant from a field of thirteen contenders to clinch the 2008 Motor Trend Sport Utility of the Year award. According to Motor Trend editor-in-chief Angus McKenzie, the decision to give the award to the Forester was unanimous. “The Subaru Forester is the SUV for our times”, he added.

The Subaru Forester has had an excellent safety record. It recently received the highest possible ratings in frontal and side impact crash tests by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Aside from five-star frontal and side impact crash-test rating, the 2009 Forester also received a four-star rollover resistance rating. The 2009 model certainly lives up to it with cutting –edge safety technology such as ring reinforcement safety system; front, seat mounted side and three row side-curtain airbags; and ABS.

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Luxury automakers have introduced a number of innovative features in the vehicles they roll out every year in the hopes of attracting more buyers. These range from a supercharged engine to plush leather interiors. Now, automakers are trying out new lighting effects and features to lure in more potential buyers. Some of the newest lighting effects include soft night lighting that aid passengers in finding controls, dropped items without fumbling for a switch. There are also lights fixed into the side mirrors of some vehicles that automatically turn on when a key fob near the vehicle.

Most of these innovative lighting systems are more on aesthetic rather than functional. Usually, lighting systems are standard equipment in vehicles while exterior lights are typically optional. Some of the luxury models offering new lighting systems and features are the Lexus GS and the Mercedes S-Class. The Lexus GS offers 18 lamps that light up different areas of the interior one after the other. Meanwhile, the Mercedes S-Class features a fiber-optic light strip that spans the dashboard and the doors.

The lights in the interior of the new Honda Civic SI glow read while the interiors of the Civic Coupe EX is blue-lit. The Saturn Vue Red Line lets owners choose from two personalized foot-well lighting colors: warm amber and cool blue. The new Dodge Caliber has a removable rear dome light that can double as a flashlight. Other light effects are a bit whimsical, like illuminated cup holders in the Subaru B9 Tribeca and red dashboard and center console illumination in Audis.

In vehicle ratings, that is. And the Japanese auto manufacturers did not only win against their American counterparts but against major European auto manufacturers as well. In the nine-year history of the “Top Picks”, Customer Reports’ annual car ratings survey, this was the first time that Japanese automakers grabbed all the top honors. The result, however, was not that surprising, considering that the Japanese auto manufacturers also bagged 9 out of the 10 top spots in last year’s edition of the survey.

In the said survey, Honda led the way for the Japanese automakers by getting four of its vehicles in the coveted list. The company’s luxury line, Acura, neither went empty handed as the Acura TL was named as the top luxury sedan. Toyota, on the other hand, had their name on the list with two hybrid vehicles, which were actually the only hybrid vehicles to make it to the “Top Picks”. Wrapping up the year’s list-makers were Subaru and Infiniti. Here’s a list of those vehicles that made it to the Top Picks list of Consumer Reports:

SMALL SEDAN: Honda Civic

FAMILY SEDAN: Honda Accord

UPSCALE SEDAN: Acura TL

LUXURY SEDAN: Infiniti M35

FUN TO DRIVE: Subaru Impreza WRX/STi

SMALL SUV: Subaru Forester

MIDSIZED SUV: Toyota Highlander Hybrid

MINIVAN: Honda Odyssey

GREEN CAR: Toyota Prius

PICKUP TRUCK: Honda Ridgeline

Japanese dominance, however, did not end on the Top Picks, because Japanese vehicle brands also populated the top spots of the magazine’s vehicle reliability survey. Topping the list was Lexus, followed by Honda and Toyota. Other vehicle brands that entered the list were Mitsubishi, Subaru, Acura, Scion, Mercury, Mazda, and Suzuki.

Because of the Japanese dominance, critics have instantly speculated about a bias on the survey’s outcome. James Guest, president of Consumers Union, the publisher of Consumer Reports, however dismissed all the speculations. According to Guest, the Union “have one standard, and it’s based on our rigorous testing and what’s best for the consumer. The bottom line is these cars won their place by beating the competition in all the test categories.”

The continuous rise in oil prices have made SUV sales drop lower and lower in the last few years. But just when many people have agreed that major SUV manufacturers should now start producing smaller cars, Subaru says just not yet.

Last Thursday, Subaru of America, Inc. unveiled to the world the Special Edition model of the 2007 Subaru B9 Tribeca, which is touted as the company’s flagship vehicle for the 2007 model year. Among other things, the Special Edition B9 Tribeca boasted of an exclusive mesh grille and chrome-finish wheels for its exterior and a standard XM Satellite radio package for its interior. These are apart from all the other new features that all other 2007 Subaru B9 Tribeca model shares.

Along with the introduction of the 2007 Subaru B9 Tribeca Special Edition model, the company also gave further details about vehicle’s standard version, which is also on display at the Chicago Auto Show. Details given by the company were centered mainly on the SUVs 3.0-liter 6-cylinder Boxer engine that outputs 245 horsepower and 215 lb-ft of peak torque. Another feature that was given much attention was the vehicle’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system.

The surprises for B9 Tribeca lovers, however, do not end on those two performance features because the new SUV has more to offer both inside and out. The vehicle’s exterior, for example, features a revamped front fascia highlighted by a new black grille that made it look more aggressive and aerodynamic. There are also a lot of surprises inside the vehicle, with an interior that is considered by many as the most lovable among the many SUVs presented in the auto show.

The 2007 Subaru B9 Tribeca also showcases new features on the safety department. One of the new safety features is the Rollover sensor system that deploys the side curtain air bags whenever a possible rollover is sensed. Another is the new Brake Assist which further enhances the performance of the vehicle’s ABS brakes, Vehicle Dynamics Control and four-wheel traction control.

The entire line-up of the 2007 Subaru B9 Tribeca SUV, including the Special Edition model, will appear in dealers’ showrooms sometime in June this year. Prices for the different trim levels are yet to be unveiled by the company, although the additional Special Edition package has already been priced at an extra $1,295.