Upping the Ante: Three Subaru Models Named 'Best Bets' by Cars.com

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CHERRY HILL, N.J., April 3, 2009: The 2009 Subaru Impreza, Subaru Impreza WRX STI, and Subaru Forester have each been named a "Best Bet" by Cars.com, the leading destination for online car shoppers. According to Cars.com, the two Subaru Imprezas are each a "Best Bet for Sports Cars," and the Subaru Forester has been recognized as a "Best Bet for SUVs and Crossovers." To qualify as a Cars.com Best Bet, models must meet three quantified criteria: a "Good" rating in Insurance Institute for Highway Safety frontal-offset and side-impact crash tests; average or higher reliability ratings; and average or higher gas mileage within their class.

"We are proud to accept these awards from Cars.com," said Tom Doll, COO and executive vice president of Subaru of America, Inc. "The editors who have named the Subaru Impreza and Forester 'Best Bets' evaluate scores of vehicles, so this recognition comes from true automotive experts. The Forester and Impreza models offer safety, reliability and performance -- and are fun to drive."

"Our Best Bets help narrow down the options for buyers by vehicle class," said Cars.com Editor-in-Chief, Patrick Olsen. "These are vehicles that any of our editors would drive."

This latest recognition by Cars.com adds to a growing list of accolades for the Subaru Impreza and Forester, both of which were also named 2009 "Top Safety Picks" by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Kiplinger's Personal Finance 2009 Car Buyer's Guide recognized the 2009 Subaru Forester 2.5X as "Best New Crossover" in the category of "Small Crossovers," and the 2009 Subaru Impreza 2.5i as "Best in Class" in the "Wagons and Minivans" category. Other awards received by the 2009 Subaru Forester include: Motor Trend's 2009 Sport/Utility of the Year; a "good" rating (the highest available rating, indicating a vehicle's roof is more than twice as strong as minimum federal safety standards require) in the new IIHS roof strength test; the MotorWeek Driver's Choice Award for Best Small Utility; and the R.L. Polk award for consumer loyalty in the Compact SUV category.

MORE: Subaru Specs, Prices and Comparisons-Subaru Buyers Guide