Subdriven | The Subaru Enthuisast Website

Subaru has been on something of a roll lately. Such momentum has likely been enhanced by their new emphasis on performance. The new line of turbocharged cars has helped them expand beyond their traditional customer base and well into the enthusiast segment. But they can only grow so much with a lineup of compacts and smallish mid-size cars, no matter how capable they may prove to be. This sets the stage for the next big thing - the upcoming B9X crossover SUV, to debut in January at Detroit's NAIAS.

The B9X will arrive late to the near-luxury SUV party, and everyone knows that when you arrive late, you had better be best dressed. A merely competent entry will not be enough, as it would only be lost in a sea of established stalwarts from Lexus, Acura, and Volvo. It needs both substance and style to make a splash in this innovative and hyper-competitive segment. How can Subaru ensure enough people notice?

Value, for starters. There is an expectation, perhaps unfair, that a Subaru will cost less than an Acura or a Lexus. Subaru has only recently made a move toward the premium end of the segment, and this is a price range where the badge does matter. With an MDX starting at $36,700, and a Pilot coming in at under $30k for starters, I'd expect the B9X to list closer to the Honda, yet offer the Acura's level of equipment.

The King of the lineup will also need a throne tall in stature. Up until now, much of the criticism directed towards Subaru's lineup claims they are nothing more than raised wagons. While I believe there's more to it than that, you can't change the public's perception until you deliver an SUV with the look and the capabilities to quiet those critics.

Performance is also key. When Subaru finally brought the WRX to America, Impreza sales doubled. This will be the flagship of the Subaru lineup, and it should perform accordingly. Adequate will not do. If it gets the H6 engine from the Outback, it had better be geared properly. The Outback has been criticized for its brakes, so this area deserves specific attention from Subaru. I'd like to see them strike a balance with braking, acceleration, steering, and handling. Pioneer the use of light materials to keep weight down relative to the competition, as this will help every aspect of performance.

Features availability will also be critical to the success or failure of the B9X. When segment leaders offer laser cruise control and swiveling headlights, and have hybrid powertrains on the way, you can't be missing the most desirable features from your options list - Navigation system, DVD entertainment, stability control, and HIDs.

Space efficiency will be important. Families pack more and more stuff and want the 2.3 kids to be able to bring a friend or two along. I'd like to see the 3rd row beat what Lexus has managed with the RX, and at least match the MDX. The 2nd row should be wide enough for 3 across. Let's see more of the clever packaging and hidden storage nooks and crannies that we've seen on Foresters, only on a greater scale.

Payload should be beefy to indicate the capacity of this new frame. I'd also like to see towing capability best what Volvo and Acura can manage. This is a truck, not a light-duty car. It can be car-like, sure, but it has to pay the bills first and foremost.

Premium materials are a given in this price class, and I expect plenty of matte, padded surfaces on the interior of the B9X. Let's see fabrics on the pillars and headliner, with plastics kept to a minimum. The new Legacy is a long way from the old one, and the B9X should build upon that kind of progress.

Safety should be a given - do I even need to ask for a full complement of air bags, crumple zones, and a full safety cell? AWD and stability control should be on every SUV, especially at this price level. More importantly, make it all standard.

To stand out in a crowded segment, distinctive style is one key element. The sketches look promising, I'm just hoping they can make the package practical and that visibility is good underneath the new duds. Andreas Zapatinas spent some time with Alfa Romeo and BMW, and the design influence is obvious.

Am I asking a lot? Indeed, but I'll raise those expectations just once more.

Surprise us. That's right, Subaru, offer some innovation that we've yet to see in this class. Knock our socks off. Doesn't even matter how you do it. You're the last one to arrive at the party - let's see you make a grand entrance.