'08 WRX is quick, but look at it

0 Comments | USA TODAY, November, 2007 | by James R. Healey

Subaru is a quirky little brand with a reputation bigger than its U.S. presence.

Among car companies producing vehicles that actual people can afford, only Mitsubishi, Suzuki and Isuzu are selling fewer in the USA than Subaru, according to Autodata.

The oddball styling and rackety engines that are Subie signatures certainly don't explain the brand's appeal, reputation and vigorous loyalty. It must come from products that are good in many ways.

Subaru consistently has laudable crash-test scores and generally is among the most reliable companies -- second only to Honda Motor in the latest rankings by Consumer Reports magazine.

Subaru has a couple of models that can snatch the pants off some presumably higher-performance vehicles.

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